The most successful post-bariatric patients follow the guidelines of their bariatric care team when it comes to knowing what foods to avoid after weight loss surgery. The number one reason for a weight-loss stall or weight regain is poor eating habits. There are many “rules” surrounding the post-bariatric diet, and it can quickly become overwhelming. […]

The gastric bypass diet is very particular, with your bariatric care team having specific protocols for how you need to eat at various stages post-operatively. The gastric sleeve and gastric bypass diets are pretty similar in concept, so feel free to use this as a guide for either surgery. The gastric bypass diet phases consist […]

As the most prominent communication and information-sharing platform, social media greatly influences the diet culture, sometimes sharing unrealistic weight loss expectations. Social media diet culture and trends are constantly moving and changing, with users sharing “newer” and “better” diets to follow. Although not all are necessarily bad, basing your weight and food intake on someone […]

Bariatric vitamins are required for all post-op bariatric patients to prevent vitamin deficiencies. All weight loss surgery procedures cause a restrictive effect, meaning your stomach pouch size is smaller, so you can not intake as much food to keep your vitamin levels up. Likewise, the gastric bypass and the duodenal switch produce a malabsorptive effect […]

Healthy eating after weight loss surgery is critical to long term weight loss success. Food is fuel for your body. Scientific and medical research have shown that healthy nutrition can decrease your risk of developing specific medical conditions. When you understand the science behind the food you eat, choosing nutritious foods is easier. Yet changing old […]

Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are common after bariatric surgery due to the malabsorptive nature of the procedures. Bariatric surgery alters the anatomy and digestive tract, playing a significant role in vitamin and nutrient levels after bariatric surgery. In particular, bariatric surgery impacts bone density due to malabsorption, alteration of the intestinal tract, weight loss, […]

Following a vegan diet may improve your overall health and long-term quality of life, which can become quite attractive when considering incorporating this new form of eating into your lifestyle. Yet before you jump into eating a plant-based diet, there are a few things to consider.  Here are ten things you can expect when switching […]

Veganism and following a vegan diet has become trendy, whether for health reasons, environmental concerns, or ethical motivations. Whatever the reason, it is entirely safe and healthy to follow a vegan diet after bariatric surgery. You may have to be a little more creative and careful with the foods that you pick. On a vegan diet, […]

The vegan diet has become a popular form of eating in more recent years. With celebrities and influencers touting the health benefits of a vegan diet, you may be curious about what it means to be vegan and why everyone follows this trend.  A vegan diet, otherwise known as a plant-based diet, is a way […]

Understanding how much to eat after bariatric surgery depends on many factors. However, one piece of advice given to anyone who goes through weight loss surgery is to eat protein. Protein is a huge part of your diet after weight loss surgery, and knowing how much to eat after bariatric surgery is a significant factor in […]

Eating after bariatric surgery has many different components, so truthfully, there is no perfect plan for everyone to lose weight. There are many diets and programs for weight loss, and of course, our bodies will respond differently to each. However, one main component for weight loss can apply universally for anyone trying to lose weight: […]

Bariatric providers require patients to take a bariatric multivitamin after weight surgery, along with other vitamins, to ensure optimal health. After bariatric surgery, the digestive tract will be altered, reducing the amount of vitamins and minerals absorbed by the body. Therefore, to avoid malnutrition, patients will be required to take vitamins for life after their […]

Cheat Days have become a popular trend amount dieters and fitness enthusiasts alike. Life after bariatric surgery comes with many changes, the most significant being a change in your eating habits. Transitioning from a diet high in carbs and fatty foods to the typical post-op diet low in carbohydrates and high in protein can be […]

It is not unusual to become overwhelmed and confused when sifting through the latest nutritional data to improve your health after bariatric surgery. However, when it comes to improving your diet, sometimes the little steps can make a big difference. Here are five foods that you can substitute for healthier options to improve your overall […]

