Protein vs Hydration

As a bariatric patient, I find that I am at war with myself & my diet. The war stems from finding room to eat enough protein & staying hydrated.

The numbers

After getting bariatric surgery, you must get enough protein into your diet each day. The number can range between 60-100 grams per day, depending on your surgeons recommendations. Drinking enough liquid is also so important & the goal is at least 64 ounces per day.

Why protein?

Protein is a building block. It helps build & repair our cells. It is especially important after a major surgery like stomach reduction. Protein is found all throughout our bodies from our hair to our skin to the organs deep within.

Protein is also a critical part of the processes that fuel your energy and carry oxygen throughout your body in your blood. It also helps make antibodies that fight off infections and illnesses and helps keep cells healthy and create new ones.
Webmd.com

Not getting enough protein can lead to muscle loss & the break down on crucial tissue. Protein is key to maintaining healthy sugar levels, as well as, regulating your hormones.

Protein plays a special role in weight loss, too! It’s the protein in our food that keeps us satisfied. When you eat a protein rich diet, you find you are able to go longer before getting hungry again.

Why hydration?

Water is an important part of a healthy body. Your body is actually made of mostly water! Experts say anywhere from 60-80% of your body mass is water.

Hydration is about keeping the balance of water in your body because getting dehydrated is a harmful & scary thing.

Fluid is so important in the body that even when levels drop only slightly, we begin to feel the consequences. Low levels of fluid in the body can cause headaches, feelings of dizziness, lethargy, poor concentration and a dry mouth. Over a longer term, dehydration can cause constipation and can be associated with urinary tract infections and the formation of kidney stones. Regular and adequate intakes of fluid can help to address these.
bda – the association of uk dietitions

Hydration helps the blood deliver much needed glucose, oxygen, & nutrients to the cells. It also aids in the function of the kidneys. It is also an important part of body temperature regulation. Water is the best beauty tool in the box, as well.

Why do we have to choose?

As a bariatric patient, we are told (most of us, at least) that drinking while eating is not allowed. It is advised to wait 30 minutes between eating & drinking. I have heard many theories to why we must wait, but the big reason it room. The stomach is smaller & cannot fit food and drinks in at the same time, without stretching the stomach.

What’s the answer?

Timing. When you plan out your meals & drinks, you have the opportunity to, not only, keep the two separate, but to aid in your weight loss. By scheduling meals & sticking to that schedule (schedule in snacks, too) you will overcome the munchies & aimless snacking, too.

Why am I struggling, then?

I struggle a lot with all of this! I have not gotten the hang of never drinking while I am eating. I loved to wash down my food (sometimes before it was completely chewed) with a big glass of water. I am not great with keeping a food schedule, either. Plus, when I am full, I don’t want to drink because there isn’t enough room. That sometimes happens even after waiting the 30 minutes between meals & liquids.

To be completely honest with you, I have not been meeting my protein or water goals. I am trying though & cannot give up. Giving up is not an option after surgery. I have added water as a daily goal & I am working on carrying on my food schedule that I keep during work hours at home.

The key here is to make a plan & stick with it. I am going to start scheduling my meals better. Setting timers on my phone is always helpful & until I develop these habits, I will live & breathe from the schedule on my phone.