The Modified Keto: A Safe and Effective Low-Carb Diet for Post-Bariatric Patients

If you have had bariatric surgery, you might be wondering if the popular keto diet is right for you. The truth is, keto might not be the best choice for post-bariatric patients.

A traditional keto diet is high in fat and low in carbs, which could be problematic for those with altered stomachs. Instead, you need a diet that is low in carbs and fat, but high in protein.

At Bariatric Eating, we recommend our version of the keto diet that excludes cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and butter. This modification will work better with your surgery and help you achieve your life goals.

To follow a bariatric-friendly keto diet, avoid full-fat milk, heavy cream, bacon, blankets of cheese, cream cheese, low-fat cream cheese, Greek yogurt cream cheese, and more than one teaspoon of butter in a meal. Instead, focus on eating seafood, meats, poultry, low-carb vegetables, cheese in moderation, avocados, eggs, berries, and unsweetened coffee and tea.

Low-carb vegetables make great substitutes for higher-carb foods. For instance, cauliflower can be used to mimic rice or mashed potatoes, zoodles can be created from zucchini, and spaghetti squash is a natural substitute for spaghetti. In addition, one ounce of Parmesan cheese provides 1 gram of carbs, 10 grams of protein and 35% of the daily requirement for calcium. Dietary calcium is essential for bone health after bariatric surgery, but be mindful of the portion size and use low-fat cheese instead.

Eggs are one of the healthiest and most flexible foods on the planet and contain less than 1 gram of carbs and 7 grams of protein. Berries are also a great source of fiber and low in net carbs, making them a smart choice for post-bariatric patients.

Unsweetened coffee and tea contain zero carbs and can boost your metabolism, improve alertness and mood, but avoid high-carb flavorings.

While ketosis is the hallmark of success on a keto diet, post-bariatric patients might not respond to the diet in the same way. It is crucial to focus on a well-balanced, protein-rich diet and stay consistent.

In summary, a low-carb diet can be an excellent choice for post-bariatric patients, but it needs to be carefully modified. Follow our bariatric-friendly keto diet to keep you on track to achieving your life goals.