Is adding protein necessary?

[LaneyC 0]

I was banded June 28th. Not much of a success story at this time. Including pre-op diet I lost a total of 29 pounds. After Thanksgiving I gained 5 back and now am at 24 pounds total loss.:blushing: I must admit I didn't really start adding exercise until about a month ago. At work twice a day on my breaks I walk 6 flights of stairs. After work I work about 15 minutes on a small trampoline jogger. I am starting to feel that I have more energy but not much weight loss. Reading some of the posts on this site, people seem to really push Protein. I haven't really added any protein to my diet for a couple months, worried about the extra calories from the protein mix. I read on one of the posts that the protein is necessary for the weight loss??? Does protein enhance the weight loss? Shouldn't I get enough protein from cheese, fish, etc?

[Jachut 487]

I will get caned, lol, but I dont believe its necessary, as long as you do eat pretty well and get 50 or so grams a day anyway.

Other than that I think calories are calories and adding more in the form of shakes on top of what you already eat isnt going to help a lot.

I think if you're working out an hour a day at a high intensity you need more (but you need more of everything) and if you want to build enormous bulging biceps, you definitely need more.

Protein in and of itself wont cause weight loss. Eating less calories than you burn causes weight loss.

[kgloverii 0]

I will get caned, lol, but I dont believe its necessary, as long as you do eat pretty well and get 50 or so grams a day anyway.

Other than that I think calories are calories and adding more in the form of shakes on top of what you already eat isnt going to help a lot.

I think if you're working out an hour a day at a high intensity you need more (but you need more of everything) and if you want to build enormous bulging biceps, you definitely need more.

Protein in and of itself wont cause weight loss. Eating less calories than you burn causes weight loss.

I'll put myself out for the flogging too and say I agree with Jachut.

[Jodi_620 37]

You should make sure that you are getting enough Protein but excess protein really isn't necessary. If you are tight and are having problems getting in enough solid protein then shakes as a supplement are probably a good idea. But you shouldn't replace your meals with Liquid Protein.< /p>

[sadie11 2]

I find I don't crave sugar with a high Protein diet so I am doing Medifast.

Fast weight loss for me with Medifast and pretty good stuff to eat like shakes, bars, and Soups and even some crackers. I also don't have to think much about what to eat. Really lowers my blood pressure too with low salt, low sugar.

I can't lose weight with a regular food diet right now. I cheat wayyy too much. But I seem to be able to maintain my weight on regular food. So I'll do Medifast until I get to goal and then we'll see.

I think being over 50 makes losing very difficult too so I need a more radical diet than some of the younger folks.

After I lose my weight, I'll have to re-consider my ideal diet.

Sadie

Edited December 22, 2008 by sadie11

[HeatherO 7]

As long as you are getting the minimum required, there is no reason to substitute. It is much better to get it from food sources as opposed to supplements anyway.

[lapbandtalker 0]

Many swear by it...and I did it, too for the first few days.

It got old-fast so I relied on nutrition. Some days were better than others. My doc checks my labs every so often and there are tests for nutritional deficiencies...my protien is just fine. And no added Protein to my diet.