Iranian: scared about future diet.

My family is very Persian. All my life we have eaten Iranian food in the house over 90% of the time. Portion size isn't worring me right now, it's the food content. Has anyone been able to go back eating their ethnic food after surgery?

Hi Yasaman, Not sure about Iranian foods but my husbands family is Moroccan and I have learned to fix many Moroccan dishes. As with most Middle Eastern foods, I know starches/breads play a large part of the meal. You should avoid things like couscous, rice, and sugary tea etc. Modify the meals ; eat just the proteins/meats and the veggies. Most fruits are ok after awhile and just check for hidden sugars. I can eat most of his favorite dishes , just not that much in overall quantity(and he does not know that I substitute Splenda for the dishes that are to be sweetened with sugar.) Another point and I'm guessing Muslim??? If I'm wrong, sorry!! It is to beware of pork in whey supplements. Just read the labels good if you do shakes. So far I have not found but only a few that would be forbidden if religion is an issue. Take care, Kimberly

Thank you so much for the tips. I'm actually Baha'i, not Muslim so I don't have to worry about the pork--although that's a great point which I will be sure to pass on to others I encounter. I had the lapband done and I am trying to find out if rice is going to be a really big problem because I live off of the rice!!!! Thank you again!!!!!!!! -Yasie

Hi Yasaman, I am not middle easter but love the food. I have eaten it with no problems at all. The spicer the better for me. My stomache can handle. I am nine months post op but have been able to eat middle easter food since six months. I would just try a little and see if there is a reaction. Good luck, hugs 302/163/155

Hi yasaman, I am always cooking middle-easter, armenian, persian, french food all rich in taste, texture and fat. you could substitute oil, butter, fat to canola oil for cooking and olive oil for salads and dressings. Also if you are not the one cooking at home, eat the food with moderations and/or skip the very rich/fatty foods. Persian and middle eastern salalds are very tastee and healthy for you. Easy with the persian rice please have 1/2 cup the most. Meat, try to avoid lamb meat and if you have to eat it have 2 oz and substitute with protein drink or bar. Watch out mostly for fat in the persian food and substittue when you are not too sure about the meal. I lost my weight eating my ethnic food after surgery and still do with no problems. I just have to cut the portions and avoid some foods. Dani

Hi Yasaman, I had WLS December 30th 2005, and I'm just now able to eat a little Basmatti rice with my Koresh. The first few weeks I could only have liquids but then after that, I would blend some Koresh in the blender and eat it like soup, meat included, but no rice. Now, I'm able to eat it normally, but all I can hold is about 1/2 a cup total of rice and koresh and I'm stuffed. So yes, you can eat your ethnic food after surgery!!! I wish you the best of luck with your journey!