It’s easy to get overwhelmed by merely the idea of all the food festivities that typically go along with holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanoeka. Especially after bariatric surgery.
Besides spending quality time with friends, family and loved ones, the holidays are typically centered around food. Lots of food. It can be pretty daunting as a bariatric patient, to deal with restriction, the scrutiny of others and the concern of overeating during the holidays.
In this article we share 7 tips to help you feel confident in your food and mindset choices when it comes down to eating and celebrating this special time of the year.
1. Get some quality sleep the day before
Try to get a good night of sleep before your Thanksgiving dinner or your Christmas brunch.
You feel better when you sleep well.
Additionally you make healthier food choices when you’re well rested.
2. Don’t starve yourself beforehand
Avoid restrictive behaviors before your social gathering. Restricting yourself is not going to help you make better food choices once you’re at your dinner party.
On the contrary, depriving yourself from important nutrients during the day will only lead to overindulgence and overeating later on.
On top of that, we don’t want that ‘all-or-nothing mindset’ after bariatric surgery. And that goes for the holidays as well.
Try to eat small frequent meals throughout the day leading up to your social event.
And Pay extra attention to protein and fiber as this will help you feel full for longer.
3. Practice mindful eating
Once you’re at your social event – analyze your options.
What foods do you really want to enjoy today? What dishes were you looking forward to? What foods are easy to skip? Be intentional about your food choices and enjoy every single bite!
Also, make sure to tune in with your body’s cues. You may have been looking forward to one particular dish last week, but you may not feel like eating that anymore.
Listen to your needs and be mindful about them.
4. Eat your protein first
You can’t control what foods are available when you’re not the one who prepared it. And even if you did, you may still end up making dishes that aren’t typically bariatric friendly because you’re considerate of your guests.
Whatever you do, try to stick to the ways of the Bariatric Plate Method. Eat your protein first, your veggies next and if you still have room in your pouch – add those whole grain carbs.
5. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Additionally, be mindful of alcoholic beverages as they are a diuretic.
Take small sips between meals and don’t forget to separate your solids from your liquids. You’ve got this!
6. Eat slow to prevent digestive issues and overeating
It’s easy to forget your eating pace when you’re in good company.
Remind yourself to eat slow and chew your food well. Take some time out to listen to your fullness cues and lean in on those cues. Stop eating when you’re full. It’s OK if you can’t finish your plate.
7. Put things in perspective
The Holidays are only a few days out of an entire year. Bariatric surgery and the commitment that comes with it, lasts a lifetime.
Try to put things in perspective.
A few days off track is NOT a pitfall, it’s normal. Because consistency wins every time.
The Holidays aren’t a normal part of your routine, they’re an exception. Always be kind to yourself, even if things didn’t go according to your plan.
About Your Onederland
We’re so glad you made it to the end of this post!
If you’re looking for reliable bariatric resources and want your questions about your journey answered – then you’ve found the right place.
Your Onederland is your go-to resource for all things bariatric surgery.
And the best part?
We give you a free platform where connections are made, every single day!
On top of that, you’ll find TONS of tips, tricks and reliable resources for your bariatric journey here too.
But…..there’s more!
You see, our ultimate goal is to help you find, and most of all keep, your focus while you’re navigating your post-op life.
Bariatric surgery isn’t the easy way out. And creating new habits doesn’t happen overnight.
But it doesn’t have to be complicated!
You got this!
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