Learning to eat again after bariatric surgery can often be difficult, and knowing what foods to reintroduce to your meal plan can be challenging. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at bringing fruits and vegetables back into your daily routine. Buy our best seller here.

Fruits and vegetables can be a part of a healthy diet after bariatric surgery. They are packed full of good-for-you things like antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber, and oh, yeah…carbs. For most bariatric surgery patients who are still in the weight-loss phase, to achieve the best results you are watching the protein, calories, and carbohydrates you ingest like a hawk. Your meals should focus primarily on protein from a lean protein source. And for variety, a low-carb vegetable can be added if you have room. Focusing on the low-carb vegetables versus higher-carbohydrate vegetables in your meals will give you a better recipe for success while losing weight and improving your health.

Low-carb Veggies

Depending on the program you are in, you have been told how many carbohydrates are appropriate for maximum weight loss, so make it easier on yourself by choosing from low-carb vegetables such as:

• green beans
• broccoli
• asparagus
• cauliflower
• tomatoes
• bell peppers
• spinach
• 
  

These vegetables are lower in carbohydrates compared to peas, corn, winter squash, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, which have more carbohydrates per serving and may slow down your weight loss. Low-carb vegetables are your new best friend and are a great way to introduce variety into your protein-focused diet.

Spice it Up

Just like your protein source, be creative with how you prepare your vegetables. If you are eating plain baked chicken with plain green beans it can get plain boring quickly! Be resourceful by utilizing what vegetables are in season and change the tone and flavor of the dish using herbs, garlic, spices, and lemon juice imaginatively to make your bland plate more exciting.

Variety is the spice of life and mother nature has given us a great variety of spices and herbs that are packed full of flavor and are naturally calorie-free! Look through your spice cabinet, if there is a spice you have never used before or have not touched in a long time, use it on your protein or low-carb vegetable for an exciting new twist on an old staple. Fresh or frozen low-carb veggies are a better choice instead of the canned versions. If you must use canned, drain and rinse to get off the unnecessary excess salt the manufacturers added to preserve the vegetable, and next time buy the fresh or frozen version.