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Patient Portal Bariatric Diet
Nov
03
2015

How Much Should I Eat?!

If you’re 6-8 months or more post-surgery: Here’s the answer to your question, “How much should I eat?”

This is one of the most common post-surgery questions we hear.

Answer: What’s on the plate determines how much fits in the new little stomach (aka “pouch”).

You may have figured out early on that you can eat a lot more soft squishy foods than firm dense proteins. You may also have figured out that “slider foods” like tortilla chips, potato chips, crackers, popcorn or nuts go down a little too easily.

You may even find yourself seeking out foods that “go down easier” because you don’t want to be bothered with having to chew ever so diligently.

Remind yourself right here and right now why you had the surgery. The whole point is to have a tool that helps you eat less. Stop picking foods that you are ABLE to eat more of!

WHAT you put on your plate will limit the portions (and therefore the calories) you’re able to eat.

Use your surgery “tool” properly and pick the foods that are self-limiting (foods that you just CAN’T physically overeat)! These are firm dense protein rich foods and vegetables and fruits.

Choose these foods, and then listen to the signals your body sends out and your new little stomach will let you know when you’re done.

You can also use the following as a general rule of thumb:

1-4 oz protein (depending on how far out from surgery you are): chicken, salmon, white fish, turkey breast, hamburger, etc) + ¼ cup vegetable.

Eat ½ the protein first, then ½ of the vegetables. Then take alternating bites of your protein then your vegetables until you recognize the first feelings of fullness. Then STOP. STOP. STOP!