Question:
Just saw my doc today...protein questions
My doc said that she didn't want me to drink protein, but rather eat real food. When I told her that I was worried that I wouldn't be able to "eat" 60gm of protein, she disagreed, and said I would be fine! Am I mistaken? I mean if I can't eat a whole chicken breast or more than one egg at a meal, how on earth am I going to get in 60gm of protein w/o supplements. She said she preferred protein bars because the satiey would be there since it was held longer in the stomach. That makes sense. Need advice. I plateaued and by just adding one protein shake in the afternoon as a snack, I managed to lose 5 lbs this week. I really think my plateauing had a lot to do w/ protein intake not calorie intake. — Lisa S. (posted on April 3, 2008)
April 3, 2008
Ifd you had a RNY you should try to get as much protein as you can but at
least 70% of your calories should come from Protien. Try a snack of Cheese
and or other dariey products, along with some slicked lean meats. I eat a
snack of Tuna Fish and Cottage cheese to get my protein to 75 Grams a day.
I hate the shake, so it was my choice to give them up. I buy a protein bar
from a bariatric vitimum company called Building Block at
www.bbvitamins.com that is better than what you find in the store for WLS
patients.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 3, 2008
i am 6mo post op and at my 3mo check up they told me to stop the shakes and
get more from what i eat. the shakes don't stay with you and you tend to
take in too many calories if you do the shakes and eat. also the protein
content you get from shakes is not as good as what you get from foods,
because it is processed, etc. good luck. i tried a protein shake a month or
so ago, because i was on a trip and it gave me serious diarrhea. good
luck...hope this helps...Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
April 3, 2008
If you had the RNY over time yes you can I have to do 70 and I am always
pretty close. Make sure your 3 meals and 2 snacks are protein. It all
adds up.
— tl_morgan
April 3, 2008
I use the slimfast lo carb bars and get 15 grams of protein from them.
They are easy to find at Wal-Mart. I am like you and get full really
easily, and had a problem with protein. I used baby food meats for a long
time. They have 7 grams of protein for a two oz. jar. I had to add a
little "no salt" and pepper because they are bland. I have
aquired a taste for cottage cheese, and found a no sugar, packed in water,
cups of peaches that are good with. I have never had the
"hunger" return after my RNY, four months ago. I hope I keep
this little side effect, so staying full for me is not a problem. I
actually don't like the way food feels in my pouch, so I go for four
smaller meals. Good luck!
— lesleigh07
April 3, 2008
Yesterday I spent the day at my pre-op appointment and they had the
nutritionist there and she went over protein and the importance of the
protein. She was telling us the untilyou are at least 3 months out and
maybe after that you need protein supplements because you can't eat enough
protein in food and keep your calorie intake down. You can only get 7
grams of protein to one ounce of meat. Hope this helps! congrats on the
5lbs this week!
— Harley2006Angel
April 3, 2008
My Dr told me the same thing... NO PROTEIN DRINKS!!! So i went to the
supermarket & stocked up on Balance Bars - found in our diet/health
area of the store. Most have 14 or 15 grams of protein per bar & they
taste like a candy bar! The Zone bars also are ok, but too sweet for me.
I too have found that upping the protein helps drop the weight. I'm down
55 lbs (unofficially) since my LapBand on 10/29/07. Getting all my
protein in from regular food for me is impossible!
Try looking into your local market or if you LIKE to spend money, try GNC,
they have some really good protein bars also.
Best of luck on your protein endeavor!
— Rebaboh
April 4, 2008
I can feel your pain! I struggle to this day and I'm just about 6 months
out. I have lost 85 pounds and my nutritionist told me the same
thing...from the get go... to get my protein from food first. They didn't
seem worked up about it though when I shared that it's a struggle and that
I sometimes don't get it in every day without using a shake to supplement.
So I don't think I'd get too worked up over it either... if you are
counting your grams and making every effort possible to make protein and
your fluid intake priority, you'll get close, and then if it comes down to
it.... you need to supplement with a shake, then by all means, go for it.
Just start planning your meals and getting everything on paper so you can
see where you'll be at by the late afternoon. That way you will know if
you'll need more. It definitely helps with your hair, skin, and just
overall health. Just wanted to let you know that you have many that can
relate. It's tough to take the shakes...but it's sometimes tougher just
getting the food down. I'm here for you if you need to just vent....smile.
Hugs and best wishes. Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
April 4, 2008
I don't know what books, medical journals, studies, your doctor reads...but
I am a WLS person who cannot even after 4 years eat enough protein 4 years
later and maintain a healthy balance of nutrition without supplements. I
TRIED!!!!The average normal weight person (non-wls) needs 60 grams of
protein. (It is a blanket protein requirement that doctors tell most
patients to aim for) I malabsorb everything including protein and fat but
sugar and calories I do not!!! 60 grams of protein is NOT enough for me to
maintain my weight without going into starvation mode. I maintain well or
lose when I up my protein and exercise. I feel better and healthier too
with 100 g of protein and usually supplement at least 30 gs a day with a
powder in my coffee! Protein bars are LOADED with sugar...Those that aren't
are so hard to find and are loaded with stuff that isn't even real food.
