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Tag Archives: eating out

Will I be Able to Enjoy my Favorite Foods Again after Weight Loss Surgery?

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

you chooseLife after weight loss surgery is not all about deprivation.  In fact, life after surgery is quite the contrary.  It’s about having an extra reinforcement so that you are better equipped to lose weight and keep it off long term.  As we have said over and over, surgery is a tool but you really need to know how best to use this tool for optimal long-term results.  Our society is focused on the here and now.  You will have an excellent tool that will help you quickly in the here and now after surgery.  More importantly it will serve you well for the long haul so you can fully experience your life in a rewarding and active way.  I see dreams come true each and every day!

Sure, there will be changes and I would be lying if we said they were all going to be simple. I am not trying to be vague here but the answer to the question “Will I ever be able to enjoy my favorite foods again after weight loss surgery?” depends upon a number of things.  These include the type of surgery you have and what is included in your favorite food list.   Not knowing exactly what those favorite foods are, I will include those that you will need to avoid altogether or enjoy in small quantities (we always like to focus on what you can have rather than what you can’t have).

The first category you will want to avoid or enjoy in small quantities is sugary sweets.  This can be in solid (i.e. candy) or liquid form (i.e. sweet tea).  After weight loss surgery, you should avoid food with >8 grams of sugar (5 grams if you are diabetic) because they can cause a negative reaction in your system, particularly if you have had a gastric bypass.  These foods can cause what is commonly called “dumping syndrome”.  Dumping syndrome occurs when there is a rapid passage of food into the small intestines causing a shift of fluid to the small intestine.  This usually occurs when you ingest foods that are too high in sugar or fat.  Symptoms include diarrhea, sweating, nausea, cold/clammy skin, dizziness, weakness, flushed appearance, and occasionally headaches.  You will need to stop and rest until the symptoms subside.  Remember to remain hydrated (water is best).  Take note of the food/foods that caused these symptoms so that you can avoid them in the future.

The second category you will want to avoid is alcohol.  Alcohol is full of empty calories, dehydrates the body, and has negative effects on the kidneys and liver.  In addition, because of the small size of your new pouch and the fact that food/liquid now empties more rapidly into the intestines, alcohol will be more toxic and cause a higher blood alcohol level than before surgery.  For these reasons, ingestion of alcohol should be avoided after surgery.  If you choose to have weight loss surgery and then ingest alcohol, please be aware that a small amount can affect you to a MUCH greater degree than prior to surgery.

After you are a month or so out from surgery, you can begin to experiment more with various foods.  Introduce raw fruits and vegetables cautiously.  Although many people do just fine, certain foods may be difficult to tolerate because your digestive system cannot n handle them.  The following may cause problems for you and may need to be avoided:

  • Tough meats, especially hamburger. Even after grinding, the gristle in hamburger is hard to digest.
  • Membranes of oranges or grapefruit
  • Cores, seeds, or skins of fruits or vegetables
  • Fibrous vegetables such as corn and celery
  • Hulls, popcorn
  • Breads – Fresh breads “ball up” in your stomach and can block your pouch. Try to avoid breads/crackers/cereals as much as possible.
  • Fried foods
  • Milk – If you are lactose intolerant you may use “Lactaid” products or soybean milk
  • Rice – tends to expand further once in your stomach and can cause pain

This list may seem daunting but realize that the further you are out from surgery, the more tolerant your system tends to be.  However, it is very important that especially throughout the first year you participate in a comprehensive program which should be available with any experienced bariatric surgeon/center.  A comprehensive program should include:

  • Follow-up visits with your surgeon
  • Individualized coaching with a nutrition specialist who understands the needs of the weight loss surgery patient
  • Personal trainer/fitness center that eases you into appropriate exercise activities in a safe and comfortable environment
  • Access to delicious nutritional products that support your need for 90+ grams of protein each day
  • An ongoing support group for you and your family/significant others.

All of this is provided on-site or online at the Center for Weight Loss Success and truly impacts the short and long-term outcomes of our awesome patients.  For those that live farther away, most services are very effectively provided online, via Skype, via webinars and other engaging ways.  Short and long-term comprehensive support is essential for optimal success.

CFWLS-Rhonda-09-

 

Rhonda’s Opinion:  Absolutely!  I enjoy food in moderation even more than before because it tastes so much better when you slow down to enjoy it.

Why is Protein so Important After Weight Loss Surgery?

Posted on May 07, 2018 by

can-eat-blueberries-182x300Protein is essential with any weight loss plan.  Protein is essential for muscle and tissue growth and repair.  If you reduce your caloric intake without consuming the necessary amount of protein, your weight loss will be a combination of lean body mass and fat loss.  With adequate protein intake (and exercise), you should be able to preserve your muscle mass, allowing the majority of your weight loss to come from fat stores.  If, over time, you do not meet your daily protein needs, you may experience fatigue, loss of lean body mass, and possible hair loss.