Many patients have bariatric surgery with the intent to lose weight and feel full faster. Due to the restrictive nature of the gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and duodenal switch resulting from the surgeon making the stomach smaller, most patients will achieve weight loss by limiting their caloric intake. There is also a decrease in the […]

For most people, the 4th of July celebrations involve grilling out, drinking beer, soaking up the sun, and sharing laughs with family and friends. As glorious as this may sound, holidays can lead to anxious feelings for bariatric patients, though, as they are typically surrounded by food.  As we come together to celebrate the red, […]

For most individuals, summer in the south means backyard barbecues, outdoor festivals and fairs, and lots of time with family and friends. This can also mean battling the urge to eat whatever and whenever you want when surrounded by all the temptations. As an individual interested in losing weight or who has just had weight […]

The carnivore diet, also known as the zero-carb diet or all meat diet, is not to be confused with the ketogenic diet. If you’ve followed other diets to lose weight only to put it back on again later on, maybe the carnivore diet is what you need to achieve your weight loss goals and build lean […]

We have all heard of calories, but do you know what they actually do? Calories are what make our bodies run; they are the gas to our tank. Calories are needed for our organs to function and for our brains to work; they are what allow us to live. Remember, from last week’s blog, A Guide to Reading […]

Nutrition facts are on any packaged food item and even pertain to produce and meat products. Nutrition labels are essential to providing valuable information on the quality of food you are eating and making informed, healthy food choices—which is especially important after bariatric surgery. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created the nutrition label to […]

Despite what you may think, all “healthy” foods are not created equal. The food industry has spent billions of dollars on marketing certain foods that they claim to be “healthy”. And unless you are doing your own research on food nutrition and food science, you are likely falling prey to this form of information dissemination. 

What is biohacking, you might ask? Well, it’s a DIY way to make changes in your lifestyle for improved health and wellness. These changes are usually small and incremental, which means you can start incorporating them right now! One way to ease this process is by using biohacking supplements, and here are the most important […]

The holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, and food is usually a huge part of the celebration. Food is part of culture and heritage, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, family recipes and ethnic or regional dishes are one of the things that makes holiday meals so special.

Carbohydrates are naturally occurring sugars, starches, and fibers found in food products. Like fats and protein, carbohydrates are a macronutrient, meaning a nutrient that must be consumed in relatively large amounts as fuel for the body. In fact, you may have heard that carbs are the body’s primary source of energy.

The bottom line is that the only way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit by eating fewer calories than your body burns for energy. There are many ways to accomplish this, and targeting added sugars and replacing them with stevia is an easy and tasty fix.

Magnesium is an electrolyte that works alongside other electrolytes to help our normal bodily functions occur. This mineral is involved in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, including every major organ function—especially the heart and brain. 

The keto diet has been shown to be an effective diet for losing weight. Its low-carbohydrate, high-fat, moderate-protein model transforms the body from glucose-reliant to a machine that uses fat for fuel and produces ketones endogenously.

Many swear by keto, but just like other diets, it isn’t for everyone. The important things to consider when deciding whether or not to “go keto” after bariatric surgery are your current health status, your health goals, and how (and if) keto can fit into your life.

Macronutrients (“macros” for short) are the components of food that we consume in large quantities that provide energy in the form of calories—fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Macros provide the bulk of our body’s energy, and all of the food we consume contains some relative percent of each.

Far from a fad diet, the ketogenic diet, a.k.a the keto diet, is proving that it is here to stay. The attention is well justified, since the ketogenic diet has benefits for athletes, weight loss, and several other health-related conditions. And with an emphasis on the consumption of whole, nutritious, tasty foods, many people find […]

After bariatric surgery, all patients must take vitamins and supplements. As a result of the significant change in the digestive process and the reduction in food intake, vitamins and minerals are not absorbed as easily nor as frequently.

