protein question- NUT wasnt helpful

 my mother came with me to my appointments yesterday and asked a question to the nutritionist that i dont feel the nutritionist answered well enough for me to understand.  also not thinking she knows as much as you all when it comes to our bodies after surgery, as they are still recommending about 70 grams of protein a day.

anyway, i have put an order in for some samples and one of the samples, natures best, isopure, has 50 grams of protein in a serving.  the NUT doesnt recommend going over 15-20 per serving.  i'm not quite clear about her reasoning why, but it had something to do with there not being enough room for other nutrients if there is that much protein in a serving.  hunh?

can anyone explain that better for me to understand, or is she talking thru her butt?  she didnt ask me to tell her what brand so she could take a look at the ingredients or anything.  and she hand wrote on my booklet just one company name to get my protein from, unjury.  and, come on, one of their listed acceptable protein sources was carnation instant breakfast!

am i also correct when i recall people going above 100- 120 grams a day, and that they are healthier for it?  

just pretty confused about it all still.  so much to learn!

 Vitalady had some information on her site as I remember that said unless you are a bodybuilder/super athlete, it is hard for the body to absorb more that 20 grams of protein at a time. I don't think it matters if you go over, just may not optimize. 

Gina or another of our wise ones can tell you more. I always recommend people try Beneprotein if they have trouble with the artificial sweeteners and chemicals in lots of the powders. It is pure whey isolate and can be added to almost anything if you are careful about temperature (not over 130F).

I found that my nutritionist was just okay and I have never consulted her since the required visit. The nurses at my surgeon's practice have the real life advice. I call them with questions.

It is tricky to find things you like because sometimes your tastes will change. Samples are the way to go or buy from places that take returns.

Good luck with the process. Having WLS is fun and frustrating, and the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

30g.

I suggest 30g per serving. Your money, your coin toss if you want to take more per serving and hope you'll actually "get" all of it.

I wonder if the NUT was thinking you meant food protein in limiting your g? I dunno, sounds like someone who's never actually tasted or even seen a good whey protein made up.

Shaken with water, many are about as filling as the same amount of milk, so not very and not for long. But they do have the advantage of cranking down your appetite a bit, so you can eat more thoughtfully.

Thanks for correcting me. I trust your experience and knowledge. You help many of us here on the LW board. 

I don't usually have anything else when I have a shake so I've never been concerned with overwhelming my "few and far between" remaining nutritional receptors. lol  I think NUTs still think we can get a lot of our nutrients from food, which I don't really think we can but that's what they believe.... 

Anyway, most protein shakes with whey protein isolate as the first ingredient are 23 protein grams per serving (or 1 scoop). I aim for 120 grams from shakes a day and break them up into 4 - 30 gram shakes (1 1/2 scoops). Shakes you find on Vitalady's site have gone through her "best bang for the buck" filter or they wouldn't be there. I like Syntrax Nectars, IDS MultiPro and many folks like Champion Nutrition. 

Keep reading and asking questions.

--gina
 

Unjury has good products, and they have a chicken soup that has 20 grams of protein/serving. It is a bit high in sodium, but early out, it is soothing and the sodium isn't a big deal. Carnation Breakfast is too high in sugar and carbs and the program that I went through doesn't recommend it. There is a low sugar, low carb version, but I haven't checked it out.

I also have problems with many of the different proteins, because of the artificial sweetners and the after taste. When I was hospitalized, the dietitians gave me Beneprotein to put in my food/soup. It is virtually tasteless and mixes well in everything. Just don't put in anything over 130 degrees F. To this day, I add some to my egg salad or yogurt, for that extra boost of protein.

Gail

Great question! 

I've never really heard the theory about having too much protein that there's no room for other nutrients, but I HAVE heard about our bodies not being able to absorb more than 25 or so grams of protein at a time.  I'm not sure that's been proven or not. 

Unjury was also recommended to me prior to surgery.  They do have very good proteins, but can get pricey.  Like Gina, I love the syntrax brand.  They do have different kinds of proteins too, so be sure to read the labels.  You'll want Whey Isolate protein.  It should be on the front label and/or as the first ingredient under the nutrients section.  That's the purest form of protein and what our bodies will utilize the best.  Unjury is a Whey Isolate.  Later you can mix in some concentrates. 

Yes, 100-120g of protein a day is what many shoot for, that would be a combination of foods and protein drinks.  I think aiming for 70g from just drinks is a good target to start with, but, right after surgery you're going to find it difficult to really get down much of anything, so don't stress yourself about that at that point.  It will happen.

I have read mixed information on here regarding if we can absorb more than 30 grams of protein at a time...some on OH fully believe that we can and others do not.  I tend to NOT go above 30 grams in one protein drink and like Gina, often put 1 and 1/2 scoops of my protein in my coffee.  This starts me off good with protein each as well as helping me not be hungry for a few hrs first thing each day.  From what I have read, 70 grams in a day is not a bad thing.  My surgeon says at least 60 a day.  With that being said, I aim for apprx 100 a day (got to 109 yesterday).  I focus on protein for all meals and snacks and so far always have majority of everything I eat being protein.  In the beginning though I would NOT stress about this.....it took me a few weeks to get over 60 grams a day as you can only drink a little.....my goal was to try to increase my fluid each day and protein.....I started with just 2 protein drinks a day and then slowly worked in food once I was on purees. 

I learned SO much from reading on here and other places......follow what your surgeon recommends but also use your own research as well.

You will figure out what is BEST for you!

Good luck!

~~Jennifer

The problem with nutritionists is that they live inside the box not outside the box.  When i use to powerlift we consumed around 200 grams of protein daily from food and protein drinks.

BUT once I became diabetic about 8 yrs ago I had to see a Nut and omg they had a fit that I was eating so much.  Due to them being inside the box they think per their books that first NON WLS people don't need that much protein and they base it on facts that its very hard on the kidneys and you must drink more than 8 glasses of water daily to make sure your flushing everything out.

But from what I have been learning from all of you is about the malabsorbtion that comes with WLS so the kidney and other organ issues are not going to come into play esp at just 120 grams give or take daily.

I just don't think most NUTs have accepted the fact they WLS people don't fit inside the box, nor does bodybuilders, powerlifters or any other athlete

BINGO!!  I think you've got it!