You will need to check with your surgeon, but we recommend that our patients take in at least 90-100 grams of protein every day.  As your weight loss continues, your body will still prefer using your lean muscle as a source of energy.  Therefore, consuming 90-100 grams of protein daily will be a goal throughout your weight loss journey, not just during the beginning phases.

Once your weight has stabilized and you are in a maintenance phase then protein requirements may decrease somewhat into the 60-90 range depending on your weight and overall muscle mass.  The higher your weight the more protein you may require in order to maintain Lean Body Mass.  Men typically require more protein due to their higher total Lean Body Mass.

People seeking medical or surgical weight loss often have many questions surrounding protein intake since it is important for both situations.  How many kinds of protein are there?  Where can I find it?  How much do I need?  What is the best time to have it?  Let’s try to give some straight forward answers to these questions.

The word protein is derived from the Greek word proteios, meaning “of the first quality”.  Protein is essential for life (i.e. we can NOT survive without it!!!) because it contains sulfur and nitrogen, two vital elements for every cell in your body.  Protein also helps produce enzymes and hormones, maintain fluid balance, and regulate numerous vital functions, from building antibodies to building muscle.  The body maintains roughly 50,000 different protein containing compounds, forming the building blocks of muscle, bone, cartilage, skin, hair and blood.

As far at your diet is concerned, there are numerous kinds of proteins, each with their own set of advantages.  The right kinds can make all the difference, especially if you are trying to lose weight and build muscle.  Some of the best protein comes from food. Meat has about 7 grams of protein/oz., large eggs about 7 grams of protein, and milk about 8 grams of protein/8oz.  In a weight loss plan, you have to watch all the extra calories (fat, carbs) that come with food sources of protein.

  • Whey Protein: Whey protein is derived from milk (remember Little Miss Muffet and her curds and whey?).  Many whey protein supplements have had most of the excess fat, cholesterol and lactose removed.  Whey proteins are undoubtedly the most commonly used and most popular protein used in sports nutrition and with good reason.  They are the highest quality protein available with an excellent balance of essential amino acids.  Whey proteins are very efficiently absorbed and this is extremely important but this is also a potential problem.  Because whey protein is so efficiently absorbed (i.e. absorbed quickly) it tends to not keep you feeling full or satisfied for any extended period of time.  For this reason, it also tends to work better if used in small doses (10-20 gms) taken multiple times throughout the day.  Your hunger can potentially return faster than with other proteins.  This brings us to Casein protein.
  • Casein Protein: Casein protein is also derived from milk (the curds part of curds and whey) and is essentially whey’s counterpart.  It also is a very high quality protein with all the essential amino acids.  While whey is absorbed very rapidly, casein forms a slow digesting gel in your stomach.  This in turn promotes a feeling of fullness that can stave off hunger for longer periods of time.  This steady stream of amino acids helps to protect against muscle breakdown.  A good casein based protein supplement made specifically for weight loss is Weight and Inches (29gm protein/serving) which can be obtained from CFWLS.
  • Egg Proteins: Egg proteins digest at a moderate pace.  Eggs are an excellent protein source and mimic the amino acid profile of muscle quite nicely.  Unfortunately, eggs do have a relatively high amount of cholesterol and also arachodonic acid (mainly in the yolks).  Some people are very sensitive to arachodonic acid worsening inflammatory processes.  Egg proteins in supplement form (usually as albumin) have had most of the cholesterol and arachodonic acid removed.
  • Soy Protein: Soy protein is also digested at a moderate pace.  Soy protein contains all of the essential amino acids, but since soy is a plant, it tends to not have quite as good of a ratio of essential amino acids as dairy or egg based protein.  Therefore, it does not tend to protect muscle mass quite as well.  It can still be a good alternative for those who do not tolerate dairy based proteins.

As far as timing goes, ideally you should use smaller doses of protein multiple times throughout the day.  This is especially important after weight loss surgery so even these recommendations will need to be altered somewhat during the phase immediately following surgery.  Starting the day off with a good dose is always a good idea (i.e. that protein shake in the morning).  An example would be 20-30 grams at breakfast, 20-30 grams at lunch and 20-30 grams at dinner.  Then add two 10-20 gram snacks, appropriately spaced between meals.  Positioning a protein snack prior to and immediately after strenuous exercise works extremely well to build/preserve muscle mass.

After surgery, your new stomach pouch will initially only be able to hold about 1-2 tablespoons (15-30cc) of fluid at a time.  This is approximately ½-1 medicine cup.  Your new stomach should eventually stretch to accommodate 6-8 ounces (3/4 to 1 cup) within the first 1-2 years after surgery.  Because your new stomach pouch is so small, you need to follow the guidelines provided by your surgeon to ensure the fluid/food you put in your stomach is the most nutritious possible and does not overfill your small stomach, causing you pain and/or nausea/vomiting.

