How to Pick a Protein Powder After WLS

Hey! I'm Jamie

To start off by answering your first question YES! I am a registered dietitian AND I’ve had weight loss surgery myself!

Now, I help other bariatric babes change their habits so they can be successful long term. I can support you in not just losing weight but keeping it off for good!

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Let’s talk about protein powder! I think we all can agree that protein powder is a staple after WLS! I want to help you pick the best one for YOU, so let’s dive in.

How to pick the best protein powder for YOU! 

*Please keep in mind that this is for a protein shake, not a meal replacement

Check the nutrition label:

Flip over the bag or container and find the nutrition label. There are a few things I want you to peek at. 

Protein content:

First, how much protein is in 1 serving? The goal is to have a minimum of 20g per serving, but ideally the higher the better (assuming there are no other medical conditions where you need to limit protein consumption).

Whether it be plant-based or whey-based, the goal is to have protein higher than carbs.

Carb content:

A few grams of carbs are expected in a protein powder, but keep in mind that ideally, carbs would be significantly lower than the protein content. 

We want to ensure blood sugar balance when it comes to protein powders. When choosing a protein powder, I recommend searching for something lower than 10g of carbs per serving

Fat content: 

The goal is for the fat content to be minimal. Stick to a maximum of 10g of fat or fewer per serving. 

If you are making a smoothie or mixing your protein powder with milk, keep in mind that there may be other fat sources included that need to be accounted for. 1 serving of fat = 10g.

What about collagen?

Collagen is NOT considered a complete protein, therefore it does not count towards your protein goals for the day. Collagen is missing one of the essential amino acids that make up a complete protein. Collagen is typically made of bovine or marine animals, whereas protein powder is made of milk (whey), plants, or eggs.

Collagen has many health benefits. Studies show that it helps with bone, skin, nails, hair, and heart health. Collage can be a great thing to add into your routine if you feel called, but it does not count towards your protein goals after weight loss surgery.

My Bariatric Friendly favorite protein powders:

Keep in mind, these are not the ONLY bariatric-friendly protein powders on the market, these are just my favorite brands that I know, like, and trust!

Ways to work together:

The T.R.I.B.E.® Membership is your one-stop shop for everything you need after WLS! Say goodbye to the feeling of failure. Your dream bariatric life awaits. The T.R.I.B.E.® is a self-paced, step-by-step membership for babes pre- and post-weight loss surgery.

Everything in the T.R.I.B.E.® membership will give you the tools to succeed, and the support to feel empowered—all you have to do is show up and put in the work!

When you join the T.R.I.B.E.® Membership, you’ll get immediate access to

  • Registered dietitian-lead training on nutrition and WLS
  • 100+ workout videos
  • raining sessions & guidebooks
  •  40+ monthly live support groups lead by other bariatric patients and professionals
  • Expert guest calls & live Q&As
  • An active community board where you can get more support, get your questions answered, and make more connections with other T.R.I.B.E.® babes who are on this journey with you
  • all of these resources and more!

You will learn the exact steps you need to take so you can change your eating habits, your relationship with food, and your mindset. We’re ready to help you reach your goals, so the question is – are you? 

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