You might have thought of using protein powder for recreational purposes. However, what about weight loss? If you’ve had bariatric surgery, having a protein shake before and after surgery is especially helpful, as you can’t eat large amounts of food. Your body uses protein to build as well as repair tissues and muscles. You can lose muscle mass and strength over time if you don’t get enough protein in your diet. When choosing the best protein powder for bariatric patients, there are several things you should keep in mind. Keep reading to make the right choice for your needs.
Table of Contents
Protein Powder for Bariatric Patients
If you’re a bariatric patient, protein powder is an excellent way to get the protein you need to keep your body in tip-top shape. However, there is a lot to learn if you are new to the protein powder industry. Let’s start with the fundamentals and define protein. Amino acids, the building blocks of life, make up protein, which is present in almost all foods on earth. They are essential for maintaining muscle mass and keeping your body healthy.
Protein powder is a dried-out protein ground into powder form and packaged for convenience. While it’s not intended as a substitute for real food, it can be an easy way to get your fix when time is tight, or you don’t have access to fresh ingredients or cookware!
But how much do you need? Well, that depends on where you’re starting from—if you’re already eating a balanced diet with plenty of fiber and other nutrients, then your body probably doesn’t need any extra help getting enough protein (and if it does, then we’d recommend getting some advice from your doctor). However, if you aren’t getting enough protein in your diet, you could benefit from supplementing with a protein powder.
Benefits of Protein Powder
After bariatric surgery, protein powder is an excellent way to ensure that you consume enough protein. It’s easy to prepare and can be added to any meal or drink. Here are three reasons why protein powder after bariatric surgery is a good idea:
- It’s easy to prepare and consume. Protein powder can be mixed with water or milk and consumed immediately, or it can be added to other foods or drinks to boost protein.
- It tastes good! There are many protein powder flavors on the market, so finding enjoyable ones will make following your new diet much more accessible.
- It helps you meet your daily nutritional needs for protein. Protein powder contains 20 grams of high-quality protein per serving— enough to help you meet your daily protein requirements and build muscle.
- It can help you lose weight. Protein is a slow-digesting nutrient, which means it takes longer for your body to process and use than other types of food. This helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day and prevents overeating.
The Qualities of a Good Protein Powder
When you’ve had bariatric surgery, replacing the nutrients you’ve lost from your diet is essential. A protein powder can be an excellent way to do so. Protein powder is a great source of protein and other nutrients. It can also be used as an alternative to meat for those who are vegetarian or vegan. Keep these helpful things in mind when shopping for protein powder.
- Ensure that the type of protein used is whey or casein. Whey is best for post-workout recovery, while casein may be better for bedtime or breakfast use.
- Make sure that there are at least 20 grams of protein per serving. This will help ensure that your body receives enough protein to maintain muscle mass after surgery.
- Look for a product with no artificial sweeteners or flavors added to be safe for anyone with diabetes or food allergies (such as gluten intolerance).
- Ensure the product is certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will ensure that it has been tested for safety and purity.
Flavored Versus Unflavored Protein Powder
After bariatric surgery, you may wonder whether drinking protein powder is good. You might have heard that flavored protein powders are better than the unflavored kind. But what can you expect if you drink this stuff?
Flavored Protein Powders
Flavored protein powders are designed to taste sweet and delicious. They’re made with artificial flavors that can make this type of powder taste more like a milkshake or a candy bar than it is: a processed protein supplement that provides less nutrition than whole foods. It’s crucial not to rely too heavily on these supplements because they don’t contain many nutrients—some even contain unhealthy ingredients like sugar, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.
Unflavored Protein Powders
Unflavored protein powders don’t have added flavorings or sweeteners, so they may be harder for you to get used to at first. However, once you get used to drinking them regularly as part of your regular diet plan, they’ll start tasting just fine! While unflavored protein powders may not be as flavorful as their flavored counterparts because there aren’t any added ingredients like sugar or artificial sweeteners, they’re still packed with protein and other nutrients. Plus, you can add your flavorings to them to make them taste better if you want.
Tips for Making a Protein Shake
When it comes to producing protein shakes, there are many different bariatric recipes available. It’s usually a good idea to balance up your meals, so adding some fruits or veggies and a healthy fat source to your protein shake offers a range of nutrients. By incorporating sugar-free syrups and extracts, you may get creative with unflavored protein powder. Even pudding, applesauce, and oatmeal can be supplemented with the protein powder meal replacement for an additional protein boost. Before trying new food sources, be careful to speak with your dietician. Depending on your diet phase, you may be unable to eat some foods.
In summary, using protein powder after bariatric surgery is a common practice and not a problem so long as it is taken judiciously. However, as with any surgical procedure, it is essential to talk to your doctor before engaging in physical activity and using dietary supplements. This will enable you to make an informed choice about whether it is safe to use and what kind of protein powder is suitable after surgery.
