Question:
A question about protein......

When people answer questions on here about getting back to basics...one thing is 'get in your protein'.... My question is, if you take in carbs such as a lean cuisine dinner or healthy choice or eat a candy bar, etc etc....upping your protein in this situation is better for you? You hear people say "I didn't change my diet much, just UPPED MY PROTEIN' and got in my water and I started losing again. I guess what i'm asking is, if you eat a otis spunkmeyer chocolate chocolate chip muffin is upping your protien going to help 'counteract' the effect of the extra carbs and sugar? I suppose this is as clear as mud but I hope someone is understanding the nature of this question. Thanks in advance for your answers! I love the contiued support of this site!    — Sharon B. (posted on November 13, 2004)

November 13, 2004
No, eating 'more' protein will not 'counter act' you eating the chocolate chip muffin. The Idea of 'upping' your protin, is most people eat protein, veg then carbs... So if you up your protein; the idea is you will NOT have any room for the carbs you'll be 'to full' and then not eat them.
   — star .

November 13, 2004
Hi Sharon! I think that when people say to up the protien and get in the water it is not meant to do these things as well as eat that cookie or piece of chocolate - what they mean is put down the cookie, get rid of that muffin, and go back to the basics that we all learned in the beginning of our WLS - and that was to get in the protien first, then veggies, etc. Funny, I've been post of for almost 1-1/2 years, and I keep going through my original packet of info the doctor gave me as far as what to eat and what not to eat, and I can't find chocolate or muffins anywhere, but I'll keep looking just to make sure I haven't missed something - lol -Hey, we all slip up every now and then, but the main thing is that if you do, don't let it become habit again...get right back on the wagon and for somme of us, it is easier to go back to the basics jut to reel us into the diet that works before we end up in the same place we were before the WLS - I for one never want to go back there again and have worked way too hard to get where I am, and I'm even kind of liking it - a whole bunch! Good luck to you in your WL Journey,
   — DorrieB

November 13, 2004
I totally understand the question. I think a lot of people seem to think that if they "up the protein" they will lose weight. However it will only work if you are substituting the protein food for a higher calorie unhealthy food. Protein is the building block of our muscles and organs and we must have an adequate amount to maintain our bodies. I will risk sacriledge and say that beyond meeting our body's needs there is nothing magic about protein.
   — **willow**

November 13, 2004
Nothing cancels out sugar. Boy, do I wish that wasn't so. When most people say up the protein, they mean food, and they usually mean proportionally. When I say it, I mean supplementally, because whey protein has the side benefit of lowering sugar cravings, cravings in general and taken shortly before a meal can help blunt the appetite of a volume eater. It doesn't hurt to keep your protein levels high, either. Whey protein (not mixed with any sugar containing products, like fruit juice or milk) also has a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, which is another things that makes us crave. So, can you erase the cookie with a string cheese? No. If you drink 4 proteins instead of 2, will that erase the cookie? No. But 1-3 days from now, the rest of the bag will be easy to toss and the cookies just won't have as much power. It's subtle, not magic
   — vitalady

November 14, 2004
Michelle, thank you for your answer!! This is more what I was looking for. The others who responded, I do appreciate so much, but they were talking about food. I should have been more specific in my question because I was speaking of supplemental protein drinks. One of the reason for my question was if I drink 2 or 3 protein drinks a day with yogurt in them (I love the Nectar) i seem to start losing weight again and don't change my eating habits, noticably that is, except for that. I'm 2 years out and still cannot get the last 20 pds off and it's all in my stomach ARRGGG! It just upsets me. The water is a real problem also. I drink quite a bit of fluids but not much water. Anyway I'm babbling. Just wanted to say thanks to all the people who took the time to answer!! Bless you!
   — Sharon B.

November 14, 2004
I am kind of new at this but here is how I understand it. Yes, you need lots of protien, BUT it doesn't mean to increasethe amount of food you eat, just to make sure what you eat is high in protein. Eat your protein FIRST and if you have room you could eat something with it. The rule is...Eat you Protein FIRST. Stay away from FAT and SUGAR. I hope this helps some..Also drink at least 64 oz of fluid a day with most of it being WATER and you WILL lose weight...debbie
   — debi327