Eggs: Are they healthy or not?

Eggs: Are they healthy or not?

In the past 30 years, the humble egg has been the subject of so much controversy it’s difficult to think of a more hotly debated food. While we certainly don’t need to eat eggs to survive, they are a versatile and affordable source of high quality protein for many people, bariatric patients in particular. If you’ve ever wondered if eggs are okay to eat, you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions I’m most frequently asked as a dietitian. Studies show mixed findings This past March, the authors of a published JAMA study issued a press release claiming their data
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Protein supplement intolerance

Protein supplement intolerance

Strategies for Protein Supplement Intolerance You prepared in advance for your bariatric surgery, followed all the instructions on your checklist and stockpiled a 2-week supply of your favorite protein shake – only to discover it no longer appeals to you! You know how important protein is for postoperative recovery and safe weight loss, so what do you do now? Here are some strategies to try when taste changes or digestion issues affect your protein shake tolerance:     Try a different consistency – Sometimes a traditional shake is too thick when you’re newly post-op. Fortunately, there are a number of
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NJBC Eats: Dana’s Protein-Packed Quiche

NJBC Eats: Dana’s Protein-Packed Quiche

  With winter in full swing, I’m excited to be in the kitchen cooking warm, comforting and healthy meals for my family. One of my favorite recipes is a spinach bacon quiche from Low Carb Maven that is made without a crust.  It also makes an ideal bariatric meal when you substitute unsweetened almond milk or 1% milk for the heavy cream. It’s so full of flavor you won’t miss the crust or cream one bit! You can also change up the vegetable and protein ingredients for whatever you have on hand. My kids like it made with ham and
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Sweetness Overload: Understanding Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

Sweetness Overload: Understanding Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners

    “Which one is better, sugar or artificial sweeteners?” It’s a question I am asked all the time by patients trying to make sense of confusing labels in the grocery store and the mixed messages in the media. Sugar is Sugar is Sugar…. the Metabolic Impact of Added Sugars Regardless of the type of added sugar you consume, the body breaks them all down the same way.  The consumption of added sugars has been linked to an increased risk for obesity, as well as an increasing risk factor for cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes,
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NJBC Eats: Dana’s Go-To Riced Veggies

NJBC Eats: Dana’s Go-To Riced Veggies

A few weeks ago, I realized I was stuck in a vegetable rut. My family and I were eating the same carrots and broccoli repeatedly.  It was getting a little boring so I figured it was time for a healthy change. I discovered Green Giant’s Riced Veggies in my local supermarket, which made including vegetables as part of my family’s meals quick and easy. They’re also frozen in re-sealable bags so they’re always ready to throw into my favorite dishes or use as a low carb side.  My personal favorite is the Cauliflower Risotto medley. It pairs perfectly with grilled
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Constipation After Weight Loss Surgery: Don’t Suffer in Silence

Constipation After Weight Loss Surgery: Don’t Suffer in Silence

Poop. Everybody does it, but what happens when your body sometimes doesn’t? Constipation is something that everyone has gone through at some time in their life, and in most cases can be easily treated – if addressed quickly. Wait too long and you may end up with more than you bargained for. Having a bariatric procedure, such as gastric band, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, puts you at an increased risk of constipation, but there’s no reason to suffer in silence. Your bariatric healthcare providers have heard it all when it comes to post-op poopy problems, and waiting it out
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Nutrition Fact Check: Brunch Makeover

Nutrition Fact Check: Brunch Makeover

Who doesn’t love brunch? Just the word alone reminds me of get-togethers with a full house of family and friends. Hosting a brunch is a great way to feed a crowd at a cost comparatively lower than most other meals. But there are other costs if you’re not in the know. A typical spread can derail your diet and your digestion, leaving you sluggish and bloated long after you’re done with your meal. NUTRITION FACTS While the offerings can vary greatly from one brunch menu to another, a typical brunch lineup can contain up to 4,000 calories. That’s approximately what the
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Bariatric Surgery: Not the Easy Way Out

Bariatric Surgery: Not the Easy Way Out

As a bariatric dietitian, every week I counsel dozens of patients who turn to weight loss surgery to help them lose weight and get healthier.  Rarely does a week go by when I don’t talk with at least one patient who shares a common story with me. Someone in their life – it could be a spouse, friend, parent, child or co-worker – feels their decision to have bariatric surgery is taking the easy way out. That if they just really committed themselves to losing weight, they would (and should) be able to do it on their own. Since this is my
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Overindulged? 10 ways to get back on track

Overindulged? 10 ways to get back on track

Partied a little too much last weekend? It happens to everyone. What not to do is let it set you on a self-sabotaging behavior path of more bad behavior. What to do? Follow our dietitian approved steps to getting back on track, with a bonus 3-day menu plan!
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Eating Out After Weight Loss Surgery

Eating Out After Weight Loss Surgery

Whether you’re ordering in Chinese, going out to a big chain restaurant or grabbing a quick bite at gas station convenience store, ordering after weight loss surgery doesn’t have to be challenging if you know what to look for.
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