Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How much protein can you absorb at one time?



Recommended Posts

I am 3 weeks post op and get nauseas with shakes, not sure why. I found a 3oz Protein shot at GNC. It's called New Whey protein shot that comes in different flavors with no carbs or fat, 42 grams of protein and 180 calories. When I paid the lady at the register said "you do know you can only absorb so much protein at a time right? The rest just goes right through your liver" I said thanks and left. The whole evening I've been thinking about this. I guess I can take half the shot and the other half later. Then complete my 60 grams of daily protein with food. But I can't stop wondering about what she said. I'm googling and I get different amounts 25 gr, 30 gr.. . .does anyone know more about this?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have heard 25 grams, and maybe a little more first thing in the morning when you've been without food all night.

That is what my nutritionist told me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My nutritionist said the max you could absorb at one time was 20 - 25 grams. I recommend taking half the shot, cutting it with something you like to drink and sipping it slowly. Save the other half for later.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well this one's all over the map. A quick Google brought up these results: https://encrypted.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=how+much+protein+can+I+adsorb+in+one+sitting%3F&oq=how+much+protein+can+I+adsorb+in+one+sitting%3F&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=678l16545l0l16760l45l44l0l30l30l0l230l1921l2.11.1l14l0

While I don't think that there is really a limit per-se I would have to hazard a guess that the body can only adsorb so much before the natural result of passing the food causes it to travel beyond the area that the intestines can adsorb it from. How fast your metabolism is and how fast your intestines move are some of the variables involved.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well darn it! My NUT assured me early on that I could double up on the Protein Powder no problem. I've been making my shakes between 40 and 50 grams of Protein. She said it would be fine and that my body would process it - that there was no limit. Now I am confused. I do this mostly because shakes are very difficult for me to get down, still. And I'm still not able to eat enough food to get all my protein in. Thanks everyone for this post. I will follow up with my NUT again and read Rootman's searches!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told in my Option classes and my surgeon that you can only absorb 30 grams of Protein at a time. Any more than that, it is just peed out and it is hard on your kidneys.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep 25-30 grams at one time IF you didn't just exercise or really tax your muscles. There is a window of time (about 45 mins - 1hour) after intense exercise/weight lifting that your body will basically use all the Protein you can pump into it.....to repair muscles, etc.

This is the main reason why things like Muscle Milk exist.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh that's really good to know. My kidney tests have been a little haywire but I really do follow the 25 gram per meal . sometimes in the morning I think I go a little over because my Protein Shake is 25 grams and I feel like I need more on the way to the gym.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The most common recommended Protein after this surgery is whey Protein Isolate because the Isolate is absorbed by the body the quickest because it is the most pure form of whey protein. I chose to have a mixed blend due to cost (cheaper Wal-Mart brand) and a thought that the Whey Protein Concentrate has the rest of the amino acids that will get absorbed in the first stage of the intestines.

But I agree with everyone else's statement that 20-25g at a time is just right. My particular shake is 26g per scoop (6-8oz water/milk) and I have one or two per day depending on my food choices. One first thing in the morning and the second I decide after work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take one of those 3 oz 42 g New Whey shots every day when I get out of the gym.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have heard 25 grams, and maybe a little more first thing in the morning when you've been without food all night.

That is what my nutritionist told me.

This is exactly what I've ever heard. 25g and 30g first thing in the morning. However I've never really done a whole lot of research on it so I can't say for sure. I've always stuck to the 25g rule simply because if it is true I really don't need the extra calories anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ive been told and have read on there that those Protein Shots are the wrong kind of protein- a collagen based and we need a whey based protein- talk to your doc or nutritionist.

I did and they advised against them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×