If you’ve had gastric bypass, lap band, gastric sleeve or revision, you’ll have to pay attention to what you eat post-surgery. Is a soft food diet required? Should you still eat three meals a day? What’s the recommended daily amount of fluids? What are the best foods to eat after bariatric surgery? Keep reading to learn what should be on your grocery list for your bariatric diet.
Bariatric Diet: 5 Foods You Should Include
Whether you’re designing your gastric sleeve diet or any one of the other bariatric procedure diets, there are certain foods you should include in a bariatric eating plan. After the initial liquid diet that lasts about two weeks, you’ll incorporate solid foods into your diet. It’s important to keep hydrated along the way while adding in the following foods.
1. Proteins
You’ll start with soft foods like sugar-free yogurt and eventually add in other proteins like eggs, lean meat, pork, chicken, and fish.
A female should have 50-60 grams of protein a day. A male should have 60-70 grams of protein a day.
Eat low-calorie protein snacks between meals to break things up. Supplement with a protein shake if you cannot get the protein needed through food.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
The antioxidants, flavonoids, and fiber found in fruits and vegetables are vital for good health. When getting your nutrition from fruits and vegetables, you should remove the skin and seeds. It is important to avoid both following a bariatric procedure. Stick with low-carb veggies like green beans, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, and bell peppers. Lower carbohydrate fruits include watermelon, grapefruit, and cantaloupe. Choose these over bananas, apples or cherries because of the high carb content.
3. Low-Fat Dairy Products
Low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat Greek yogurt, skim or 1% milk are good choices when introducing dairy products back into your diet. These are also a great source of protein.
4. Whole Grains
Try whole grains like barley, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur wheat and whole-wheat pasta rather than regular pasta. Avoid white grains as in white bread and pasta. Choose cream of wheat for breakfast rather than oatmeal.
5. Low-Fat Starches
Brown rice, arborio rice, basmati rice, and couscous are examples of low-fat starches. Choose starchy foods that are also high in fiber and protein.
Additional Tips
Keep these things in mind when starting your post-bariatric surgery diet.
Eat and drink slowly. Eat six smaller meals if you can’t consume as much as you should during three meals. As soon as you feel full, stop eating. Limit caffeine and avoid alcohol due to the risk of dehydration. Limit sugar intake. Drink liquids between meals rather than with your meals. Take vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by a doctor.
Click here for information on bariatric procedures and the best bariatric surgeon.
Getting Back on Track
Now that you know the foods to include in your bariatric diet, you can get on the right track to a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to bookmark our page for easy access to recipes, surgery faqs, exercise, and fashion and beauty.
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