Although I highly suggest patients avoid eating at fast food restaurant chains, there is bound to be a time when you are stuck in the drive-thru line at McDonald’s. Whether your spouse sent you on a run to pick up dinner after a long day at work or you are road-tripping it, I want to […]

After bariatric surgery, patients must make changes to their eating habits to avoid regain. This is to include eating fewer packaged and restaurant meals, which are traditionally high in calories and carbohydrates. However, eating out is inevitable and is often a focal point of social events with friends and family. So how can you avoid […]

We are halfway through December and as much as you may hate to admit it, you have probably slipped up a few times on your healthy eating and exercise regimen. But before you fall too far off the wagon, we want to give you some healthy tips for the reindeer (I mean remainder) of this […]

The holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, and food is usually a huge part of the celebration. Food is part of culture and heritage, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, family recipes and ethnic or regional dishes are one of the things that makes holiday meals so special.

It is no surprise that Halloween is the day that the most sugar is consumed in America. On average, children consume 3 cups of sugar on Halloween and the parents are not too far behind. As a bariatric patient who is less than one year post-op, we recommend you consume, on average, 40 grams of carbs a […]

In last weeks blog post, I talked about intermittent fasting, what it entails, and the added benefits. And as promised, this week I am talking about the downsides as well as what my take is on bariatric patients doing intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting seems to be another rising health trend and one that is said to promote weight loss and simplicity—if done appropriately. It is not a diet, but rather a pattern of eating. It involves alternating between periods of fasting and eating. There are no stipulations on what you can or can’t eat, unlike some […]

When we talk about eating an all natural, whole food diet, we are referring to eating foods that are minimally processed. There are many benefits to eating a diet rich in vegetables and farm-raised meats, including weight loss and lowering your risk of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and much more. So […]

The 4th of July is around the corner and for a bariatric patient, it can be a bit intimidating. Between the hamburgers and hot dogs, potatoes chips, and red white and blue cupcakes, the 4th of July (among other holidays) is a bariatric patients nightmare. So we have crafted these yummy yogurt popsicles that are […]

We have all heard about the Keto Diet, the latest trend. But do you actually know what it entails other than eating lots of fat and losing weight? In this blog I am going to dive into the basics of the ketogenic diet and our take on this diet for bariatric patients.

It is estimated that about 45 million Americans go on a diet each year. However, two-thirds of the US population is considered overweight or obese based on their body mass index. With the steady rise in the obesity rate, it is no surprise Americans are turning to extreme methods to lose weight.

I frequently get questions about taking supplements including how often you should take them, for how long, and what types of supplements you need to take. Contrary to some medical articles I have read that show no benefit to taking supplements, I am a huge advocate for supplements, for many reasons.

Do you ever wonder why at Live Healthy MD we promote a lifestyle change and not a diet? Diets just don’t work! How many times have you started your healthy eating kick with the elimination of all processed foods, all sugar, all carbs, and basically anything that tastes good? Yeah, we have all been there.

We all experience food cravings—and it seems as though the times we are trying to eat healthy and lose weight, the cravings intensify. Can anyone relate? Cravings are a natural feeling that can tell you about about your psychology or physiology and it is okay to give into them every once in a while—notice I said […]

Do you ever wonder how many calories you are consuming on Halloween with all the candy? Or how long you will have to workout to burn those calories you have just consumed? I have created a detailed infographic to show you just how many calories and carbs you are consuming with every sugary, chocolatey bite.

Grocery shopping can seem like a chore, especially if you are buying for a family or even trying to eat healthier in a world of uncrustables and cookies. When I first began this grocery shopping blog series, I took you on an adventure through the grocery store and you may have spotted me looking at […]

Grocery shopping and meal planning can be intimidating for patients who have just had weight loss surgery or are trying to lose weight. In our practice, we emphasize the importance of eating protein during every meal and eliminating carbohydrates, of all forms, from your diet. However, this can be easier said than done.  

