January 2021

Importance of Protein After WLS

What’s all the fuss about Protein?

There’s a huge range of protein supplementation available in Australia; however, it is essential to recognize that some supplements are of higher quality than others. For weight-loss surgery (WLS) patients, it can be very confusing if you are not sure what you’re looking for when it comes to protein supplementation.

Why is protein so important?

When protein intake is not on target, the body will break down your muscle mass to compensate. Loss of lean body mass is inevitable for WLS patients following a very low-calorie diet. To minimize that loss, you need to meet your protein requirements with good quality proteins every day. Carrying more muscle on your body is like putting a bigger motor in your car – it burns more fuel – and keeps your metabolism healthy.

Is there a risk of developing protein deficiency?

WLS patients, who have undergone the Bypass surgery, are often at a higher risk of developing protein malnutrition. However, all WLS patients, despite the procedure, who do not comply with the recommended dietary guidelines are at risk.

So which protein supps are the best?

When protein intake is not on target, the body will break down your muscle mass to compensate. Loss of lean body mass is inevitable for WLS patients following a very low-calorie diet. To minimize that loss, you need to meet your protein requirements with good quality proteins every day. Carrying more muscle on your body is like putting a bigger motor in your car – it burns more fuel – and keeps your metabolism healthy.

ISOLATES

In general, isolates tend to have a higher concentration of protein than concentrate forms. These products may be beneficial to those patients who have lactose intolerance, and have a smoother feel to them

CONCENTRATES

Whey protein concentrates have a lower concentration of protein and higher concentration of lactose.

What protein supplements should be used with consideration?

As convenient as they might be to use - Collagen-based protein supplements are not a good source of high-quality protein and should not be used as the sole source of protein intake in WLS patients.

Collagen-based protein supplements do not contain all of the amino acids that the body needs.

Collagen offers a range of benefits as far as convenience, gut health, wound healing and supporting healthy skin goes; so don’t throw it out completely, just make sure you are using it as a sideline, not a major part of your protein quota.

After liquid and puree phase, use your collagen as a boost, but don’t rely on it as a major source of your daily protein. Try to get your protein from food – it comes with many other nutrients as well.

Use protein supplements / meal replacements when you’ve not been able to meet your needs with food.

Protein Supplement Vs Meal Replacement

A protein supplement such as our protein waters, collagen based powders and egg white powders are a supplement only and are good to support you between meals – but Meal Replacement shakes should be used if that is all you are having for a meal.

A protein supplement won’t keep you healthy if you’re not eating enough of a range of foods as well.

A meal Replacement has extra nutrients added that will meet your needs in the place of a meal.

Download the infographic here

Jacqui Lewis

BHSc Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine

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