After weight loss surgery, you must learn how to eat in an entirely different way. Take the time to learn healthy post-surgery eating techniques; otherwise, you might end up sick, malnourished, or nauseous.
What to Eat
1. Test your tolerance: After your procedure, you may find that you have a low tolerance for some of the food you once ate daily. Introduce foods into your diet slowly to avoid any illness due to intolerance, and don’t be afraid to try foods again that you were not able to tolerate right after surgery.
2. Three meals: Eat three meals each day and try to avoid non-protein snacks. Protein snacks like meats and cheeses should only be eaten when you’re physically hungry.
3. Know your food groups: You must be able to understand which food items fall into which category. It’s especially important that you know the difference between a protein and a starch. Read all food labels to find out, and make sure to take three bites of protein for every two bites of non-starch vegetable and one bite of starch (such as rice and whole grains).
How to Eat
1. Set the stage: Each meal should take you about 20 minutes to eat, and stretching that out to 30 minutes makes eating even less taxing on your stomach. Make sure you have a comfortable place to sit and try to make your eating area calming and pleasant. Use small plates to keep your portions in check. No more rushed meals in front of the television or in the car.
2. First things first: Begin by eating your most protein-rich foods first. After that, you can move on to the starchier fare.
3. Take your time: You cannot gulp or gobble your food. Instead, take small bites and chew them thoroughly. The recommendation is to chew each bite 20 to 30 times. Try to enjoy everything about the meal—not just the taste of the food. Enjoy the texture, the smell, and the environment.
4. Fluids: Make sure your food is moist, as this will help it pass through the intestines smoothly and make it easier to swallow. Try adding moisture with low-sugar condiments. While it might seem counterintuitive, do not drink liquids with your meal. Water and other fluids can fill you up fast, which can prevent you from getting the nutrients you need from the food.
5. Observe being full: It takes up to 15 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it’s full. Eating slowly helps you avoid ingesting too much while your stomach and brain work on communication. You should stop eating when you feel the pressure in your abdomen indicating that you’re full.