Prioritizing protein consumption above all other food groups is important for patients who have had gastric sleeve surgery. Minimum daily protein requirements usually vary from 60 grams in the first days after surgery to roughly 100 grams a year later. But how do you know when you’ve had enough throughout the day?
It’s extremely important for patients to make protein their main meal source for the first several days after surgery and stay committed to this diet for the months to come. Following surgery, the protein intake should be gradually increased up to roughly 100g, depending on tolerance and activity. If you’re wondering what the best sources of protein are for after bariatric surgery, we’ve provided some of the most common ones in this blog for you.
Why Is It Important To Get Enough Protein After Surgery?
The human body is impacted by protein in several ways. It serves as an energy source and aids in maintaining and growing muscle mass. Consuming enough protein will also maintain your skin, hair, and nail health. It is crucial to ingest adequate protein each day since the human body cannot produce it on its own and has no means to store it. To put it simply, by getting enough protein intake you can avoid any potential side effects and have a smooth recovery in the months to come.
How Can Getting Enough Protein Help?
Patients on gastric sleeve diets often consume a lot of protein and for good reason. The greatest strategy for recovering and maintaining weight reduction goals is to eat a wholesome, balanced diet that is heavy in protein.
You can increase and maintain lean muscle mass, support metabolism, control hunger, and speed up recovery with enough protein intake.
Best Sources Of Protein
After bariatric surgery, following a balanced diet does still include fruits, vegetables, and other carbs, but protein is always the most important component.
You’ll mostly rely on smoothies for your protein intake for the first several weeks after surgery. Make sure you consume protein with every meal and snack as you gradually reintroduce more solid foods to your diet. Meat, poultry, fish, tofu, milk, yogurt, eggs, cheese, beans, almonds, quinoa, and soy products are examples of foods high in protein.
Adding low-fat or non-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt to your diet can help you consume less calories and fat. In order to optimize protein while limiting sugar, use Greek yogurt and watch out for additional sugars. Another simple method to minimize calories is by selecting leaner meat cuts that are devoid of fat and skin. Additionally, your daily diet may easily be changed by mixing protein powder into meals that might not normally include large quantities of protein.
Patients with gastric sleeve surgery must adopt the new lifestyle habits, including food and exercise. Following gastric sleeve surgery, changing your lifestyle and eating habits doesn’t have to be challenging, you can find a ton of bariatric resources to help you in your path as well as healthy protein-filled recipes online.
Protein is crucial for a gastric sleeve patient’s recovery and to make sure you are achieving your daily objectives, protein should be the first thing you eat and be a part of every meal.