Diet after bariatric surgery

Helpful tips to keep in mind during recovery and beyond:

• Protein is your ally
• Get your meals right - source of protein, vegetables (or fruit), whole grains
• Use the principles of the bariatric plate
• Drink at least 1500ml of water a day to prevent dehydration
• Do not drink for about 30 minutes after a meal
• Eat slowly! Eat each meal for 20 minutes
• Chew slowly and thoroughly (each bite at least 20 times)
• Remember to take supplements recommended by your doctor and nutritionist
• Avoid simple sugars (sodas, sweetened drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, baked goods, chocolate milk, etc.)
• Limit fats in your diet; they can lead to nausea and weight gain
• Stop eating when you feel satiated
• Remember that immediately after surgery, your stomach will only be able to hold a few tablespoons of food. This volume will gradually increase to about 200ml.
• Lactose intolerance may occur after surgery; include lactose-free products in your diet to prevent protein deficiency
• Introduce new foods one at a time to make sure you are tolerating the food well

New eating habits

An important part of introducing solid foods will be monitoring the nutritional value of your meals. Liquids and thin textures will not make you feel full and you may feel hungry quickly after eating such a meal. Therefore, make sure that your meals have a variety of textures. Avoid high-calorie drinks, desserts or fast food. Replace sugary drinks with water or light tea. If you don't like the taste of water, add flavor to it - cucumber, kiwi, ginger.

Chew each bite thoroughly before swallowing. This will help you avoid the feeling of clogging or swallowing too large a piece of product. Also, chewing makes you feel satiated faster, so you will feel full sooner.

The regularity of eating meals has an extremely important impact on the process of losing weight. Compose your meals according to the bariatric plate. Monitor the size of the portions you eat. To reduce body weight in a healthy way, remember that your plate should always contain lean sources of protein - poultry, fish, dairy products. Don't forget vegetables, whole grain cereals, and sources of fat - nuts and seeds.

The importance of physical activity

Excessive pounds can make exercise difficult or even impossible. However, with each pound of reduction, you will find that physical activity becomes easier, more rewarding and much more enjoyable.

Your new goal will be to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day three to five times a week. If you are just starting to exercise for the first time in months or even years, you can start simple by adding more physical activity to your daily routine, such as parking your car further from the store, getting off the streetcar a stop earlier, or cleaning your house more often. Over time, you will be able to incorporate more exercise, such as aerobics, jogging, swimming or cycling.