Pizza is arguably one of the most delicious foods on the planet. And when it comes to cravings, it is pretty difficult to ignore. Thin crust or deep dish, gooey cheese and toppings, the perfect blend of sauce and spices, the soft dough – it is truly scrumptious. Once you’re done adding all of your favorite ingredients, is there a more perfect food?
Unfortunately, just one piece of pizza is hundreds of calories. If you have recently undergone gastric bypass surgery, pizza has moved over to the do-not-consume list – especially in the weeks and months following surgery. But don’t give up hope just yet.
Eating pizza after gastric bypass
Thankfully, pizza isn’t something you have to kiss goodbye forever. Just keep in mind, if you choose to eat pizza, you will need to watch its nutritional value. For example, even though pizza isn’t sweet, it contains sugar. And too much sugar can cause weight gain over time.
The nutritional value of your pizza will depend on what you put on it. Veggie pizza is one of your best options, as it supplies necessary vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C. Be sure you add plenty of toppings like spinach, mushrooms, and peppers on there.
In addition, keep in mind that foods high in protein and low in carbs are better for you. Greasy pizza that is full of preservatives and calories is what you want to avoid. Don’t forget about the pizza crust either. Loaded with carbohydrates, pizza dough can be a big no-no when it comes to long-term weight loss.
There are plenty of low-carb pizza dough recipes, however. With either store-bought low-carb dough or dough you make at home, pizza doesn’t have to be locked away forever. Just be careful of the ingredients and how much you eat. Because we all know how hard it is to say no to one last slice.
How long after bariatric surgery can you eat pizza?
Gastric bypass surgery is a big deal. Your digestive system has gone through significant surgical changes which limits how much food you can take and how many nutrients your body can absorb. So, eating food that is rich and greasy will make it difficult to digest, causing discomfort and even digestive pain.
You will need to stick to the eating plan that your dietitian and doctor talked through with you. This will not only help you feel better and recover quicker, but it will also help you start losing weight faster. The pre-op and post-op diets will consist of an all-liquid diet, including protein shakes to make sure your body gets the nutrients it needs.
During this time, hormonal changes will help make you feel full faster and reduce hunger pangs so often associated with weight-loss diets. After two weeks, soft foods will be introduced and then solid foods in the months that follow. Eventually, a small piece of pizza sprinkled with a little parmesan cheese will be back on the menu.
Questions about how your diet will change after gastric bypass? Our experienced team at WeightWise can help answer them. We want to make sure you are set up for weight loss success. Watch our free online seminar and then contact us today for information! We’ll be here for you when you are ready.
Great article
Hi im very new to this surgery its been 5 weeks and i lost an amazing 20kg i just wanna know if the quantity of food will increase in the future like some times it’s annoying to only be able to eat 2-3 table spoon of your favorite food every 3 hours
Hi, Mehdi! That is good question to review with your surgeon or dietitian, as they can give you more individualized feedback from conducting an evaluation. Each program also follows different guidelines for diet recommendations. Typically, your intake is limited, and some patients do not feel hunger soon after surgery, which can be expected. At WeightWise, we recommend three meals per day, regardless of hunger, as it is important to still consume protein based food items post-op. However, the amount of food eaten can vary between each person. You can call our front desk as well, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.
My girlfriend has only been eating white castle meal portions over the last 3 years. (3 years since surgery) got on antidepressants and now it’s like 4 pieces of pizza, bowl of mackoronie and 2 brownies. Is that normal considering she’s been full off 1 white castle up till now. Is it the medication. If so should she be concerned
Hi, Billy! That is a great question to ask the operating surgeon and dietitian, as they will be able to do full evaluations and give you personalized recommendations. The diet and medications may also play a big role with weight loss, as well. Also, each program follows different diet guidelines. At WeightWise, all of our patients meet periodically with a dietitian, an exercise physiologist, and a nurse practitioner before and after surgery, to ensure our patients are meeting their goals and staying on track. You can call our front desk, and they can set you up with a virtual appointment to visit one of our providers, at 405-359-2475.