Healthy Holiday Eating After WLS
Scroll for links to our bariatric friendly soup recipes
‘Tis the holiday season for twinkling lights, laughter, and, of course, some seriously scrumptious holiday eating. If you’ve been through the journey of weight loss surgery (WLS), you know that the holidays can feel like a culinary minefield. But fear not – we’re here to help you have a holly, jolly and healthy holiday season.
Plan Ahead!
Let’s kick things off with a little secret to holiday success – planning. It’s your secret weapon for enjoying the festivities while staying on track during holiday eating.
- Create a Meal Plan: Before the holiday festivities begin, take a moment to map out your meals. It’s like having your own holiday GPS, guiding you towards portion control and those all-important dietary requirements for healthy holiday eating.
- Know Your Limits: Understanding your dietary restrictions and portion sizes is crucial for a successful holiday season. This knowledge gives you the confidence to make informed decisions during holiday eating.
Choose Wisely at Holiday Gatherings
Holiday parties and gatherings often offer an array of delectable dishes for holiday eating.
Here’s how to navigate the holiday buffet like a pro:
- Focus on Protein: Gravitate toward protein-packed dishes like turkey or lean meats during holiday eating. Protein is your buddy, keeping you full and supporting those hard-earned muscles throughout the holiday season.
- Mind the Sides: Make smart choices when it comes to side dishes during holiday eating. Veggies are your friends during holiday eating, and it’s okay to distance yourself from excessive starches and sweets during the holiday season.
Nutritious Holiday Recipe Makeovers
Now, let’s talk about the highlight of the season – delightful bariatric holiday recipes. Tasty doesn’t have to mean unhealthy during holiday eating. Check out these nutritious holiday recipe makeovers that will tantalize your taste buds without compromising your journey:
- Sweet Potato Hash: A must-try bariatric recipe for the holidays. Link to Bariatric Holiday Recipe
- Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens: The perfect way to start the new year. Link to Bariatric Holiday Recipe
- Rosemary Garlic Turkey: A savory turkey recipe that’s perfect for holiday feasts. Link to Bariatric Holiday Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice Mousse: Puree bariatric recipe for a delightful holiday dessert. Link to Bariatric Holiday Recipe
- The Best Green Bean Casserole: A holiday classic with a bariatric-friendly twist. Link to Bariatric Holiday Recipe
Enjoying the Festivities Mindfully
Mindful eating is all about savoring the moment during holiday eating. Here are a couple of tricks to help you relish each bite during holiday eating:
- Slow Down: Savor every mouthful during holiday eating. Enjoy the different flavors and textures of your food. Eating slowly also gives your body time to signal that it’s satisfied during the holiday season.
- Put Down the Fork: Between bites, put your fork down during holiday eating. This encourages you to engage in conversation, savor your meal, and keep your pace in check during the holiday season.
Coping with Holiday Stress
The holidays can be stressful – we totally get it. Stress can affect your eating habits, so let’s talk about how to keep that in check during holiday eating:
- Deep Breathing: When stress creeps in, take a few moments to practice deep breathing exercises during holiday eating. It’s like a little mental vacation during the holiday season.
- Meditation: A short meditation session can do wonders during holiday eating. It helps you stay centered and calm, even when chaos reigns around you during the holiday season.
Support and Accountability
Remember, you’re not alone on this journey during holiday eating. Here’s how to find that support and a bit of accountability during holiday eating:
- WLS Community: Join a weight loss surgery community during holiday eating. You’ll find guidance, encouragement, and stories from people who’ve walked in your shoes during the holiday season.
- Accountability Partners: Consider teaming up with an accountability partner who shares your goals during holiday eating. It’s like having your very own cheerleader in your corner during the holiday season.
As the holiday season unfolds, we wish you a joy-filled, healthy, and memorable time with your loved ones during holiday eating. Embrace the holiday spirit, and remember that your journey after weight loss surgery is something worth celebrating during the holiday season. Cheers to a wonderful and successful holiday season!
Head over to our Amazon Storefront for our favorite bariatric tools to help with life after surgery.
There are some other great bariatric tools in our storefront too! We have highlighted quite a few bariatric cookbooks, portion control devices and bariatric treats to keep you on track after weight loss surgery.
If you make any of the bariatric chicken recipes, please tag WLS Afterlife on your favorite social platform, we love to see your ideas! Plus it could help any of your friends who are also living life after weight loss surgery!
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If you make any of our bariatric holiday recipes, please post, follow and tag us on social media! We love seeing how our blogs can help bariatric patients continue to make healthy choices and maintain wellness years after weight loss surgery. That’s what we’re all about at WLS Afterlife! Whether you’ve had the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap band, gastric balloon, or any other kind of weight loss surgery- we have recipes for you.
We recommend our WLS Afterlife viewers follow their doctor’s dietary guidelines, regardless of our recipe instructions. Don’t forget to control your portions after weight loss surgery.
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