Chapter 3
Maintaining Healthy
Eating for Life
In This Chapter
▶ Respecting your pouch
▶ Knowing how much is too much
▶ Making every calorie count
▶ Keeping a food diary
▶ Figuring out how fast food can be a reality
B
y having weight loss surgery, you have made a lifelong commitment to
taking very good care of yourself. This may not be something you’re
accustomed to doing. Not only does your diet affect what goes on the outside,
it also definitely affects what is going on inside, and because you can’t eat
as much as before, what you do eat is much more important. Making sure
you get all the nutrients you need takes some work. By understanding a little
about nutrition and applying what you know, you’ll feel better, look better,
have more energy, and perhaps get off some of those medications you have
been on for years. No one said it’s easy, but following a nutrition plan can
make a world of difference in how you feel about yourself.Everyone who has had weight loss surgery is different, and what affects one
person may not affect the next. And unfortunately, sometimes finding the
best plan is a matter of trial and error. If you find you have questions (as you
most certainly will), call your surgeon, bariatric coordinator, or dietitian,
even if your question arises long after your surgery. The bariatric team is
there to support you successfully through this process. And if your surgeon
requires you do to things a little differently than what we say in this book,
always follow her instructions.This chapter has all the nitty-gritty of what you need to know about eating a
well-balanced diet in the correct portions. It also tells you about some of the
tools you need to help you achieve your goals. If you’re like us, you lead a
very busy life and need to know how to make good choices and even eat at a
fast food place occasionally. Because this is a lifelong commitment, you need
to know how to eat for the rest of your life. So let’s get going!