After undergoing bariatric surgery, proper diet and exercise is important. One of the best things you can do is to eat foods rich in protein. In this article, let’s talk about the importance of protein post-op.
Plus, let’s answer questions like “what is the best protein drink for bariatric patients” so you can have easy quick snacks on hand.
Read More: Why Are You Still Hungry After Weight Loss Surgery?
The Importance Of High Protein Snacks For Bariatric Patients
Protein intake is part of your new routine on your journey towards sustained health and weight loss. It’s important to consume high protein diets after your weight loss surgery for a number of reasons. Protein helps your body grow and repair itself.
It’s a building block for the body’s core mechanisms. Protein helps fight infections after surgery. You should aim to have a lot of protein in every meal after your bariatric surgery. Aim to eat between 70 and 100 grams of protein per day.
High Protein Foods For Bariatric Patients
High protein sources include eggs, beans, fish, chicken, beef, yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu.
What are the best protein shakes for bariatric patients? When considering protein drinks, you want to ensure that you’re consuming a high protein to carbohydrate ratio.
Therefore, a great way to make a protein shake is this: Use low-fat milk, yogurt, and whey protein powder.
From here, you can add fresh fruits as well. The answer for “what is the best protein shake for bariatric surgery” boils down to this: Aim to get around 20 to 40 grams of protein in the shake and limit unnecessary carbohydrates such as processed sugars.
Tips For A High Protein Diet After Bariatric Surgery
- Meal planning: Plan your meals in advance. That way it’ll be easier to choose the right foods instead of giving in to junk food.
- Eat lean meat: When it comes to post-bariatric foods protein is better than visible fat.
- Chew your food fully: The longer you chew your food, the easier it is for your body to digest. This increases the chances that your body will absorb protein rather than fat from the food.
- Eat the protein first: Try to be disciplined with your food intake. Aim to eat the protein portion of your meal before the other parts. That way you’ll feel full faster while ensuring you meet your protein needs for the day.
When it comes to high protein foods after bariatric weight loss surgery, you have a lot of options. As long as you can stick to a consistent plan, it’s okay to include some extra carbohydrates here and there.
Just make sure that the base of your diet consists of mostly protein such as the foods mentioned above.
Source: Eisenberg D, Shikora S, Aarts E, et al. Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. ASMBS and IFSO. 2022.
Bariatric Surgery for Weight Loss
If you’re considering starting your weight loss journey with bariatric surgery, contact Hospital BCN today. Discover how you can begin a new stage of your life. And learn about the best ways to sustain your weight loss now and into the future. Getting bariatric surgery in Tijuana can change everything.