Why You Should Keep a Food Journal After Bariatric Surgery
If you've been reading the Tijuana Bariatrics blog for some time, you know that we've dedicated many posts to life after bariatric surgery. Many times the focus is on knowing your body and its needs. This can be difficult to do at the start, but that's where discipline and organization are key.
With this in mind, we'd like to look at food diaries, which can be an important tool for you after undergoing bariatric surgery.
What Is a Food Journal?
Put simply, a food journal is a way for people to keep track of what they eat. Many nutritionists recommend food journals for people who are trying to lose weight so they can really assess the amount of food they are consuming as well as what time of day they eat. It's ideal for counting calories and noting any bad habits in one's diet.
Food diaries are a great option for people who have just undergone bariatric surgery as well. There are plenty of reasons why tracking meals, especially early on, is so important for successful treatment.
Understanding Your Eating Habits
As you adjust to life after bariatric surgery, you're bound to recognize many changes to your diet and lifestyle. A food diary is a good way to keep tabs on your cravings, what you've had during the day, and how often you're eating.
When keeping a food diary, be sure to note the following:
- What you ate
- How much you ate
- When you ate
- Where you ate
- How you felt while eating
This may seem trivial on its surface, but having this information on a day-to-day basis can be really helpful in the long run.
Tracking Your Nutritional Needs
Many people notice in their food diaries that they may be eating too much of one food group while neglecting other important foods. As you log your diet throughout the week, you can note any nutritional needs you may have, allowing you to alter your diet as needed so it's healthier and more balanced. This is also a great way to make sure you're only eating what you're supposed to be eating.
Monitoring Your Health on a Day-to-Day Basis
Life after bariatric surgery can be challenging, and being able to monitor your health each day is important for you and also for your doctor. If you notice issues with diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, or abdominal pain, be sure to note that. Patterns of issues may point to certain foods that disagree with you, or it may be the sign of a serious problem. Writing it down and having a record is a great way to help yourself, and in turn help medical professionals help you.
You Can Record More Than Your Meals
We mentioned recording how you felt while eating. We don't just mean indigestion or pain. You can also record your mood and energy level in your food diary as well. This is a great way to track how you feel about your surgery as you're recovering and moving toward wellness. If you notice issues with fatigue or low moods, reach out to your support network and talk about your struggles. We've noted before that weight loss surgery can lead to a number of emotional and psychological challenges, so the food diary is a good way to monitor these matters.
Keeping You on Schedule
Sometimes you just have to eat, and weight loss surgery can occasionally throw off your feelings of hunger. Generally you'll notice certain times of the day when you eat, and you may notice how these feeding times make you feel. If you notice that eating at a certain time leads to indigestion or other problems, you can note that you should avoid meals then, allowing you to eat at a time that's ideal for you.
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
To learn more about weight loss surgery and how to ensure great results that last, be sure to contact our advanced weight loss surgery center today. The entire team at Tijuana Bariatrics looks forward to your visit and helping you look your best and feel great.
