Bariatric Diet Plans

Bariatric surgery is gaining popularity amongst people wanting to lose weight. Once you have undergone the bariatric weight loss surgery, it is necessary to follow a rigid diet plan. The diet plan has to be such that it will maintain a successful weight loss over the coming months post-surgery.

Bariatric Diet

It is necessary to follow a bariatric diet, as this surgery restricts the calorie intake. Thus it is necessary to plan meals that will give all the nutrients required, that fit within the calorie intake. These diets are planned in a way that the effect of the surgery is maximized, the skin's elasticity is maintained and the lean body mass is preserved. These diet plans are classified into stages depending upon the number of days post surgery.

Stage I Diet
This is a clear liquid diet that has to followed while recovering in the hospital. The diet is quite limited, however it is necessary for the healing process after surgery. This diet includes foods such as clear juices, citrus juices, plain tea, water (sparkling or plain), chicken or turkey soups, bullion, consomme and desserts like jello, hard candy and popsicle. You must avoid alcoholic drinks, vegetable juices, tomato juice and dairy products. As mentioned, the diet must have only clear liquids.

Stage II Diet
This is a semi-liquid diet stage that is followed once the person is discharged from the hospital. This weight loss diet must last for two or three weeks after surgery. The foods must have a consistency of thinned mashed potatoes. The food must contain protein shakes like whey and soy protein shakes. These bariatric meal plans must contain very little or no sugars. Blended fruit juices with skimmed milk can be a part of this diet. Blended beans such as pintos, lima, lentils, butter beans make a healthy semi solid bariatric diet after surgery. Always remember that the size of your stomach after this surgery is small and therefore you must not consume more than 2 ounces of these meals at an interval of 15- 30 minutes.

Stage III Diet
This diet must last for three to six weeks. The food must contain proteins to preserve the lean body mass. The diet should include food like scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, fish and oatmeal. Do not consume food like bread and peanut butter or any other food that is sticky in nature. The food you consume must have the right amount of calories. Consult your doctor regarding the calorie intake.

Stage IV Diet
At this stage, which is after about ten weeks after the surgery, you can start eating solid foods. Even though you can eat all kinds of food, you must avoid eating or consuming any food with empty calories. A high protein diet is recommended.

Following are few recipes that you could try making. These recipes make yummy and healthy diet food.

Bariatric Diet Recipes

Following is bariatric diet menu for each meal breakfast, entrees and desserts.

Cinnamon Blueberry Pancakes
Ingredients

• All-purpose flour - 1 packet
• Cinnamon - 1/3rd cup
• Baking powder - ½ Teaspoon
• Egg white - 1/4th cup
• Blueberries - 1/3rd cup
• Water - 1 cup

Method
Mix the flour, cinnamon and baking powder. Add water, eggs and blueberries to this mix and moisten it. Put the stove on to medium heat. Add 1/4th of a spoon of the batter to the pan and cook till its brown. Flip the pancake and cook the other side. This batter mix can make 4 pancakes. This breakfast recipe has 272 calories in each serving.

Creamy Chicken
Ingredients

• Chicken and vegetable soup mix - 1 packet
• Oregano - 5oz
• Basil - 1/4th tablespoon
• Garlic Powder - 1/4th tablespoon
• Fat free cream cheese - 1 tablespoon
• Onion Flakes - 1 tablespoon
• Precooked chicken breast - 2 oz

Method
Empty the soup in boiling water. Add the herbs, oregano, basil, garlic and onion. Stir well. Add the cream cheese to this mixture. Cut the boiled chicken into preferred sizes and mix it well with the creamy mix. Microwave this mix for 1 to 2 minutes. This dish has 247 calories.

Chocolate Strawberries
Ingredients

• Dark chocolate pudding mix - 1 packet
• Fresh strawberries - 10

Method
Make the dark chocolate pudding as per the instructions on the packet. Dip the strawberries into the pudding till they are completely covered. Freeze these and enjoy an irresistible dessert. This dessert has around 148 calories in each serving.

These were the diet plans that one must follow post bariatric surgery. A proper high protein diet is necessary to maintain the lean weight. Only if you maintain this diet will you be able to reap the benefits of the surgery.