2013

Snack Attack –Bariatric Friendly Snacks to Make at Home

July 12, 2013

The truth is everyone wants a snack sometimes. The key to success with bariatric surgery, or any healthy lifestyle, is to have healthy snacks available. Since it is summer in Connecticut and many of you are busy enjoying the beaches and state parks, we thought that some take-along snacks would be in order. Baked Apple Chips When you are craving something sweet, these wafer-thin apple chips hit the spot. Just slice two washed and cored apples very thinly (preferably with a mandolin) and spread in a single layer onto two baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 250 degrees for half an hour. Apple chips are crispy, sweet, guilt-free goodness. Baked Kale Chips These chips are super popular for a reason: they vanish as quickly as you can make them. Yes, even your kids who would never touch anything green will love them. They are so simple to make that you can make them while you fire up the BBQ and have them ready to munch on while you wait for the... Read More

Putting a Cork on Drinking after Bariatric Surgery

June 27, 2013

It's summer time and it's getting hot in Connecticut! Everyone is making plans for the 4th of July weekend and taking trips to the beach or state parks to celebrate with family and friends. When the heat rises, so does the consumption of cool drinks you might normally avoid. While it's easy to indulge in tasty beverages when everyone else is enjoying them, after bariatric surgery, it is important to consider the risks of high calorie drinks and the effect alcohol can have on your weight loss as well as your health. Reasons Why Alcohol and High Calorie Drinks Should be Avoided Inhibits Weight Loss – you may not be able to eat large quantities of food any longer, but nothing stops you from drinking them (unless you have dumping syndrome because you had a Gastric Bypass). How many calories are in that bottle of Mike’s Lemonade? 200. The frozen Margarita you had with your steamed fish and veggies? 480. The small glass of wine after work? 300. The iced coffee you got at the drive through to get you... Read More

Gardening- Part of a Healthy Lifestyle

June 12, 2013

Exercise and stress management are major components of the healthy lifestyle necessary for continued weight loss success after bariatric surgery at Griffin Hospital. Regardless if you had the Gastric Bypass, the Sleeve Gastrectomy or the Lap-Band, knowing how to manage stress and exercising daily is just as crucial to a successful weight loss experience as knowing which foods to eat and which vitamins to choose. In order to be able to stick to this healthy lifestyle, it is important to choose activities that you enjoy. Gardening is an ideal component of a healthy lifestyle. It incorporates exercise and mediation and promotes healthy eating. Gardening is a great form of exercise. Bending, digging, and reaching are repeated many times through the course of a mornings’ worth of gardening. If you have been working out in the gym but feel discouraged because you cannot see immediate results, then gardening may be what you need to boost your morale. With gardening, you can see your work and feel it the next day. You do not need to be an expert gardener to enjoy... Read More

Bariatric-friendly Memorial Day BBQ Recipes

May 24, 2013

After coming home from the Memorial Day Parade, everyone will be hungry for summertime foods. The usual burgers and potato salad are always appreciated, but what if there were a healthy, delicious alternative that everyone would enjoy? Think turkey burgers. No, not the dry hockey pucks everyone loves to hate: Moist, flavorful, nutrient packed patties so delicious, you’ll have to make sure you have plenty on hand. An equally pleasing side dish to serve along the piece de resistance: Quinoa Salad. Light, protein packed and refreshing. You can prepare these dishes ahead, so you can enjoy the parade and your time with family and friends. Turkey Chia Burgers Turkey burgers get a bad rap because they tend to be dry and flavorless. Many patients avoid them after the Gastric Bypass because dry foods are hard to break down. But it does not have to be this way. These burgers are packed with flavor from the fresh herbs and are nutrient dense due to the added chia seeds. Chia seeds retain up to 15 times their weight of liquid, so they... Read More

Have Fun Like a Kid Again on Mother’s Day!

May 10, 2013

When is the last time you had some belly-laugh, jump up and down kiddo fun? Mother’s Day should be about allowing yourself to be a kid again – at least for one day. After bariatric surgery, patients are very committed to a healthy lifestyle. Regardless if they had Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy or a Lap Band, patients understand that they need to exercise every day, eat healthfully with plenty of lean protein, and take time to “smell the roses”. All this is great advice, but is it still fun? If going to the gym seems like torture and you seem to be pulling your hair out lately, then it’s time for some kiddo fun. Some time ago, at our monthly OnTrack Workshop, we had a hooping demonstration. Yes, that’s right. We had fun with a hula hoop. It was such a popular event and lead to several patients taking hooping classes and many continuing to hoop every day. We thought that it would be time for a refresher course. The Right Hula Hoop If you tried hooping with your kid’s... Read More

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