Back to Patient Portal
Why is protein an important part of our diet
The body uses protein in many different ways. You’ve likely heard that protein helps to build and maintain muscle mass (why protein shakes are popular with people who lift weights). It’s also an important source of energy, and eating enough protein will help to keep your hair, skin and nails strong. The body has no way to make or store protein, so it’s important to consume sufficient amounts each day.
When a person loses weight, they don’t just lose fat but also risk losing muscle mass. If you’ve had bariatric surgery, you may notice that your hair begins thinning around six months to a year following surgery. This is because your diet doesn’t include enough protein.Â
Why protein is important after weight loss surgery
Following weight loss surgery we advise our patients to consume a minimum of 25 grams of protein a day but aim for 50 plus grams once it is possible. It should be included in all of your meals after bariatric surgery as it:Â
- Provides your body with amino acids to use to build and repair muscles and bones.Â
- Aids fat loss, rather than muscle loss, leading to healthier weight loss.Â
- Leaves you feeling full for longer, further aiding weight loss.Â
It’s also an important energy source and is used to make hormones and enzymes in the body.Â
Immediately after bariatric surgery, your dietitian will advise you to drink protein shakes to ensure you’re getting sufficient protein in your diet. But after that initial phase, it is important to incorporate protein into your diet wherever possible. We absorb plant protein less efficiently than we absorb animal protein, and many supposedly high-protein plant foods contain less protein than we think. Most of the protein we eat we get from meats, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Ways to eat more protein after bariatric surgery
One of the most important ways to eat more protein after bariatric surgery is to always eat your protein first. Following weight loss surgery, the stomach has a much lower volume capacity than before, so it’s important that protein is consumed first over other food groups, in case you become full before you can finish the portion. Protein will also keep you full for longer periods than other food groups, so we always recommend eating your protein as a priority.Â
There are other ways to increase the protein in your diet in addition to everyday meats, fish, eggs and dairy products. For example, there are a number of specialised yoghurts or cereals available that are high in protein compared to normal varieties. It’s important to always consider the calories in these types of foods compared to getting your protein from a lower calorie source.Â
0 Comments