Bariatric surgery provides us
with a life-altering tool toward health and wellness if we commit to it, but we
also must find adequate coping strategies to manage the emotional and
psychological challenges that emerge post-surgery. Now as the autumn
season reaches its glorious heights of color, scents, and tasty offerings, a wide range of memories may begin to stir, many of which are
bittersweet. For example, many of us may hold memories from Halloweens past as
some of the most prominent of our childhoods. For those of us that struggled
with weight, and often teasing, isolation, or bullying about size, we found a
temporary escape in our trick or treating costumes, becoming someone else for
that special night. The autumn season still conjures potent imagery and
feelings for many of us now as adults. Symbolically, holidays like Halloween
and food-centric Thanksgiving may come to represent “my old life.”
Post-surgery, patients may feel a sense of deprivation, loss, and resentment
over the ability to enjoy certain fall foods. After a while, protein
supplements and other types of “replacement foods” may seem like poor
substitutes for the seasonal dishes others are enjoying. But, it doesn’t have
to be that way. The authentic foods and flavors of autumn can work in the
post-op diet, with some effort and planning. This whole-grain-based breakfast
recipe for Pumpkin-Pecan Oatmeal with Pears is an example.
Pumpkin-Pecan Oatmeal
with Pears
Ingredients:
1 cup non-fat milk
½ cup non-fat powdered
milk
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie
spice
1 cup quick cooking oats
(uncooked)
½ cup canned pumpkin
puree
2 cups canned pears in
juice (diced)
2 tablespoons sugar
substitute (Splenda)
8 ounces light vanilla
yogurt
2 tablespoons finely
chopped pecans
Directions:
Combine skim milk and
powdered milk, sugar substitute, and pumpkin spices in a saucepan on medium
heat for 2 to 3 minutes and bring to the boiling point, stirring occasionally.
Add oatmeal and heat for about 30 seconds. Add pumpkin pulp, pecans, vanilla
yogurt, and pears and mix. Continue to heat about another minute, until oatmeal
is heated through. (This recipe serves 4 and provides 11g
protein per serving.)
Breakfast post-surgery
presents the dual challenges of maintaining adequate protein intake and fending
off boredom in food choices. Think of Halloween and dress everyday breakfast
ideas up in some new creative outfits.
Transform your basic egg dishes into Cajun deviled eggs, sweet potato
or kale and tomato frittatas, or give tofu a try in a veggie scramble. Swirl
some canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice into your Greek yogurt or cottage
cheese for a seasonal treat. Also,
consider “non-breakfast” foods for breakfast, especially high-protein whole
grains like quinoa and amaranth, fish dishes (consider heart-healthy smoked
salmon), and roasted chickpeas.
Remember: Navigating holiday
eating is about making choices, not deprivation. If you love Halloween and the
autumn season, there is no need to give up one of your favorite times of year
due to the “candy dilemma.” If you had bariatric surgery, why risk dumping syndrome or overindulging by having
Halloween candy around in the first place? Instead of tempting yourself with
bowls of candy, give out small toys to your trick or treaters. You made the
decision to have bariatric surgery to improve your health and quality of life.
Embrace new coping strategies and make better lifestyle choices to enjoy a
fuller, healthier life post-bariatric surgery.
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| The Precious Little Pumpkin (M. Blacke) |
Recipe Source: Yummly.com.
