• American Bariatrics is a free online Bariatric Support Group. Register for your free account and get access to all of our great features!

Good Grocery Shopping Rules Still Apply after WLS

WazzuCoug

Member
You've probably seen similar rules to these before, but it's a good reminder. The food that contributed to obesity prior to surgery will still do the job after surgery.
  1. Don't go shopping hungry.
  2. Shop the edges of the supermarket, stay away from the interior where the processed food lives.
  3. Products on the endcaps of the aisle have been put their because a food company paid for them to be there and they are likely highly processed and not good for you.
  4. Any food with a "nutrition facts" label is really a "nutrition coverup label" it has been processed and is not whole food.
  5. Avoid foods labeled "low fat" or "no trans-fat" and similar claims are labeled that way because there is probably something worse underneath.
  6. If it doesn't say "whole grain" it isn't, and even it if does say "whole grain" it probably isn't. If the carbohydrate to fiber ratio is greater than 10 to 1, don't buy it.
  7. If any form of sugar is in the first three ingredients, no matter what the food claims to be, it is a desert.
Sugar is the marker and the addictive hook of processed food, regardless if it is supposed to be a savory meal or sweet treat. There is no biological requirement or nutritional value of added sugar. If you need to evaluate the sugar content of something, 4.2g = 1 teaspoon.
 
Also, meal planning as much as possible and keeping to the list is important. We meal plan dinners since we eat those as a family and all have basically the same thing. Breakfast and lunch everyone gets their own thing, so I make sure to have what I need on my shopping list. I make way better choices when I have my handy, dandy list.
 
Also, meal planning as much as possible and keeping to the list is important. We meal plan dinners since we eat those as a family and all have basically the same thing. Breakfast and lunch everyone gets their own thing, so I make sure to have what I need on my shopping list. I make way better choices when I have my handy, dandy list.

1000% yes!! It's really easy to go off the rails if you don't have a plan.
 
You've probably seen similar rules to these before, but it's a good reminder. The food that contributed to obesity prior to surgery will still do the job after surgery.
  1. Don't go shopping hungry.
  2. Shop the edges of the supermarket, stay away from the interior where the processed food lives.
  3. Products on the endcaps of the aisle have been put their because a food company paid for them to be there and they are likely highly processed and not good for you.
  4. Any food with a "nutrition facts" label is really a "nutrition coverup label" it has been processed and is not whole food.
  5. Avoid foods labeled "low fat" or "no trans-fat" and similar claims are labeled that way because there is probably something worse underneath.
  6. If it doesn't say "whole grain" it isn't, and even it if does say "whole grain" it probably isn't. If the carbohydrate to fiber ratio is greater than 10 to 1, don't buy it.
  7. If any form of sugar is in the first three ingredients, no matter what the food claims to be, it is a desert.
Sugar is the marker and the addictive hook of processed food, regardless if it is supposed to be a savory meal or sweet treat. There is no biological requirement or nutritional value of added sugar. If you need to evaluate the sugar content of something, 4.2g = 1 teaspoon.
Make life simple: read any label of something you want to eat. Talk to dr or nutritionist about acceptable levels sugar/carbs. Make sure you never run out of go to foods: eggs, fair life milk, tuna fish, cottage cheese, cheese, Y2 good yogurt, salmon, canned low salt veggies (I’m a pescatarian so this is what I love).
pS- make sure you get your required protein! Good Luck!
 
Back
Top