Protein-Palooza helps patients ‘shake off’ weight

First-place Protein-Palooza winner Melissa Gronendyke, left,
with Lori Granich, registered dietitian for the
Midwest Bariatric Institute.
The winning recipe is posted in the story copy.

The Midwest Bariatric Institute at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Dyer offered its first "Protein-Palooza" recently at a monthly patient Support Group meeting.

Said Millie Sasaki, RN, who is the institute’s certified support group coordinator, “We survey patients twice yearly to find out what they would like to be addressed at support group. The protein shake cook-off was born from patient input.”

The contest consisted of patients bringing in their favorite protein shake recipes for others to sample. Shakes were graded on taste, nutrition and creativity. The institute contacted various protein vendors to obtain samples for patients to try.

Winning Protein Shake Recipe

Weight-loss surgery patients are required to consume protein shakes before and after bariatric surgery.

“We had support from more than a dozen companies. They sent us everything from protein powders to bariatric vitamins,” said Lori Granich, registered bariatric dietitian.

Granich added that proteins play numerous, vital roles in the body, such as helping to repair cells and build new ones. Consuming enough high-quality protein is important for building lean muscle. Diets higher in protein have been shown to promote weight loss, since it aids in healing and helps maintain muscle mass.

Support Group meetings take place at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month and 11 a.m. the first Thursday of the month, at Franciscan St. Margaret Health, 24 Joliet St., Dyer. For more information, call (800) 931-3322.