Eating Fruits after Gastric Bypass Surgery

When you have had weight loss surgery, especially Gastric Bypass, it is important to watch what you eat, especially when it comes to fruits. Gastric Bypass will help you lose a significant amount of weight quickly, reducing the size of your stomach while blocking calorie absorption a you go through the dietary stages after weight loss surgery. Within a short amount of time, you will be on a solid food diet composed of high proteins, low sugar, and low carb options.  While learning how to eat healthy, you will likely turn to fruits for some vitamins and nutrients.

What Fruits Can You Eat After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

After weight loss surgery, you may find yourself craving something sweet, reaching for fruit rather than sugary sweets. Since there is an abundance of natural sugars in fruit, which should you eat and which should be avoided? These fruit-choosing facts may help you on your weight loss journey.

fruit weight loss

Whole Fruits

Directly after weight loss surgery, you will need to avoid whole fruits as you will be expected to follow a clear liquid diet, followed by a full liquid phase. As your body heals, you will go through the pureed food and soft food stages and at that time, you should be able to enjoy small quantities of soft fruits. Even fruit can be high in carbs and sugar so you must be careful, or you may experience ‘Dumping Syndrome’, a common symptom of taking in too much fat or sugar.

Dumping Syndrome can be quite unpleasant, bringing such symptoms as dizziness or sweating, nausea and vomiting, and even shakiness and chills. Know which whole fruits offer the least amounts of sugar and carbs to avoid Dumping Syndrome. Most berries such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are better choices than other fruits, making them a fairly good option for Bariatric patients.

You should avoid bananas which are high in calories and can easily prevent you from reaching your goal weight and cause intestinal discomfort. To aid in the digestion of oranges, apples and grapefruit, you should always peel and trim the fruit. If you decide to try new foods, you should proceed with caution taking a small bite and chewing well. By paying close attention, you will learn which fruits, and foods in general, you should avoid, causing you stomach issues and/or sickness.

 

Processed Fruits

After weight loss surgery, including Gastric Bypass, you will reach a stage where mashed or pureed fruit is an acceptable choice. During this phase, you will need to read labels and watch for fruits that are high in sugar content. This is usually due to being canned or processed in light and heavy syrups, which can also lead to Dumping Syndrome. Choose items such as naturally sweetened applesauce and fruits packed in their own natural juices, avoiding sugar as much as possible.

 

Fruit Juices or Dried Fruits

After Gastric Bypass Surgery, there will be things you have enjoyed your entire life that your body will no longer be able to digest without discomfort. You will also have to give up some things that may seem healthy such as fruit juices, which are actually high in sugar content. About half of all Bariatric surgery patients can dilute fruit juices such as apple and orange juice and enjoy a glass now and then. Keep a close eye on your goal weight though, as these juices can quickly send you backwards on the scale.

Your stomach may not be able to handle dried fruits after Gastric Bypass or other weight loss surgeries, most particularly dried cranberries, apricots and raisins. Again, this is due to the high amounts of sugar used to cure these dried fruits. After some time has passed after your Bariatric surgery, you may be able to indulge in and tolerate dried fruits again but use caution, watching for sudden weight gain.

Foods to Avoid after Weight Loss Surgery

Five  Foods to Avoid after Bariatric Surgery

 

Bariatric surgery is not an instant solution to losing weight, as you will still have to make the right food choices. Once your doctor tells you it is okay to eat solid foods, you will not be able to eat anything you like. There are several foods and drinks that you should never consume again. Here are the top four foods to avoid after weight loss surgery.

five foods to avoid after bariatric surgery

Breads, Pasta, Potatoes and Rice

 

Heavy starches such as bread, potatoes, rice, and pasta are no longer comfort foods after weight loss surgery. In fact, attempting to eat from this food group can be quite uncomfortable. These foods can form a paste in the throat, making it difficult to swallow. If this happens, there is a fair amount of discomfort and the food may be rejected.

In a few Bariatric cases, breads, potatoes, rice and pasta have blocked the stoma, which is the entrance to the stomach pouch. It is best to give these high-starch foods up entirely, as avoidance will accelerate your weight loss. If you choose to consume one of these foods, do so rarely and in extremely small portions. Take small bites and eat very slowly, remembering not to drink anything thirty minutes before or after your meal.

 

Dry or Tough Meats

 

No matter what type of food you eat, it is important to chew well, taking your time with each small bite. This ensures that you can easily swallow and digest your meals correctly, which is especially important after Bariatric surgery. Because you will not be drinking beverages or water with your meals, it can become even more difficult to swallow some meats.

Lean meats are ideal for your new diet because you need adequate amounts of protein. Avoid meats with fat or gristle, and meats that are tough or hard to swallow  It is recommended to take bites the size of a pencil eraser, choosing meats with a sauce or gravy rather than dry. Foods to avoid include steak, ham, pork chops, and hot dogs.

Other dry foods will also be difficult to swallow such as nuts, granola and dry cereal. Eat these foods slowly and with great caution after Bariatric surgery. As your body heals, you may find that some of these foods become easier to consume.

 

Caffeinated, Carbonated and Alcoholic Beverages

 

The first advice you will probably hear after weight loss surgery is this: Don’t Drink Your Calories! Bariatric patients must avoid drinking beverages with sugar, fructose or corn syrup such as sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices.  These high calorie beverages will sabotage your diet and could lead to Dumping Syndrome, which is very uncomfortable.

After Bariatric surgery, you should consume at least 64 ounces of water daily and avoid beverages with carbonation, which can expand your new stomach pouch. Opt for decaffeinated drinks such as coffee or tea since caffeine can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can quickly become an issue with your new smaller stomach.

