Eating out stress-free after Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass in Utah
What’s your favorite restaurant? If you’ve had gastric bypass in Utah, your answer to this question may not be so clear. Though Salt Lake City is filled with eateries that may once have seemed inviting, those same restaurants can be intimidating now that you have to stick to a bariatric diet.
Eating out can be a source of stress after gastric bypass, and all other weight loss surgeries. Restaurant portion sizes are gigantic even for someone without a reduced stomach capacity, while the food served is frequently overloaded with fat, sugar or both. Yet eating out is something unavoidable for most of us—when you’re on the road, going to a business lunch or celebrating a special occasion with friends, it’s tough to avoid walking through those restaurant doors.
Many people avoid restaurants indefinitely after gastric bypass, but you don’t have to. By approaching each dining experience carefully, you can have a great time at any restaurant without making a dietary decision you’ll regret. These tips should help you stay happy and healthy when eating out after weight loss surgery:
Pick proper portions.
Portions in American restaurants are insanely oversized, which becomes an even bigger issue with your smaller stomach volume after gastric bypass, Lap Band or sleeve gastrectomy. You can circumvent this issue in one of several ways:
- Split a meal with a friend.
- Eat a sensible portion and bring the rest home for a meal tomorrow.
- Order small, healthy items like soups, salads or appetizers instead of an entrée.
- Order a reduced portion size. Some restaurants offer smaller portions and even discounts if you present a WLS Restaurant Card.
Look before you leap.
It’s the 21st century—most restaurants have their menus freely available online. Go to the restaurant’s website or a review site like yelp.com to see if the menu has anything that meets the demands of your diet. Planning ahead will take some of the pressure out of making a decision at the table. If you don’t find anything you’ll be able to eat, you can ask the other diners to pick a different restaurant or eat a small meal beforehand and just join your friends to socialize.
When in doubt, ask questions.
Your server is there to help you have a great experience at the restaurant. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications or meal alternatives. Sometimes, a server will be able to tell you about healthy options that aren’t listed on the menu, or guide you towards something that meets your dietary restrictions.
Utah’s many fine restaurants can make eating out after gastric bypass a pain, but the right strategies will take some stress out of your dining experiences. What are some of the best restaurants in Salt Lake City to eat after weight loss surgery? Tell us about your favorites in the comments below.