Eating the right kind of food after your bariatric surgery in Tijuana is an important part of helping you lose that weight for good. After undergoing bariatric surgery in Tijuana, you should focus on a holistic approach to wellness, weight, diet, and exercise.
The way that you process and digest food will be different, so it’s important to keep nutrition in mind as a top priority. Let’s talk about some of the best bariatric snacks after weight loss surgery:
Healthy Snacks For Bariatric Patients
When it comes to bariatric snacking, here are some general principles you should know:
High Protein Is Better
You should optimize getting protein in your diet first and foremost. Protein is a healthy nutrient that helps you rebuild muscle, ligaments, and more. It also helps you heal faster.
That’s not to mention that when you eat more protein, you’ll feel full faster. This keeps you from wanting to eat bad snacks like carbs.
Avoid Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are typically empty calories. They’re simply converted to the equivalent of sugar in your body.
This means that you store more fat when you eat carbs like potato chips, bread, or pasta. Learn more about off limit foods here.
Chew Your Food Well
You can give your digestive system a head start by chewing your food really thoroughly. Aim to chew food 10 to 20 times before swallowing it. A lot of people don’t chew their food well enough.
This means their stomach has to work harder to digest it and more if it actually turns into fat.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Water is the healthiest thing that you can give your body. It also helps you feel fuller. Sometimes when you think you’re hungry, you’re actually just thirsty. That being said, let’s talk about some specific snacks that can help you:
Bariatric Friendly Snacks
Soup
A small portion of a vegetable or protein based soup is a great way to consume something in between meals without filling yourself up with empty carbs. Since it’s heavy in water, protein, and vegetables typically, it’s a great snack.
Carrots and Hummus
Carrots offer excellent fiber and plenty of vitamins. The hummus provides protein and a nice earthy flavor. This is a nutritious, filling, healthy meal.
Peanut Butter And Nuts
A small handful of natural peanut butter with some nuts is a great little snack. They have some trace sugar of course. But ultimately, these types of snacks offer a protein punch that keeps you going without giving into more unhealthy types of snacks.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the healthiest sources of protein that you can get. Because protein is so important for a bariatric diet, you should aim to have a few in the morning and maybe even in the afternoon every day.
Beans
Beans offer protein and fiber, and they offer complex carbohydrates. This means it takes your body a little more time to break it down.
Ultimately, it helps boost your metabolism. That’s because you have to work harder to digest the same amount of calories that you might get from a simple carbohydrate like a cookie.
Lentils
Related to beans, lentils are also high in fiber and protein. They can make great soups, stews, or simply a nice side if you spit them with your favorite herbs.
Some Meat And Cheese
If you’re finding that you want a little bit of fat or carbs outside of just meat and vegetables, you can have some cheese as well. Too much is going overboard, so eat in moderation. However, a small amount with your meat can change up the snack and make it interesting so that you stick to it.
Fruits
Fruits are a great option for snacking as well. Things like bananas, berries, cherries, figs, and mangoes are all fine.
Vegetables
One of the best snacks for bariatric patients are veggies. Broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, celery, and spinach are wonderful snacks.
Cottage Cheese And Yogurt
If you must include some dairy in your diet, aim for a higher protein to fat ratio such as cottage cheese or yogurt. They also have probiotics to help keep your digestive tract in balance.
Learn More About Losing Weight With Bariatric Surgery
Contact Dr. Jalil Illan Fraijo to understand your options for healthy weight loss. Weight loss surgery can be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made for your health goals. You just have to take the first step today.
