How To Stop Food Cravings After Weight Loss Surgery

Both preparing for a surgery and focusing on weight loss after surgery are challenging tasks. They happen because of stress, boredom, environmental factors as well as not following a regular schedule or diet. They are more a result of brain chemistry and the need for pleasure and not the need for nutrients necessarily. Hence they need to be controlled.

But if you are a bariatric surgery patient or recovering from it, how do you prevent a potential craving?

Regular Meals

If you skip a meal, it can cause extreme hunger later on, and it may lead to unhealthy food choices. It is healthier to eat meals in small increments, according to how full you feel, instead of skipping them.

Planning Ahead

You may eat healthy snacks in between meals to avoid cravings. Planning ahead is a good way to ensure that you don’t succumb to a sudden craving, or go outside the health plan.

Hydration

Drink sufficient water and fluids daily. Dehydration can cause more hunger and cravings. Water is not only good to combat this, but also has a score of benefits for the human body.

Balanced Diet

Protein remains the priority in your meals. But it is also important to include some vegetables and fibre, healthy carbohydrates like fruit and whole grains, and also healthy fats like nuts and olive oil in your diet. While doing so, consider your current dietary stage after your surgery.

Resist Sweets

Although resisting sweets can be a huge challenge, avoid completely depriving yourself until you cave. It is better to indulge in small serving of your favourite desserts while you are craving.

Control Your Hunger

Rather than eating when you are hungry, eating by the clock will help regularize the eating habits. To control your hunger, you have to eat during your meal-time even if you are not hungry yet. This will help set your body clock accordingly and regularise your habits.

Distraction

Occupy your mind with other activities such as walking or watching a movie to distract yourself. Try not to dwell on your cravings. It is also a good idea to reach out to a friend or loved one who can not only help you keep your cravings in check, but also provide support.

Avoid Things Than Create More Cravings

Whenever you start having cravings, try to not gravitate towards places or surroundings that will heighten your cravings, such as passing by fast food stores or watching food YouTubers.

At the Weight Loss Surgery Centre of Los Angeles, Dr. Davtyan can help in answering all your doubts before you decide on a surgery. With personalized guidance and proper consultation, you will get a detailed analysis of your weight loss goals.