Understanding different types of protein.
I like to post this periodically as a reminder to some and to provide information for newly post-ops. It comes from Pam T. on the RNY board and is just a portion of an entire book that she has put together, which has some awesome information. You can download your own copy at the following link:
pamtremble.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-protein-book.html
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WHEY ISOLATE PROTEIN -- this is the highest quality form of protein powder. All the fat and lactose (sugar) has been removed from the original milk product and you're left with just the protein. When you look at the label you'll see about 25g of protein per scoop" (usually about 28g size scoop or 1/4 cup) with 0g carb and 0g fat. If you are lactose intolerant, this is your best choice. Because Whey Isolate is the highest quality, you're also going to pay more for it.
WHEY CONCENTRATE PROTEIN -- although still a high quality form of protein powder, it has not been processed down as far as Isolate and you'll find that some fat and carbohydrates still remain in the product. Not much, but still some. Typically you'll see Whey Concentrate containing about 1g-9g of fat and 1g-9g of carb (lactose) per serving. Check the labels carefully to see how the numbers come out... some forms of Concentrate are higher quality than others. Because it's not as high a quality of blend, it's usually priced much cheaper. However, if you are lactose intolerant, you want to stick with Isolate instead.
COMBINED WHEY ISOLATE & CONCENTRATE -- A common way for manufacturers to achieve a high quality protein supplement while still maintaining an economical price point is to use a combination of both Whey Isolate and Concentrate in the mix. Make sure that Isolate is listed first on the ingredient list to ensure you're getting more of the higher quality protein. This is the type of protein I use and each scoop of protein has 1.8g fat and 2g carb with 24g protein.
OTHER GOOD TYPES OF PROTEIN -- some people find that they are actually "whey intolerant" and have to search for other types of protein supplements. There are definitely other options, but the variety is much more limited. Soy protein, rice protein, egg protein -- all these powders can be purchased in the same way as whey protein. I personally haven't tried any of these, but have heard from others that they do not mix as smoothly with liquid as whey, so you have to deal with grittiness and sometimes lumpiness.
PROTEIN TO AVOID – stay away from the types that are low quality proteins and those designed for body builders or people with normal digestive systems. Specifically… collagen protein and hydrolyzed protein and those that do not contain all eight essential amino acids. A popular protein supplement among bodybuilders is the “protein bullet" – an oversized test-tube type container with about 3oz of gel-based protein. This is the wrong kind of protein for WLS folks. It’s made of low quality collagen protein
This is a very good post. My surgeons office recommends two protein shakes a day for life. While I am now at a year plus out I can meet my protein goal without supplementing, one thing you must remember its that our bodies absorb things differently. The amino acids that are in the recommened protein supplements are a necessity and not easily absored any other way by us post-ops. So while I dont get two protein shakes in every day like I SHOULD I at least make sure to do at least one so my body is getting the amino acids that the protein supplements provide.
~*April*~
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