Harshalee Parkar
Bariatric Dietician & Content Writer
Managing Sugar Cravings After Bariatric Surgery
Sugar is believed to be just as addictive as cocaine. When sugar is taken in large amounts, the brain produces dopamine, popularly known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter. Over time, more sugar is required to get the same dopamine level and, eventually, to experience the “sugar high.” This is one of the reasons why the more sugar we eat, the more sugar we want. If we give in to our appetites, it may have a negative impact on the entire body.
Every time you eat a candy bar or drink a sugary soda, you are stimulating the neurological pathways that lead to extreme sugar cravings. Sugar withdrawal, like other forms of addiction, requires more than willpower. It all comes down to physiology.
If you are having sugar cravings after bariatric surgery don’t lose hope. With the appropriate combination of coping skills and dietary adjustments, you may permanently break the sugar habit while also boosting your weight reduction efforts.
Here are some ways how you can manage your sugar cravings:
Follow your Post Surgery Diet
Following your surgery, your bariatric dietitian will prescribe a food plan to help you recover and maintain your weight loss long-term. A post-surgery diet, as opposed to a pre-surgical diet, gradually reintroduces food into your body while minimizing surgical adverse effects.
These post-surgery diets are essential for managing cravings for sugar in the weeks and months that follow your weight loss treatment, in addition to assisting in the healing process. By choosing whole food alternatives that nourish and energize your body, you are developing healthy eating habits while gradually altering the foods your body desires. As everyone recovers differently, the time of your transition to solid foods will vary depending on how you heal. Even when you begin to incorporate solid meals into your diet, you should avoid sugary foods and drinks.
The longer you follow your dietitian’s food recommendations, the less sugar cravings you will have. Eventually, you’ll find yourself seeking healthful and nutritious foods that will aid rather than impede your weight reduction attempts.
Stay Hydrated
Our bodies can confuse thirst with hunger, resulting in unnecessary food desires. You can tell the difference between actual hunger and thirst by staying hydrated. Drinking enough water throughout the day will help you feel satisfied and less inclined to nibble.
Dehydration is one of the most prevalent reasons for sugar cravings. This is because our bodies seek rapid energy when we are dehydrated. Sugar provides a burst of caloric energy but little in the form of nourishment, which means it offers little to support our bodies’ most vital biological tasks.
Drinking water may be made more pleasant (and a bit sweeter) by adding fresh fruit or healthy garnishes.
It is typically suggested that you consume at least 2
– 2.5 liters of water per day following weight loss surgery to keep hydrated. Specific suggestions, however, may differ based on individual characteristics and the advice of your healthcare expert. Keep sipping water throughout the day and paying attention to your body’s hydration demands.
Read the Nutritional Label
Be conscious of what you’re eating whenever you go grocery shopping or eat out at a restaurant. Even though a meal or food item looks to be healthy, it may include chemicals and components that are harmful to your weight reduction efforts.
If you do buy packaged items, make sure to read the contents before putting them in your basket. Sugar is listed in order of prevalence, so if it’s at the top of the ingredient list, that’s a warning sign.
Select natural sugars.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Have a slice of fruit, which is high in natural sugars. This will satisfy your sweet taste while also providing you with fiber and minerals. If you still crave sugar you can have sugar alternatives such as sugar-free once in a while.
Avoid skipping meals.
Skipping meals can cause blood sugar changes, which can increase cravings for sweet foods. When you skip a meal, your blood sugar dips and your body seeks a rapid source of energy, which is usually sugar. You may maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day by eating regular balanced meals, minimizing the chance of significant sugar cravings.
Spice things up
Spices, herbs, and seasonings may improve the flavor of your food and make it more fun to eat. When you experience satisfaction in your meals, you are less inclined to seek fulfillment from sugary foods. Experimenting with diverse flavors might help you acquire a stronger appreciation for the flavors and textures of healthier alternatives.
Sugar cravings may and can decrease with time, but they may never go gone altogether. Sugar cravings are influenced by your hormones, hydration, and mental state, so be patient with yourself while you retrain your brain to prefer healthy and nutritious meals.
Aastha Bariatrics is a metabolic and bariatric surgery center. At Aastha Bariatrics, we provide exceptional care to our patients and mentor them throughout the weight loss process. At our center, we value every patient’s life, so we never compromise on quality. Dr. Manish Motwani is one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, with 26 years of experience in Metabolic and Laparoscopic Surgeries. Over the last 15 years, patients have reported no difficulties following surgery.
