Courtney the RDN

With the new year well on it’s way, many of us are starting to think about 2017 resolutions like re-start weight loss, getting back to the gym, or cutting out junk food. Before deciding on a resolution, let’s review the basics. What does a weight loss surgery patient need to consider for success?  I’ve spoken to some bariatric patients who believe they no longer need to follow the “Bariatric Basics” because they are years out from surgery. Unfortunately, this is simply not true. In fact, it can be a  reason for weight gain and complications in the long term.  http://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/ 2015/12/hate-new-years-resolutions/ Below are six principles, or “bariatric basics” to followed for life after weight loss surgery. These principles were put together by Colleen M. Cook, a bariatric patient who has had her share of struggles and successes. Her book, includes the following principles as well as her tips and success stories of other patients. The boo...

http://www.thegloss.com/culture/ xojane-it-happened-to-me-yoga-post-jen-caron/ Yoga is an activity that many weight-loss surgery patients shy away from. They may feel uncomfortable in a classroom full of experienced Yogis, or think it isn't beneficial or believe it's simply too hard.  Here's where we separate fact from fiction. Practicing yoga can actually help a lot after bariatric surgery. It's a great way to improve balance and flexibility, which tend to take a hit with rapid weight loss. Yoga can also improve mood, fitness, and may enhance your connection to your persona; spirituality.  The Sanskrit word yoga means “yoke,” or bring together. The idea is to bring together the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga practitioners focus on living a harmonious life, helping to reduce the suffering of others and raising the awareness of their own minds. http://www.fitnesshealth101.com/fitness/ yoga/styles/breathing-exercises An example of connecting the body ...

https://upload.wikimedia.org /wikipedia/commons/8/85/ 2006_1002_nan_thailand_rice.jpg Rice is a staple food across the world, grown on every content except Antarctica - making up about 20% of the World’s available calories. Rice is popular in a wide variety of forms: brown, long grain, medium grain, basmati, jasmine, and wild rice, all of which bring interesting flavors, aromas and textures.  In the 1870’s, the milling of rice became easy, broadening the appeal of inexpensive white rice.  But soon after, scientists found white rice lacked many of the same nutrients common in brown rice.  During the milling of rice, the bran, germ, and hull of the brown rice are removed, producing white rice. These parts are actually what provides the fiber, helping us feel full for longer, reducing constipation and insulin spikes normally seen after eating white rice. Fiber is undigested in the body, but when it enters our colon, the bacteria living there use it for food. W...

When you eat food, your'e essentially eating energy. Calories from food provide energy for our bodies to function. The macronutrients in foods, like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, can be quantified and then balance for a healthy diet. For example carbohydrates and protein each provide 4 units, or calories per gram. Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, and fats provide 9 calories per gram.  Because e ach macronutrient functions differently, it's important to understand the functions and food sources of each. Carbohydrates can be classified into two groups, simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are sugars. These sugars include lactose, the sugar in milk, maltose, which is the sugar produced from fermentation, and sucrose, the sugar found in  cane sugar, beet sugar, honey, and fruits. Complex carbohydrates are simply long chains of simple carbohydrates bound together. During digestion, the body splits the complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates. Once...