(Yes, I still eat them when I am on the run out of convenience more than
anything else) And I end up with a belly ache and gas every single
time...You can try to eat all your protein in real food but if you don't
get in at least 13 aminos daily, some of your proteins will not count
because they will be an incomplete protein and not feed your muscles as
they are supposed to. Example...Beans are a great source of protein, but
lack a few essential amino acids...Rice has those two missing ones and
therefore rice and beans is a complete protein. A whole wheat bun has 6- 7
grams of protein too...but again...It is not a complete amino and lacks a
few...Get that same bun with sesame seeds and you've got a complete
protein! Whey and Soy Isolates or blends of the two give you about 16
different aminos to insure that all the incomplete proteins you eat daily
become complete proteins!
I always add a protein supplement for this reason (and to meet my personal
goal of 100 g of protein). I eat 1300-1500 calories and it's STILL not
enough a day and 100 g + of protein daily in 6 small meals...3 main meals
and 3 small snacks which are usually mostly softer proteins that would make
dense proteins slide so I eat them seperate...Such as greek yogurt(Has
triple protein of regular yogurt) with fruit, cottage, soft cheese, protein
drinks, nuts (too heavy to include in meals, but essential for completing
proteins!) Listen to your body. You boosted up your metabolism and lost 5
lbs...Your doctor can't read that in any books! YOU listen to your own body
and do what works...Doctors can give you basics, but only you can manage
your own weight and nutrition. Unless your doc comes home and makes you
breakfast lunch and dinner...I suggest you do what works! And don't worry
if it isn't "by the books of your specific doctor"... My
suggestion, if you are one that needs to follow your doctor by every rule
(Sorry I am a rule breaker and personal advocate of my OWN body) Then at
least eat a WIDE variety of foods to insure proper aminos, vitamins and
nutrients that your body needs for health. AND PLEASE take your vitamins!
It takes a long time to deplete your bodies natural vitamin stores and if
you think you are healthy without them now and decide to stop taking
them...It may catch up to you in your 4-5th year post op. Even if you gain
weight...don't assume you are getting good enough nutrition...Eat to live!
By no means am I saying not to listen to your doctor...TELL her what you
did and that you lost more weight and see if she disgrees with you. My
guess is she will be pleased you found something that works for you. If she
doesn't like it...ask her to explain in detail why you should not do what
works for you...
Does your doctor even know your name before she looks at your chart? Does
she follow your diet or look at meal plans? Or is she just reading you info
from a book? You decide if you are a number or an individual. My advice is
free...Take it or leave it. I'm not a doctor that does weight loss
surgery...I am a WLS success. YES! You can eat 60 grams of protein,
eventually...But is it enough protein? It wasn't for me.
— .Anita R.
April 4, 2008
Some doctors want you to get the protein from food and some still go with
the drinks. It just varies from one doctor to another. I know that if you
get it from drinks they have a tendancy to go right through your tummy
where the food stays in and you have a chance to absorb it better. It
really isn't hard to get the protein in. Meat alone has a lot of protein
and that should be what you are eating the most. Eggs have 6 grams and you
can eat a hard boiled egg as a snack and that is good. You can get deli
meat and wrap cheese in it for lunch and that is good too. Just do some
investigating and you will be fine. Protein is what helps to lose weight.
Remember PEW~which is protein, exercise and water. Good luck and you will
do fine.
— Brenda R.
April 7, 2008
If you are thinking that meat stays in your system longer so absorbs better
than a protein shake, I think you have to have some more facts. If you are
a standard RNY, the duodenum is where you digest and absorb your protein.
News flash...your duodenum has been bypassed. The meat can sit in you
forever..it will not absorb any better. The superiority of the shake...the
predigested whey shake is this....no digestion necessary...it can sail
right through your body and you will absorb more. It's ready to absorb the
minute it hits your mouth. I would much rather do my shakes...and keep my
intestinal tract the way I paid for the doc to break it...not make it work
to grow more villi to absorb foods that it is forced to because I'm not
giving it the proper nourishment. Why do we have "bypass" in the
first place if we are going to "fix" that particular aspect and
begin absorbing again?? I'm 8 years post...and still do my shakes...and I
will always do them..because I know I get some nutrition from them...as far
as the food proteins...who knows...I hope I don't get much...I didn't to
begin with...we all get "hypertrophy" to varying degrees after
surgery...in other words...our intestinal systems regrow to start absorbing
more nutrients....but I'm working to keep mine to a minimum...as I want a
long term success with my weight loss...so far so good! Regards~
— Statuesque
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