If you are thinking about undergoing bariatric surgery for weight loss, you probably have a lot of questions. Some of the first questions you should be asking will concern your dietary needs following the surgery. Obviously, you won’t be able to eat the same way that you did prior to your operation, but there are many nutrients that you will still need, especially protein.
In order to achieve ongoing weight-loss success following bariatric surgery, patients need to follow a well-balanced diet, eating three meals daily with healthy snacks in between each meal. With all of your post-bariatric surgery meals and snacks, one of the main priorities should be protein, and there are all kinds of delicious ways for bariatric surgery patients to get the protein they need in order to remain healthy and promote weight loss.
Dietary Sources of Protein for Bariatric Surgery Patients
When deciding on a diet plan following bariatric surgery, your physician will be able to advise you on the right type of diet for you. Of course, he or she will recommend a protein-rich diet because not only does protein promote muscle recovery and growth, it also provides energy, which will help you burn off those stubborn calories.
You can get a lot of the proteins you need from a variety of animal sources, including lean red meat, poultry (chicken and turkey are the most popular, and white meat is preferable), and fish. These are all extremely protein-rich foods that will help to provide the protein you need following bariatric surgery.
Milk and milk products are another terrific dietary source of protein. In fact, whey and casein, popular proteins used in protein supplements, are milk derivatives, byproducts of the cheese-making process. But, when you add these foods to your diet, be careful of your choices, and opt for low-fat varieties such as skim milk and cheeses made from partially-skim or skim milk.
Eggs are also a wonderful source of protein and are used in many protein supplements. Before the introduction of protein supplements, many bodybuilders and athletes used eggs for protein before and after workouts.
There are a number of dietary sources of protein that are extremely diet-friendly and also great options for vegetarians. These include fruit and vegetable proteins, which can come from bananas, strawberries, apples, broccoli, carrots and peas. Soy is another vegetable protein, and is actually considered to be a complete protein because it contains all of the essential and non-essential amino acids.
Don’t forget about grains. There are a number of grains that provide loads of protein, including wheat, barley, brown and wild rice and buckwheat. Just having a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast can provide you with a healthy dose of protein to get your day started off on the right foot.
Protein Supplements for Bariatric Surgery Patients
After a patient undergoes bariatric surgery, their physician is more than likely going to recommend a strict diet, and many physicians recommend that their patients also use protein supplements. This is to ensure that even when following a strict diet, they are going to get the protein they need to maintain good health. It is important that following bariatric surgery, patients must have 60 grams of protein in their daily diets. This protein can come from either food sources or protein supplements, which are growing in popularity, especially with people who often skip meals.
There are many forms of protein supplements, and your physician may or may not prefer one over another. Your best bet is to try different types of protein supplements to figure out which ones work best for you.
Powdered Protein Supplements – Many people find that they like using powdered protein supplements to provide them with the additional protein they need following bariatric surgery. Protein supplements are often made from whey or casein, both milk derivatives, and byproducts from the cheese-making process. For those who are lactose intolerant or vegetarian, there are other powdered protein supplements available including soy, rice and egg proteins. Powdered protein supplements are available in a variety of flavors, and the chocolate and vanilla are exceptionally good in protein breakfast shakes. You can get fruit or berry-flavored protein powders to add to fruit juices and smoothies, and there are also unflavored protein powders that can easily be incorporated into most of your favorite recipes.
Protein Breakfast Shake
– 1 Banana
– 1 C Skim Milk
– 2 Scoops of Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder
– Ice
Mix ingredients in a blender and enjoy this fast, easy and delicious meal replacement shake for bariatric surgery patients, or anyone else, especially those who skip breakfast.
Liquid Protein Supplements – When it comes to liquid protein supplements, you also have a few options. There are pre-mixed drinks and shakes available that are portable and give you a shot of protein while you are on the go. These drinks are available with a high carbohydrate and fat content (mainly for bodybuilders and athletes looking to bulk up), and those that have a low carbohydrate and fat content. If you are going to use pre-mixed liquid protein supplements following bariatric surgery, it is the latter you will want.
There are also liquid protein supplements that you can add to many recipes, including shakes and smoothies. Again, look for ones that are low calorie and low in fat and carbohydrates.
Protein Shots – These are terrific sources of protein. Profect from Protica provides 25 grams of protein per serving. These are small and portable, and are great for an afternoon protein fix. Protein shots are available in many delicious flavors, including grape, raspberry, sour apple and lime.
Undergoing bariatric surgery is a choice that should not be made lightly, and if you make the decision to do so, you need to make sure that you follow your doctor’s dietary orders carefully. If you don’t get all of the nutrients your body needs, especially protein, your surgery will just have been a waste of time and money.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for immunodeficiency patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright