Having a Gastric Balloon fitted is an exciting step in your weight loss journey, but it can also feel a little overwhelming – what can I eat? How much can I eat? When should I eat? This blog will take you through every step of mealtimes, give you some meal ideas, and let you know what to expect when eating with a Gastric Balloon.
Eating with a balloon is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1 - Before meals...
Plan your day around your schedule: do you prefer to eat little and often throughout the day? Or prefer to have 3 meals per day? Once you know your eating pattern you can plan your meal better. Keep meals balanced and try to include protein at each meal to keep you fuller for longer. Know your triggers for emotional eating – it might be useful to keep a ‘food and mood’ diary: what did you eat, when, and how were you feeling before, during and after?
Plan your plate: aim for ½ the plate to be vegetables or salad, ¼ protein and ¼ carbohydrate
2 - During meals...
Follow 20/20/20/20:
3 - After meals...
It can take a while to get used to the balloon – at first you may feel a little bloated or nauseous. This will go away with time (if the nausea lasts for more than 5 days then speak to your nurse). For the first week with the balloon, try to avoid strenuous exercise. While you have the balloon you may need to avoid vigorous aerobics or jumping as these may contribute to your nausea – you will quickly learn what works for you.
Get hungry between meals? Here are some healthy, protein-packed snack ideas:
An Example Food Diary:
Breakfast: handful of raspberries, protein yoghurt and granola
Snack: Brazil nuts
Lunch: Mediterranean style chicken salad with low fat feta, pomegranate seeds, salad leaves and a drizzle of low fat dressing
Dinner: Butternut squash and chickpea risotto (focus on the chickpeas and squash and only a small portion of the rice)
Dessert: Low fat strawberry yoghurt
In summary, having a balloon is just the beginning of your weight loss journey. For the 16 weeks you have the balloon, you should change your dietary habits, reduce your portion sizes and make healthier choices. After the balloon, those changes will feel like second nature and keeping up those good habits will be a key part of your weight loss journey.
Ingredients (serves two):
ning squash to use as a salad topping – serve
with rocket and pine nuts)
Steps: