Question:
I am still so confused about protein! Help!

Still a pre-op, I have read everything in the library here and have perused many retail websites (reading product descriptions and nutrition facts) and I am still confused about protein. In a protein supplement, what is considered high carbs? High sugars? I want to avoid these things. What about protein bars...I see every talking about drinks, but what about the bars? Are they bad for you? I'm going to try to get as much protein from my food as I can, but I have to be realistic. I truly beleive that protein and exercise will be the key to my loss. Any simple, straight forward advice?    — PaulaM (posted on August 28, 2001)

August 28, 2001
It is well and good that you want to have a high protein diet. However, it as you know is also important that you eat a well balanced diet. I and my wife are both post op and we try and consome at least 30 grams of protein a day. We either have a protein shake, a protein bar, or eat protein in our food ( beans, turkey, fish, chicken.) If you choose a protein supplement, try and get one with little or no carbs. You will be getting enough carbs from other foods you need. Milk, juice, soups ect. Just remember to try and eat a well balanced diet and you will loose. My wife is 8 months and she has lost 130lbs, I am 2 months out and have lost 70 lbs. YOU WILL LOSE!! Good luck on your surgery!!! Dennis
   — Dennis C.

August 28, 2001
I had the SAME question and asked the WLS-expert nutritionist who teaches a series of classes to preops. I took a lot of notes on what she taught us about this subject, which I'm happy to share, if it helps clarify this issue for you. You'll find them on my web page: http://www.lkdobson.homestead.com and good luck to you!
   — [Anonymous]

August 28, 2001
High protein would be 30g of protein being able to be delivered in less than 8 oz volume, roughly. Many will do in 4 oz. The protein is in the powder or liquid, not in the "mixer". Most will shake up in water, no fat, no cal, no sugars, no problem. Low sugar is under 6g of sugar per 30g of protein, all total, including the mixer. If you add milk, add 12g of sugar to your total. Bars are not predigested protein, so they count about the same as food proteins. If you are doing RNY, you need a stomach to digest them, then whatever intestine you still have in use to absorb whatever has been digested. Hard to do much without a stomach! The predigested proteins have already been chemically digested, so that enhances your chance to absorb the protein. Also, proteins are rated by bioavailability, so for example, a blended whey is more BV than 100% pure whey, which is better than soy by several points, which is better than......... see? Simple enough? I can't ever say anything simple. Sigh.
   — vitalady

August 28, 2001
I use the bars more than the drinks. I have found a bar that is high protein but low fat and sugar. This is what a good bar's label should look like...notice sweetened with sucrolose - best tasting and not an artificial sweetener. These bars are VERY chewy - better than a candy bar - they take a while to eat, taste great and are very satisfying. I get my bars from www.netrition.com - they are significantly less expensive than retail and they pack them up in ice packs so they don't melt - they also ship VERY fast and have a low rate of $4.95 for an order no matter how big! These are made by Next Proteins and are whey protein - the soy bars I've tried are too sweet and have a consistency I can't deal with. 42-0017 Next Proteins Designer Protein Bars, Chocolate EsPRESSo 12 bars Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 bar (75g) Servings Per Container: 12 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value* Total Calories 250 Calories From Fat 50 Total Fat 6 g 9% Saturated Fat 3.5 g 17% Cholesterol 30 mg 9% Sodium 150 mg 6% Potassium 160 mg 6% Glycerine 11 g Total Carbohydrates 7 g 2% Dietary Fiber 1 g 4% Sugars 2 g Protein 30 g 60% Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 10% Iron 8% Thiamin (B1) 20% Riboflavin (B2) 25% Pyridoxine (B6) 70% Folic Acid 4% Cyanocobalamin (B12) 15% Pantothenic Acid 20% Phosphorus 15% Magnesium 20% Zinc 20% Copper 6% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Ingredients: Designer Whey Protein (TM) Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein and Whey Protein Isolate),Glycerine, Chocolate Coating (Polydextrose, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Non-Fat Dry Milk Solids, Cocoa Powder, Soya Lecithin (an emulsifier), Salt, Natural Flavor and Sucralose), Gelatin, Soy Protein Isolate, Water, Maltitol, Almond Butter, Rice Flour, Cocoa Powder, Ground Coffee, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Zinmag-6 (Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Asparate, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Aspartate, Pyridoxine, Zinc Monomethionine), Potassium Sorbate, Sucralose. This product contains glycerine which is not a carbohydrate but has 4.32 calories per gram.
   — Lisa B.

August 28, 2001
I try to get most of my protein from food, but I have started using a protein drink to boost both my liquid and protein intake (I need about 85 grams of protein a day to sustain my lean body mass). I use Zero Carb Isopure. It is available at GNC and online. It has no carbs, no sugar (uses sucralose), and 40 grams of protein in 20 ounces and tastes like koolaid. I try to drink one a day. I would suggest that you find out what your lean body mass is (%body fat calculator available at www.zoneperfect.com--look at the very bottom of the page) and consume the amount of protein you need to sustain that (the calculator will tell you that, too). Whatever you can get in food, great. Whatever you are lacking, that's where you use the supplements.You probably won't be able to tolerate the sugars and high carbs. Just find something you can tolerate (whether drinks or bars or mix that you add to other foods) that tastes OK and leave it at that. Like the previous poster said, you WILL lose weight! One note, you mentioned exercise--be sure to work some strengthening exercises (weights) into your routine. Studies show that the combination of a high protein diet and moderate strengthening exercises is the absolute best way to build muscle and lose fat. Good luck to you in your journey!
   — ctyst

August 29, 2001
Please visit my website by following the link to my profile. Thanks Michelle FUnk, RN
   — Michelle F.