Lap Band Eating Plan

Why can't we all just follow this eating plan?

*STAGE 1 - LIQUIDS

START: When you return home from your surgery DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment. DIET: Clear and full liquids GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid for the day by continuous sipping.

LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:

• Water
• 100% Fruit Juice (No sugar added)
• Bouillon
• Strained soups or broths
• Skim or 1% milk
• Soy milk
• Milk Shakes - thinned
• Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
• Yogurt Smoothie Drinks - not including homemade
• Crystal Light
• Sugar free beverages
• Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee
• Popsicles (Pedialyte)

LIQUIDS TO AVOID:

• Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)
• Acidic liquids (tomato juice, tomato soup, buttermilk
• Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)
• Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water
• Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies
• Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*

*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES

START: 2 weeks post surgery DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage DIET: Soft food GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOODS RECOMMENDED:

• Milk (skim or 1% only)
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)
• Blended cream soups
• Yogurt
• Low Fat Cheese - unmelted
• Peanut Butter
• Tofu (silken only)
• Pudding
• Applesauce or other fruit sauces
• Canned fruits
• Mashed potatoes
• Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)

*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS

START: 4 weeks post surgery DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage DIET: Semi-solid food GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.

FOODS RECOMMENDED:

Deli cuts of meat

• Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken
• Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey
• Beans
• Tofu
• Baked fish or crab meat
• Pasta, rice, and corn
• Fresh fruit - eliminate skins
• Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks
• Low Fat melted cheese

FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:

• Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices
• Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies
• Regular Jello
• Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high fiber foods

*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS

RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:

PROTEIN GROUP:

• 1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup pudding
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese
• 1 egg, 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 ounce tofu
• 1 ounce cheese
• 1/4 cup canned flake meat
• 1 slice deli meat
• 2 tbsp. grated cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup beans
• 1/4 cup hommus

GRAIN GROUP:

• 1/2 slice toast
• 1/4 bagel or english muffin
• 1/2 cup cereal (cooked or dry)
• 1/2 cup broth-type soup
• 1 oblong graham cracker
• 1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato
• 1/2 small baked potato
• 1/4 cup corn
• 4 crackers

FRUIT GROUP:

• 1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)
• 1/4 cup grapes
• 1/2 piece fresh fruit
• 1 tsp. jelly or jam
• 1/4 cup dry fruit

VEGETABLE GROUP:

• 1/2 cup cooked vegetables
• 1 cup raw vegetables
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa

OTHERS GROUP:

• 1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine
• 1 tsp. mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp. Miracle whip
• 1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese
• 1 tbsp. salad dressing
• 2 tbsp. guacamole
• 4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans
• 1 ounce cheese
• 2 tsp. peanut butter
• 1 tbsp. tahini
• 1/4 cup Cool-Whip
• 1 tsp. sugar, honey, or syrup

COMBINATION FOODS:

• 1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal
• 1/2 cup per snack

CORE PLAN:

BREAKFAST:

• 1-2 proteins
• 1 fruit
• 2 grains
• 1 other

LUNCH:

• 2-3 proteins
• 1 vegetable
• 2 grains
• 1 other

SNACK:

• 1 fruit
• 1 protein

DINNER:

• 2-3 proteins
• 1-2 vegetables
• 2 grains
• 1 other

SNACK:

• 1 vegetable
• 1 grain