People love going to the restaurant, a place where they can relax, connect with others, and eat outside the house. But for bariatric surgery patients, going out for dinner is also not easy. Not only eating but controlling portion size, choosing what you’re eating and staying in your weight loss zone. However, luckily with the proper preparation and attitude eating out can still be fun and stress-free.
The same is not necessarily true if you have had bariatric surgery and you’ll have to change your dining habits. As you know, the biggest take-home message after surgery is to eat wisely and listen to your body. But with a little planning and a professional, you can get away with a fantastic dinner out and not deviate from your diet and health regime.
Plan Ahead for Success
It all starts with planning. But before going to the restaurant, go and look at the menu online. That way you can choose a meal to compliment your new lifestyle and you don’t have to be a glutton to pick it up on the way in. You can pick your own poison if you know what to expect, and you don’t get to go through all that same crap to order something you won’t like.
Most of the time, stick to things that are roasted, grilled, baked or steamed.These recipes retain all the natural flavorings of the food without adding much calories. Don’t go for foods that are fried, sautéed or poured over with creamy sauces, they’re usually more calories and less ideal for your post-surgery diet.
When you are just beginning to recover after surgery, don’t skip the foods you’ve already managed to re-introduce into your diet. This will prevent you from having any bloating or digestive problems that come with eating things you’re not quite comfortable with yet.
Protein First, Veggies Second
Protein: This is the single most critical part of your new diet post-bariatric surgery. Protein helps you recover and keep muscles hard, plus it makes you feel full more quickly. And when you’re dining out, get a plate with three ounces of lean protein at least. Whether that’s grilled chicken, turkey, fish or a plant-based protein of choice if that’s more to your liking.
Once you have protein, you can get into vegetables. The veggies are filling and will fill you up without giving you more free calories. Forget about starchy sides such as French fries or pasta and order a salad, steamed veggies or side of roasted vegetables instead. Refrain from eating super-rich sauces and super-calorie dressings, which clog up your plate with unnecessary calories.
Smart Portion Control: Fold or Box It Up.
Restaurant portions are far larger than you need (at least, after bariatric surgery). Even many servings are 2 to 3 times larger than what is listed for one serving. For portion control, ask your waiter if the restaurant serves half portions or lunch portions. You don’t end up eating more and then you don’t like the food.
Another good idea is to order an appetizer as an entrée. Foods that appetizers are smaller and often have the right amount of food for a person after bariatric surgery. That way you still have enough to sample the restaurant menu and are not going to over indulge.
In the event that a smaller order is not possible you can always request for a to-go box when ordering your food in the beginning. Put half of your meal into the box first and take the other half you will eat. That way you get the gratification of food now and leftovers for later.
Practice Mindful Eating
The number one behavior you can learn after bariatric surgery is mindful eating. This means taking it slow and taking in every single drop. Listen to how the food feels to you, and when your body says it’s full. Enjoy the process.
Take your time and enjoy your food. Not only will it give you time to recognize when you’re done, it will allow your body time to tell you when it’s stuffed. Don’t stop when you are feeling full even if there is still food left on the plate. Overeating will make you feel bad and if you continue this mindfully you will stay on the right path to losing weight.
Making Dining Out Enjoyable Again
Dinners out do take some work post-bariatric surgery but if you use the right approach, you can definitely make them work and still achieve your fitness. If you prep, target protein, watch portion sizes and eat well, you’ll still be able to have social meals without letting your progress get in the way. What’s amazing about bariatric surgery is that it opens you up to so much — not just weight loss, but back your confidence, health and your ability to enjoy the finer things in life, such as going out to eat.
Let Us Be With You on This Journey.
We at Universal Medical Group know that weight loss does not stop with surgery. It’s a lifestyle shift toward being healthier, towards living your new life, towards following your plans. We are there for you from the first moment to the last.
To get on the next level and revolutionize your life come to our special Medical Tour January 30th. You’ll get to learn more about bariatric surgery, meet our team, and how we can give you the healthy, confident life you desire.
Contact Universal Medical Group today to book your seat and get on your way to permanent transformation. Let’s make this year your year of change.
Contact Information:
Email: info@UMGcare.com
Phone: 1-800-330-1015
