Gastric Balloon and Food Restrictions
Spatz3 is the world’s only Adjustable Gastric Balloon System
Gastric balloon food restrictions are something you should be aware of if you’re considering a gastric balloon. Though the foods to avoid with a gastric balloon may seem restrictive at first, you’ll quickly realize that the gastric balloon post op diet is one that you’ll want to adhere to regularly even after the balloon is removed. Learn what the gastric balloon food plan is, so you can enthusiastically prepare for a healthier lifestyle.
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Food Restrictions Immediately After Gastric Balloon Insertion
You’re likely already aware that right before your gastric balloon is inserted and right after, you’ll need to observe a liquid diet for a short period. The liquid diet is comprised of clear liquids with no added sugars. This typically only lasts for about three days.
When you’re ready to move forward from clear liquids, you’ll be allowed to consume thicker liquids and purees. Again, you want to avoid sugary foods and carbonated drinks. Examples of what you can eat at this stage include:
- Protein shakes (shakes you make yourself with protein powder or those that are pre-made.)
- Greek yogurt.
- Milk (any unsweetened is fine; Fairlife is a recommended brand.)
- Vegetable juice. (ex: V-8)
- Blended soups (no large chunks or pieces.)
- Sugar-free apple sauce or fruit purees.
- Vegetable purees (no chunks.)
- Sugar-free pudding.
While the gastric balloon post op diet starts around day three, you’ll also follow a similar diet with other gastric procedures. Diet restrictions after gastric sleeve and dietary restrictions after gastric bypass are no different in terms of what you eat; the only shift in terms of gastric bypass or gastric sleeve food restrictions pertains to when you can go off the liquid diet and onto a thick liquid diet and then to a semi-solid food diet.
Your Semi-Solid Food Diet Plan
When you’re ready, usually a week after you’ve gotten your gastric balloon, you’ll advance to a semi-solid foods diet. The semi-solid food diet serves as a transition into the regular diet that you’ll follow while the gastric balloon is inserted.
Gastric balloon food restrictions are intended to help you adjust comfortably. Semi-solid foods that you’ll want to eat include those that are high in protein, low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, and nutrient-rich:
- Avocados.
- Canned fish (tuna, salmon, etc.)
- Canned chicken.
- Crab meat.
- Deli meat.
- Tenderly cooked meats (typically slow-smoked or slow-cooked in a Dutch oven.)
- Scrambled eggs.
- Steamed or softened vegetables (squash, potato, sweet potato, green beans, etc.)
- Soft cheeses (cottage, ricotta, string, etc.)
- Tofu.
- Greek yogurt.
Again, you’ll want to avoid high-sugar and added sugar foods. Not only are these foods full of empty calories, but they can also upset your stomach.
Your Regular Gastric Balloon Food Plan
When you’re ready, you’ll transition to your regular dietary plan. Your regular diet is something you’ll to adhere to after the gastric balloon is removed as well. It’s best to reframe your thought process. at this point. Rather than thinking of it as “gastric balloon food restrictions”, think of it as gastric balloon food allowances.
Your mindset about your gastric balloon post op diet will make a huge difference in your enthusiasm about your diet moving forward. Your new diet will need to follow the following guidelines:
- Low-calorie (1,000-1,200 per day).
- High-protein (75-105 grams per day).
- Lower carbohydrate (fewer than 75 grams and only 25-50 for faster results).
- Reasonable fat (40-50 grams per day).
- Low-sugar (fewer than 25 grams per day).
Be mindful of your beverages in your diet plan. Avoid sodas and carbonated drinks. Alcohol is also high-calorie and high in carbohydrates and sugars (especially if it’s a mixed drink) and provides no nutritional value. You can easily exceed your caloric intake with drinks if you don’t factor those into your dietary plan.
Making Your Gastric Balloon Food Restrictions Work for You
A few tips for making your gastric balloon food restrictions work include:
- Eat small meals and frequent snacks (three small meals and three snacks) throughout the day. This ensures you don’t get too hungry nor do you overeat, which can make you feel uncomfortable.
- Have a daily protein shake as a snack or a meal—protein shakes make for great breakfast options.
- Pair fruits and grains with proteins.
- Drink at least a half-gallon (64 ounces) of water per day. Water will help you feel full and will keep your system well-lubricated.
- Use a food journal.
- Plan your meals and shopping lists.
- Swap to natural or healthy sweets such as Greek yogurt with fresh fruit.
Menu planning and tracking your journey with a food journal can be very rewarding. Take photos of yourself, so you can see your before and after progress.
You should also incorporate exercise into your lifestyle. Spend at least half an hour a day five days a week engaged in an activity. Do a combination of cardiovascular activities and strength-building activities. Lean muscle will naturally help you burn more fat, and getting your heart rate up helps burn calories, so balance is important. If you stick to this plan, then everything you do will work in your favor in terms of weight loss with a gastric balloon.
Knowing what gastric balloon food restrictions are is important, so you can menu plan and so you can get excited about a healthy new dietary lifestyle!
The more you adhere to your gastric balloon diet, the more weight you lose. You also lose more weight with the Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon, which can be dialed up or dialed down to fulfill your unique needs on your weight loss journey. Contact Spatz Medical today to learn more about how the Spatz3 gastric balloon can help you lose weight.
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