Foods to Limit or Avoid
All bariatric patients should limit or avoid certain foods that can interfere with weight loss. They can add extra calories, stretch the stomach pouch, sleeve or stoma and/or, in the case of alcohol, lower inhibition so that you're more likely to overeat.
- High-sugar foods, such as baked goods, candy and ice cream
- Most high-fat foods, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products and cream soups and sauces (peanut butter is an example of a high-fat food that is healthy and can be included in moderation)
- Foods high in refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta
- Beverages with calories, including sodas, fruit drinks, protein shakes, sports drinks and energy drinks
- Carbonated beverages, including diet sodas
- Alcoholic beverages
Lap-band patients should be cautious about foods that can get caught in the band or cause obstructions.
- Fibrous foods, such as asparagus, broccoli, celery and oranges
- Gristly or sharp foods, such as nuts, seeds, ground meat with gristle
- Sticky foods, such as peanut butter and caramels
- Doughy or chewy foods, such as doughy bread
- Fried foods, such as French fries, onion rings and doughnuts
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients are at highest risk for dumping syndrome, although it can occur after the vertical sleeve gastrectomy and BPD-DS surgeries. Avoid or limit:
- Sugary foods, such as candy, sugar-sweetened beverages, cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream and sugar-sweetened cereals and yogurt
- High-fat foods
- Foods naturally high in sugars, such as fruit juice and fruits, should be limited