Healthy Food For Bariatric Surgery

Chocolate Cream Pudding and Diet Shake Mix

Once a patient has undergone bariatric surgery, they must commit to a lifetime of eating healthy meals. Bariatric surgery foods can be limiting, and can consist of things that a patient is not usually used to eating. However, patients will soon discover that eating healthier is not difficult and that it becomes not only tolerable but enjoyable as well.

If a bariatric patient eats food that is not healthy, they will experience very uncomfortable side effects that will make them want to go back to eating healthy meals. It's important for bariatric surgery patients to follow a special diet consisting of bariatric surgery foods.

Normally, after a patient has had bariatric surgery, there are four phases to introducing food again to their system. The first phase is an all liquid diet, to allow healing to begin. Liquids such as broth, unsweetened juices, and sugar free gelatin are used in the beginning. Once a patient is successful with those foods, they can move on to pureed foods. These should include high protein foods like lean ground meats, yogurt, soft fruits and vegetables, fish, and beans, pureed and mixed with liquid.

Once this is accomplished, the patient graduates to soft solid foods. These include ground meats, soft fresh fruit or canned fruit, and well cooked vegetables. The return to eating solid foods is a slow process, and for good reason. The patient is instructed about their diet to help them to heal effectively, and also to keep food from becoming lodged in the stomach opening, which can cause blockage.

It is also highly recommended that the patient take a multivitamin for life after having bariatric surgery to ensure adequate nutrients. Another recommendation is not drinking liquids while eating a meal, liquids should be limited to times in between meals.

An example of a healthy breakfast for a bariatric patient includes things like oatmeal, soft very well chewed toast, and other soft cereals such as grits. Everything must be very well chewed, to the point of being a puree consistency.

Healthy drinks for bariatric patients include water, and also milk for extra protein and nutrients. It is not advised to drink high sugar drinks such as regular soda. It is also crucial to have healthy drinks between meals to keep well hydrated.

It is imperative to eat a healthy breakfast, and other regular healthy meals, to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Amounts of foods eaten will be greatly decreased as well, usually about 1/2 cup to 1 cup per meal, making choosing healthy foods very important.

Healthy snacks for bariatric patients include yogurt, cottage cheese, healthy but soft fruits and vegetables or canned fruits and vegetables. Making good choices in healthy snacks is important to good health. Avoid snacks that are high in sugar, but DO snack on foods that are high in protein and have a high nutrient quality.

Having bariatric surgery requires a change in lifestyle. But, it will also help to ensure future good health through achieving a healthier weight.

Enjoying A Healthy Shake

Chocolate Health Shake

Healthy shakes and healthy smoothies can be beneficial meals or replace high calorie afternoon snacks. These healthy drinks can substitute a meal when made with the proper nutrients. When we think about healthy shakes and healthy smoothies, we think about fresh fruits with protein powders and natural juices. Adding a low fat yogurt or milk alternative can create delicious and nourishing smoothies recipes or delightful healthy shake recipes.

Our energy levels improve when healthy shakes or healthy smoothies are added into our daily routines. Skipping meals is not a healthy recommendation, but there are times when a shake or smoothie can replenish our bodies quickly. After exercising, if you’ve had a busy day, or short on time, blending up a shake or smoothie can keep your body satisfied and nourished.

Some of the high energy healthy shake recipes and healthy smoothies recipes contain green grasses with protein powders. What’s great about these drinks is that you can customize to fit your own tastes. Bananas are used for adding texture to the drinks and adding flax oil with frozen berries, creates a tasty treat. Strawberries, wheat germ with low fat yogurt or skim milk are perfect ingredients for a healthy breakfast. Raw eggs are one of the best natural proteins available in our food groups, add a banana, peanut butter and honey, you’ve got a high energy smoothie. Helpful hints when using fruits or vegetables to make these shakes or healthy smoothies recipes--always remove the skins and seeds.

Healthy shake recipes

Any fruit works, favorites are bananas because they blend so nicely. Here’s a simple recipe to blend up. You can replace bananas with apples or strawberries.

1 Banana, 8 ounces of apple juice, ¼ cup of wheat germ.
1 Medium apple skinned and cored, 1 cup of milk, ¼ cup of wheat germ.
1 Cup of strawberries, 8 ounces low fat yogurt, ¼ cup of wheat germ.

Put the liquid ingredient into the blender first. Next add the fruit and blend well. Finally add the wheat germ and blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour into a glass and start your day.

Healthy smoothies recipes

1 Cup of frozen fruit, 8 ounces frozen yogurt, ¼ cup of peanut butter and dash of honey.
1 Cup of frozen fruit, 8 ounces low fat ice cream, ½ cup of wheat grass.
1 Cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 cup of coconut milk or almond milk, 1 cup of ice.

