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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Detox Diets: Do they work?

Detox Diets: Do they work?

Detoxes are everywhere these days. There are juices, powders, teas, even concoctions of spices and maple syrup. The one thing almost all have in common is the claim that they rid your body of toxins, build-up and other poisons. Many promise increased energy, improved mental clarity, better bathroom visits and, of course, weight loss. Who wouldn’t want all this in a few short days? We all would, but as usually is the case, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Anyone who’s been through the rollercoaster ride of on-again, off-again diets, and especially those who have
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5 Healthy Ways to Show Your Valentine You Love Them

5 Healthy Ways to Show Your Valentine You Love Them

Another Valentine’s Day is upon us, and many of us will bestow thoughtful, heartfelt and (often) high-calorie gifts on loved ones to show much we care. At New Jersey Bariatric Center®, we work with patients every day who want to learn to celebrate special occasions without unhealthy amounts of food.  So this year, skip the heavy dinner and giant box of candy and try one of these ideas instead: Show breakfast and lunch some love. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about dinner.  Start the day off with some heart-shaped whole grain pancakes and a bowl of fresh red
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Thanks But No Thanks – Dealing with Food Pushers and the Food Police

Thanks But No Thanks – Dealing with Food Pushers and the Food Police

There are few events in our lives that don’t involve eating and food. Holidays, work functions, girl’s night out, poker night, book club, the list goes on and on.  Having gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or LAP-BAND® surgery doesn’t change this. At some point after weight loss surgery, your changing relationship with food will not exist in the safety of a private bubble.  You will have to eat in front of others — with your new and improved eating habits on display.  While it would be nice to think family, friends and co-workers would be supportive of efforts to improve your
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Weight Loss Surgery Guide to Surviving the Holiday Season

Weight Loss Surgery Guide to Surviving the Holiday Season

From overflowing turkey buffets with all the sides to plate-loads of Christmas cookies at the office to New Year’s eve bubbly with friends, the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s is one of the hardest to get through without putting on a few extra pounds. If you are trying to lose weight, the holiday season is even harder. Add the rush of holiday shopping or late nights working for vacationing colleagues and it’s enough for many pre- and post-op weight loss surgery patients to say they’ll just put their weight loss goals on hold till January. Sound familiar? But help
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