Eating at your Favorite Restaurant After Bariatric Surgery (2024)

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After bariatric surgery, going out to eat at restaurants or in a public setting can be nerve-wracking while still trying to maintain a healthy diet to lose weight, but fret no more! This bariatric dining-out guide will help you enjoy a meal with friends and family while staying focused on your weight loss goals.

Important: Always follow all post-op diet guidelines and adjust to your current phase.

Don’t forget to bring your special menu request card to order a kid’s meal or smaller portions when going to your favorite restaurant after bariatric surgery.

How to Successfully Dine Out After Bariatric Surgery

A great way to stick to a nutritious diet is to meal prep and plan, but if you are in a time crunch and have to grab something quickly, many bariatric-friendly options are available. An alternative is to stop at a grocery store and pick up some deli meat, yogurt, or a protein shake.

If you plan on going to a sit-down dinner or ordering takeout, here are some tips to reduce the stress and keep you on track while dining out after bariatric surgery:

1. View the menu beforehand: Most menus are available online, and looking at them ahead of time can lessen the anxiety and pressure of ordering quickly.
2. Be creative:If something you like on the menu isn’t bariatric-friendly, ask if you can substitute or take things out to make it fit your diet requirements.
3. If possible, choose the place: Choosing a place to eat can help ensure you have good low-calorie food choices wherever you go.
4. Look for specific foods: Focus on foods that are grilled, baked, sauteed, or boiled. Avoid fattening and high-calorie foods that are fried, battered, and breaded.
5. Pick a high-protein appetizer: Fulfilling your daily protein requirements can help you avoid overeating and unnecessary carbs.
6. Enjoy the company:Eat slowly and focus on the company to avoid overeating.
7. Follow the 30-minute drinking rule: This can be tough for a bariatric patient to follow in social settings, but it can help you avoid feeling full quickly, allowing you to enjoy your food.

Best Bariatric-Friendly Choices

It can be challenging to find bariatric-friendly restaurants when sticking to a low-carb diet, so here are some ideas of what you can have when it comes to different cuisines.

Brunch Food

• Veggie omelet
• Oatmeal with fruit
• Turkey bacon
• Greek yogurt parfaits
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Fruit cups
• Poached eggs
• Cottage cheese with fresh fruit

Fast Food

• Burger with no bun
• Lettuce wrapped burger
• Grilled/baked chicken
• Sandwich as salad
• Patty with a salad
• Beware of breaded products
• No fries. Most places will offer a salad as an alternative

Complete Guide to Fast Food After Weight Loss Surgery

Steak/Seafood Place

• Steak
• Ribs without sauces
• Burger without buns
• Lettuce wraps
• Salad with an oil-based dressing
• Seafood without breading/batter

Mediterranean Food

• Kebabs with salad
• Greek salad
• Baba Ghanoush without pita
• Gyro meatwith salad
• Grilled veggies with salad
• Grilled chicken with salad
• Grilled fish with salad
• Grilled lamb with salad
• Hummus and veggies
• Chicken shawarma
• Lentil soup

Thai Food

• No rice or noodles
• Coconut curries without rice
• Tom Yum soup
• Tam Kha soup
• Beef
• Chicken
• Stir Fry without sweetened sauces

Japanese Food

• Sashimi
• Miso soup
• Seaweed salad
• Naruto rolls
• Beware of sugary sauces
• Ask for rolls without rice

Chinese Food

• Egg-drop soup
• Hot and sour soup
• Pork spareribs without sauce
• Roasted duck
• Mixed vegetables with tofu
• Chicken
• Shrimp
• Chicken and vegetable stirfry
• Ask for sauces and dips on the side

Mexican Food

• Chicken, steak, or shrimp fajita mix on lettuce w/ guacamole or sliced avocado
• Salad or bowls with meat, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and guacamole
• Taco salad without the shell
• Cerviche
• Carne asada
• Chile Verde
• Black beans

Italian Food

• Antipasto Salad
• Caprese salad
• Meat with marsala sauce
• Steak
• Seafood
• Salad with grilled meat
• Grilled vegetables
• Grilled calamari
• Roasted chicken or fish

Indian Food

• Beans/legumes
• Curry
• Tandoori Chicken
• Saag Paneer
• Chicken vindaloo
• Korma

What are some of your favorite bariatric-friendly restaurants?

Related Blogs:

• Shocking Negative Effects of Eating Fast Food
• Low Carb Party Foods on a Bariatric Diet – Party Time!
• Bariatric Breakfast Recipes
• Bariatric Dinner Recipes
• What Can I Order at Taco Bell After Bariatric Surgery?
• What Can I Order at McDonald’s After Bariatric Surgery?
• What Can I Order at Chick-fil-A After Bariatric Surgery?

4 Comments

1. 

   Teresa Renee Oconnor May 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm - Reply

   Hi, I’m going to a place called clean eatz zag gime in VA. They asked me what carbs/how many. How much vegetables/ounces. How much protein I need. They are going to make me dinners that are healthy!

   • 

     MBC Editor May 25, 2023 at 4:01 pm - Reply

     Hi Teresa! That’s great to hear that restaurants around you are catering to your post-op diet! :)

2. 

   SherryElizabeth September 25, 2023 at 11:13 pm - Reply

   I am a future gastric sleeve patient. I love looking at articles like this! I want to know all of the things a head of time.

   • 

     MBC Editor September 26, 2023 at 5:55 pm - Reply

     We’re glad we can provide you with resources for your success!