Put the fruit ingredient into the blender first. Next add the yogurt, low fat ice cream or alternative milks to the fruit and blend well. Finally add the peanut butter and honey to taste in the first mixture. In the second recipe follow the same instructions and add the wheat grass, blend until the mixture is smooth. For the last recipe use the same order of ingredient blending, adding the ice last for a crunchy texture. You can double the measurements and refreeze the last recipe for later.

It's Never Too Late Too Start Eating Healthy

Cinnamon Crunch Cereal

Before a person utter the statement “It's never too late to start eating healthy,” it presupposes that the individual already understands what makes for healthy eating. Eating healthy requires that one takes in a variety of food items in moderate quantities. Top on the list of these items are fruits, vegetable, fish and meat. Quite a number of people who lived a century and above attributed their longevity to eating moderate meals three same time everyday. They also have the habit of taking less red meat.

Eating too much of a particular type of food and overfeeding are often what make meals unhealthy. Some people overtime have formed the habit of eating a particular food just because they cannot overcome their cravings for it. For such, the starting point of eating healthy is to stop gratifying such cravings and be health conscious about all that goes down the throat. Only food that leaves your body in optimal state of health can be rightfully referred to as healthy meals.

Healthy breakfasts are always a good start; particularly those with high carbohydrate/ low fat as they can help kick-start body metabolism. If you could not prepare one because you have to leave home early for work, there are healthy snacks around but be choosy in which you go for; whole-grain crackers, yogurt, and veggies are some of the good ones. Tea prepared without sugar is one of the healthy drinks widely recommended by health specialists. One’s health is also better off by staying away from liquors.

The benefits of eating healthy are numerous and significant. The human body renews its tissues and cells with the nutrients contained in foods. If the body is not provided with the right nutrients in their appropriate quantity and quality, the entire system suffers. Even smokers with damaged lungs can record great improvement in their health if they take healthy breakfast, healthy snacks and healthy drinks.

Eating healthy also comes with immense psychological benefits, age notwithstanding. The brain being the thinking faculty has a way of taking note of all developments including taking healthy meals. Beneficial chemicals like serotonin stimulated in the brain by reason of eating healthy make humans happier and live longer.

These benefits have no age limits. Even if one has been surviving on rubbish over decades, all that is needed to salvage one’s health is change. The moment a habit of taking the right food, in the right quantity and quality and at the right time is cultivated and implemented, the body will take a new and improved look. New cells will come up and the old impoverished ones will be discarded. There are cases of people on their deathbed that were privileged to live again because of the nourishment that comes with healthy meals.

The bottom line in all of this is that it is never too late to start eating healthy.

Enjoy A Tasty Health Drink!

Tangy Orange Drink

Our overall health is determined by so many different factors. From our genetics to how often we exercise and how well we eat, these are just a few of the factors that can determine how healthy we are.

If one is looking to improve their health, boost their immune system and even lose weight, it may be a good idea to consider what they're drinking every day. By eliminating pop and sugary juices from our diet and replacing them with healthy drinks, we can benefit in many ways. What are some healthy drinks to keep in mind and to try out?

Berry drinks: When it comes to all the berry drinks out there, there are so many different ones to choose from. Whether we use a juicer to juice our fruits or we create a smoothie concoction, drinks with berries in them are pretty popular and are full of heart healthy antioxidants. Some berries are also known to be "super foods", which are some of the healthiest foods with the most nutrients per serving.

Teas: Though not everyone enjoys a hot or cold cup of tea, tea is very healthy, can boost our immune system and even jumpstart our metabolism. From black tea to chai and green tea, there are all sorts of different teas worth trying. So whether it takes us a few tries until we acquire a taste, the health benefits are well worth it.

Coffee: The smell of that morning cup of coffee isn't the only great thing about coffee. From all the antioxidants the beans carry to all the different nutrients in just one cup, one can benefit greatly. Not only does it help us feel more alert and give us more energy to get more done throughout the day, but it can also benefit our health in more ways than one.

Water: Though water may be tasteless, it's a liquid we must take in with large amounts. Since our body is made up of about 70% water, it's easy to see how important it is that we either eat foods that contain a lot of water or that we drink large amounts of it. Water can be mixed with fruits or vegetables to enhance the flavor and can help flush out our kidneys, all while improving our metabolism.

Juices: There are so many healthy fruit drinks and juices to drink on a daily basis. Though store bought juices may be healthy, nothing beats fresh squeezed juice that was just made in the kitchen. From only fresh ingredients to customizing your juice blends, you can benefit greatly. So whether you'd like to create a mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables or you'd just like to stick to something simple like fresh orange juice, you can drink it knowing that the only ingredients that are in it are fresh produce ingredients.

As one can see, there are plenty of nutritious drinks to try out. So whether we'd like to try the different healthy fruit drinks or we'd like to try some green tea full of flavonoids, our options are endless.

