Regular Bariatric Diet: Post-Surgery

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The fifth and final phase bariatric patients progress through after surgery is the regular bariatric diet. We’ve already examined clear and full liquids, as well as pureed and soft foods. Your new normal starts now. It’s important to go slow, as your new stomach needs time to adjust to foods. You have the rest of your life to experiment and see which foods work with your stomach and which may not. Protein is king now, and you’ll chew your foods well. I’ve also provided some recipes for meals I eat regularly now. Being able to eat a regular bariatric diet means you focus on protein and stay hydrated.

Purpose of the Regular Bariatric Diet

The purpose of the regular bariatric diet is to establish a new normal eating pattern. Often, obesity leads us to eating food too quickly and eating too many calories. Surgery gives you chance to start over, reestablish how you eat and what you eat. Your stomach is now ready for solid foods, as you have been prepping it with liquids, purees and soft foods. It’s okay to try new foods now, but go slowly. Your stomach may not like certain foods, especially when you’re only a few months post-op.

As you start to explore what your new stomach can handle and how well you tolerate certain foods, you’ll want to take note of any signs of fullness. Some people belch, hiccup or even sneeze when they get full. Pay attention to your body, and stop eating at the first sign of fullness. Stopping when you are full will prevent any uncomfortable feeling that comes with overeating. I find that overeating as a sleeve patient is far more uncomfortable and sometimes painful than it was before surgery. I see it as a blessing because it keeps me in check to avoid that feeling.

Protein is King!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: protein is king! It is so important for bariatric patients, as it’s a nutrient our bodies can’t produce or store on its own. According to Penn Medicine, a patient should get at least 60 to 80 grams of protein a day. Always start your meals and snacks by eating protein first. There are several reasons we eat protein first, including:

• Aids in proper wound healing
• Helps burn fat instead of muscle
• Keeps hair, skin and nails strong
• Provides energy to the body
• Keeping your muscle mass helps lessen loose skin

It’s so important to eat your protein first. Because our stomachs are much smaller, we have to make sure we meet our protein goals each day. If you decide to eat your carbs and vegetables first, you’re likely going to get full before you can get to your protein. You’re missing an opportunity to consume the protein you need. For this reason, it’s important to eat your protein first. It’s okay to leave food on your plate. Our stomachs are much smaller, so save anything you can’t eat for the next meal.

Tips for the Regular Bariatric Diet

There are several strategies you can use to help you adjust to your new regular bariatric diet. A lot of the strategies are ones we’ve discussed in the previous phases, however, they are good techniques worth repeating. As your new life starts, you’re going to have to learn to adopt these techniques for optimal success with your bariatric lifestyle.

Chew Well

The first tip is to always remember to chew well. Your stomach opening is much smaller now, so food needs to be chewed extremely well to pass through. I always know if I haven’t chewed well enough because it’s physically painful! It’s very uncomfortable, so chewing well with every bite is the first tip.

Avoid Drinking with Meals

Secondly, don’t drink with your meals. Wait 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after your meal to drink water. Again, this technique has to do with the size of our stomachs. We need to consume that protein, and if we fill our bellies with liquids, we won’t be able to meet our protein goals. Drinking too soon after eating washes the foods through your stomach, so you don’t feel full for as long. Since you are chewing your food well, you won’t feel the need for much liquid while you’re eating. I also find it painful to drink too soon after eating. Therefore, your second tip is to wait 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after your meals to drink.

Food Hierarchy

Your third tip is to eat your protein first, then your vegetables and then your fruit or carbohydrates. The reason for this tip is because as we’ve discussed we need to eat protein first to make sure that we are consuming enough. Eating your vegetables second fills you with fiber and helps you stay fuller longer. If you are still hungry, eat either your fruit or carbs. Fruit and carbs both turn into sugar once we start digesting them, so try not to have both at a meal. I find if I eat too many carbs, I gain weight. I try to avoid carbs, but if I do have them, it’s always whole-grains. So your third tip is to eat in the proper order to ensure you’re using your tool properly.

Water

Lastly, your fourth tip is to drink water, and drink some more water. Find ways to consume water, like adding a flavor enhancer or a lemon or lime wedge. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to drink. It’s so easy to get dehydrated after surgery, as a lot of the time you just don’t feel like drinking. However, it’s important that you maintain a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day. It helps flush out toxins and prevents dehydration. Therefore, your last tip is to drink water.

Regular Bariatric Diet Recipes

Cooking really starts to be fun again at this phase. It’s almost a game to see how much protein I can squeeze into a meal while still being delicious. The following recipes are five of my go-to’s, and I have them quite often. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Protein First!

Stay focused on consuming protein and eating 60 to 80 grams each day. Keep drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day to avoid dehydration. Chew extremely well and try only one new food at at time to see how your body handles it. It can take some time for our bodies to adjust to certain foods, so if it doesn’t agree with you the first time, try again in a few months. Being able to eat a regular bariatric diet means you focus on protein and stay hydrated. You’ll eat this way for the rest of your life, so learn to get creative and enjoy your new tool. I believe in you!

If this article gave you some great ideas to incorporate into your life, just imagine what other amazing strategies I have for you! Share this post on social media by clicking one of the sharing buttons, and don’t forget to join my email list! You’ll be the first to get updates, access to my new products and lots of tips, inspiration and motivation to help in your bariatric surgery journey. Just for joining, I’ll send you a free weight loss coloring chart, as well as some other pretty awesome goodies to keep you motivated. Join today!

In Summary

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