Protein intake is vital after bariatric surgery. A limited stomach capacity requires eating protein first and fulfilling your daily nutritional expectations. Your target is to exceed 60 to 90 grams of protein each day. Eating high-protein food sources, including chicken, fish, eggs, or beans, can meet this goal.

Why is protein important after bariatric surgery?

Protein is essential to promote healing and prevent the loss of lean muscle mass. It also reduces potential side effects like hair loss, bone density loss, and saggy excess skin. Protein is an incredibly powerful source of energy and must be eaten first during every meal.

Best Food Sources of Protein

Eating high-protein food is the best way to meet minimum protein requirements. Here are some good high-protein sources

  1. Eggs: can be scrambled for breakfast or hardboiled to add to salads or have for snacks.
  2. Meat and Poultry: lean meats are good options to add to salads or to have as a side with steamed vegetables.
  3. Seafood: Tuna is a convenient choice to add to salads or to have as a side for any meal.
  4. Beans, Lentils, and Chickpeas: can be added as a side, into a soup, or as hummus to increase protein intake after surgery.
  5. Tofu: a great way to add protein to a plant-based diet. It can be scrambled for breakfast or creamed as a dip for a snack.
  6. Dairy: yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk add protein and calcium to your diet. Read this if you’re lactose intolerant.
  7. Nuts and seeds: can be added to yogurt, salads, or bariatric smoothies to increase protein intake.
    Check out these nutritious bariatric recipes!

What to look for in a protein supplement?

Any protein supplement you take should be a source of complete protein. A complete protein has nine essential amino acids; histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Protein after bariatric surgery

We recommend protein supplements containing at least 20 grams and less than 5 grams of sugar.

Collagen supplements are not complete protein sources and shouldn’t be taken instead of protein supplements.

Protein Options Protein After Batriatric Surgery Mexico Bariatric Center

Important: Always be sure to check the nutrition label when buying in-store or online. If the nutrition label is unavailable online, most protein shakes have the amount of protein and sugar shown on the front of the bottle.

Best Protein Supplements After Bariatric Surgery

Here are some great options that fulfill bariatric guidelines and where to find them.

Protein shakes

Premade protein shakes are an easy snack and an easy way to meet your daily protein goals on the go.

Premier Protein


Premier Protein

All flavors are okay, except for Caffe Latte (contains caffeine)
Available at:
Walmart
PremierProtein.com

 

 

Core Power

 

Fairlife Lactose-Free
Available at:
Walmart
Fairlife.com

 

 

Orgain

 

Orgain (Plant-based protein)
Available at:
Walmart
Orgain.com

 

Protein Powder

Protein powder can be used before and after surgery. After surgery, protein powder can be added to thick liquids like blended soup and oatmeal to increase protein intake.

emerge protein

 

Emerge Bariatrics High Protein Meal Replacement
Contain 27 grams of complete protein and less than 5g of sugar.
Available at:
EmergeBariatrics.com

 

 

naked pea protein

 

Naked Pea (Plant-Based)
Available at:
Walmart
NakedNutrition.com

 

 

truvani plant based protein

 

Truvani (Plant-Based)
Available at:
Amazon
Truvani.com

 

 

orgain protein

 

 

Orgain (Plant-Based)
Available at:
Walmart
Orgain.com

 

Clear Protein

If you are on a clear liquid diet before or after surgery, you can not have protein shakes but clear liquid protein drinks.

gatorade zero protein

 

Gatorade Zero with protein
Available at:
Walmart
Gatorade.com

 

 

protein 2o

 

Protein2O
Available at:
Sam’s Club
Walmart

 

 

premier protein clear

 

Premier Clear
Available at:
Walmart
Premierclear.com

 

free health screening from mexico bariatric center

Final Notes

Protein is derived from the Greek word “proteious,” meaning “of prime importance.” Protein is part of every cell in our body. The human body does not store protein, as it does fat and carbohydrate. Therefore, it needs to be replenished daily by the food we eat.

Eating enough high-quality protein boosts your metabolism, keeps you fuller for a longer period of time, and helps your body burn fat instead of muscle for healthier weight loss.

Related Blogs: