Nutrition Therapy

Approximately 2 weeks after Surgery

Guidelines

  • Chew, chew, chew! You cannot over-chew your food.
  • Drink, drink, drink! But do not drink while eating. Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal before drinking fluids. When you do drink, sip—don’t gulp or use straws. Do not drink alcohol.
  • Stop eating when you feel full. If you keep eating, you may vomit. Overeating also stretches the pouch and may keep you from losing weight.
  • Get enough protein. At meals, always eat protein first. Continue to use a liquid protein supplement.
  • Eat several small meals every day.
  • Take your vitamins every day.

Recommended Foods after Surgery

High-Protein Foods

  • Light (low-sugar) yogurt
  • Low-fat cottage cheese
  • Shredded low-fat cheese
  • Tuna packed in water
  • Crab, fish, scallops, and oysters (avoid fried)
  • Skinless chicken or turkey, cooked until very tender and cut into small pieces
  • Lean pork or beef, cooked until very tender and cut in small pieces
  • Beans and lentils
  • Low-fat deli meats

Other Healthy Choices

  • Cream of wheat, oatmeal, or Malt-o-Meal with added protein powder
  • Cold cereal soaked in milk until soggy
  • Cooked tender vegetables without peels or seeds
  • Ripe banana; fruit canned in its own juice or water (not canned in syrup)
  • Low-fat soups with added protein powder or strained meat

One-Day Sample Menu

Take 15 minutes to eat each meal. Do not drink fluids at meals or for 30 minutes
after the meal.

7:00 am 1 egg, poached or scrambled without added fat
½ cup oatmeal with 1 scoop protein powder
1 chewable multivitamin tablet
8:00 am 1 cup skim milk—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
9:00 am 1 cup decaffeinated coffee—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
10:00 am 1 cup liquid protein supplement—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes).
11:00 am 1 cup sugar-free lemonade—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
12:00
Noon
2 to 3 tablespoons strained beef
2 tablespoons mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons pureed green beans
1 chewable calcium tablet
1:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
2:00 pm 1 cup decaffeinated tea with sugar substitute—Sip slowly
(¼ cup every 15 minutes)
3:00 pm 1 cup liquid protein supplement—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
5:00 pm 2 to 3 tablespoons strained turkey
2 tablespoons mashed potato
2 tablespoons pureed carrots
1 chewable multivitamin tablet
6:00 pm ½ cup sugar-free instant pudding, made with 1 scoop protein powder
7:00 pm 1 cup liquid protein supplement—sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
8:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)
9:00 pm ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon
1 chewable calcium tablet
10:00 pm 1 cup water—Sip slowly (¼ cup every 15 minutes)