If I'm not trying to build muscle, why should I care about protein?

[chunkyloverlovesyou 197]

I never counted my Protein intake before surgery, and I was doing fine. If I exercised, I gained muscle, if I didnt- muscle started disappearing. I never cared how many grams. The skinniest I ever was in my life, I just ate smaller. I ate kids meals. I ate less frequently. So why the hell does it matter how much protein/fat/carb I eat, if I only max out at 1000 calories. Am I really muscle wasting? Sick of the daily battle of drinking nasty shakes, I would rather have a chk nugget. (And yes, still losing)

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Don't forget that organs, like your heart, are muscles. You risk serious health problems if you lose too much muscle. When you lose muscle you can't control where it is consumed. Also, muscle burns calories, so if you minimize muscle loss (or even build more muscle) you burn more fat.

[Elode 8,093]

There is no way I could possibly even begin to explain how important Protein is in your body. Protein is used In every cell in your body. You need protein for protein synthesis and DNA replication. The body's primary building block for muscle, bone, skin, hair, and many other tissues is protein. There are over 10,000 different Proteins that are found and needed in the body for maintaining life. After Water has been excluded 75 percent of your body weight consists of protein. Crazy huh?! Proteins play many important roles in the body including the structure of enzymes; these are important proteins that help reactions occur in the body, such as releasing from the food we eat. Proteins also function as transport proteins such as hemoglobin; an Iron containing protein that transports oxygen to exercising muscles via the bloodstream. Protein consist of amino acids. Amino acids are extremely important . There are twenty different amino acids of which eight are considered essential because they cannot be generated by the body but are necessary for survival. The body uses amino acids circulating in the blood stream, released from the breakdown of tissues, or consumed in the diet to make protein. It's incredible just how important protein is in our bodies not just for building muscle. Eat/ drink your protein whatever just get some I've been studying protien in college for years. Every one of my mastering courses that involves the human body has a section on the importance of protien. Ok, that's enough class for today!!! Class dismissed!

Edited March 16, 2015 by Elode

[sweetie716 270]

Making good food choices is a key part of surgery, and that includes getting your Protein in. Definitely follow your doctor's plan because they've put it together based on the specific needs of people who have gone before us. Here's a really good article that addresses a few of these things, in particular #3, 9, and 10. It is not an easy thing to make the change, but for the best chance at long term success it's so worth it.

http://www.bariatriceating.com/2015/03/02/top-10-bariatric-post-op-mistakes/

[BloomingLotus 179]

@@Elode your professors would be so proud... Someone has been hitting the books hard! Awesome ???? thanks for the scientific information, it's helpful to see the bigger picture!

[Elode 8,093]

@@BloomingLotus Lol! You're welcome! It's ingrained in my brain. I've been tested waaaaaay to much over it to forget!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

Hey, if you don't mind being bald and sick all the time, feel free to give up protein.....

[chunkyloverlovesyou 197]

Thanks for the wake up call everyone. Sometimes I need a good hard slap, I have so many addictive behaviors..sometimes I just want an excuse to be naughty. But sigh, I got this surgery to prevent diabetes and heart disease and prolong my life and I need an attitude adjustment

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@ - Now is the time ot explore healthier food options. Look up other methds of getting healthy Proteins. Definitely things other than chicken nuggets