Your New Lap Band Weight Loss Diet
When you can eat solid foods without
problems, you will need to pay close attention to your diet.
Liquids will pass through the reduced stomach pouch quickly and
will not make you feel full. You should avoid high-calorie
drinks from this point on. Drink water, broth, tea, and coffee
(without sugar).
Too much food or big chunks of food can block
the stomach pouch outlet. You can avoid this problem by chewing
food well and eating small bits at a time. Eat only three small
meals a day. Make sure that these meals contain adequate
nutrients. A healthy meal has vegetables, fruit, meat, bread,
and/or dairy products.
10 Important Rules
Here are ten rules for eating, drinking, and
exercise that will help you get the best results you can with
the lap band. How willing you are to follow a new way of eating
is key to making your
lap band operation a success.
- Eat only three small meals a day.
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly (approximately 15 to 20
times a bite).
- Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
- Do not drink while you are eating.
- Do not eat between meals.
- Eat only good quality foods.
- Avoid fibrous food.
- Drink enough fluids during the day.
- Drink only low-calorie liquids.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Rule 1: Eat only three small meals a day
Lap band surgery creates a small stomach pouch
that can hold only about half a cup (3 to 4 ounces) of food. If you
try to eat more than this at one time you may become nauseous. You
may also vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach
pouch may stretch. That will cancel the effect of the lap band operation.
Frequent vomiting can also cause certain complications, such as
stomach slippage. You need to learn how much your stomach pouch can
hold comfortably and then not exceed this amount.
Rule 2: Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
Food can pass through the new stoma only if it
has been "chopped" into very small pieces. Always remember to take
more time for your meals and chew your food very well. Rule 3: Stop eating as soon as you feel full
Once your stomach is full, your body receives a
signal that you have eaten enough. It takes time, though, for you to
become aware of this signal. If you hurry your meal, you may eat
more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time
over your meal. Try to recognize the feeling of fullness. Then stop
eating at once. Rule 4: Do not drink while you are eating
The lap band operation can work only if you eat
solid food. If you drink at mealtimes, the food you have eaten
becomes liquid. Then the effectiveness of the lap band is greatly
reduced. You should not drink anything for one to two hours after a
meal. That way you can keep the feeling of fullness as long as
possible. Rule 5: Do not eat between meals
After a meal do not eat anything else until the
next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons
for weight loss failure. It is very important to break this habit.
Rule 6: Eat only good quality foods
With the
lap band in place, you should be
able to eat only a small amount. So the food you eat should be as
healthy as possible. Do not fill your small stomach pouch with
"junk" food that lacks vitamins and other important nutrients. Your
meals should be high in protein and vitamins. Fresh vegetables,
fruit, meat, and cereals are good foods to choose. Foods high in fat
and sugar are not. You may eat apples and oranges, but try to avoid
orange juice and apple juice. Ask your lap band doctor or dietitian before
you take any vitamin supplements.
Note: Solid food is more important than liquid
food. The lap band will have little or no effect if you eat
only liquid food. Liquid food passes through the stomach outlet very
quickly and does not make you feel full.
Rule 7: Avoid fibrous food
Food such as asparagus that contains many fibers
can block the stoma. That's because you can't chew this food well
enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can't break
it down. Fibrous food should be avoided. If you would like to eat
asparagus or other fibrous foods once in a while, then you must be
sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces first and
then chew thoroughly. |
