Bariatric Protein Shakes (Because Protein is Essential...)

[MsJacquiiC]

It's important that you LOVE your bariatric protein shakes because they NEED to be a regular part of your life after weight loss surgery!

Supplementing your diet with protein drinks is a quick and easy way to ensure you get all the nutrition you need.

After surgery, it's challenging to get enough protein from food, so protein shakes help fill in the gap. Supplementing your diet with protein drinks is a quick and easy way to ensure you get all the nutrition you need.

You have two choices when it comes to protein shakes after weight loss surgery:

• Make your own
• Choose a ready-to-drink protein shake

This article will show you how to make your own bariatric protein shakes. You can find a variety of shake recipes -- and a realm of other WLS-friendly recipes -- at The Journey sister-site WLS Journey Recipe Central.

Make Your Own Bariatric Protein Shakes

1. Start with a base of water, skim milk, Lactaid milk, soymilk or nonfat yogurt (4-8oz).
   
   Note: Using milk or yogurt instead of water will boost the overall protein content of the final protein drink and make it a little creamier, but it also adds ~ 100 calories per cup. If you become lactose intolerant after weight loss surgery, definitely no milk or yogurt for you!
   
   
2. Add a scoop of your favorite blendable protein powder. (See my favorite brands).
   
   
3. Sprinkle in some of your favorite flavorings (see my examples below) or a small amount of fruit to jazz things up.
   
   
4. Add ice.
   
   
5. Blend. Add more ice if necessary to make your shake nice and thick (if desired).

Bariatric Protein Shake Recipes

Add any of the following flavorings to your vanilla shake:

• Pina Colada: 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
• Latte: 1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee
• Eggnog: 1/2 tsp. rum extract
• Almond Delight: 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• Pumpkin Pie in the Sky: 1 tsp. vanilla extract + 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Apple Pie: 1 tsp. vanilla extract + 1 tsp. apple pie spice

Add any of the following flavorings to your chocolate shake:

• Mocha: 1 Tbsp. instant decaf coffee
• Chocolate Mint: 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
• Chocolate Banana: 1/2 tsp. banana extract
• Chocolate Almond: 1/4 tsp. almond extract

If you try these and still HATE your shake, try a different brand and/or flavor of protein and experiment with some new protein shake recipes until you come up with a combination (or 2 or 3!) that you LOVE.

See the WLS Journey Recipe Central Protein Shakes and Smoothies section or the The Journey Wet Bar subforum for further ideas.

Remember, protein shakes will be a permanent fixture in your diet so you need to experiment until you
ind something you actually look forward to drinking



Source

Bariatrics The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. The term bariatrics was created around 1965, from the Greek root baro ("weight," as in barometer), suffix -iatr ("treatment," as in pediatrics), and suffix -ic ("pertaining to"). Besides the pharmacotherapy of obesity, it is concerned with obesity surgery.

Protein One of the three nutrients that provides calories to the body. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps build many parts of the body, including muscle, bone, skin, and blood. Protein provides 4 calories per gram and is found in foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and tofu. Proteins are an essential human nutrient, obtained from both plant and animal foods. Though their greatest commercial use is in food products, they are also employed in adhesives, plastics, and fibres.