It’s ok to start adding “regular” solid food on the Stage 4 bariatric diet. However, this does NOT mean you go back to eating the way you ate before surgery!
The goal after surgery isn’t to simply eat smaller portions of the foods that got you TO surgery in the first place.
The goal is to do a total diet and lifestyle overhaul.
The foods and habits you develop as you start to add regular foods back should be the foods/habits you adopt for the rest of your life! So if you STILL haven’t started to practice basic guidelines for good nutrition, NOW is the time. Don’t wait any longer!!
AND:
Stage 4 Bariatric Diet
Eat at planned meal times and drink protein shakes in between as needed.
Here's an example:
Portions could range from 1/4 cup - 1 cup per meal at Phase 4
8a: Meal- Egg scrambled with onions, mushroom, black beans.
10:30a: Protein shake
12p: Meal- Tuna pouch with grapes
3a: Protein shake
6p: Meal- Crockpot chicken with steamed broccoli
Even though you’re “allowed” to eat regular food once you reach the Stage 4 bariatric diet, there are going to be regular foods that don’t appeal to you anymore or that you don’t tolerate.
Note: Your surgeon may have a slightly different diet progression, or may name the stages differently.
If you try something (chicken, for example) and have trouble tolerating it, don’t throw the idea away completely. Wait 2-3 weeks, then try reintroducing it again.
The following is a list of "regular" healthy foods that you can start to add back in once you're at the final solid foods Stage 4 phase. Think of the list as your grocery list. If it's not on the list, don't buy it!
Pro Tips:
PROTEIN: |
And any protein from previous diet stages:
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VEGETABLES: |
Raw Cooked TIPS: Aim to eat more vegetables than fruits in a day Pair vegetables with protein, like this:
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FRUIT: |
Fresh Frozen (no sugar added) Canned (in its own juice, no sugar added) AVOID: Dried fruit, fruit juice. TIPS: In the beginning you may find it helpful to peel anything that has a tough skin: (i.e. apple) or thick membrane (i.e. citrus). Pair fruit with protein like this:
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QUALITY CARBS: |
Sweet potato Butternut and other winter squash Old Fashioned Oats Quinoa |
FATS: |
Nuts Seeds Olive oil Avocado Guacamole |
Although these are “regular” foods, choosing refined carbs is a move in the wrong direction… back toward old eating habits.
Also, these foods swell/expand in your stomach, cause discomfort, and feel like they get “stuck.”
Learn to choose “veggie swaps” in place of typical refined carbs:
AND:
The "5 R's" of the Bariatric Diet©: What Your Weight Loss Surgery Journey Will Look Like