Making small adjustments in your everyday post-weight loss surgery life can help you overcome bad habits and start developing healthier ones. There are many things you can do to help your mind and body get used to smaller portions and learn how much to eat in order to nurture your body. Here are some options to get you started:
- Always use see-through containers.
Out of sight, out of mind. Not being able to see what you’re eating makes it easy to avoid portion control. This happens a lot when, for example, you are eating directly from a bag of chips. You might not notice how much you ate until you have reached the bottom of the bag. Measuring and separating your food and snack portions into containers is a great way to plan your meals and keep track of how much you’re eating.
- Small plates.
Patients might be used to eating large servings before their weight loss surgery and might feel a little uncomfortable and anxious when there is a sudden decrease in their portion sizes. A great way to ease yourself into smaller portions is buying and eating off smaller plates. When the same amount of food is placed in a big plate and a small plate, our brain immediately registers that the smaller plate contains more food.
- Choose the color of your plates wisely.
Do you know why McDonald’s uses red and yellow as their company colors? It’s because bright colors trigger your appetite! Invest in grey, purple, or blue plates so the higher contrast helps your brain regulate your appetite thus controlling your food intake. Plus, people say food tends to look bigger on a dark colored plate as opposed to a white plate.
- Mindful snacking.
Weight loss surgery patients need to be extremely in touch with their bodies and their response to hunger. Sometimes we snack when we are stressed, anxious, or even bored, not because we are hungry. When you get the urge to snack, take a moment to assess if your body is asking you for food or for a quick break.
- Sleep
Make late night snacks a thing of the past. Lack of sleep might affect your appetite and make you crave high-calorie foods. It will also cause lack of energy, which is essential for bariatric patients that need to follow their exercise routine.
It takes a while to get used to your new lifestyle but it will soon become second nature. Try these simple ways you can get your mind and body to work together towards a common goal: your health.
If you are looking into starting your own weight loss journey, get in contact with our team and patient coordinators. We are happy to help!
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