For delicious recipes that provide adequate protein and are low carb, visit us on Pinterest at: CFWLSVA

Healthy Holiday Tips

Posted on December 07, 2015 by

healthy-holidaysMost of you know me as a pretty quiet guy.  Although this is true, I still like to attend parties with friends/family.  I am a firm believer in working hard…and playing hard.  When you attend parties, you should focus on the “fun” aspect and not the “fear” aspect of how you may end up derailing your best weight loss efforts and have regrets the next day.  Here’s my “do’s and don’ts” for attending holiday parties with confidence and no diet regrets:

1. Don’t go to parties because you have to…Do go because you want to.  There’s a big  difference and you have a choice.  Surround yourself with the people you love.  If excess baggage comes along with the ones you love…minimize your exposure…I know – easier said than done sometimes!

2. Don’t go to parties hungry…Do have a bottle of water before you attend and a healthy snack such as cheese wrapped in turkey, handful of almonds or a protein bar before you get there so you are not ravenous.

3. Don’t eat the first items you see…Do take the time to peruse what’s on the buffet table and determine which have the highest quality protein (beef, chicken, shrimp, cheese, fish) and select these first.  Combining these choices with your pre-party snack can fill you up so that other temptations don’t bother you so much.

4. Don’t exclude items you desire this time of the year…Do take a very small portion of them so that you can avoid feeling deprived and move on.

5. Don’t be a wallflower…Do mingle and talk with others.  If your mouth is busy talking, it is harder to keep if full chewing and swallowing.

6. Don’t drink excessively…Do have a drink if you desire.  Too much alcohol isn’t good…period.  It also lowers your resistance to “go wild” and sabotage yourself which is sure to cause regret.

7. Don’t select your spot for fun right near the food…Do mingle around and settle in a location where you can talk with everyone but not have food ‘staring you down’.

8. Most importantly, relax and have fun.  Try to take a deep breath as the stress begins and focus on enjoying this time as much as possible and those you may not get to see on a regular basis.

Enjoy this holiday season!  From our family to yours…Merry Christmas and Cheers to a Healthy New Year!

Doc Weight Loss – Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

Posted on November 19, 2014 by

I Am Prone to OverEating!

Posted on July 28, 2014 by

on your plateMost people consider overeating as a single event such as a meal or a party but there are numerous ways to overeat.  Not really listening to your hunger level is of course one method of overeating.  Others may be related more to mindless eating:

 

 

You eat too fast not allowing your body to signal the “I’m full” message.

Try:

  • Waiting about 5 minutes before you start eating (look and smell).
  • Put your utensils down between each bite.
  • Chew your food slowly, noting the texture and taste.
  • If you are eating multiple courses take a five to ten minute break between each course.
  • Use smaller utensils so you pick up smaller amounts.
  • Set a clock at your place setting and stretch your meal out to 30 minutes.

You have portion control problems.

Try:

  • Use a smaller a plate, such as bread or salad plate.
  • Measure and weigh your food.
  • Have your spouse or friend serve your plate.
  • Avoid family style table serving.
  • Get up from the table as soon as you finish eating.

You sample your food while cooking.

Try:

  • Chew gum while cooking.
  • Place the sample on your plate as part of your meal.
  • Ask a family member to taste it for you.
  • Allow other family members to prepare the meal.

You eat or snack while watching television.

Try:

  • Eating only at the kitchen/dining room table.
  • Avoid eating while standing up.
  • Turn off all distractions and concentrate on the meal itself.
  • Avoid eating out of the package (plate your portion).

These are only a few possible overeating scenarios.  Others may include late night snacking, eating leftovers while cleaning up, the drive thru pull, skipping meals and than overindulging.  What ever your overeating issues may be your weight management counselor at CFWLS can help you explore solutions.

 

Fast Food Without Diet Disaster

Posted on July 09, 2014 by

Food is Everywhere

Posted on June 16, 2014 by

satisfactionOne of the biggest barriers to dieting is that food needs to be a part of our everyday life.  We must eat to survive.  The temptations of all the food choices surround us continually.  In the shopping mall there are food courts and stand-alone kiosks that pull you to them through their smells.  Even outside Home Depot and Lowes are food concessions calling your name.  Attend your child’s ball game and there stands another concession stand.  Drive down any major road and you are reminded numerous times of all the choices there are in eating establishments. Grocery stores packed full of choices all trying to persuade you to buy their product.  What are you to do?

D I E T!

D evelop

I ntelligent

E ating

T echniques

You have the power to over come this barrier by taking control of the choices you make.

  • Get a good 7-8 hours of sleep.
  • Start your day with 20-30gms of protein for breakfast.
  • Eat on a regular schedule approximately every 3 to 4 hours.
  • Avoid the food court when shopping in malls.
  • Have a protein bar or two with you when traveling.
  • Go shopping with a grocery list and stick to it!
  • Shop the perimeter of the grocery store.  Most of the carb-laden foods are down those aisles.
  • Keep your thoughts positive.  “I can do this!”
  • Get to know your triggers so you can avoid them.
  • Celebrate each time you practice your “NO”.

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

Bouncing Back from Childhood Obesity

Posted on May 07, 2014 by

Drive Thru Dilemma

Posted on April 08, 2014 by

Why Should I Be Concerned With My Protein to Carb Ratio?

Posted on March 12, 2014 by