Vacation friendly meals...
I'm about to pull the trigger on a vacation/family reunion in Costa Rica but I'm a bit leery of how things will be post-op. Payment is due in full now.
The trip is currently scheduled 6 weeks after my scheduled surgery date. Can anyone tell me how my special diet will affect our travels? Will I still be on the blended/soft foods at that time? What snacks/schedule do you recommend for the trip?
Thanks in advance.
I would check with your doctor about what his plan indicates. Mine had me on full iquids for 5 weeks. My 6th week I started solids but still relied on lots of yogurt and a 2 protein shakes a day to get my protein numbers up. It might be a little soon to not be in control of your choices. Unless you can pack lots of shakes and have access to a store to load up on stuff when you arrive...
I am exactly 6 weeks post op and went on vacation this past weekend and had such a hard time mainly because I went to places where they do not allow outside food. The stuff they sold inside wasn't exactly foods I could eat so it made it really difficult for me. Make sure to call the places you are going to make sure if they will allow you to bring your own food/drink and also carry your WLS card just in case so that they can make an exception and allow you to bring your protein shakes, etc. I learned quickly after this weekend. :)
As others mentioned, checked with your doctor to see what your plan states at 6 weeks out. The following is an example of the plan my doctor gave me according to the days post op:
Day 21 thru 30 ( soft food )
Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid
( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency
- Light Tofu
- Low fat cottage cheese
- Unsweetened cereal ( less then 5 gr sugar per serving )
- Oatmeal
- Cream of wheat
- Grits
- Whole wheat pasta, brown rice
- Low fat Yogurt
- Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended
- Cream soups ( denser cream soups like cream of potato )
- Eggs, egg whites, egg substitute
- Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple )
- Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces
- Boiled pureed vegetables
- Avocado
- Beans ( well cooked and dried)
- Vegetarian or fat free refried beans
- Low calorie refried beans
- Lentils
- Mashed or baked potatoes ( no skin )
- Sweet potato/yam ( no skin )
- Creamy peanut butter
* Eggs:
Chew them very well before swallowing.
Don't mix meat in them . Use a cooking spray to cook them. Most cooking sprays have fewer calories per serving than an application of vegetable oil, because they are applied in a much thinner layer.
*Cereal:
Any cereal that does not have too much sugar in it and contains fiber is Ok. Here are some examples:
Fiber One Bran Cereal: 14 grams fiber, 0% calories from sugar.
Shredded Wheat: 6 grams fiber, 0% calories from sugar .
*Mashed potatoes
Please make them runny, not too thick
*Avoid: raw vegetables, canned fruits in heavy syrup, dried fruit, skins and membranes of fruits, donuts, muffins, cakes, brownies, popcorn, granola, chips, pasta in rich sauce, top ramen, bacon, butter, red meats, fried meats, bologna, salami, etc
Day 31st and beyond ( solid food )
Always Introduce new foods one at a time in order to rule out an intolerance.
If a food is not tolerated, reintroduce it in 1 or 2 weeks
- Fish ( tuna, salmon, halibut )
- Chicken (skinless/boneless ) dark meat works better than dry breast meat
- Lean beef ( loin and round cuts) red meat is fibrous and hard to digest
- Turkey ( skinless white meat )
- Lean pork( lion cuts ) all visible fat trimmed
- Vegetables
- Fruit ( all fruit including banana)
- Lean ham
- Low fat cheeses ( less then 3 gr fat per ounce )
- Low fat ricotta cheese
Important TIPS when having solids
· Cut very small pieces ( the size of a dime ) and chew them very very well before swallowing.
· Have 5 or 6 very small meals instead of 3 large ones.
· Do not eat and drink at the same time. The small capacity of your stomach will not permit both things at the same time. It can cause you chest pain or stomachache.
· When eating a meal start with protein first since you wont have much room for anything else. This will help you stay away from carbs.
· Crackers (like Saltines), are high in carbs, (mostly complex carbs in the form of starch) Because of their high carb-content, most types of cracker, raise blood sugar levels.
Yes, please check with your surgeon to see where you'll be. I really don't give a rip if a restaurant doesn't like me bringing my own stuff. I would keep a softsided cooler with me (as a purse) if you're going to be out for the day and pack it with string cheese, yogurt and protein shakes. Don't forget to bring a spoon. You can go to a restaurant and not eat (if there is nothing there for you) and then eat your 2 ounces in the car. That's the way I'd play it.
Deb
Goal Reached in 12.5 Months
HW: 274 Pre-OpW: 266 SW: 254 CW: 125 GW: 145
You must permanently change your lifestyle if you want your weight loss to be permanent. You can do it!
There is no reason not to go but remember your body will still be healing and adjusting.At week four I was cleared to eat a regular diet. You will still need to concentrate on getting in your protein and fluids. You may want to bring some daily protein shake powders to mix and drink once a day. You will not be able to eat much and it will be still new to you this is where I started getting the foamies eating too much too fast. Snacks are tough if you are traveling or hoteling it because most proteins need refrigeration. I am not a big fan of protein bars most have way too many calories and too much sugar but there are some that are decent and might travel better if you are going to be on the road alot.
