Weight Loss Surgery Forums

Protein With Purpose

Beef, lean 1 ounce 7 grams Cheese (American, cheddar, provolone, Swiss) 1 ounce 7 grams Cheese, cottage 1/4 cup 7 grams Cheese, ricotta 1/4 cup 7 grams Chicken 1 ounce 7 grams Egg or egg substitute- 1 egg 7 grams Fish and shellfish- 1 ounce 7 grams Milk, skim (recommended-) 8 ounces 12 grams Pork 1 ounce- 7 grams Turkey 1 ounce- 7 grams Yogurt non-fat or low-fat fruit flavored 3/4 cup- 12 grams Yogurt plain nonfat 3/4 cup- 12 grams Beans and peas (black-eyed, garbanzo, kidney, pinto, split, white) 1/2 cup- 7 grams Lentils 1/2 cup- 7 grams Lima beans 2/3 cup- 7 grams Soy milk 8 ounces- 7 grams Tofu 4 ounces- 7 grams

Protein and Its Purpose
Anytime you don't take in enough protein, your muscle tissue and lean body mass start to break down. Proteins form the body's main structural elements. They are found in every cell and tissue. Together, proteins in your body make up about 75 percent of your non-water body weight. Without protein, you will feel weak, lethargic, lightheaded, and nauseous.

Why You Need Protein
Your body uses proteins to grow, build, and repair bones, hair, skin, blood, and internal organs. Muscles are built from protein. We need to consume enough protein to allow our muscles to be healthy and perform work.

Unlike fat cells for fat and muscle or liver for glucose, there is no place in the body to store protein. The human body can't use food protein directly. So after protein is ingested, enzymes break the protein into shorter amino acid chains and then into individual amino acids. This process happens slowly as food makes its way through the stomach. As a weight loss surgery patient, you need protein to heal anastomosis (the new connection in your stomach), to heal your incision, and to suit your body's energy requirements.

Protein and the WLS Patient
In the gastric bypass patient, the normal digestive process is bypassed. Your body now has between five and eight feet of digestive tract to do the job that your pre-op body accomplished with about 20 feet of digestive tract. This is why you need to watch which proteins you eat and make sure to eat proteins that are most easily digested.

Proteins Protect You
Proteins form antibodies to combat invading bacteria and viruses. Hormones, antibodies, and enzymes that regulate the body's chemical reactions are all made of protein. If your body is deficient of protein, it can show up as swollen ankles and swollen calves. You might feel it as bone ache or joint pain.

Without the right proteins, blood won't clot properly and cuts won't heal. You may lose your appetite and your libido. Your skin may become flaky and your hair may start falling out. Since the immune system is dependent upon adequate proteins, protein deficiency can show up as recurrent, severe infections.

Source: http://www.medibardiet.com

How What are some of the proteins that you enjoy as a post-op? Share your comments below!