If you’ve had bariatric surgery then you may wonder "what are slider foods?". I have to admit, I had to ask my dietician the question, “what is a slider food", when I first started my Bariatric journey.
Journey because I genuinely had no idea.
Not knowing about slider foods can be a huge stumbling block for anyone about to embark on their bariatric weight loss journey, whether you're having a gastric bypass, sleeve or lap band, understanding slider foods is super important.
What Is a Slider Food?
So What Are Slider Foods?
Slider foods, to weight loss patients, are foods which are made from soft simple processed carbohydrates. All slider foods have very little or no nutritional value and these types of foods can make weight loss uncomfortable, and difficult and can also result in weight gain.
Bariatric Slider Foods After Weight Loss Surgery
A bariatric slider food is generally small in size and tends to slide right through the opening created by bariatric surgery, without being properly chewed or digested.
Most Common Slider Foods
Examples of slider foods include these trigger foods:
- White bread
- Soft white rolls or buns
- Croissants
- Flour tortillas and wraps
- Corn chips
- White rice
- Sugary cereals
- Cake
- Doughnuts
- Muffins
- French fries
- Biscuits
- Chips or crisps
- Saltine crackers,
- Graham crackers,
- Ritz crackers,
- Cheese crackers
- Pretzels and Popcorn
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Potato chips
- Cookies
- Cake
- Sweets, Candy and Lollie
At the end of the day, slider foods are foods which can slide through the stomach pouch quickly.
Why Are Slider Foods Bad?
As stated above a slider food is well known for sliding straight into the stomach and back out again. Following surgery the digestion of food changes. When bariatric patients eat the right foods, the stomach pouch should cause feelings of fullness and restriction.
When a slider food is eaten, it will slip straight through the stomach pouch and enter the jejunum (the middle part of the small intestine). This will cause a slurry of carbohydrates to be absorbed quickly by the body and that will stall or reverse weight loss.
Bariatric patients can sometimes fall into bad habits of eating slider foods. This can become a problem and sabotage weight loss efforts.
If you're eating slider foods unknowingly then you may have plateaued and may feel like your bariatric surgery did not work.
Sweet Slider Foods vs Savoury Slider Foods
Whether you eat sweet slider foods or savoury foods they are both bad after gastric banding or weight loss surgery and for different reasons.
Sweet Slider Foods
Sweet foods such as sweet yoghurt, sweet biscuits or chocolate can cause dumping syndrome. Not only are you digesting processed foods full of carbs, but you can also feel very sick and unwell after consuming sweet slider foods.
Savoury Slider Foods
Savoury slider food such as crackers and white rice can cause weight gain as they digest quickly in the stomach, causing rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This means you will feel hungry again soon after consumption, leading to overeating or snacking on unhealthy foods throughout the day. This can lead to weight regain.
Slider foods tend to be salty and can encourage other bad habits such as drinking whilst eating, helping food to slide through to the intestines even faster and adding more calories to the diet.
In a nutshell, a slider food has little nutrition and won’t help you in your weight loss goals.
Dumping Syndrome From Slider Foods
Slider foods can cause dumping syndrome and trust me, you don’t want to experience this! I have and it is very uncomfortable.
Not everyone will experience dumping syndrome following bariatric surgery but those who will wish they hadn’t.
Some of the symptoms of dumping syndrome include:
- A feeling of fullness, even after eating just a small amount.
- Abdominal cramping or pain.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Sweating, flushing, or light-headedness.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Needing to sleep.
Cheating With Slider Foods After Weight Loss Surgery
No matter what bariatric surgery you have had, if you continue to eat slider foods high in carbs then you won’t get the feelings of restriction you need, nor the nutrition your body requires. This will lead to a weight loss plateau and eventually weight gain.
Avoiding high-carb foods is imperative for weight loss surgery patients. if you want to succeed and reach your health goals following your gastric bypass or gastric sleeve operation.
If you find yourself falling into bad habits, eating the wrong types of foods or drinking with your meals, go back to basics and remember the golden rule of eating protein first followed by vegetables.
Tips to Avoid Slider Foods
Here are some top tips to help you avoid slider foods:
Eat High Protein Foods
Eating high amounts of protein is crucial to successful weight loss. Whether you eat beans, lean animal protein or dairy, focusing on the right foods following gastric bypass will help you to stay on track and remain on the losers bench.
Speak to a Dietician
Your bariatric team will have a dietician on hand to give you their expert advice and support. Speak to them about any concerns or struggles you may be having with slider foods, they are there to help!
Plan Your Meals
Meal planning can seem daunting at first but it doesn’t have to be. Write a list of protein and vegetable options for the week or even the whole month. This will help to keep you focused on your weight loss goals and avoid any bad habits forming.
Don’t Skip Meals
Skipping meals can lead to overeating and snacking on slider foods. Keep hunger at bay by eating small, regular meals throughout the day.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is crucial for successful weight loss following bariatric surgery. It can also stop you from mistaking thirst for hunger and reaching for slider foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Aim to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day.
Exercise
Regular exercise is important for weight loss and will help to keep those slider foods at bay. It can also improve mood, energy levels and overall health. Aim to incorporate exercise into your weekly routine, even if it’s just a daily walk or some simple stretches at home.
Remember Your Goals
When temptation strikes, remember why you had bariatric surgery in the first place and remind yourself of your weight loss goals. This can help to keep you focused on making the right food choices and avoiding slider foods.
Best Protein Foods to Help Avoid Slider Foods?
The following foods are a dense protein source and can help a bariatric patient to avoid weight regain and of course to lose weight losing gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass surgery.
Remember small bites and small portions! Also, chew thoroughly before swallowing.
- Lean meats such as chicken, turkey or fish
- Tofu or tempeh
- Low-fat cheese
- Greek yoghurt
- Eggs - Check Out These Instant Pot Egg Bites
- Nuts and seeds
- Canned tuna and salmon
- Deli meats (choose a low sodium non processed option)
- Edamame beans
Here is a great list of High Protein Snacks for Gastric Bypass patients. Enjoy!
The Best Healthy High Protein Snacks
I hope you found this article useful. You may also enjoy the following posts:
What Is A Barium Swallow After Gastric Bypass
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