Meeting your daily protein goal every day can be very time consuming and can lead you to drinking your protein more than the body prefers. Sometimes protein goals are very high…too high to reach with just food especially in those early months post-surgery. Our bodies want to utilize food rather than supplements and our “new stomachs” require some variation.
Unflavored protein powder is a great way to give foods that are not naturally rich in protein a boost, . like oatmeal, cream of wheat and sugar free pudding are good examples of foods low in protein. Powders can also help patients reach a high protein goals and can benefit those patients starting out post-surgery.
One very important thing to mention…do not add any protein powders to very hot liquids or foods as the protein will CLUMP and not dissolve – NOT tasty at all. Also, adding protein powders will thicken fluids or food items like Gatorade Zero, soups or potatoes. The more you add, the thicker it will become. Also, be sure to check the nutritional facts on the labels of the protein and the liquid/food item you are mixing together. You want to keep your meal/snack to 30 grams of protein or less every 3 hours. Spread your protein out throughout the day as too much protein at one meal/snack can be hard on your kidneys. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER EVERY DAY with a high protein. At LEAST 64 ounces of liquid that does NOT have protein in it. 😊
Here are some recipe examples that can increase protein in meals and snacks:
Jello-Gelatin – pre or post op diet
1 pkg (0.3oz) Sugar Free Gelatin mix
1 cup boiling water
1 scoop of protein powder, unflavored
1 cup cold water
Mix protein powder and COLD water until completely dissolved.
Add sugar free gelatin to hot water and stir until dissolved.
Add cold water mixture to gelatin mixture and stir.
Pour into 4 serving dishes equally – refrigerate for 2-3 hrs.
**Serve with sugar free or light cool whip, if desired. **(starting week 2 POST OP only) **
Makes 4 servings: Nutrition per serving: 30 calories, 105mg sodium, 6g protein – nothing else!
Cottage cheese pancakes – starting soft foods
1 egg
1/3 cup cottage cheese
1T whey protein
1t vanilla extract
1T wheat flour (or alt “flour”)
¼ t cinnamon (optional)
Beat egg and all other ingredients – portion 2 T per pancake on griddle.
Servings – 2 small pancakes (makes 4 total) Nutrition per serving: 80 calories, 2.5g Fat, 2g carbohydrates, 10 grams of protein!
Broccoli with Ricotta puree – starting soft foods
2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ cup FF ricotta cheese
1 t ginger, chopped
3T unflavored protein powder
Steam broccoli and garlic until tender (10-15 min if fresh and 5-10 mins if frozen).
Add to food processor or blender with all other ingredients and blend to desired consistency.
Season to taste.
Makes 4 servings
Nutrition: 50 calories, 0g fat, 4g carbs, 1g sugar, 7g protein
White Bean Bisque – after 6weeks post op
½ T olive oil
2 T onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
15oz can cannellini beans
3 precooked turkey sausage links, chopped
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
¼ cup low fat evaporated milk
1 t parsley, dried
1/8 t thyme, dried
¼ cup unflavored protein
Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 1 min.
Stir in beans, sausage, chicken broth, evaporated milk, parsley, and thyme.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 mins.
Let cool slightly and transfer to blender or food processor. Add protein powder to desired consistency.
Season to taste.
Makes 4 – ½ cup servings
Nutrition per serving: 180 calories, 5g fat, 14g carbs, 3g sugars, 16g protein
***These recipes are by BiPro – we also recommend Bariatric Fusion, Unjury and Nectar unflavored products.
