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Home > Patient Support > Your Diet

Your Diet

Healthy diet for better recovery, successful weight loss and a healthy body

A healthy diet after the surgery is very important to achieve optimal weight loss, a healthy body and a better quality of life. Based on the Dietary Guidelines presented by the US Department of Agriculture, “Healthy Diet” is one that:

• Emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products (such as cheese and yogurt);
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts;
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

The MyPyramid Food groups are:

1. Fruits: Focus on variety of fruits. Select different color fresh fruits. This food group provides nutrients essential for health such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. After phase two of your surgery, you can eat fruits without pureeing or juicing. You must peel the skins and chew well.
2. Milk: Get your calcium-rich foods such as dairy products. Select low fat options. Milk can be used easily after surgery during all three phases. Dairy products also contain high quality proteins. These proteins are essential for numerous important body functions such as growth, maintenance, body structure, healing, regulation of body functions and more. If possible, substitute milk for water when making soup to optimize daily calcium and protein intake.
3. Meat, poultry, fish, egg, nuts and beans: Get your protein and other essential nutrients from this food group. Select lean types of meats. Remove the skin from chicken to lower saturated fat and caloric intake. Avoid frying. Eat fresh fish twice a week if possible (fish contains “heart-healthy” omega-3 fatty acids). Egg whites contain good quality protein and can be added to your soups to optimize protein intake after surgery. Beans and lentils contain protein along with heart healthy starch and a variety of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
4. Grains: This group provides starches and often is referred as “carbs”. Make half your grains whole. Take a look at the ingredients list on the food labels and select the products that have whole grain (known as “good carbs”) listed as the first ingredient. Take the least amount of processed carbohydrates.
5. Vegetables: Vary your veggies. Select different color fresh vegetables. This food group provides nutrients essential for health such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. After phase two of your surgery, that is, after the fourth week you can eat vegetables such as salads without pureeing or juicing. Avoid tough fibrous parts (for example, eat easy to chew broccoli florets instead of the tough stems). Avoid frying vegetables. Select healthier cooking methods such as steaming or baking.

Note: For good health, eat a variety of foods from each food group every day.

To learn more about healthy eating, the six food groups and other valuable information please visit the following free USDA website: http://www.mypyramid.gov

How to read Food labels:

Reading food labels is a critical way to understand what you are eating and to improve your food selection during shopping. The diet classes offered at our office prior to your surgery will provide all the information you need to understand the food labels. Reading food labels is not difficult. You may also visit this free website: US Food And Drug Administration: “How To Understand And Use The Nutrition Facts Label”