What Makes a Bariatric Diet Successful?

Deciding to lose weight using a bariatric program is a big step towards healthier lifestyle, and many of the changes you make will be for life. Losing weight isn’t easy and there are a few things you need to keep in mind while you’re dieting. Here are a few tips to get you started on your new lifestyle:

 

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water is a crucial part of any diet, and it’s recommended we drink at least 64 ounces a day. Staying hydrated will allow your body to process food and vitamins efficiently, keep your energy levels high, and curb hunger.

 

Schedule and Plan Your Meals

Eating regularly and healthily is among the biggest challenges of maintaining a healthy diet. Planning out your meals at the beginning of each week is the best way to stay on track with your diet. You should make time for meal preparation and eating so you can be sure that you’re getting healthy, regular meals. Eating regularly is especially important because it gives your metabolism a boost and keeps your body burning calories.

 

Be Patient and Keep Track of Progress

Diets take time and if you’re impatient about losing weight, you can easily get discouraged. Remember that you’re working towards being a healthier person and that the weight loss will come with time. A great way to stay motivated is to keep track of the progress you have made and keep a food journal. Recording your meals and weight loss numbers in a journal shows exactly what you have eaten every day and just how far you’ve come. This will also keep you looking ahead at your goals as you get closer each day.

 

Keep Yourself Accountable

A food journal will help you stay accountable to yourself, but getting other people involved in your diet and new, healthy lifestyle is another strategy to keep yourself on track. Telling close friends and family that you’re on a diet and trying to lose weight will psychologically make you feel accountable to them. Hopefully they will also be respectful of your decision and help you avoid unhealthy foods.

 

Avoid Soda and Other Carbonated Beverages

Soda is obviously not healthy to drink if you’re trying to lose weight, so its best avoid it. This is especially important if you’ve had a gastric bypass surgery. The carbonation in soda and other drinks can actually stretch your pouch and reverse any changes your surgeon has made.

 

“Cheat” With Healthy Foods

Eating a couple snacks a day is a good way to ward off hunger and keep your metabolism up, but snacks need to be healthy. Bariatric Health & Wellness offers many healthy options that taste good and will keep your diet on track, including cookies, pudding, and even rice crispy treats.