Specific Foods Questions

[SparkleCat 521]

Good Evening!

I plan on having VSG in April and am already trying to adjust my diet so it won't be such a shock to my system...eating lower carb, more Protein, lower fat etc. I also have very high cholesterol so there are some "heart healthy" foods that may not be sleeve healthy

There are a few foods that I am curious about...foods that I generally think of as healthy, but am not certain if they are sleeve friendly

Avocado/ Guacamole - One of my favorites! Good Fat, Heart Healthy...I can eat it by the spoonful! Would the fat content of this diet staple (for me anyway!) make it a no no? I was looking forward to Guac and Avocado being a big part of my post-op diet

Sweet Potatoes/ Yams - Another food I was looking forward to having during my soft food phase...also a substitute for white potatoes...but is it too much starch?

Corn Tortillas - I know flour tortillas will be out...but what about corn? Enchilada? Street Taco? Quesadilla?

Coconut Oil/ Olive Oil - Two comparatively healthy oils

Agave nectar - I have always believed a teaspoon of cane sugar in coffee or tea is better for me and better tasting than the chemicals. really don't like the idea of using chemical sweeteners (Splenda, Equal etc.) and I think Stevia tastes really "off"....I do, however, really like Agave Nectar..wondering if it is an acceptable sweetener compromise.

Spice - I am a Texas girl who lives in Green Chili country (Colorado). I love me some spice...Pork Green Chili, Texas red Chili, Jalepeno, Chipotle, Cajun Spice....I have always loved strong flavors...tangy, sweet, spicy, sour. I am worried my new tummy won't be able to handle it. I can deal with a month or so of bland food...but not the rest of my life!

Thank y'all so much for the info and guidance! I am so ready to get started and am becoming and WLS information sponge!!

Edited January 24, 2014 by SparkleCat

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

I can't speak specifically about your surgery bc I have the Lapband, but I'll tell you that I eat those foods. I basically look at my eating and food choices this way...... I cut out all REFINED carbohydrates. I eat advocado and guacamole. I found a chip (Beanitos) made of crushed black Beans and pinto beans. When I eat the chips and guacamole, I eat it as a meal and not a snack. I eat baked sweet potatoes. I add a bit of butter, cinnamon and stevia. I use those oils and almost all of the spices you mentioned. The thing about WLS is that it helps you eat food in moderation. I make good choices about the low carb, but I personally don't fret over the fat content. It must be working..... I'm steadily losing and just recently hit the 100 lb mark.

[bloreorbust 286]

Good Evening!

I plan on having VSG in April and am already trying to adjust my diet so it won't be such a shock to my system...eating lower carb, more Protein, lower fat etc. I also have very high cholesterol so there are some "heart healthy" foods that may not be sleeve healthy

There are a few foods that I am curious about...foods that I generally think of as healthy, but am not certain if they are sleeve friendly

Avocado/ Guacamole - One of my favorites! Good Fat, Heart Healthy...I can eat it by the spoonful! Would the fat content of this diet staple (for me anyway!) make it a no no? I was looking forward to Guac and Avocado being a big part of my post-op diet

Sweet Potatoes/ Yams - Another food I was looking forward to having during my soft food phase...also a substitute for white potatoes...but is it too much starch?

Corn Tortillas - I know flour tortillas will be out...but what about corn? Enchilada? Street Taco? Quesadilla?

Coconut Oil/ Olive Oil - Two comparatively healthy oils

Agave nectar - I have always believed a teaspoon of cane sugar in coffee or tea is better for me and better tasting than the chemicals. really don't like the idea of using chemical sweeteners (Splenda, Equal etc.) and I think Stevia tastes really "off"....I do, however, really like Agave Nectar..wondering if it is an acceptable sweetener compromise.

Spice - I am a Texas girl who lives in Green Chili country (Colorado). I love me some spice...Pork Green Chili, Texas red Chili, Jalepeno, Chipotle, Cajun Spice....I have always loved strong flavors...tangy, sweet, spicy, sour. I am worried my new tummy won't be able to handle it. I can deal with a month or so of bland food...but not the rest of my life!

Thank y'all so much for the info and guidance! I am so ready to get started and am becoming and WLS information sponge!!

I had rny, but our dietary requirements are similar enough I think I can help.

Avocado: Yes, you can totally have this. However, you will only be able to and rightly shouls only have a couple teaspoons full. There's just not much room in the new tummy if you're getting enough Protein in the meal. Avocado can sit a little heavy, too. For me at least.

Sweet potatoes: You can haz, but again only a couple teaspoons. Same reasons as above. Again, protein first.

Coconut Oil/Olive Oil: Yes. I use both, no problem. However, I cut down all oil called for in recipes to half what is called for (unless baking). Fat is still high calorie, even healthy fat.

Agave: The raw variety is better for you, and yes you can have it in very moderate amounts. I go with the rule of half what I would have used before, and also try to keep it as a treat. So I make tea with milk every morning, but I only allow myself sweetener in it on the weekends.

Spicey: Yes. I asked my nutritionist about this and they said it was fine. And thank goodness because I am a chili head big time! I actually like food even spicier than I did before. We eat a lot of Indian food at home and it just wouldn't be the same without it.

All that said, keep in mind that you either may not like some of this stuff or may have your own intolerances to stuff after surgery. Can you have all these things? Yes. Will you want to? Maybe not. Be prepared for drastic changes in what you like to eat and your food habits.