Nutrition Plans
At Rex UNC Health Care Bariatric Specialists, we provide comprehensive nutrition plans for our patients. This allows us to ensure patient health and safety and long-lasting results long after the surgery itself is complete. Our dedicated staff of registered dietitians are ready to assist you with:
- Pre-surgery diets
- Post-surgery diets
- Meal planning
- Grocery store tours (virtual)
- Post-surgery vitamins
- Post-surgery protein
Combine Rex UNC Health Care Bariatric Specialists’ staged bariatric eating nutrition plan with a suitable exercise regimen to keep your weight loss on track after bariatric surgery. You’ll start on clear liquids the same day as surgery. Once you are home you will advance to full liquids (protein shakes, cream soups, Greek yogurt for 14 days. You will begin taking vitamins in the first week. On day 14 you can start a puree diet for 14 days; advance to a soft diet within a few more weeks, and then gradually reintroduce solid foods.
BARIATRIC SURGERY DIET
Gain the most from your surgery, and head off complications such as nausea, by learning to:
- Eat slowly (30-45 minutes for a full meal).
- Chew fully (at least 30 times per bite).
- Take smaller bites.
- Avoid drinking for 30 minutes before or after eating.
- Pay attention to signs of fullness, such as pressure just below your ribs or heartburn. Overeating even a little can trigger vomiting.
- Get used to measuring your food, and wait a few minutes before you finish eating to decide whether you’re satisfied.
- Turn to our registered dietitians for ongoing nutrition counseling.
DINING OUT
Feel comfortable eating out with friends and family, but take charge of what you order. Plan ahead and research restaurants’ menus whenever possible. This will allow you to ensure that healthy options are available, giving you the chance to search for those options at your own pace. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request exceptions that are not on the menu, including:
- Smaller portions, shared entrees or children’s menu sizes
- Sauces or dressings on the side, added sparingly or not at all
- Non-fat or low-fat options
HOLIDAY EATING CHOICES
Stay focused on your meal plan during the holiday season, when more food options (especially less-healthy choices) are available at social events, parties and celebrations. Eat before you attend a holiday gathering to protect yourself against overeating once you get there. Enjoy the company of your family and friends away from the food buffet.
Learn the benefits of snacking, the basic steps for planning your snacks, and try some creative low-calorie recipes that taste good and satisfy your hunger.
AVOID CERTAIN FOODS
Eat foods high in protein and nutrients—especially foods included in our bariatric recipes. Stay away from foods that may be hard to tolerate, including:
- Bran
- Bread
- Carbonated beverages
- Coconut
- Corn and legumes
- Dairy
- Dried fruit
- Fried foods
- Pasta
- Skins from fresh fruit
- Sugary foods
Replace desserts with fresh fruit, and give up alcohol. Sugary desserts create glucose spikes in the blood. In response, the body creates more insulin, which causes fat cells to take in more calories, causing weight gain. High sugar intake also results in a resistance to the hormone that signals the feeling of fullness. This is self-perpetuating because eating desserts creates a higher tolerance over time, resulting in the need for more of a sugar hit every time. Alcohol contains a lot of empty calories. It also causes the body to concentrate its energy on trying to burn those calories instead of fat and carbohydrate calories. And because alcohol activates neurons associated with the feeling of starving, it causes increased food intake, particularly high-fat high-salt foods. Alcohol increases galanin, a neuropeptide that also encourages food intake. Additionally, the cortisol spikes from alcohol cause the body to store more fat. When possible, choose foods that are broiled, grilled, baked, steamed or poached, rather than fried. Try to avoid vegetables and meats cooked with fats. Fried food can add a lot of calories, which can cause a nutritional imbalance.
BARIATRIC VITAMINS
Follow your care team’s instructions on taking vitamin and mineral supplements. You’ll need these for the rest of your life to help your altered stomach absorb all the nutrients your body needs. Patients primarily need to take multivitamins, capsulated B vitamins, calcium, vitamin D3, and iron. These are essential for prevention of common health complications after bariatric surgery. These health risks include anemia (B12 and iron deficiency), neurological complications (potentially related to a deficiency in vitamin B1), compromised bone integrity (lack of calcium), and kidney issues (due to changes in vitamin D absorption).
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE
To learn more about nutrition in Raleigh, contact us and schedule a consultation with our dedicated staff of registered dietitians. If you’ve gotten bariatric surgery or are planning to have bariatric surgery, contact us at Rex UNC Health Care Bariatric Specialists and schedule a consultation.
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