LAP-BAND^® Food Stages Lists Suggestions

Originally Posted by jollyrgers

Very slow loss- I love my vegies, Im supposed to eat them second, but I always eat them first. I work next door to amn ice cream store and it is hard not to indulge when I smell them baking their waffle cones.

Originally Posted by dylansmom

Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists, as I've noticed a lot of questions about this topic in the past.

*STAGE 1 - LIQUIDS

START: When you return home from your surgery

DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.

DIET: Clear and full liquids

GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

Water
100% Fruit Juice (No sugar added)
Bouillon
Strained soups or broths
Skim or 1% milk
Soy milk
Milk Shakes - thinned
Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
Yogurt Smoothie Drinks - not including homemade
Crystal Light
Sugar free beverages
Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee
Popsicles (Pedialyte)

LIQUIDS TO AVOID:

Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)
Acidic liquids (tomato juice, tomato soup, buttermilk)
Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)
Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water)
Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies
Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*


*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES

START: 2 weeks post surgery

DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage

DIET: Soft food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOODS RECOMMENDED:

Milk (skim or 1% only)
Cottage cheese
Eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)
Blended cream soups
Yogurt
Low Fat Cheese - unmelted
Peanut Butter
Tofu (silken only)
Pudding
Applesauce or other fruit sauces
Canned fruits
Mashed potatoes
Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)

*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS

START: 4 weeks post surgery

DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage

DIET: Semi-solid food

GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOOD RECOMMENDED:

Deli cuts of meat
Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken
Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey
Beans
Tofu
Baked fish or crab meat
Pasta, rice, and corn
Fresh fruit - eliminate skins
Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks
Low Fat melted cheese

FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:

Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies
Regular Jello
Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high fiber foods

*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS

RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:

PROTEIN GROUP:

1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish

1/4 cup yogurt

1/4 cup pudding

1/4 cup cottage cheese

1 egg, 2 egg whites

1/4 cup egg substitute

1 tbsp. peanut butter

1 ounce tofu

1 ounce cheese

1/4 cup canned flake meat

1 slice deli meat

2 tbsp. grated cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup beans

1/4 cup hommus

GRAIN GROUP:

1/2 slice toast

1/4 bagel or english muffin

1/2 cup cereal (cooked or dry)

1/2 cup broth-type soup

1 oblong graham cracker

1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato

1/2 small baked potato

1/4 cup corn

4 crackers

FRUIT GROUP:

1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)

1/4 cup grapes

1/2 piece fresh fruit

1 tsp. jelly or jam

1/4 cup dry fruit

VEGETABLE GROUP:

1/2 cup cooked vegetables

1 cup raw vegetables

1/2 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa

OTHERS GROUP:

1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine

1 tsp. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. Miracle Whip

1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese

1 tbsp. salad dressing

2 tbsp. guacamole

4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans

1 ounce cheese

2 tsp. peanut butter

1 tbsp. tahini

1/4 cup Cool-Whip

1 tsp. sugar, honey, or syrup

COMBINATION FOODS:

1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal

1/2 cup per snack

CORE PLAN:

BREAKFAST:

1-2 proteins

1 fruit

2 grains

1 other

LUNCH:

2-3 proteins

1 vegetable

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 fruit

1 protein

DINNER:

2-3 proteins

1-2 vegetables

2 grains

1 other

SNACK:

1 vegetable

1 grain

I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too.

Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one.

Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.