Weight loss surgery abroad is becoming more and more relevant. The traditional methods of exercising and healthy dieting seem not to have made much impact on obese individuals.
As the resolve to embark on medical tourism tightens, more people are getting aware of the impressive changes that await them after weight loss surgery. It is common to place patients on a daily routine of diets and exercises. The target is to help them lose weight faster.
However, the popular notion that a reduction in calorie intake is the fastest way to lose weight is under challenge. The latest development is to cut down on other weight-triggering foods such as refined sugars. Anyone who has ever been on a weight loss diet knows that calorie reduction is the standard prescription for weight loss. This basis has kept many in the dark because they cannot explore other means of faster weight loss after the surgery.
In contrast to this, new landmarks are set to take over the mainstream weight loss plan. Recent studies suggest that people who cut back on refined sugars and other processed foods tend to lose weight faster. In addition, additional intake of whole foods and vegetables enhance the chances of a long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery.
Despite the amazing benefits that come with reduction in sugar and processed food, some patients find it difficult to let go. It is worth noting that excess sugar is one of the causes of obesity. In addition, it triggers other obesity-related diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Cutting down sugar isn’t easy and it might take some time before a patient adapts to it. When successfully done away with, the health benefits are many and the patient will be happy aboutmaking the choice.
It might interest you to know that the exponential results kick in almost immediately after you rein your sweet tooth. To this end, it is important to avoid refined sugars, processed foods, and any other meal that can trigger weight regain.
Why you should Avoid Refined Sugars
After bariatric surgery, the patient starts a “new life”. Changes such as reduction in meals and regulation of diets will be the new standard for a bariatric patient’s food intake. Sugar makes the list of foods to avoid. It is a notable fact that carbohydrates are the main source of sugar. In addition, snacks and packaged meals are some other sources of sugar. While carbohydrates fuelthe body by converting into glucose, much intake of sugar can be bad for the health. In the light of this, it is important to keep away from foods that contain much sugar. After the surgery, it is the duty of the patient to read food labels carefully before buying.
Since carbohydrate is essential to the body, what is the basis for calling off sugars? At this point, it is pertinent to note that refined sugars absorb water quickly from the body. Because of this, you might crave the taste for more.
Sugar is important in the body but after bariatric sugar, it is important to cut back on the intake. There are hundreds of no-sugar recipes for you to select. If you chose to buy from the stores, always go through the labels and be sure the sugar content is not above your expectations.Taking steps to cut back on sugar intake is one of the ways to faster weight loss. A decrease in the intake of refined sugars not only reduces the breakout of diseases but also helps you feel energized.
Most often, surgeons kick against patients’ continuous intake of calories after bariatric surgery. These calories come from sugary foods. A bariatric patient that consumes many sugary foods per day is at the risk of regaining some of the lost weight. This is because of the fact that sugary foods contain a high amount of calories and continuous intake raises the total number of calories in the body.
The Benefits of a Sugar-Free Diet
Cutting back on sugar is not an easy task. However, some positive inclinations await you if you can beat the sweet tooth.
• Keeping off Extra Kilos of Flesh:
After passing through the knife, a patient would not want to have a taste of it again. Reducing or cutting off sugar intake is a task to accomplish. By doing this, you reduce the consumption of calories. There are indications from several medical quarters that humans consume about 22 teaspoons of sugar a day. When broken down, this figure shows that we consume about 350 calories on daily basis. The addictive tendencies of sugars make them a hard hut to crack. When consuming refined sugar, the body shows no signs of getting full. This is the reason why you keep consuming; thereby increasing the amount of calorie intake. This, in turn, triggers weight gain. However, you can get around this by reducing the number of sugars you take in. The hormones regulate themselves better when you consume whole foods.
• Adolescence at your Doorstep:
The moment you take the decision to cut back on refined sugars and follow it up with consumption of whole foods, you start looking younger. Continuous intake of refined sugars causes glycation. It is worth noting that glycation is a process that propels the sugar molecules to destroy the skin’s elastin and collagen. Elastin and collagen are body proteins that enhance the youthfulness of the skin. In another scenario, reduction in sugar helps in the reduction of glucose and acute inflammations that cause aging. Why don’t you give up the amount of sugar you eat and have adolescence knocking at your doorstep?
• It’s Goodbye to Diabetes:
Diabetes is one of the obesity-related diseases. Most times, the cure comes after bariatric surgery. On the other hand, you can wave goodbye to the disease when you reduce your sugar intake. Incidences of high blood pressure also get a reduction. There are reports that excess sugar intake increases the spate of triglycerides. This is an unhealthy blood fat that increases the chances of stroke and heart disease.
• Wave off Depression:
Obese individuals are often the laughing stock. They get jeers andintimidations from their peers and the wider society. These unfortunate circumstances can trigger depression. However, excess intake of refined sugar triggers depression. Foods that are rich in sugar actually lead to higher rates of depression. In addition, this could lead to chronic inflammation and in turn, affect the functions of the brain. By cutting down sugar intake, you feel happier and less moody.
