Dining out after Bariatric Surgery doesn't have to be a thing of the past.
You can continue enjoying your favorite restaurants, but you may need to restructure how and what you order. Read along for tips on dining out after bariatric surgery in the “Solids Food and Maintenance Phase.”
It is critical that you use every meal and snack as an opportunity to get healthy food. Here are some tips that help make eating out after Bariatric Sugery as easy and stress free as possible!
- Decide what you will order prior to arrival at the restaurant. Many restaurants have their menus online via their website. Utilize this as a chance to make a healthy decision and avoid temptation later when you are hungry.
- Order from the Kids Menu, but this is not a good idea if the menu is mostly chicken tenders and French fries!
- Find a healthy protein and vegetable menu item that is grilled, baked, broiled, roasted or steamed.
- Ask your server to bring a take-home container when the meal first arrives to the table and put away the portion (usually ½ to 2/3rd) of the meal you can have for leftovers.
- Eat your protein first and then the non-starchy vegetables. Small bites, and chew well.
Don’t attempt to eat like others. If you are dining out with friends who have not had Bariatric Surgery, then definitely do not compare plates or eating habits.
You have a stomach which is 70% less than your friend’s stomach. You get full fast, and you eat slowly. Honor your smaller stomach, and your tool which is helping you achieve your goals and NEVER eat passed the point of fullness!
This is your journey. Enjoy the social time, and put the fork down between bites to talk to your friends.
How do you feel after your meal?
Are you satisfied?
Are you stuffed?
Are you happy with your experience?
Or are you feeling guilty?
We encourage all our patient to pay attention to how they feel after their meals. You want to have a satisfactory experience, and if you did not then try to understand why. Maybe the restaurant was not as accommodating as you hoped for? Learn from it and try another restaurant next time.
Or maybe it was a great experience, then add it to your list of favorite restaurants you can now dine healthfully at!