PROTEIN GROUP
Eat 6 servings per day.  This is the most important food group to consume.  Always eat protein first. Minimum requirement is 50 grams per day for women and 63 grams per day for men.

Protein helps wound healing, builds muscle, and maintains healthy hair and nails.

Milk and Dairy
-1 cup Skim or 1% milk
-1 cup Soy, Rice, or Lactaid free milk for people with lactose
  intolerance
-1 cup Sugar free yogurt
Meat and Meat Alternatives:
-2.5 ounce jar strained baby foods (plain)
-3 ounce meats chicken, turkey, beef, fish, veal, venison
-3 ounce canned salmon or tuna (packed in water)
-1/4 cup egg substitute
-1/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
-1 ounce of cheese low fat (mix cheese in warm foods)
-2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
-1 cup beans (kidney, pinto, navy, lentils, chickpeas, black-
  eyed peas, bean soup, split-pea soup)

NOTE:  Will most likely need to add protein supplements to
              Diet to meet protein requirement, see supplement
              List in packet.

VEGETABLE GROUP
Must eat 2 servings per day.

Vegetables provide necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

-1/2 cup vegetable juice (V-8, tomato, carrot)
-1 cup blended vegetables (can use a blender or juicer)

EXAMPLES:  Beets, Carrots, Green beans, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, cabbage.

FRUIT GROUP
Must eat 2 servings per day

Fruit is also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

-1/2 cup unsweetened 100% juice
-1 cup blended, unsweetened frozen or fresh fruits.  If eat
  canned fruit it must be in its own juice not in syrup.

STARCH GROUP
Must eat 2 servings per day.

Starches contain carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

-1 cup of blended soup (low-fat)
-1/2 cup cereal (low sugar, or unsweetened hot cereals)
-1/2 cup starchy vegetables; corn potatoes, lima beans,
   acorn squash, peas, or yams
-1 slice of bread
-1/2 cup cooked pasta
-1/3 cup rice

FAT GROUP: 
Must eat 3 servings per day.

Fats are needed to prevent essential fatty acid deficiency and are needed for healthy skin.

-1 tbsp trans fat free margarine
-1 tbsp  canola oil
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1 tbsp mayonnaise (light)
-1 tbsp sour cream (light)
-1 tbsp salad dressing (light)

NOTE:
Blend you foods together to increase nutrient content and remember you won’t be able to eat it all at once.

EXAMPLES: 
*1/2 cup-canned fruit blended in ¼ cup small curd cottage cheese is providing 1 fruit and 1 protein (add sugar substitute to sweeten like Equal or Splenda)

*2.5-ounce jar strained baby food meats blended with 1 cup
  soup provides; 1 protein 1 starch

*1-ounce cheese melted into ½ cup blended vegetable
   provides; 1 protein and 1 vegetable

Tips To Remember:

• Eat every 3-4 hours (approximately 6 meals per day) to meet Gastric Bypass daily requirements.
  
• Experiment with blending your foods together to increase nutrient and protein intake.
  
• Make sure you meet the minimum protein requirement per day (50 grams women/ 63 grams men).
  
• If you buy frozen entrees choose, Healthy Choice, Budget Gourmet Light/Healthy, lean Cuisine, weight watchers and aim for 10 grams of fat or less per entrée.
  
• Look for cold cuts, which are between 95-99% fat-free. Try Healthy Choice, Hillshire Farms, Louis Rich, or Oscar Meyer.
  
• Consume 6 proteins, 3 fats, 2 starches, 2 fruits, and 2 vegetables each day.

WATCH OUT FOR THESE HIDDEN SUGARS

Remember to make sure sugar is listed as the fifth or greater ingredient on the food label prior to eating the food.  Otherwise dumping may occur which leads to malabsorption of nutrients.

** Do not look at grams of sugar on the label because the
      sugar on the label includes both natural and added
      sugars.

Example of ingredients on a food label:

Ice Cream
Ingredients:  Milk, Cream, Sugar, Dessert Solids, Corn Syrup, Stabilizer/Emulsifiers, and Artificial Flavor.

This food is unacceptable to eat because sugar is the 3rd ingredient listed rather than 5th or greater.