After gastric bypass, gastric banding, or gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, we know that we must follow a healthy, high-protein diet to lose weight and maintain weight loss. In these tough economic times, it’s natural to worry about the cost of a specialized diet. Follow these helpful tips to maintain your weight loss surgery diet without breaking the bank. By going the extra mile when planning, shopping, and preparing meals, it’s easy to save money and follow a nutritional program to benefit our health today and in the future.

  • Make a weekly dinner menu. Focus on protein dishes that can be repurposed as lunches. Side dishes should be fresh vegetables and fruits in season or frozen vegetables that require minimal preparation.
  • Plan two or three “routine” breakfast selections. Most WLS patients have a lower tolerance for food upon waking and eventually find a few things that consistently settle well in their stomach pouch first thing in the morning. Keep these routine picks on hand at all times to avoid starting the day with a bag of bad moods.
  • Follow the weekly grocery sale announcements and take advantage of special offers and coupons. Use grocery store loyalty cards for extra savings. Avoid sales of processed simple carbohydrates (junk food) because these foods are called “slippery foods” and often cause weight gain in WLS patients. Remember, a slider food for sale is still a slider food.
  • Buy items that can be used in multiple recipes and for different foods, such as canned beans, eggs, and quick-frozen poultry and fish parts. Stock up on sale items and repackage bulk purchases for individual meals or individual servings and freeze to avoid waste.
  • When shopping, follow the “protein first” rule and select protein first. Look for fresh lean beef, pork and lamb in the meat department. Add poultry and fish from the meat department or frozen meats section. Buy low-fat dairy protein and select low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt, as well as eggs. Add plant-based protein to your diet with canned beans, dried beans and vegetables, and tofu products.
  • Take advantage of locally grown produce available seasonally at roadside stalls and farmers’ markets. For an exercise bonus, gather your produce from “pick-your-own” farms and orchards to save money and burn calories.
  • Eliminate expensive beverages from your diet in favor of filtered tap water. It’s less expensive and better for the environment. Flavor the water with a few drops of fresh lemon or fresh ginger. Add frozen berries for a refreshing treat. Make sun tea from tea bags instead of buying manufactured tea drinks. You will get a purer drink and save money too.
  • Prepare your meals at home instead of eating out. You can control ingredients and avoid things that interfere with your healthy dietary goals after weight loss surgery.
  • Leverage their expertise each week to become a health-savvy, budget-conscious shopper so you can enjoy a healthy life after surgical weight loss.

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