Bariatric Nutrition Basics: Dietitian Tips
Whether you are a newly post-op patient or already several years into your journey, understanding bariatric nutrition basics is an essential foundation for lifelong health and wellness.
After metabolic and bariatric surgery, you are not necessarily following a diet; instead, you are adapting to lifestyle changes. You work hard to develop and incorporate healthy behaviors to support long-term success with your weight loss goals.
Metabolic and bariatric surgery is only a tool to jumpstart weight loss. It’s up to you to develop healthy habits for weight maintenance and quality of life. Metabolic and bariatric patients should live a healthy lifestyle with wholesome food choices, meet daily fluid goals, take bariatric vitamin and mineral supplements, and engage in physical activity.
This blog discusses three bariatric nutrition basics for a healthy foundation after metabolic and bariatric surgery.
Bariatric Nutritional Risks
It is prudent to remember that those who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery have specific nutritional requirements to achieve and maintain weight loss and to prevent potential complications post-surgery.
Potential nutritional risks include, but are not limited to:
- Protein deficiency
- Loss of lean body mass (LBM)
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Dehydration
Fortunately, these conditions are all easily preventable with proper lifestyle and eating habits.
Top 3 Bariatric Nutrition Basics
Making dietary and lifestyle adjustments after metabolic and bariatric surgery can be overwhelming. No one is perfect, and it’s not uncommon for previous eating habits to sneak back into your life.
If you are in a rut post-surgery, always circle back to your bariatric nutrition basics.
1. High Protein
The function of dietary protein after metabolic and bariatric surgery is to help support lean body mass, weight management efforts, and healthy body functions. When protein intake is less than optimal, you may have difficulty losing weight post-op, affecting your quality of life.
According to bariatric nutrition guidelines, a minimum of 60 grams of protein daily and up to 1.5-2.0 grams of protein per kg of ideal body weight is recommended but can be assessed on an individualized basis. (1)
Choose lean meats and wholesome protein food choices to ensure you consume adequate protein while adhering to your new bariatric meal plan. High-quality protein supplements, like whey protein powder, can be used for support if you struggle to reach your daily protein intake goals due to portion sizes or food tolerance issues.*
You can keep a food diary or use an electronic food-tracking system for self-monitoring and accountability.
Always remember to follow the recommendations of your surgeon and bariatric team. If you have difficulty with protein intake, consult your dietitian for post-surgery support.
Bariatric Fusion also offers Vegan Protein Powder for those looking for non dairy options.
2. Drinking Fluids
A study with 99 post-operative patients identified that almost 25% were readmitted for dehydration. (2) Dehydration can be life-threatening and cause damage to your kidneys. Proper hydration is an essential factor in post-op recovery and life-long health. The goal is to drink a minimum of 64 ounces of fluid daily.
The best option to stay hydrated is with water, but any clear liquid that is sugar-free, carbonation-free, alcohol-free, and caffeine-free counts toward your fluid goals. Even your daily protein shake can be counted towards your fluid intake. However, keep in mind that if you have an 8-ounce protein shake, only 4 ounces can be counted toward your daily fluids since about half of the fluids are needed for protein digestion.
If you have difficulty with fluid intake, remember to take small sips, do not use a straw to avoid gas, and do not eat and drink together since your stomach pouch is smaller after surgery and can only hold so much volume.
Similar to self-monitoring protein intake, you can also monitor fluid intake.
