After gastric bypass, gastric band, or gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, we know that we must follow a healthy, high-protein diet to lose weight and maintain weight loss. In these tough economic times, it’s natural to worry about the cost of a specialized diet. Follow these helpful tips to maintain your weight loss surgery diet without breaking the bank. By making a special effort to plan, buy, and prepare meals, it’s easy to save money and follow a nutritional program to benefit our health today and in the future.

  • Make a weekly dinner menu. Focus on protein dishes that can be reused as lunches. Side dishes should be fresh vegetables and fruits that are in season or frozen vegetables that require minimal preparation.
  • Plan for two or three “routine” breakfast selections. Most WLS patients have a lower tolerance for food upon waking and eventually find a few things that consistently sit well in their stomach pouch first thing in the morning. Keep these routine picks on hand at all times to avoid starting your day with a grumpy bag.
  • Follow the weekly grocery sale announcements and take advantage of special offers and coupons. Use grocery store loyalty cards for additional savings. Avoid sales of processed simple carbohydrates (junk food) because these foods are called “slider foods” and often cause weight gain in WLS patients. Remember, a slider food for sale is still a slider food.
  • Buy items that can be used in multiple recipes and for different meals, such as canned beans, eggs, and frozen poultry and fish parts. Stock up on sale items and repackage bulk purchases for individual meals or single servings and freeze to avoid waste.
  • When shopping, follow the “Protein First” rule and select protein first. Look for fresh lean beef, pork, and lamb in the meat department. Add poultry and fish from the meat department or frozen meat section. Buy low-fat dairy protein and select low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt, as well as eggs. Add plant-based protein to your diet with canned beans, dried beans and vegetables, and tofu products.
  • Take advantage of the locally grown produce available seasonally at roadside stands and farmers’ markets. For an exercise bonus, pick your produce at “pick-your-own” farms and orchards to save money and burn calories.
  • Eliminate expensive drinks from your diet in favor of filtered tap water. It’s less expensive and better for the environment. Flavor the water with a few drops of fresh lemon or fresh ginger. Add frozen berries for a refreshing treat. Make sun tea from tea bags instead of buying manufactured tea drinks. You’ll get a purer drink and save money too.
  • Prepare your meals at home instead of eating out. You can control ingredients and avoid things that interfere with your healthy dietary goals after weight loss surgery.
  • Leverage his experience each week to become a budget- and health-savvy shopper so you can enjoy a healthy life after surgical weight loss.