Taking the first steps towards losing weight through a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedure is only the beginning of the process. To watch your weight drop healthily and ensure that you’re still getting all of the nutrients that your body needs, you have to keep an eye on what you’re eating.
This means taking advantage of options like protein powder, adding it to your meals along with other foods to keep everything in balance.
Wondering what type of protein powder to choose? What sort of ingredients should you look for?
My Fit Foods has the answers to all of those questions and more here in this guide about protein powder for bariatric patients.
My Fit Foods Protein Powder options
What Exactly Is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is also known as weight loss surgery. It consists of having procedures done on your stomach and intestines in order to make it easier to lose weight.
This surgery isn’t given to just anyone. It’s reserved for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40. People who are between 35 and 39 on the BMI scale and have another medical condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, that’s exacerbated by their overall weight may also be candidates.
If you fit either of those criteria and have found that specialized diets and exercise regimens simply don’t work, then you may qualify for one of the three following types of bariatric surgery.
Gastric Sleeve
Also known as a sleeve gastrectomy, a gastric sleeve procedure is a surgical option that removes around 80% of your stomach, making it smaller. The end result is a stomach that doesn’t hold as much food as it did previously.
It also produces less ghrelin, a hormone created by the body that tells you when you’re hungry.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
This is the most classic form of gastric bypass. It consists of removing some of the stomach, shrinking it in size.
After this part of the procedure is done, the stomach will be around the size of a walnut. The surgeon then attaches part of the small intestine to the newly shrunken stomach.
As a result, not only can your stomach not hold as much food as it did previously, but also many of the nutrients and calories you eat end up bypassing part of the small intestine, making it less likely that they’ll be absorbed.
Biliopancreatic Diversion Bypass
A combination of both procedures, the biliopancreatic diversion bypass starts with a sleeve gastrectomy. It’s then followed by the attaching of the end of the intestine to the duodenum (small intestine) up near the stomach.
The food that is eaten then ends up bypassing a majority of the intestines, preventing you from absorbing many of the nutrients in the foods that you eat.
Why Do Bariatric Patients Need To Watch What They Eat?
Although all three forms of bariatric surgery have high rates of success, leading to the desired weight loss, they aren’t without consequences. Since the newly fashioned stomachs are small, those who’ve had one of these procedures have to make it a habit of only eating tiny meals.
Plus, since two of these options end up bypassing part of the intestines, all of the nutrients that normally get absorbed when you eat end up not getting used by the body at all. They are excreted through waste.
As a result, you need to boost your nutrition in a number of ways, including adding protein powder to your diet.
My Fit Foods Bariatric Meal Options
Why Protein Powder?
Immediately after a gastric bypass or similar bariatric procedure, it’s crucial that a solid food diet be introduced very slowly. Most patients end up on a liquid diet for some time as they slowly reintroduce solid foods to their systems.
Protein powder is a good addition to these liquid meals, as many kinds contain a number of different vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed by the body.
Once you’re able to eat small amounts of solid foods again, you may still find yourself using protein powder as a meal substitute every so often. This is due to the nutritional components of the powder, as well as the ease of digestion.
However, not every protein powder is created equal.
What Should Bariatric Patients Look for in a Protein Powder?
With so many types of protein powders on the market — some designed for those looking for a daily protein boost, others meant for body builders — it makes sense that bariatric patients have a hard time finding the best ones.
Thankfully, we have the inside scoop (pun intended).
Low in Sugar
One of the most important things to look for in a protein powder is low sugar content. You want the amount of grams in the per-serving sugar content to be less than three if possible.
Make sure to check the labels carefully since the sugar content tends to be hiding under the total carbohydrates listing.
High in Protein
Obviously, you want a protein powder that’s high in protein. Aim for as many grams as you can get per serving.
You’ll see the number varying between 20 and 50 on most labels, and avoid those that have less than 20 grams per serving. This simply won’t provide you with the protein that you need.
No Gums
Checking the ingredients label of the protein powder for gums or thickening agents is always a smart idea. You need to avoid both of these ingredients, as they can make the powder hard to digest. That’s the last thing that you need after bariatric surgery.
Ingredients like xanthan gum, psyllium fiber, and coconut fiber can all make you feel miserable after ingesting them.
Low in Calories
Since the entire point of bariatric surgery is to lose weight, then you’ll want a protein powder that’s low in calories. Generally, between 100 and 170 calories per serving is a good amount. You want to feel full after drinking it, which is the entire point of making it a substitute for various meals.
Few Carbohydrates
When it comes to protein powder, you want one with as few carbohydrates as possible. This includes sugars, which are usually listed under the carbohydrates label on the package. Choose one with between two and five total grams of carbs. Anything higher than that is too much.
Other Considerations
In addition to everything on this list, there are a number of other things to consider. For example:
- Taste: What good is a protein powder if you have to choke down the drinks you make from it? While not every kind will taste like chocolate milk or a vanilla milkshake, you might find some that are palatable. Once you do, make sure to stick to them. It will make the adjustment easier.
- Dairy-free: You’ll find a number of protein powders that are dairy free. This makes them a great option if you’re lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy.
- Soy-free: Although soy is a good substitute for many things, it’s possible to have an allergy to the food. In this case, you’ll need a protein powder that’s free of soy.
- Grain-free: Since your goal is to limit carbohydrates, it makes sense to look for protein powders that are grain-free. This is also good for those with a gluten intolerance.
- Few Ingredients:While you’re examining the protein powder labels, check to see how many ingredients are listed. For the most part, the fewer the ingredients, the better because the powder will be more all-natural (and easier to digest) and less processed.
- Aspartame: This form of fake sugar can cause gastrointestinal distress in bariatric patients, so it’s best to avoid it.
Choosing Protein Powder
If you’re looking for the best protein powder to include in your post-bariatric surgery diet or want to keep having it for breakfast long after you’ve started eating solid foods again, then make sure that the one you choose is low in sugar, calories, and carbs, as well as high in protein.
On top of that, the protein powder you choose also needs to taste good, otherwise you won’t reach for it in a pinch.
Protein powder can be a great way to ensure that you’re getting enough of this macro in your daily diet, so take the time to find a version that you like. And, of course, if you have any questions about what you should eat after bariatric surgery, please contact us!
Sources:
10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Whey Protein | Healthline
Bariatric Surgery: Choosing High Protein Shakes and Powders | Kaiser Permanente