Can Pudding Be A Healthy Snack?

Chocolate Chip with Marshmallow Pudding

Yes, it can. However, it is probably not the snack-packs you are buying for the children. Healthy puddings are generally made at home. But do not despair- they are easy to make and delicious. You may even love them!

Sugar free pudding is much healthier then regular puddings. Most puddings are made with sugar, and eating them on a regular basis will cause you to consume much more sugar than is healthy. In these mixes, sweeteners such as SPLENDA® or Equal are used in place of the sugar cane. Ounce for ounce, these healthy puddings will have 1/4 to 1/2 the number of calories of a regular pudding. Sugar free does not mean problem free- it still has calories.

The type of milk used to prepare the pudding directly chooses the amount of fat in it. Whole milk adds fat, both saturated and unsaturated. The lower the percentage of fat in the milk, the lower the amount of fat in the pudding. Skim milk has the lowest amount of fat, and is the healthiest choice. For example- one serving of pudding made with 1% milk has 1.5g of fat, while the same size serving made with whole milk has 4.5g of fat.

Milk also adds calcium, which is essential for forming and maintaining bones and teeth. That 1/2 cup serving contains 150g of calcium, no matter which types of milk used.

These pudding mixes also supply small amounts of potassium and magnesium, and traces of iron. These do not mean pudding is a regular part of a healthy diet, just that there are some small gains included in the snack.

Healthy pudding recipes can easily be found online. Butterscotch pudding, healthy chocolate pudding and many other flavors of pudding can be cooked from scratch by even an inexperienced cook. One recipe for healthy chocolate pudding requires only eggs, milk, sugar, salt, cocoa powder, cornstarch and vanilla extract, all which are probably in your kitchen cupboards right now. The nutrition information when prepared exactly as directed is 164calories: 2g fat; 6g protein, and 311mg potassium. This can be changed into a healthy pudding recipes by changing the sugar to SPLENDA® or some other sweetener, and watch the calories and carbohydrates drop!

Butterscotch pudding gets its wonderful flavor from the dark brown sugar and pure vanilla extract. Fortunately, there are available today mixes of sweetener and sugar that tastes just like the real thing, only with less calories. SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend can be used directly out of the bag on your oatmeal, or used in baking or cooking with the same excellent results you have come to expect from them.

To sum it all up: yes, pudding can be part of a healthy diet, when prepared at home using the suggestions in this article. You will not miss the extra sugar, fat and calories in the prepackaged variety, and your taste buds (and the children) will love the flavor! Give it a try- this is not hard to do.

How To Best Follow Your Weekly Diet Meal Plan

6 Week Meal Plan

Having a weekly diet meal plan can really help to optimize a healthy weight loss in the end. The first step that can be taken to have a successful diet is to have a calorie restricted diet. This will ensure that a set number calories is to be eaten daily. A great way to have the calorie restricted diet is by day and a final count for the whole week. A whole three balanced meal can be broken down successfully with the number of calories per day and per meal.

Along with the calorie restricted diet, healthy meals are also an integral part of any diet meal planning. The healthy meals are important to keep all of the necessary nutrients going continuously in the body. By doing this, losing weight will not only be the outcome but a healthier lifestyle will also be accomplished. In the end, the habits of choosing healthy meals over other non-nutritional meals will take over naturally.

Although there are times that falling off the wagon can happen, it is important not to get discouraged and get right back to the diet. The diet meal planning can also be amplified by keeping a regular exercising regimen. This exercise program can help tremendously by keeping a focused and trained eye on the weight loss goal. However, pushing too hard on the exercise program can be dangerous to any one's health and can knock them off the diet.

An easy way to keep track of the foods for the week is to make a list. Planning the foods for each individual time and day can really keep the calorie count on check. If you do not want to have such a strict diet plan though, following any plan that can be done with the least stress will have the best results. Putting a diet meal plan together doesn't have to be composed of foods that you don't like, as long as the foods that are chosen are being tracked in the end for calories.

It is vital to keep a trained and focused eye on the weight loss goal. Along with this, the duration of the diet is also important. Having a diet that is meant to work in months for the end result is the most ideal. One of the main reasons you don't want a diet that is intended to work for weeks, is that in can be a risk to your health for such a sharp drop in weight in a short amount of time. Taking these tips and ideas are great to consider for anyone looking to have a healthier lifestyle.

Warming Up To Spring

Healthy Tomato Soup

Spring is almost here. This is the time of the year that people are ready to put away their heavy winter coats, start wearing flip flops, and welcome sunnier weather. While the transition into spring is exciting, don’t go overboard. Don't abandon all your winter pastimes in the spring. One thing you don’t want to do is skimp on soup. Even as the spring weather comes, soup is still a great meal. There a variety of healthy soups that are also delicious. Get ready for spring by warming up with soup.