Are Processed Foods Good or Bad for the Health?
There are different perceptions of processed foods’ roles in obesity. Some suggestions posit that they cause obesity. The other school of thought holds that processed foods cause heart disease. In spite of these claims, there seems to be little evidence to support them. The notion that “junk foods” increase the chances of obesity is not out of place. In the actual sense, these foods contain some amount of sugar that could be bad for the health. On the other hand, the foods that you buyoff the shelves may not be helping the waistline. At this point, it is important to realize the drastic changes processed foods make to the human health.
Processed Foods are High in Sugar
Most times, people are confused about what “processed foods” entail. These foods undergo different processing. They start from their raw agricultural commodities and transform to different food variations. As the processing continues, other products come in. Refined sugar is an example of an agricultural product that used on processed foods. The extent of changes these foods undergo is because of the processing. In another scenario, there is the tendency that a family consumes an average of two (2) processed foods every day. About 150,000 households patronize over 1.2 million products that are processed.
With these figures, it is evident that processed foods are part of the traditional meal plan of every family. It might interest you to know that the majority of these foods are high in saturated fat, sugar, and calories. That is more than enough sugar intake! Only about 10% of these foods require cooking. The rest (such as cookies) require immediate consumption. To this end, it is clear that processed foods are high in sugar. Therefore, efforts should be in place to cut back on the intake.
The Bad Sides of Processed Foods
You might savor the experience of eating to your satisfaction without having to cook. Processed foods (such as snacks) provide the medium to achieve this. However, take note that these foods are not good for health. If you do not wish to pass through the herculean process of shedding extra kilos of flesh, it is important to avoid these foods. Here are some reasons why processed foods are bad for you and your waistline:
• Overeating:
Processed foods are addictive and cause you to overeat. With their high concentration in sugars, excess consumption can trigger obesity and other related diseases such as diabetes. Whole foods have the right concentration of nutrients but when processed, some of these are lost. When you feel at home eating processed foods, you tend to become an addict. Your addiction takes the upper hand when you lose control of the food you eat. Hence, you can consume as your craving directs.
• Longer Shelf Life:
While you go about eating processed foods have in mind that they contain chemicals and preservatives. These are in place to elongate their value while on the shelves. It is important to note that these foods are to stay longer on the shelf. This does not necessarily imply longer life for the consumers. Instead, it is a step closer to diseases (and probably death).
• Misleading Labels:
The awareness of the ingenuity of processed foods is fast spreading. In this regard, pay attention to labels on processed foods before buying. However, be at your wit’s end because these labels can be misleading.
How can I Stop the Consumption?
Refined sugars and processed foods are already part of human existence. It is pertinent to reduce their consumptions at this time. Several obesity cases link back to them. This is an indication that their effects on human life are not positive. While processed foods seem to be the fastest ride to eating, they actually cause damages to the health. In addition, with the deceptive labels on them, it is hard to differentiate. Hence, it is pertinent to find solutions to stop consumptions of these foods. So what steps are better? We present to you three (3) viable methods you can leverage in getting over processed foods and refined sugars.
1. Concentrate on Low-Diet Foods
The first to getting rid of “junk foods” is eating foods that can facilitate your recovery. Surgeons often recommend low-diet foods. In addition, make sure proteins are high in each of your daily meal intakes. You should target at least 80 grams of proteins per day. The abundance of proteins in your meals helps you keep off lean muscles and hair loss.
2. Cut down on Calories
Calories and sugary foods cause obesity. If you have to keep off the weight you lost crawling back, it is pertinent you cut down your calorie intake. A diet that is low in processed foods tends to help you recover fast. In addition, it would be a lot better if you can prepare the meals yourself. Look out for foods that are low in carbohydrates and refined sugar (you can ask your doctor to recommend some).
3. Change Your Relationship with Food
You can actually relate with food! How do you relate to your meals? Do you munch them while strolling down the street? Do you eat while watching your favorite program on the television? Perhaps you eat in the car or while working! These are eating disorders and you have to stop them. Most foods that you eat while working cannot actually pass for whole foods. Afterbariatric surgery, change your relationship with food.
Food consumption is a job and requires dexterity to pull through it. When you eat without concentration, you are giving room for wrong digestion. In addition, make sure you eat whole foods. When the concentration is on preparing and consuming whole foods, your attention tends to be there. In addition, when you change your eating pattern and stop eating while working, you increase the chances of sustaining your weight loss. To keep off processed foods after bariatric surgery, go for whole foods and concentrate when consuming them.
Refine your Lifestyle
Weight loss surgeries make changes to the lifestyle of patients. They tend to lose contact with friends and family that cannot fathom their new lifestyle. After bariatric surgery, refine your lifestyle and become the better version of yourself. You can start by cutting down calorie intake. In addition, consume little-processed foods and cut down your sugar intake. These steps will guarantee you long-term sustainability of your weight loss goals. You can get in touch with the medical team at Weight Loss Riga if you have any concerns about the diet guidelines after the surgery.
