Q&A with Michelle Owens, Blossom Bariatric's Nutrionist

You asked and Michelle Owens, our nutritionist at Blossom Bariatrics, has answered some of your questions from our Facebook page.

Q:  Is vomiting to be expected after bariatric surgery? What steps can I take to prevent or reduce it?

A:  Around 50% of patients experience nausea post surgery, which can be caused by nerves or pain medication. The most important thing is to relax and to eat as directed by Dr. Umbach and the nutritionist.

Q:  How can I add protein to my diet with a busy schedule?

A:  RTD's are great! These are Ready to Drinks in single-serving size containers. EAS, Pure Protein and Premier Protein are ones that taste the best, and they can be found at GNC, Sam's Club, Trader Joe's, and Vitamin Shoppe. The goal, as always, is to look for whey protein and LOW sugar content. 

Q:  What are some top foods to avoid in the first months post surgery? What are some of the best foods?

A:  This question is covered extensively in our pre-surgery classes called Blossom Bites, and the list would be a little too long to add here. The classes are about 1 1/2 hours long and many food questions are covered. It all varies on the patient, though, as far as how they feel after they eat a particular food. Some can do beef for instance and some cannot for the rest of their lives.

Q:  What exercises do you recommend for people post surgery?

A:  Dr. Umbach usually clears patients for exercise on their 2 week post op visit. If cleared by their PCP and Dr. Umbach they usually can always walk or work out on a stationary bike or elliptical trainer. Adding weight berrings to exercises helps immensely! I always encourage hiring a gym's personal trainer to introduce simple exercises and machines when starting out.

Thank you very much to everyone who asked questions! If YOU have any questions, comment below or ask us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/blossombariatric, and we will answer them in the next Q&A blog post. Have a healthy day!

Eating Organic vs. Conventional Foods

Eating organic has become an immensely popular habit for many families across the United States over the past decade. We see it in stores, on T.V., and hear that it is better for us. What exactly are the benefits of eating organic foods, though? Do we really know?

Before we get into all of that though, it’s important to know some of the difference between conventional and organic farming.

Some evidence has come from scientific research that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than their non organic counterparts. According to these studies, some of the health benefits to eating organic foods are:

• Dramatically reduced pesticide levels in children’s bodies.
• Contains higher total antioxidants and beneficial phytonutrients (polyphenols and flavonoids)
• Organic milk and meat are high in omega-3 fatty acids and conjugate linoleic acid, which can help lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.

There are other benefits to eating organic aside from being good for your body:

• It’s good for farmers. Farmers often get sick from being in constant contact with toxic pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Eating organic also support small, local farmers.
• It’s good for animals. Organic practices ensure livestock are not given antibiotics or artificial growth hormones, and are kept strong and healthy through good nutrition and humane living conditions.
• It’s good for the environment. Chemicals that are used in conventional farming contaminate the soil, rivers, drinking water and air. Also organic produce comes from closer areas, which reduces the distance that carriers have to travel and leaves a lighter carbon footprint.

So how do you know that what you are buying at your grocery store is organic? If something is labeled 100 percent organic, then the product must be either completely organic or made of all organic ingredients. If a product is labeled organic or has the label below, then the product must be at least 95 percent organic.

There is still much research being done on the nutritional value of eating organic compared to conventionally grown products, not to mention that organically grown products are pricey right now. To keep costs low and still live a healthy lifestyle, keep these tips in mind:

• Select a variety of foods from a variety of sources.
• Buy fruits and vegetables in season when possible.
• Read food labels carefully.
• Wash and scrub fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water.

Happy eating!


Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organic-food/NU00255

http://www.stonyfield.com/healthy-people/health-tips-advice/why-eat-organic