Developing a Daily Healthy Diet after Weight Loss Surgery

Written by Jane Long

Developing a daily healthy diet after weight loss surgery is vital to the success of the procedure. But, when you have been accustomed to eating the wrong way for most of your life, it can be daunting to make the appropriate changes, regardless of your resolve to succeed. Be encouraged! Once you alter the way you think about food and your approach to meal, the transition will become easier and natural.

To help get you started on the road to eating success, you simply need to keep 5 essential factors in mind:

1.   Making the Most of Foods you Eat
2.   Take Daily Supplements Religiously
3.   Water, Water, and More Water
4.   Real Life and Healthy Eating Habits
5.   Tantalize your Taste Buds

You do not have to give up enjoying food or struggle forever to be healthy. You simply need to reprioritize your life. Start by:

Making the Most of Foods you Eat

After weight loss surgery, you will only be able to eat small portions of food at one time. Especially in the case of gastric bypass, the amount may be as little as 2 tablespoons. At most, it will be 1 1/2 cups. If you go get the measuring utensil out of your cupboard drawer, you will see just how little food your body will need to survive. So, you will definitely need to make the most of everything you eat.

For example, if you need the protein equal to a serving of red meat, but you know you are never going to be able to consume enough steak to suffice, you will need to add a protein supplement powder to some other food item. As you begin to read through the recommended daily allowances of fruit, veggies, meats, and dairy, then you know that it will be physically impossible for you to get the proper nutrition every day. Therefore, your doctor will help advise you on the best foods with lots of nutritional value in small amounts.

Take Daily Supplements Religiously

However, you will definitely need to take daily supplements to ensure your body has what it needs to be healthy, especially since your bariatric procedure prevents total absorption of the nutrients you do consume.
Along with a change in your eating habits, you will also be starting an exercise routine to help maintain good health. You want to be in better shape not just in pounds and inches. You need muscle. It helps you burn calories and keep your systems in shape. However, it also means you will definitely need all the vitamins and minerals required to support a healthier you.

Water, Water, and More Water

Even though your new stomach pouch may only hold 2 tablespoons of food or liquid at a time, you will need to drink water, water, and more water. Most people do not realize that they need a half gallon of water per day to stay properly hydrated. Especially at first, it will seem impossible to swallow that much water.
However, you will have to get into the habit of carrying water with you at all times. At first, you may have to keep a record of how much water you have been able to drink on a given day. You will basically need to take a sip every time you think about it. Not only will water keep you hydrated; it will help your body digest food. So, if you find it hard to down that much liquid, it is okay to add zero calorie flavoring like Crystal Lite or something similar.

Real Life and Healthy Eating Habits

Probably one of the major concerns for weight loss patients is avoiding social occasions where forbidden foods are served. But, once you learn what to look for, you can usually find a soup, salad, or other item that is permissible. Also, if you are comfortable with the establishment, you might ask for something from the kitchen that is not technically on the menu. A lot of restaurants today are trying to serve a healthier menu. Plus, you can also ask for reduced portions and a doggy bag, so you do not have to waste any of the portions because of your eating restrictions.

Tantalize your Taste Buds

Even though you can still eat out once in a while, most of your meals will be prepared at home. You will have to learn how and what to pack for lunch hour at work. Then, you will have to learn a variety of new dishes that are compatible with your new system. Though you have to concentrate on ultimate nutrition and portion sizes, it does not mean you cannot still tantalize your taste buds and enjoy your meals.

In short, developing a healthy diet after weight loss surgery may seem like a daunting task at first. You have to be so concerned with nutritional values, regular supplements, avoiding wasted calories, and more. But, once you figure out where you can still go out to eat, how to keep hydrated, and some new recipes for good health and good taste, it will simply become the way you eat and take care of your health now.