Nutrition

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

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

A Window of Opportunity

February 21, 2013

Many patients who suffer from severe obesity in Connecticut find help losing significant and sustained weight through bariatric surgery. There are several different types of weight loss surgery offered at Griffin Hospital. Our bariatric team will discuss your non-surgical and surgical options, taking into consideration your age, co-morbid conditions, lifestyle, expected surgical risk and weight loss goal. The average amount of expected weight loss varies with each surgery type: Lap Band Procedure: 50% of excess weight Sleeve Gastectomy: 60 % of excess weight Gastric Bypass: 70% of excess weight Revisional Surgery: case specific Hitting the target weight loss and exceeding weight loss expectations No matter which bariatric surgery is right for you, how quickly to jump into a healthy lifestyle directly affects how much total weight you are most likely to lose. Weight loss after bariatric surgery is very much a window of opportunity. The fastest weight loss is typically in the first 6-9 months and gradually decreases over the next 6-9 months to stabilize around 18 to 24 months post-op. That being understood, there are some ways you can... Read More

Hearty Soups For Cold Winter Days

January 14, 2013

Soups are a great way to make simple, one pot dishes that warm your body and soul and give you the nutrition that you need after weight loss surgery. That said, it is important that these soups be thick, protein-rich and delicious. We at Griffin Bariatrics do not recommend thin soups because they tend to not “stick to your ribs” and provide the long-lasting satiety that protein-dense foods can give you. Let us explain: Imagine that you just had a cup of tomato soup. With under 100 calories and the low fat content, it may seem like a great choice. However, after bariatric surgery, it is more important to ensure that you have enough protein – typically around 75 grams per day. So the tomato soup that has less than 2 grams of protein per serving does not give you much to run on (literally). Protein takes a long time to break down, so it keeps you satisfied longer and keeps you from feeling deprived. It also keeps your hair from falling out and generally makes you feel like Wonder... Read More

Previous Page Next Page