Clear liquid diet: Do protein drinks count toward liquid total?

[apythia]

I'm only a week out so I'm still on the clear liquid diet: lots of plain water (all I can stomach) and forcing down Isopure bottled protein drinks.

For some reason, my surgeon makes me have a nutritionist and a dietician and they seem to disagree. The dietician said get water first and protein intake doesn't count toward liquid and the nutritionist says protein is the most important thing. Drink it and then get liquids. It's hard for me to get 60 grams of protein (1.5 bottles - 30 oz) and the minimum 64 oz of fluid if the Isopure doesn't count toward my fluid intake.

Have any of you been told that your protein drinks don't count as fluid intake?

[Joe Poppa]

I was told to count the liquids. So for a pre-mixed protein shake, I counted the ounces listed on the container, for ones I mixed, I counted the water or milk portion added in the daily liquid total. They were ok with that.

[Ann2]

First, I'm only 16 days out, so realize I'm still getting a lot of my nutrition in the form of liquids (shakes, soups, yogurt, etc.)

But yes, my doc said my protein drinks (and soups and other liquid foods) count toward daily liquids -- although he also said he'd like to see me get in "at least 48 ounces of water" a day right now.

I interpret this to mean that when I'm getting more (most? all?) of my nutrition in the form of chewed food I'll need to drink 64 ounces of water daily.

And, of course, when I'm exercising much harder, out in hot weather, or just being very active I will drink more than 64 ounces a day.

[Songstress]

I was told protein intake does not count towards liquid intake. Also to concentrate more on liquids to keep from dehydrating and as you go along the protein intake will become easier. I am on soft foods now but I still try to to have at least 1 shake a day to keep up with my protein. Hope this helps.

[sociologist]

My dr said all liquids count...soup, broth, protein drinks, coffee, tea...with and without caffeine. Its important to stay hydrated the first few weeks. Get in whatever protein you can. Its difficult to meet your drs goal until youre about three wks out.

[MBL]

I was told all liquid counts. Really though, listen to your body. You know when your urine is too dark and adjust accordingly if it is or if you feel other signs of dehydration. Good luck.

[TraceyLee]

I was told all liquid counts, protein shakes, broth, milk as long as I stayed hydrated in the first few weeks. I still have trouble fitting in even half of the volumes I was given for my meals and it doesn't matter how hard I try to eat and drink what I'm 'meant' too. My dietitian and doctor are both saying not to push anything to listen to my body and do what it says.
Good luck

[apythia]

Glad to hear that the majority of you say you can count your protein shakes as your liquid intake! Thanks for letting me know.

[cmh81]

My Isopure and broth counted towards my liquid intake on clear liquids. I was also required to drink so many ounces per waking hour before I was able to be discharged.