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Cooking methods. If you tolerated a saucy chicken pot-pie, it doesn’t mean roast chicken will go down just as comfortably. Dryer methods of cooking (like broiling, roasting, grilling, and pan-frying) tend to be more difficult to tolerate. Moist cooking methods on the other hand (like steaming, braising, stewing, simmering, poaching) that involve liquids or a sauce are typically better tolerated. Also, be careful when microwaving, as the process of reheating foods can dry them out. A good way to keep the moisture in is by resting the lid on the container (not sealed) and stir after each minute until ready. If you’re reheating dry foods remember to sprinkle in some water, broth, tomato juice, milk, or low-fat gravy to add additional moisture. Mechanical reasons like not chewing well enough and taking large bites. You should always be sure to cut your food into small pieces—as small as your pinky fingernail to start—and chew your food until it’s puree in your mouth before swallowing. Remember that digestion starts in the mouth! Emotional stress and anxiety can tighten the upper digestive system which makes food more difficult to tolerate. Do you find you eat more comfortably at home or on the weekends compared to at work? If so, your tolerance issues could be related to stress or anxiety. Always be sure to eat in a calm environment and start your meals by taking a few deep breaths to relax and decompress. Some patients feel more comfortable eating alone at first (i.e. in their office instead of in the cafeteria). Eating while multitasking! When you are eating, you should only be eating. We know that this is a tough one to practice, but eating while driving, watching TV, cleaning, working through lunch, etc. can distract you from taking small bites and chewing well. Do your best to put away distractions during meal times. If you choose to eat lunch in your office, mute the volume on your computer and turn off the monitor so you’re not tempted to check your email in between bites. Posture. It sounds silly to discuss, but it’s true, poor posture can negatively affect digestion. If you are eating while slouched or reclined on the couch or awkwardly propped up on pillows in bed, chances are that you will experience some tolerance issues. When you are eating, you should ideally be sitting in a chair pulled close to the table with your bum as far back as possible and with your back nice and straight. Eating at the table in your kitchen or dining room will also give your meals and snacks more structure. Generally speaking, it’s a good habit to limit food and eating to only the kitchen and dining room. Excerpt from "The Complete Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: Your questions finally answered". Available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, or our website (PDF download).

Key Points: · Having your own food with you helps you stay on track with your nutrition. · Foods that need to stay cool will need some type of cooler, insulated lunch bag or ice pack. · Bringing leftovers may require heating, so look for containers that are safe for microwave cooking. Lunch Bags · The size of your lunch bag will depend on how many meals and snacks you need for your day. · Insulated lunch bags can keep food cold for longer periods of time if you don’t have a refrigerator available. · You can buy reusable ice packs to put in your lunch bag. · A reusable lunch bag is environmentally friendly and you can use this for years. · The size will be determined by how many meals and snacks you need for the day. · Neoprene lunch bags can be put in the washing machine and dryer. Cooler · Great to have when driving around for work or when traveling. Pack with ice, load with your protein drinks or other protein foods. · Coleman and Igloo are the classic brands, but others are available. · Coolers now come in hard and soft side versions. There are coolers you can carry, sling over your shoulder, carry as a backpack or roll behind you. Mini-Fridge · If your workspace does not have a refrigerator that is convenient to get to, consider buying a mini-fridge to stash protein drinks, leftovers and snacks. Check with your employer for guidelines. Certain electrical outlets may limit the type of mini-fridge you can bring to work. Plastic Containers · Find plastic containers with lids to bring your food in measured quantities. · Some plastic containers can also be microwaved. · Look for 2 oz., 4 oz. (1/2 cup) and 8 oz. (1 cup) servings. This size you need depends on how far out you are from surgery. · Tupperware, Rubbermaid, Ziploc and Glad are available brands. Look at discount stores for smaller containers. Bento Boxes · Look for Bento box for kids on Amazon. These are boxes that are divided to separate food. You can measure your portion into the sections. The kid-size has portion control for bariatric patients. Bento boxes also available on The World According to Eggface blog. Stackable Containers · GoStak is a product the dietitians found at Obesity Week 2017. There are four containers that range from 2 to 5 ounces. They twist together to form a column. You can find it on www.blenderbottle.com. It is also on Amazon. · Described on the website: “Durable jars secure tightly to carry powders, vitamins, supplements, snacks and more.” · They are BPA free and dishwasher safe. Travel Cups/Mugs · Designed to fit in cup holders in your vehicle. These usually have a small opening on the side to sip from. Helps to avoid straws. · Grocery stores now carry disposable hot beverage cups with lids. This would be great way to sip warm broth or a high protein warm cocoa. Warm up a chocolate protein shake and hit the road. Insulated Tumblers, Cups and Containers · Insulated cups can keep your protein drinks cold or hot. Look for double-sided cups. · Thermos is a brand that has been around for decades. There are water bottles and other food storage items available. · YETI is a brand that is popular. It is more expensive, but it is a double wall, heavy gauge, stainless steel product. You can find a 20 oz. tumbler with lid for $29.99 at Academy, Gander Mountain and Cabela’s. A less expensive brand is Ozark Mountain at Walmart. A 20 oz. Ozark Mountain metal tumbler is about $10. · S’Well is another brand that comes in a lot of styles and colors. Prices around $35. Part of the money you pay helps S’Well help provide clean drinking water to children around the globe through the U. S. Fund of UNICEF. · MyHydrate is a water bottle that has a built-in reminder to help you remember to sip your water. It’s $40. · There are other insulated containers for hot foods like soups and stews. Serving Plates, Bowls and Utensils · You can find a variety of styles. Warmers · Crock-Pot makes an electric lunch crock that has a 20 oz. capacity. Prices range from $20-$30. One reviewer recommends to turn it off about 45 minutes before your lunch, because even the low setting can be too hot. This would be great if splitting a meal with a co-worker or family member.