This week we decided to take a trip to the grocery store to show you guys how to grocery shop like a pro! At Live Healthy MD, we get a lot of questions about what our patients can and can not eat before and after surgery. I am showing you all how to navigate the […]

For most individuals, summertime in Georgia means backyard barbecues, outdoor festivals and fairs, and lots of time with family and friends. This can also mean battling the temptation to eat whatever and whenever you want because “hey, you haven’t seen your Uncle Ernie in 5 years so you gotta enjoy this ice cream with him!”. […]

It is July in Georgia. That means heat, heat, and more heat! There is no escaping the hot, humid weather that comes with Georgia summers. And the last thing our patients want to do is sabotage their healthy diet with those refreshing, yet sugary beverages. So we have created a recipe book for low carb, […]

It is a common misconception that weight loss surgery is the easy way out. However, this is not true at all! Weight loss surgery requires making many changes and change is not easy. In addition to mental changes, the diet changes necessary are usually the most challenging for most patients.

We all love food. Anyone who claims they don’t is lying. It can be difficult to even think about giving up all those delicious meals and treats you enjoy when preparing for weight loss surgery. In this blog post, we will discuss exactly what you need to do to prepare your diet for weight loss […]



You’ve probably heard the term “whole food” used frequently within nutrition circles. There’s the very popular Whole30 Program, Eat Whole Food recommendations, and even the Whole Foods Market chain of grocery stores. But what exactly are whole foods? In general, whole foods are single ingredient foods that have had little or no processing. There are many […]

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. Although the science behind this statement has long been debated, breakfast can have a big impact on overall success when it comes to maintaining blood sugars and successful weight loss.

Are you old enough to remember the movie Kindergarten Cop? Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a policeman who, on assignment, poses as a kindergarten teacher in order to catch a criminal. In the famous scene, he is in front of his class of 5-year-olds, rubbing his head. One of the kids asks, “What’s the matter?” Arnold, […]

This is the moment we have all been waiting for! Our practice would like to introduce the first ever Live Healthy MD branded Cookbook: Eat Well and Live Healthy!

Winter has arrived, and for most people, this means healthy eating is just as frozen as your fingers in the morning. It is not uncommon to find yourself trying to justify the fact that there are “too many temptations around” with the idea that your “new years resolution will take care of the extra lbs.” […]

The holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, and food is usually a huge part of the celebration. As we learned back in elementary school, the Thanksgiving holiday itself commemorates a special feast shared between the Pilgrims and Indians. Food is part of culture and heritage, and there’s nothing wrong with that. […]

Halloween is just around the corner and we all know what that means. Candy. It can be hard to resist the temptation to open the bag of mini chocolate bars you planned on giving out to trick-or-treaters. And it can be even harder not to pick out your favorite treats once the kids get home […]

With lots of information on the internet about what you should and should not be eating, it is easy to consume the wrong information, especially for our patients who are looking to lose weight before or after bariatric surgery. Our team at Live Healthy MD has put together a list of common “healthy” foods that […]

With the crisp coolness in the air (for those who do not live in Georgia), it is hard to resist those warm sugary Starbucks drinks that appear each Fall. What many patients don’t realize is that their morning pumpkin spice latte or midday mocha macchiato are just as dangerous to their weight loss efforts as their […]

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. The majority of the calcium in your body is used for the structure of your bones and your teeth while the rest is in your muscles and throughout your blood. So it may come as a shock to learn that calcium deficiency is a very common condition that […]

“Portion control” is a word that is frequently heard in the weight loss industry. Like any doctor or nutritionist will tell you, you can not successfully lose weight without limiting the amount of food you consume during each meal. Although the right portion size is different for every individual depending on your height, weight, gender, […]

If you want to lose weight, it is important that you eat lots of high protein foods. Not only is protein satisfying and allows you to feel full for longer periods of time, it also helps you to burn calories while you process the amino acids. Protein is the back bone for any weight loss […]