The BariGirls Principles of Eating – Success- Yes Done!!!!!!

✅ Key Principles from The BariGirls

Here are some of the major points The BariGirls emphasize:

• After surgery you’ll begin with a pureed foods phase, where foods are cooked until soft then blended. For example: pears, bananas, apples, mangoes, cooked vegetables, chickpeas, etc. BariGirls+1

• In that phase they advise adding a scoop of protein powder into the blended fruits/vegetables mixture to boost protein intake. BariGirls

• They remind you to stop eating at the slightest feeling of fullness (because your capacity is much lower post-surgery). BariGirls+1

• Not just quantity, but nutrient density is critical — because you’ll eat less volume, what you do eat needs to be high quality. This aligns with standard bariatric nutrition advice.

• It’s about a new, lifelong way of eating — they talk about “Step into your new life. Eat. Drink. Be Bari. Let the new you shine.” BariGirls

🕒 Typical Nutrition Stages

While The BariGirls cover pureed foods in depth, many guidelines (including from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) outline a multi-phase progression:

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

The BariGirls particularly explain the pureed phase: “The pureed stage lasts for 2-3 weeks… Breakfast can be a serving of pureed fruit … 1/3 cup or less, depending on how you tolerate that amount.” BariGirls

🎯 Important Long-Term Habits

Beyond the phases, here are important habits to adopt (supported by The BariGirls and general guidance):

• Protein first: Emphasize high-quality lean protein at each meal. Because you eat less volume, protein helps maintain muscle, satiety, and healing.

• Drink fluids separately from meals: Avoid drinking right before, during, and just after meals so you don’t fill up on fluids and leave no room for nutrient-rich foods.

• Hydration: Keep up adequate fluid intake (some guidelines say ~64 ounces/day) to avoid dehydration, constipation etc. ASMBS

• Chew thoroughly, eat slowly: Because the digestive tract has changed, large pieces of food or eating too quickly can cause discomfort, blockage, nausea.

• Avoid high sugar, high fat, carbonated drinks, alcohol: These can cause complications (e.g., “dumping syndrome”) and hinder weight-loss.

• Lifelong vitamins/minerals: Because of reduced intake and sometimes absorption, you will likely require daily supplementation as your medical team recommends.

• Portion control & mindful eating: Stop when you are full, avoid grazing or mindlessly snacking. The BariGirls stress “stop at the slightest feeling of fullness”. BariGirls+1

• Support / mindset: The BariGirls emphasize the psychological and behavioral side (“Finding happiness within yourself post weight loss surgery”, “Change your mind about healthy eating”). BariGirls

📝 Practical “Take-away” Checklist

Here’s a practical list you can use:

• At each meal, eat your protein first (lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy, soy, legumes as appropriate)

• Keep meal portions very small initially; progress slowly as tolerated

• Drink fluids between meals, not during meals

• Avoid high-sugar, high-fat, carbonated, alcoholic beverages

• Chew every bite thoroughly until it’s mush/puree-like before swallowing

• Use multivitamins/minerals daily as prescribed

• Prioritize fresh, minimally-processed foods (vegetables, fruit, lean protein)

• Be gentle with yourself: change takes time — both physically and mentally

• Follow your surgeon/dietitian’s instructions and attend regular follow-ups