Question:
amount of protein v. body weight
I know the general rule of thumb is to get 70-100 grams per day of protein but I was wondering if a larger person would lose more efficiently at the higher end of the range for protein. Basically I'm wondering if you weigh more should you have more protein? Thanks so much in advance. Denise (wt 344, 7 wks post op, typically getting around 85 gms per day) — niecey (posted on June 2, 2006)
June 1, 2006
I would think being a little larger would not require a larger amount
because overall a person has approximately the same muscle amount that
would require the protein. I started at 312 and am currently 226 and have
consistently taking in approximately 80 grams of protein. ALways reference
to your nutritionist if needed. GOod luck with your future you! Shelly
— scharlier
June 1, 2006
Yes larger folks need more protein, my surgeon said about 70 grams so your
doing well. Faster loss is more about diet compliance, and tons of exercise
— bob-haller
June 1, 2006
Denise, I dont have an answer to your question, but I have a relative
question. How are you getting 85 grams a day, protein shakes?? I will be
8 weeks post op on Monday, run hot and cold on a daily basis with my
protein intake, though I've lost about 60 pounds to date. I've found I
just dont like anything anymore, including protein shakes. How are you
doing it?
— John Hoffmann
June 2, 2006
Thanks for everyone's replies. Everything about this surgery is
fascinating to me.
John - I drink 2 protein shakes per day of Isopure powder (25 gms) made
with 8 oz. Lactaid milk (8 gms) for a total of 66 gms just from my shakes.
I usually get 20 gms from food (cheese, chicken, fish, etc.)
— niecey
June 2, 2006
I weigh around 115 but do 180g protein in supplement (with water) per day.
I don't count food protein at all, don't touch milk (a 4 letter word for
candy) in any form. Some use complicated measures for protein, like 1g per
KG of body wt, which is like 160 for your current wt. Some use 1g per 1
lb. I think 90g in supplement (not counting milk) is a good start for most
proximal RNY ppl, but they often do 150g (again, supplement counting only)
if they really want to drop the wt. 2 phrases I've heard: the more I
drink, the more I shrink and the more I use, the more I lose. All I know
for me is I lost 100% of my EWL and am coming up on 12 yrs. I am very
thoroughly proteined and vitamined, so I suspect that never having let my
body know that I made this surgical alteration to it has helped with this.
— vitalady
June 2, 2006
Thanks for this question and everybody's response. I am currently 3+ years
post op (RNY 4/11/03) and lost 1/2 of my weight, and gained back 30 before
taking charge and upping protein, water, and exercise. I've lost 14 of the
30, and am happy to report that I'm back on the "losing side".
My question, though, is this: Is it OK to get the bulk of your protein
from shakes? I heard some rumblings in my support group last week that
"living on shakes" wasn't necessarily a good thing. But I'll
tell ya, since I've been doing 3 shakes/day, I really feel terrific. Any
advice, folks? Thanks!
— momstah
June 2, 2006
Dawn, I only count the protein in shakes. I do eat meat, but I am not
always comfortable with meats, and well, I never WAS a meat eater, much.
Although the foods I like contain a bit of protein (cheese, peanuts), it's
so little and of low bioavailability, I just figure my meat is chocolate.
As far as being "dependent" on them? You say that like it's a
bad thing. If I needed a crutch for a bad leg, would that be bad? If I
need some help with an altered digestive system, is it bad? It's true that
I have a radically distal RNY and MUST consume way more than others, but I
don't mind in the least as I still eat 4 mini meals a day, quite normal in
content, as well as my 6 proteins (30g each) per day. Some people use
their ideal weight as a goal for supplement intake. For example, if your
goal was 140 lbs, you'd use 140g protein supplement. That one doesn't work
for me since I weigh about 115 and take in 180g, but that's what works to
make me feel good and pull good lab numbers. I will increase that in 30g
increments if I find the carb monster getting a grip on me, too. I will
use WHATEVER tools I can to hold onto my wt loss and healthy feeling.
— vitalady
June 2, 2006
Thanks, Michelle, for your continued input in this forum. It has helped me
more times than I can count! (And thanks Carolina Girl for asking in the
first place!) I'm gonna try that 140g/day (how'd you know my 'dream
weight' was 140!?!?) :) Stay tuned! More will be revealed!
— momstah
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