Mastering Meal Prep: Portion Control for Bariatric Surgery Patients

Diet is an important part of any weight-loss journey, and this is especially true following a bariatric surgery procedure. Formulating healthy meal prep and portion control strategies is a key part of promoting a successful recovery. For bariatric surgery patients, there are few things more important than healthy meal planning. 

Dietary Changes for Bariatric Patients 

Undergoing bariatric surgery is an important step for many in working towards a healthier future, but it’s important to pair it with healthy lifestyle strategies. Diet is a major area that bariatric patients should focus on during recovery.  

Bariatric procedures typically alter the way the digestive tract functions or how it is structured. After bariatric surgery, the digestive system often responds differently to foods than it did before. Post-surgery recovery means making changes to your diet to ensure your body can still process food after your procedure. 

Portion Control after Bariatric Surgery 

After surgery, bariatric patients are usually provided a list of guidelines for the optimal post-surgery diet. For example, a doctor may make recommendations that include eating small balanced meals, avoiding foods that are high in fats and sugar, and staying away from foods that are difficult to digest, like raw fruits and vegetables, pork, steak, and bread. Controlling your intake can be difficult, but the following tips should help you stay on track for a smooth recovery.   

Tips for Portion Control 

Use Smaller Dishes 

Something as simple as the size of the plate you use can affect how you perceive a meal. If you put a small portion on a large plate, it’s much more obvious to your mind that you’re not eating a lot. If you put a small portion on a small plate, however, your mind is much more likely to perceive that you are eating a large and filling portion. 

Focus on Eating 

It’s easy to eat too much or leave the table feeling dissatisfied with a meal if you don’t pay any attention to what you’re eating. Instead of watching TV while you eat or scrolling through social media on your phone, try to focus on each bite of your meal. You’re more likely to enjoy your food and leave satisfied. 

Try Meal Prep 

Meal prep is great when it comes to weight loss and adopting a healthy diet. When you prepare your meals ahead of time, you take control over every aspect of the meals you eat. From choosing healthy recipes for weight loss to controlling portion size, meal prep is an essential part of planning and following a diet that will help you meet your weight-loss goals. 

Get Personalized Support 

Wellstar Bariatrics has an experienced team of medical professionals ready to help you through every part of your weight-loss journey, from the actual procedure to optimizing your diet as you recover. Our team includes nutritionists who can provide sample meal plans, bariatric recipes, and advice tailored to your specific nutritional needs.  

Get in touch today to find out more about the services Wellstar Bariatrics provides.