Achieving a new healthy lifestyle with your Realize™ Band means eating and drinking in a new way. This means smaller portions and appropriate food choices.

The following tips are on healthy eating. Don’t forget, along with these tips, Realize mySuccess™ will empower you with many tools to help you manage your diet.

• Eat several small nutritionally balanced meals each day. Your bariatric program will give you advice regarding the variety of foods that are appropriate to maintain healthy and balanced nutrition. The following are a few examples of “band friendly” recipes. REALIZE mySUCCESS will give you access to these recipes and many more.
  • Chicken Piccata
  • Salmon Croquettes with Sweet Corn Salsa
  • Creamy Chicken Dijon
• Eat approximately 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of food at each meal and note that protein will stay in your upper stomach longer than other foods.
• Do not snack between meals.
• Sip 64 ounces (8 cups) of low-calorie, noncarbonated fluids daily. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages because bubbles in these drinks may temporarily block your stoma, may cause discomfort, and may increase burping.
• Do not drink anything 15-30 minutes before a meal and do not drink during a meal. Wait 30-60 minutes after a meal before drinking anything. Liquid will cause food to empty from your upper stomach too quickly. The goal is to keep food in your upper stomach so that you feel full sooner and stay full longer.
• Take very small bites and chew each bite slowly and thoroughly, and wait a few moments between each bite, as well.
• Avoid foods that may block your stoma. Examples include bread, pineapple, celery, fibrous foods, and non-tender cuts of red meats. Later, as you become accustomed to your REALIZE Band, you may find that you do not have to avoid these foods.
• Don’t forget to listen to your REALIZE Band and pay attention to the signals it sends your body.With time, you will recognize the signals telling you that you may be eating too much.

Remember we’re here for you! Continue to use this site and REALIZE mySUCCESS as sources of diet information and tips.

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