Alcohol should be avoided, since these high calorie drinks offer no benefit to your body. Focus on drinks that offer the added vitamins and minerals your body needs. It is also important to remember that, after weight loss surgery, you may become intoxicated much more quickly.

 

Fatty, Greasy and High Calorie Foods

 

Fatty, greasy and high calorie foods should be avoided after weight loss surgery, as these may lead to nausea and sabotage your weight loss. Avoid high calorie, high fat foods such as bacon and sausage, butter, bologna, and whole milk.

You should also avoid foods that offer little or no nutritional value such as candy, chips, pastries, popcorn, rice cakes and similar. Consuming the wrong foods can lead to issues such as weight gain or undernourishment. After weight loss surgery, these foods are dumped into the colon soon after they are consumed, causing symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats and weakness.

 

After Bariatric surgery, you will want to select low-fat deli meats and cheeses. Consuming too many bad food choices can make you feel ill or experience the effects of Dumping Syndrome. Making wise choices will be key in getting the results you deserve.

Looking for the Best Protein Shake?

Great Low Carb, Low Sugar, High Protein Shake

 

The protein shake is a bariatric patient’s best friend. With so many products on the market, it can be hard to find a protein shake that is truly healthy. Some products will advertise their high protein content but when you look at the label, the sugar content is far too high.

 

Ideally, store bought protein shakes should contain three grams of sugar or less if you are following a pre-op or post-op bariatric diet. It can be confusing and a little overwhelming as you begin your journey to a healthier you. Here are our top six choices for ready to drink protein shakes and drinks.

bariatric protien shake

MET-Rx Protein Plus

Featuring flavors such as Creamy Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Frosty Chocolate, Mocha Blast, Berry Blast, and Cookies & Cream, the Met-Rx Protein Plus ready to drink shakes are the number one choice in regards to overall health benefits. With 51 grams of protein, two grams of sugar, and Metamyosyn packed into 260 calories, this is the powerhouse of all protein shakes.

 

Nature’s Best Zero Carb Isopure

Isopure drinks are completely different than any other protein shake because this product offers 40 grams of protein and zero carbs in only 160 calories. Even better, the taste is awesome and you can choose from any of the following flavors: Coconut, Pineapple Orange Banana, Icy Orange, Grape Frost, Apple Melon, Blue Raspberry, Alpine Punch and Mango Peach.

 

CytoSport Monster Milk

Monster Milk is sugar free but contains 45 grams of premium proteins and five grams of soluble dietary fiber, allowing this delicious shake to make number three on the list. Choose from Banana Creme, Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Cookies & Crème, and Vanilla Crème, and enjoy the taste of an ultra-rich milkshake with only 130 calories.

 

Muscle Milk Pro

A favorite of many bariatric patients due to easy accessibility (even in convenience stores and gas stations), the Muscle Milk Pro Series has an amazing 40 grams of lean protein and is lactose and gluten free. Available in Intense Vanilla, Knock-Out Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Overload, these delicious shakes have only two grams of sugar.

 

Shakeology

Shakeology offers a nice selection of flavors including Chocolate, Vegan Chocolate, Vanilla, Greenberry, Strawberry and Tropical Strawberry Vegan. These yummy 160 calorie shakes have 17 grams in protein but are a little higher in sugar with six grams. However, Shakeology has more than seventy vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients as well as prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes.

 

Pure Protein Shakes

Depending on the size and flavor you purchase, Pure Protein Shakes contain 23 to 35 grams of protein, three grams of fiber and one gram of sugar. At only 120 calories, this is a great shake and a great value. Available in Vanilla Cream and Frosty Chocolate, you won’t find any aspartame or added sugars – just lots of great calcium and other great benefits.

 

Hopefully, this list will help you find your personal favorite protein shakes and take some of the guesswork out of reading labels. There are plenty of other great brands suitable as meal replacement shakes for weight loss surgery patients. Please let us know which brand is your personal favorite.

 

Frozen Banana Chocolate Shake | Liquid Diet for Bariatric Surgery

Liquid Diet for Bariatric Surgery

Frozen Banana Chocolate Shake

Bananas Aren’t Just for Monkeys!

This yummy shake is good for your liquid diet for bariatric surgery, it includes super healthy bananas.  There are many health benefits to eating bananas.

  • Bananas help with depression
  • Help sustain blood sugar
  • Protect against Type II Diabetes
  • High in Potassium and low in salt
  • Bananas act as a prebiotic, helping grow good bacteria in the bowels
  • Produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients

I could go on and on about the health benefits of bananas, but you aren’t here for a lecture on bananas:)

Recipe for Frozen Banana Chocolate Shake

To make the Shake you will need:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 medium banana (frozen)
  • 1 Scoop Protein Powder (I used Six Star Nutrition Whey Isolate)

Mix with blender until ready and enjoy!

calories liquid shake

Mocha Java Latte | Liquid diet for bariatric surgery

 

Liquid Diet for Pre Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Liquid Diet

Who doesn’t Love a Mocha Latte?  This shake is bariatric friendly for Pre Surgery or Post Surgery liquid diet needs.  Just make sure you check with your bariatric surgeon to see if he will allow caffeine during the liquid phase of your diet.

Be sure to check back as we will be posting a new recipe every week to “Shake” it up!

Learn more about the Pre Surgery Bariatric Diet.

Recipe for Mocha Java Latte

To make the simple Mocha Java Latte recipe you will need:

  • 1 Scoop Protein Powder (I used Six Star Pro Nutrition Whey Isolate)
  • 6oz Coffee (use either *regular or decaffeinated at room temperature or colder)
  • 1 tbsp. Skim Milk
  • 5-6 Ice Cubes

Mix with blender until ready and enjoy!

bariatric liquid diet