Having bariatric surgery will affect your eating habits, especially during the holiday season. The good news is that you can still enjoy Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, don’t forget to follow the guidelines of your post-weight-loss surgery diet.
During the festive season, it’s important to avoid overeating, especially after bariatric surgery. The holidays can be a great time to indulge, but this can lead to excess calories, weight gain, and other negative repercussions. Overindulging after bariatric surgery can cause discomfort and negatively affect your healing. It’s critically important that you adhere to your post-surgery diet, even during the holidays.
Be Mindful Of Your Diet
The first thing to do is identify which foods you can eat and which you can’t. Dr. Dolan will ensure that you’re fully informed of your dietary restrictions post-surgery. If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods.
During the holidays, there are lots of tempting foods to try. One good way to control portion size is to use smaller plates. That way, you’ll have a clearer picture of how much food you’re actually eating. Additionally, smaller plates will trick your brain into making you feel fuller.
The best way to get through the holiday season without bingeing is to plan ahead. You don’t want to be stuck at home with nothing to eat but forbidden foods. Make sure you have healthy snacks on hand. These will give you a boost of energy without causing you to overeat.
Tips To Avoid Overindulging
To avoid overeating, it’s important to keep a close eye on your snacks. During the holidays, many people are invited to parties where they are served a lot of food. It’s easy to overeat when you arrive at the party hungry. The best way to avoid overeating after bariatric surgery is to keep your eating schedule and portion size consistent. It’s all too easy to overindulge if you arrive at a holiday party without having eaten. Try to remember to have a healthy meal or snack before you attend any food-centred gatherings.
Taking a small break halfway through a meal is a good idea. This allows you to enjoy your food more. Taking a break also helps your brain decide whether you are full or not. Another tip is to drink a lot of water. It can help to hydrate your body before and after a big meal. It also helps you burn calories more easily.
Avoid High Fat And High Sugar Foods
While you’re recovering from your surgery, you need to make sure you’re eating a healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables and less fat. When it comes to holiday food, that means sticking to the leaner, white meat of the traditional turkey and skipping the honey-glazed gammon. Steamed veggies or salads are great options for healthy side dishes, while a fresh fruit platter is a tasty dessert option.
Prevent Dumping Syndrome
Keeping a balanced diet after bariatric surgery can help prevent “dumping syndrome,” where food passes from the stomach too quickly. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. The last thing you want is to spend the holidays in pain, so avoiding this condition is paramount to ensuring your comfort.
After bariatric surgery, the body will have a hard time controlling the passage of food into the small intestine. This will cause fluctuations in sugar levels. Symptoms may include nausea, heart palpitations, and stomach cramps. The best way to prevent “dumping syndrome” is to avoid eating foods that are high in fat and sugar. Dairy products and refined sugars are two common causes.
You should avoid drinking large amounts of liquid right after you eat. If you do drink liquids, you should wait at least 30 minutes before eating again.
How Can We Help?
Because we believe in holistic weight-loss treatment, we will ensure that you have the support not only of Dr. Dolan but also of our team of dieticians and psychologists. Together, we will develop a healthy diet plan for post-surgery that meets all your nutritional needs while preventing weight gain, dumping syndrome, and other negative effects. It is important to follow the guidance of your advisory team to fully reap the benefits of your bariatric surgery.
To learn more about weight loss procedures with Dr. Kevin Dolan, please have a look here.
To get in touch to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dolan, please call (08) 9246 2314 or reach out here.