Tomato soup perfectly embodies the changing of the seasons. For winter weather, a rich, warm cup of this soup is a filling and tasty meal. However, as it gets warmer you can tweak your soup recipes and turn them into gazpacho. Gazpacho is a form of tomato soup that is healthy, refreshing, and served cold. Tomato soup is best for the winter but in the spring and summer months you can choose whether to go for the classic hot soup, or mix it up with gazpacho instead.

There are many different types of soup for any mood or occasion. However, one staple for soup lovers will always be chicken soup. Many people ate it as a kid, but the grown up versions are even better. Instead of little star shaped noodles, or chefs on the label, there are many nutritious versions of chicken soup available to discerning adults. Chicken soup is a great comfort food when one is sick, but that’s not the only reason to eat it. If it helps make people feel better when they are ill, it can also be a healthy and filling option to help you stay in great shape.

There are a variety of diet crazes that come into popularity for a short amount of time. Many of these trends are unnecessary. You don’t need to make a drastic change in your life to lose weight. Soup is an affordable, easy option many people overlook. There are a variety of healthy soup recipes for weight loss. The spring is a great time to exercise. A combination of exercise and fat fighting soups will help you stay trim and toned. Pick your favorite type of soup and search for healthy soup recipes for weight loss. You will be ready for the sun and swimsuits in no time!

It’s still cold right now, but spring will be here soon. At least there are plenty of healthy soups available to keep you feeling warm. One of the best parts of winter is having soup for dinner. However, soup can be enjoyed during the spring too. Don’t limit yourself when it comes to the flavors and health benefits of soup. Spring is a season full of flowers, fun, and cheer. Staying healthy and in good shape by eating soup can help you make the most of the season.

Getting to Your Summer "Feel Good" Weight

Cheddar Chips

As warm weather begins to tease people in colder climates, thoughts of spring and summer clothing arise. Warm days and gentle breezes begin to caress the skin. Ah, nice. However, this also means less clothing and more skin exposure. Now is the time to restore those healthy eating habits. Even for people who have gained a little more weight than planned, it is never to late to begin eating healthy meals and substituting healthy snacks.

First, set realistic goals. Losing five pounds in two weeks is realistic; losing fifty pounds in two weeks is not.

Next, start by choosing healthy breakfast foods to keep you full until lunchtime. This means protein, some whole grains and fruit. Choose a hard boiled or poached egg or Greek yogurt for a high protein start to the day. Have a slice of whole grain bread or cup of whole grain cereal and top with fresh or frozen fruit. Eating healthy breakfast foods is easy. Simply make time for it and eliminate fat laden breakfast meats, bagels, cream cheese, and muffins. Once set in motion, healthy eating habits can be easily maintained and feeling better is its own reward.

Filling in with healthy snacks is easier than most people think. A handful of nuts, dried fruit or an apple, banana, or pear are all easily portable and do not require refrigeration. A good lunch can be lean meat such as turkey or chicken breast on whole grain bread, hummus or low fat cheese with whole grain crackers and fruit or non fat yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit. With the correct dietary information, healthy meals are easy to consume, shop for and prepare.

It is also unrealistic to expect never to eat a sweet snack, fast food or fatty food ever again. The key to success of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is limiting it and maintaining portion control. Once a month, indulge in a cup of ice cream or fast food fries, but make it small. Then, return to the healthy diet format and don't punish yourself for a small indulgence.

An additional way to get to a "feel good" weight is to exercise. If the thought of going to a gym causes terror, fear not. Park further away from work and shopping and walk the extra few hundred feet every day. Take stairs instead of an elevator when possible. As the daylight lingers, take a short walk each afternoon or evening. Getting even a little regular activity will make a difference if done regularly.

While incorporating lean protein choices, high fiber foods, and low fat products to a diet, weight loss will happen. Eliminate empty calories such as regular soda and cookies, cake and candy. Drink water with lemon or lime instead of soda. Limit sweets to one taste a week, so it doesn't feel like total deprivation of a sweet tooth craving. A "feel good" weight is within reach if you just give some extra thought to your food and activity.

The Winter Blues

I know a lot of you do not live in  a very mild climate like we have here in Georgia. I'm not even going to mention today's temperature for fear that you may stone me. It is now, in particular, when those of us who are snowed in or kept in by sub zero temps loosen our grip on our diets and head straight for high caloric and high carb foods. Comfort foods anyone?

When you get in this mood this would be a perfect time to break out the zesty vegetable chili with beans. 100 calories per serving with only 12 grams of carbs.

Another good one would be the vegetarian joe with only 90 calories and 12 grams of carbs. It doesn't have to be snowing outside to light the fire and fix a hot piping dish of either one of these dishes. Also, don't forget the cheesy mac and the creamy alfredo to help carru through those dreary days.

Gene C.
www.myhealthmanagement.com