Weight loss surgery brings many changes to your eating habits. You will be eating significantly different the first few months and even first few years after weight loss surgery. There will be a time though that your restriction isn’t as strong, so it is important to reinforce those healthy habits right from the start of your weight loss surgery journey. Your diet will change the farther out you get, but always remember to choose nutritious foods to ensure you are not getting deficient. Here is what a typical day of eating looks like for me 4 years post-op:
Breakfast
I typically eat 1 egg with a piece of toast and some fruit. I usually cannot finish the entire plate, but I always make sure I eat the entire egg. Protein is SO important as a bariatric patient. Oh, also, coffee. Coffee is life.
Lunch
I have really enjoyed eating sandwiches lately. Now, it isn’t the best choice as a bariatric patient because the bread can be very filling, but as long as you take slow bites, you should be okay. My sandwiches usually have lettuce or spinach, turkey, low fat cheese, and extra vinegar.
Snack
I like keeping nuts, dried fruit, cheese, and protein chips on me for snacks. I’ll switch it up every day between these items. I usually get munchy around 3pm.
Dinner
I work out at night so I typically have a protein shake in the evening which holds me off until dinner. I am very lucky because I married a great chef who knows how to make yummy recipes into healthier versions. We do a lot of crock pot recipes and enjoy eating nice meals in a healthier way. For example, if we want burgers on the grill, we do turkey burgers and I just don’t eat all the bread. We try to get creative with dinners and have a lot of fun making things healthier. Some of my favorite dinners are things like Chicken Tikka Masala, BBQ Chicken, and our homemade Cheeseburger Casserole!
The farther out you get, the easier it will be to put trigger foods back into your diet. Don’t do it! I struggled so much because I put things back into my diet and I realized very quickly that I would regain the weight if I didn’t stick to the post-op bariatric surgery plan. I am a true believer that it is all about moderation, but as a bariatric patient you must remember the guidelines to follow to make sure you are staying healthy. Explore new flavors and have a healthy relationship with food!
