Nutrition

Food Journals: Why They Work

June 4, 2015

Are you aware of how many calories you consume each day? If you’re someone that eats on the go or eats out often, you might be surprised to learn your daily calorie intake. Our bariatric surgery specialists explain how quickly food items can add up. Consider your breakfast - if you're drinking two Grande Caramel Lattes from Starbucks every day, you’re ingesting 480 calories. If your breakfast of choice is a Big n' Toasted from Dunkin Donuts, that's an additional 530 calories. Calories from coffee drinks, alcoholic beverages, and random snacks (i.e. donuts from the break room) can significantly affect the number on your scale. Using a calorie counter (a.k.a. a food journal) can be a great weight loss tool. In addition to keeping track of your caloric intake, it monitors your exercise and weight loss goals and offers other services such as community support forums. Using calorie counters can be an eye opening experience for many patients - not everyone realizes how many calories are in the foods they enjoy. They also assist you in making healthier choices in the... Read More

What Is Dumping Syndrome?

May 28, 2015

Dumping syndrome or “rapid gastric emptying” can be a common side effect after weight loss surgery. Our bariatric surgery specialists can help you identify this concern and address the issue before serious problems can set in. Dumping syndrome describes a group of symptoms that can occur when food is emptied too quickly from the stomach. These symptoms may include: Nausea or vomiting Abdominal pain or cramping Diarrhea Increased heart rate Dizziness Sweating or feeling flushed Feeling full after eating only a small amount Symptoms typically occur during or right after a meal, but may also occur 1-3 hours later. Although the effects may be frightening, they are not life threatening and can be avoided with changes to how and what you eat. Here are a few tips to help avoid this uncomfortable experience: Try to eat smaller and more frequent meals. Aim to eat 5-6 small meals a day Eat your food slowly, and chew food well before swallowing. Cutting food into small pieces will also help Avoid foods/fluids that are high in sugar. For example: cookies, doughnuts, fruit juices, pies, and... Read More

What Vitamins Should I Take After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

May 12, 2015

Following gastric bypass surgery, you must adopt a new diet that involves ingesting fewer calories and taking a number of vitamins to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy system. The food and drink you consume may not provide enough nutrients on their own, and taking vitamin supplements can help make up for the deficiency. These vitamins can be found at most local health food stores, pharmacies, and even some grocery stores, and our skilled bariatric surgeon, Dr. Rishi Ramlogan, will advise you of which ones will be best for your needs. Some of the supplements he may recommend include: Calcium: To maintain bone strength Vitamin B12: To prevent anemia and protect blood cells Vitamin D: To promote calcium and phosphorus absorption Multivitamin: For comprehensive support and to fill nutrition gaps Iron: To prevent anemia and to help store oxygen in muscle tissue In addition to these, Dr. Ramlogan may also advise taking other nutrients, such as protein or folic acid, depending on your dietary needs. Each vitamin performs a vital service, and you should be sure to take the recommended... Read More

What Can I Eat After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

May 5, 2015

Congratulations! By undergoing gastric bypass surgery you have taken a major step toward reducing your weight and improving your health. If you’re wondering what precisely you can eat, what you should avoid, and how much you can consume following this popular operation, Dr. Rishi Ramlogan, our experienced bariatric surgeon, will be happy to detail the specifics during your consultations. To offer a helpful resource, we have provided a quick overview of the typical gastric bypass diet to help you achieve your weight loss goals from home and on the go. Generally speaking, you should try to consume between 400 and 900 calories per day, but it’s important that you stay under 1000 calories for the first year following gastric bypass surgery, unless told otherwise by Dr. Ramlogan. Taking small bites and chewing slowly and carefully will help you begin the digestion process. Within those calories, you should try to consume at minimum around 65-75 grams of protein, which can be found in meats, poultry, fish, and seafood, as well as less commonly known sources such as milk, yogurt, tofu, soy, and cottage... Read More

Making a vegetarian post-bariatric surgery lifestyle possible

February 27, 2014

Good nutrition is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle after bariatric surgery at our Connecticut weight loss surgery center. At Griffin Hospital we recommend that patients who had Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Lap-Band, or Revision Surgery consume a diet that is rich in protein and low in simple carbs and sugars. But that does not mean that you can't enjoy a vegetarian lifestyle with healthy plant-based protein. After bariatric surgery, you want foods that pack a lot of nutrition in a relatively small portion size. The protein goal for most post-op bariatric patients is about 75 grams of protein per day. When eating non-vegetarian protein sources, this is a bit easier to do, however, with all this focus on high quality protein, even non-vegetarians look forward to expanding their palate with tasty, nutritious vegetarian dishes. Often, this leads to the frequently asked question: What are good vegetarian protein choices? Good Vegetarian Protein Choices for Post-Op Patients Eggs – Unless you are vegan, eggs are a perfect protein. Each large egg gives you 6 grams of protein. If you... Read More

Previous Page Next Page