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Written by Abby McWaters, RDN, LD. Abby is a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Protein is an essential macronutrient that is vital after bariatric surgery for healing. Due to the restriction of food volume after surgery, protein supplements are used to reach optimal protein intake. Protein supplements can also be used prior to surgery for a meal replacement as part of weight management program.
There are many different kinds of protein supplements to choose from. The type of protein in each product can vary. Whey comes from dairy, but is low in lactose content and is very popular in protein products. There are also plant-based protein products that use pea, hemp, brown rice or soy which are now becoming more popular. Either a whey or a plant-based product is fine, and usually comes down to what tastes the best to you! There are a few points you'll want to look at when choosing a product, all of which can be found on the products nutrition label.
Look for these three points when choosing a protein powder or pre-made protein shake:
- At least 15 grams of protein per serving
- 100-200 calories per serving
- Less than 15 grams of total carbohydrate per serving
Look for these points when choosing a protein bar:
- At least 10 grams of protein per serving
- 150-250 calories per serving
- Less than 5 grams of added sugar per serving
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If a protein bar contains sugar alcohols it may cause gas, bloating or abdominal pain. Many protein bars on the market do contain sugar alcohols and they are listed in the nutrition facts and/or in the ingredients. A few examples of sugar alcohol names are erythritol, sorbitol and xylitol. Some people do not have any gastrointestinal side effects from sugar alcohols. A few brands of protein bars that do not contain sugar alcohols include Trubar, Power Crunch, RX Bar, KIND protein and Aloha. A few brands of protein bars that do contain sugar alcohols and are ok if you tolerate them are Quest, Built, Barebells and One.
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2 ReactionsBefore cancer I loved red meat. Not in excess but it was my main source of protein. Chemo turned me off red meat. I have worked with a registered dietician to sort my diet out post cancer treatment. It was truly shocking to add up my usual actual daily protein intake v the recommended daily intake. A huge shortfall.
I’d fallen into a habit of not having breakfast. It was easy to plug that meal gap with a collagen + whey protein shake. A double benefit in starting the day with a protein power hit.
Lunch and dinner I carefully choose high protein food items from my Mediterranean diet as my meal base, then add on the other necessary food nutrients and fibre.
To start with I did keep a food diary to help me to be accountable, as well as tracking carefully I was doing what I needed to do. I go back to it whenever I feel I’m slipping.
Pure brand is good.
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1 ReactionI'm glad to hear you worked with a RD for nutrition after cancer treatment! Also, tracking intake of protein to see if and where you are lacking is very helpful, as you mentioned. It sounds like you have built some great habits!
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1 Reaction@amcwaters Thank you! I couldn’t have done it without her help including choosing my whey protein and collagen protein. So many on the market and very confusing. Worth paying to get a good, safe source. I could not have done the whole meal tune up generally without her help including working out by experimenting under her care that I did best returning to 3 meals (so I don’t think food all day) and leave lots of small meals to my cancer treatment period when I often didn't want to eat but had to, or had diarrhea on Folfiri 😊