Download post-op phases phase 3: soft foods diet

POST-OP PHASES
WHEN: This phase begins 3-4 weeks after surgery and continues until instructed to
advance to the next phase (which is typically about 2 months after surgery.)
WHY: This phase introduces the first solid foods back into your diet.
WHAT: This phase includes HIGH PROTEIN SOFT FOODS as well as the High Protein Full
liquids and Clear Liquids of Phases 1 and 2.
HOW MUCH: Protein and fluid goals remain the same:
GOAL = 60 gm protein per day for women
GOAL = 64 oz fluid daily
GOAL = 75 gm protein per day for men
PHASE 3:
SOFT FOODS DIET
WHAT: Focus on putting protein foods into
your pouch first.
HIGH PROTEIN FOODS:
• Eggs (cooked with minimal fat)
• Fat-free yogurt
• Low fat cottage cheese
• Soft fish (baked, boiled, grilled)
• Small shrimp scallops or crab
• Tuna fish (light mayo is OK)
• Canned Chicken
• Chili
• Bean and lentil dishes/soups
• Fat free refried beans
• Low-fat luncheon meats (turkey,
roast beef sliced thin)
• Shredded or soft low-fat cheeses
(avoid melted cheese)
• Tofu (Soy) mixed soup or veggies
OTHER FOODS (ADD AS ROOM
ALLOWS AFTER EATING PROTEIN
FOODS):
• Cooked, soft vegetables
Continue with these Nutrition Guidelines:
 Your main nutrition focus is protein. Practice eating solids only at meal times. If
you need more protein to meet needs, then use protein drinks between meals. You
can start to reduce protein drinks as you are able to meet protein needs with solids.
 Try new foods one at a time so if something makes you sick or uncomfortable, you’ll
know which food it was.
 Ease yourself into 3 meals and 1 protein snack daily—you should be eating every 4
hours. Establish set meal and snack times to prevent grazing.
 Allow 20 minutes to eat a solid protein.
 Continue to avoid carbohydrates—they can swell in your pouch and interfere with
protein intake.
 Listen to your body—stop when full, which initially may be after only 2-3 bites.
Indications of fullness include pain or pressure in center just below rib cage, nausea,
or pain in your shoulder or upper chest.
 Get your fluids: At least 64 oz fluid daily, including your protein drinks.
 Save your fluids for between meals. Do not drink 30 minutes before or after eating.
 Unless you’re drinking a protein drink, choose calorie free liquids.
 If you experience nausea, go back to protein drinks until it subsides. If you find you
suddenly cannot get fluids down as you have been, then contact Dr. Gluck’s office.
Take your vitamin/mineral supplements.
Take a chewable multi-vitamin/mineral supplement twice daily and 1000 mg of a
Calcium supplement divided into 2 or 3 times during the day. (i.e.: 500mg twice/day)
EAT
AVOID
PROTEIN FOODS FIRST
Lean Meats, Poultry, Seafood, Eggs, Cottage
Cheese:
Gradually increase to 2-3 ounces fish, deli
meat OR 1 cup legumes OR 2 eggs OR ½ cup
cottage cheese at each meal
 Flaky fish or other soft seafood
 Fat-free cottage cheese
 Use egg whites or Eggbeaters
 Lean deli meats—ham, turkey, roast beef
 Fat-free refried beans and other legumes
 Shredded or soft low-fat or fat free
cheeses
 Canned Chicken
 Chili
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Fried foods—chicken, fish
Kielbasa, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, ribs
Pepperoni, salami, bologna
Fast food
Full fat cheeses
Pizza
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Raw veggies
Fried veggies—onion rings
Veggies in sauces or butter
Veggies with full fat dips
Tough skin, seeds, stems
Peas, corn, potatoes—too starchy
Fruits and fruit juices
Starches—breads, cereals, pasta, rice,
potatoes
Concentrated sweets—candy, cookies,
pies, chocolate, jams/jelly
Snack foods—chips, pretzels, crackers
Sweetened and/or carbonated
beverages—pop, sweet teas, punch
Added fats—butter, margarine
Alcohol and caffeine
Approximately 7 grams protein=
1 oz meat, poultry, or seafood =
1 egg = 1 oz lowfat cheese =
¼ c. cottage cheese = ½ cup legumes
Vegetables: Eat these second as your pouch
allows
 Tender cooked veggies with no strings or
seeds (green/wax beans, carrots,
broccoli, cauliflower, etc)
Other:
 Broths—choose low sodium varieties
 Light or fat-free dressing—just enough to
help get protein down
 Herbs, spices, artificial sweeteners
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PHASE THREE SAMPLE MENU
Breakfast
1 scrambled egg
with 1 oz. shredded
low fat cheese
Lunch
2 oz. tuna in 1
Tablespoon light
mayo
Sliced carrots, well
cooked, if room
PM Snack
½ cup fat free
cottage cheese
Dinner
¼ cup chili
Canned green
beans, if room