You may be wondering if it is OK to skip breakfast after bariatric surgery. The answer is: in most cases, it’s not a good idea. This is true even for people who haven’t had bariatric surgery, but after your procedure, breakfast becomes even more important. Here’s everything you need to know about breakfast being part of your recipe for success.
Why Skipping Breakfast After Weight Loss Surgery Is Problematic
We all know the phrase: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But when you are trying to lose weight after bariatric surgery, it becomes even more important. Skipping breakfast after surgery can cause a number of problems, including:
- You’ll be more likely to overeat later in the day. When you don’t eat the right bariatric breakfast foods, you’re more likely to get too hungry later on and end up eating too much at lunch or dinner. This can offset any weight loss you’ve achieved and may even cause you to gain weight.
- You’ll miss out on important nutrients. Breakfast is a great time to get in some essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and folic acid. If you skip it, you may end up deficient in these important nutrients.
- Your metabolism will slow down. Breakfast helps jumpstart your metabolism for the day ahead. Without it, your metabolism will slow down and you’ll have less energy to get through the day.
- You may have trouble concentrating. Breakfast provides you with the energy you need to power through your morning tasks. If you don’t eat it, you may find yourself feeling foggy-headed and struggling to focus on what you need to do.
For all of these reasons, it’s generally not a good idea to skip breakfast after weight loss surgery. Make it a part of your post-op bariatric diet.
But What If You Are Struggling to Get in All of Your Meals?
Your body has changed in a radical way, and you might find it difficult to get in every meal. If you’re having trouble eating first thing in the morning, try some of these tips:
- Eat a smaller dinner. If you’re struggling to eat breakfast because you’re still full from the night before, try eating a lighter dinner. This will help make room for breakfast the next day.
- Get up earlier. If you find yourself rushing in the morning and don’t have time for breakfast, try getting up earlier so you can enjoy a leisurely meal.
- Keep easy-to-eat foods on hand. If cooking breakfast is hard or you don’t have much of an appetite in the morning, keep some quick and easy foods on hand, like yogurt, granola bars, or fruit. A great bariatric breakfast idea is to make overnight oats so they are ready to go in the morning. That way, you can grab something to eat even if you’re not feeling very hungry.
No matter what, it’s important to listen to your body and give it what it needs. If you’re struggling to get in all of your meals, talk to our doctors or registered dietitians who can help you figure out a plan that works for you. And if you have yet to have your procedure, contact us about weight loss surgery in Mexico.
