Post-Bariatric Diet: what to eat and what to avoid (with menu)

The diet after bariatric surgery is divided into several phases, starting with a liquid diet, followed by a more pasty, puree diet, and finally a solid diet.

Progression for each phase of the diet depends on the tolerance of the person and general health, so it is essential to maintain regular medical and nutritional monitoring.

In addition, post -surgery feeding includes ingestion of vitamin, protein supplements and, in some cases, polymeric formulas, which should be indicated by the doctor or nutritionist.

See with nutritionist Tatiana Zanin more details about the post-basin diet:

PHASES OF POST BARIATRIC DIET

The post-Bariatric diet is divided into some phases according to the person’s tolerance:

1st phase: liquid diet

The liquid diet begins shortly after surgery and lasts about 3 weeks. During this period foods can only be consumed in liquid form and in small quantities and several times a day.

At this stage, good amounts of protein, low fat and carbohydrates should be consumed, prioritizing:

• Foods and Protein Supplementssuch as skim milk powder, whey protein powder to mix with other foods;
• Sugar milk and vegetable drinkslike milk 1% or without fat, soybean or oatmeal;
• Vegetables and Cerealsprepared with the consistency of a strained soup, and should include all types of cooked vegetables, such as pumpkin, carrots, yams, zucchini, chayote or eggplant and, to a lesser extent, potatoes, cornmeal or rice;
• Drinks such as teas and fruit juices well diluted.

It is also important to consume daily supplements by the doctor or nutritionist, such as polyvitamins, including baristar and centrum or calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12.

Foods have to be eaten slowly and can take up to 40 minutes to take a glass of soup, and nor should you use straws to ingest them.

Gastric capacity in the first 7 days is restricted to very small volumes, about 30 to 50 ml, increasing over time to 60 to 100 ml. As there is increased tolerance of the person, it is possible to improve the consistency of foods until it reaches the ingestion of 150 to 200 ml.

2nd phase: Pastosa diet

The pasty diet should be started about 21 days after surgery and at this stage the person can eat crushed or puree foods.

The foods that should be included at this stage are:

• Proteinssuch as eggs, tofu, white meats such as turkey, chicken or fish, according to the tolerance of the person;
• Dairy products, like fat without fat, kefir, curd, pudding or sugar -free cream and fat;
• Vegetables and Cereals puree form and creamy soups with low fat, including vegetables such as pumpkin, zucchini, chayote, carrot, eggplant, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes and cereal-based porridge such as corn, rice or oats;
• Puree without shell and without seed.

At this stage of the diet, the volume ingested should be between 150 and 200 ml, performing 5 to 6 meals per day, and the intake of fluids should be avoided along with the main meals. Check out a menu and some pasty diet recipes.

In some cases, certain foods may cause gas formation such as broccoli, cauliflower, bellfire, cabbage, onion and beans, and it is recommended to avoid in these cases.

In addition to the supplements indicated in the liquid phase, the doctor or nutritionist may indicate the use of multivitamins and minerals in liquid, chewable or tablet form.

3rd phase: solid foods

About 30 to 45 days after bariatric surgery the person can already eat solid foods that need to be well chewed in small portions over 6 daily meals.

At this stage it can be useful to use a dessert dish to eat small quantities in each meal.

Liquids should only be ingested between meals, and it is important to drink at least 2L of water a day to prevent dehydration.

From this phase the patient can eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and derivatives, meat, fish, egg, pasta, rice, potatoes, whole grains and seeds in small quantities and according to their tolerance.

Diet menu after bariatric surgery

This is followed by an example of a menu for the different phases of the bariatric post-surgery diet:

It is important to take small sips and slow to give the stomach time to digest food gradually. It is recommended to start by drinking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) every five minutes and gradually increasing.

Drinking or eating very fast causes stretching of the small stomach bag and/or opening between the stomach bag and the gut. Over time, stretching can cause increased permanent size and cause weight gain.

In these phases it is recommended to drink between 100 and 150 ml of water or tea between each meal and gradually increase according to individual tolerance, reaching 2 liters of water per day.

What cannot eat

In the first 3 months after stomach reduction surgery, foods such as:

• Coffee, mate tea, green tea and black tea;
• Pepper, ready seasonings, as KnorrSeason, mustard, ketchup or English sauce;
• Industrialized juices, sodas, chocolate and gasified water;
• Citrus;
• Raw vegetables and fruit peels;
• Chocolate, bullets, chews and sweets in general;
• Fried foods;
• Alcoholic beverages.

In addition, foods such as chocolate mousse, condensed milk or ice cream should also be avoided because they are very caloric and even when consumed in small quantities may favor weight gain.

General recommendations

Some general recommendations that should be followed after bariatric surgery are:

• Eat in small quantities;
• Maintain a low feed in calories;
• Avoid foods rich in fat;
• Eat slowly and chew food well or take small sips in case of liquids;
• Avoid using straws;
• Avoid consumption of carbonated beverages as they can cause excess gases and pain;
• Avoid sugar and foods and beverages that contain sugar and sweeteners.

After bariatric surgery it is important to change eating habits, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet to promote weight loss and prevent nutritional deficiencies and gastric symptoms.