There are some things in life that just don't change.  One of them for a gastric bypass patient is: protein. Protein is important for a lot of reasons, but the one that I am finding out about most in this season of my weight loss journey is just how important it is, I'm going back to: protein first.

In the beginning years, I always without exception did protein first.  Then along the way, after about 2 years or so, several people who were suppose to be knowledgeable in this area said...forget that rule, veggies are just as important.  Well, veggies are important and you should eat them, without question.  But if you are a gastric bypass patient, the first and foremost food item that should leave your plate and into your little tummy is: protein.  

Now, I'm all for balance, and I'm also for no "hard fast rules", (by that I mean, sometimes when you don't bend you break), there are in some cases, in some matters, occasional exceptions to the rule, however, when it comes to gastric bypass patients and protein...this is one that must stay the course.  This one is the absolute.  

It wasn't that I didn't eat my protein, or that I didn't measure my protein, it's not that I didn't eat enough protein, but I didn't eat it first. I found this out the hard way, after year three, you know if you've been reading...hypoglycemia hit, and hit hard.  In my case, my hypoglycemia has been a little harder to control than most but, I have made one significant discovery. Protein must be first.

I have also discovered, not only do I have less "crashes" in my blood sugar when I eat my protein first, but when I don't get enough protein, I crash as well.  So this short lesson, get enough protein and: protein first.  

How much protein you eat will depend on your surgeon or dietitian guidelines, as well as your "food phase" and time out from surgery, on regular diet phases, the amount is usually 2 to 3 ounces.  If you have other issues such as hypoglycemia, you may have to find the sweet spot that works for you.  It may also depend on the other foods you eat with your meal, and what the source of protein is that you're eating. 

Either way, eat your fruits and veggies...but remember protein first...yes we can, we have many more meals to go!