The Clarian Bariatric's support group meeting for gastric lap band patients was on Wednesday, January 21. This month's topic was protein. We discussed why it was a good food source, an explanation of why protein is important, the best protein source in supplements, how much do you need and can you eat too much protein.
Proteins in our diet are made up of building blocks called amino acids. There are 20 amino acids. Ten are “essential” meaning they cannot be made by the body and must come from our diet. There also 10 non-essential amino acids, which can be created by the body.
These amino acids are used by the body to make specific proteins such as enzymes, hormones, skin, hair, muscles and transport protein, etc. Every function in the body requires some type of protein. Animal based foods are the best food source and are called “Good Quality Protein” because they provide all essential amino acids.
Plant based foods typically lack one or more essential amino acids therefore are not considered good quality protein. Therefore, the best way to obtain protein from diet are from all types of meat, cheese (2 percent, low fat or fat free) or egg and adding in plant based foods.
Look for more tips later in the week, and feel free to ask me any questions you have related to bariatric weight loss, weight loss surgery or nutrition after lap band surgery.
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