Keeping Up With Daily Protein Intake: Protein Shakes
Protein is a critical nutrient after bariatric surgery. Most patients know that, so why are so many patients deficient in protein? There are many reasons, but what is most important is taking care of your protein needs. The BariatricPal Store has a wide variety of great-tasting and convenient Protein Shakes to add to your totals so you can stay nourished. Here’s what you should know about keeping up with daily protein intake and Protein Shakes.
Daily Protein Goals for Bariatric Surgery Patients
To know that you’re keeping up with daily protein intake, you need to know how much protein to have each day. It’s best to ask your surgeon or dietitian for specific goals, but many bariatric surgery patients need at least 60 or 65 to 80 grams of protein each day.
You may already be familiar with high-protein foods. The foods highest in protein include meat, chicken, ground turkey, fish, shellfish, and eggs. Beans, nuts, cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, and soy milk are also good sources of protein.
High-Protein Foods to Help Meet Daily Protein Goals
Having the following foods each day can help you hit your daily protein intake.
- 3 servings of dairy products. A serving may be ½ cup of milk or yogurt, 1 ounce of cheese, or ¼ cup of cottage cheese.
- 3 servings of lean meat, skinless poultry, eggs, or seafood. A serving is 2 ounces of meat or fish, or 1 egg.
There are many reasons why you may not be able to meet your daily protein goals from these foods. These are some examples.
- You might have lactose intolerance or be avoiding dairy products, and be unable to get much protein from yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, or milk.
- Some bariatric patients have early satiety and are unable to eat much at a time, especially of solid foods.
- Patients with recent surgery or who are doing a reset diet may still be on a liquid diet.
- You may forget to plan ahead or cook some protein, leaving yourself with a low-protein meal or snack option when you get hungry.
Protein Shakes can be a good idea for many bariatric surgery patients.
Benefits of Protein Shakes
Protein Shakes can add to your protein intake, and they come in many different types and flavors. Protein Shakes can add variety to your protein choices. For example, you may just want a change of pace if you’ve been in a rut, such as eating eggs for breakfast, tuna for lunch, and chicken for dinner.
Another benefit is their convenience. Just mix them with your favorite liquid, shake, and enjoy. BariatricPal Protein Shakes are low in sugar and always delicious.
Top Protein Shakes to Increase Your Daily Protein Intake
These are some of the top Protein Shakes at The BariatricPal Store.
This is a high-protein shake with 27 grams of medical-grade protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber, and 28 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and iron. You can use it as a meal replacement or snack, and it has 150 calories. Flavors include Double Chocolate, Strawberry Delight, and Creamy French Vanilla.
This is a protein shake with 25 grams of protein and no added sugars. It has 110 calories and only 1 gram of carbs per serving. You can count on CFU of a probiotic strain called Bacillus coagulans. Flavors include Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry.
Are you looking for a burst of energy, some comforting coffee flavor, and a nutritious dose of protein? Made with real coffee, this protein shake can be a great way to start your day or give yourself a lift in the mid-morning or later in the afternoon. It also tastes like chocolate. There are 100 calories per serving, as well as 20 grams of protein, 1 gram of MCT, and 2 grams of carbs. You can use it as a shake or blend it into desserts, too.
You can use creamy, comforting, sweet hot chocolate to help you reach your protein goals without even adding excessive calories or carbs to your day! Each serving of BariatricPal Protein Hot Cocoa has 15 grams of protein, 80 calories, and 3 grams of net carbs. It comes in these delicious flavors.
They are in single-serve packets, so you can help yourself anytime just by mixing the contents of a packet in hot water.
If you want something savory instead of sweet, but you are on a liquid diet or you are getting bored with the usual options, you can use Protein Soup instead of a shake. Just mix the contents of a packet into hot water and sip your soup. It can be especially comforting on cold days or after surgery when many patients become cold.
These are some of the flavors.
- Cream Of Chicken
- Beef Bouillon
- Beef With Pasta
- Chicken Bouillon
- Chicken with Pasta
- Cream Of Broccoli
- Cream Of Mushroom
- Cream Of Tomato
They have 12 to 15 grams of protein and are all low in carbs and fat.
There is nothing wrong with classic shakes when they are delicious and their nutritional content is right. These shakes have 15 grams of protein and 90 calories per packet. They come in the following flavors.
You can have them as shakes, or use a little less water and enjoy them as an instant pudding for a snack or dessert.
Fruit is high in sugar and devoid of protein, but you can have refreshing fruity flavors on a high-protein diet. These drinks have 60 to 80 calories and 12 to 15 grams of protein.
These are the flavors.
- Cran-Grape Fruit Drink
- Pineapple-Orange Fruit Drink
- Lemon Razzy Fruit Drink
- Wild Berry Fruit Drink
- Strawberry-Kiwi Fruit Drink
- Grapefruit Fruit Drink
You can enjoy them at any time of the day, and you can see if they taste even better knowing that they’re free from added sugars.
With protein at a premium after bariatric surgery, Protein Shakes can help you meet your daily goals. They are convenient and low in carbs, and you don’t have to compromise on flavor or variety. Check out all of the varieties available at The BariatricPal Store, as well as all of our other High-Protein Foods and Snacks, to make sure you get enough protein and love it.
