Cut the Calories in Rice by Cooking it Differently
Rice is one of the most widely eaten foods in the world, but for people trying to manage weight, blood sugar, or calorie intake, it often ends up on the “limit or avoid” list after bariatric surgery. Different varieties contain different nutrient profiles, but they are generally considered carb-heavy and easy to overeat.
But what if the way rice is cooked could change how the body processes it?
Researchers explored whether simple changes in cooking and cooling rice can reduce the number of calories the body actually absorbs. So, does it work?
Will Bariatric Surgery Affect My Bowel Movements?
Bariatric surgery fundamentally alters the digestive system, and most conversations focus on nutrient absorption, supplementation, and food choices. What happens at the other end of digestion seems to get less attention.
Discussing bathroom habits is not glamorous and can even be embarrassing to bring up, but it’s an important part of postoperative life. If you’re considering weight loss surgery or are already on the other side of it, understanding how your bowel movements might change can help you feel prepared and reassured about knowing what’s normal and when to speak up.
Should I Be Eating Rice After Bariatric Surgery?
Watching what you eat is a major aspect of bariatric success. With less gastric real estate to hold food in, you have to make the calories and nutrients you consume count.
Rice is often discouraged due to its not-so-nutrient-dense nature and the space it takes up in the smaller gastric pouch after surgery. But can you still eat it? It depends on how you pick it, cook it, portion it, and pair it.
On the Road: Sticking to a Bariatric Diet While Traveling
Travel can challenge even the most disciplined eating patterns. Flights, hotels, restaurants, family gatherings, and unfamiliar schedules can all make it tempting to stray from the habits you’ve worked so hard to establish.
With a bit of foresight, planning, and self-compassion, you can maintain your progress while still enjoying the adventure.
Can I Still Eat Desserts After Bariatric Surgery?
Food is fuel, but it also connects us to culture, tradition, celebration, and memory. Can I still eat desserts after bariatric surgery? is a fair question.
Even though the short answer is yes, it’s within the context of new eating patterns. Bariatric surgery changes the gut, the brain, hunger signals, and even how sweetness feels on the tongue.
Is There a “Wrong” BMI for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments for people with severe obesity and its related health risks. But when it comes to eligibility, there can be some confusion around a key number: body mass index (BMI).
Updates in 2022 to professional guidelines show that the answer isn’t as simple as it once was. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) have expanded their recommendations, reflecting a more individualized and medically nuanced approach.1
After Bariatric Surgery Protein: Plant vs Animal
Protein is protein, right? Not exactly.
As a macronutrient, protein is the building block of bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, and organs. It fuels muscle repair, supports immune function, participates in metabolic reactions, and even serves as an energy source when calories are tight. Healthy adults typically need about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, making up 10-35% of daily calories, in order for these functions to occur.
Carbonated Beverages and Beer Are a No-No
From the fizz of soda to the frothy head of a cold beer, carbonated beverages are woven into modern culture as part of our social and dietary habits. They’re marketed as refreshing, celebratory, and relaxing. But there’s more to it beneath the bubbles.
Carbonated drinks, and especially beer, for a post-surgery bariatric patient could carry digestive and metabolic drawbacks that are easy to overlook. It may be wise to step back from the bubbles and consider healthier alternatives.
The Food Rainbow: Packing a Colorful (and Healthy!) Plate
Scroll through social media, and the most eye-catching dishes often have one thing in common – color. A pop of red from ripe tomatoes, deep purple berries, crisp green herbs, or bright orange squash is attention-grabbing.
Visually, color signals freshness, texture, and appeal. But beyond aesthetics, those vibrant hues reflect a nutritional backstory: variety in color equals variety in health-promoting compounds. Each pigment corresponds to a unique profile of phytochemicals with distinct protective effects on the body.
When dietary advice recommends eating a variety of colors, it refers to the edible spectrum of bioactive benefits, not just aesthetically pleasing plates.
One Foot In Front of the Other: Pre- and Post-Surgery Exercise
Your body may be one of the best tools you have for supporting weight loss. How so? By putting one foot in front of the other.
Bariatric surgery kickstarts a major health transformation, but how you move your body helps keep the momentum going. Low-impact movement tailored to your current ability might not seem like much, but small, consistent increases in activity help manage weight, boost mood, and improve energy while building stamina and mobility.
The more consistently you integrate exercise before and after surgery, the more benefits you’re likely to see.
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