How to Eat Fast Food After Bariatric Surgery | Mexico Bariatric Center (2024)

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It is no secret that fast food has a bad reputation in theweight-loss community. Although fast food has had an unhealthy reputation, there are somehealth-conscious options on a bariatric diet.

It has happened to everyone. You are with your friends or family, and somebody wants to stop at a fast food chain to fill their appetite. Everyone agrees and you pull into the drive-thru. Now you are in a big predicament that can make or break your weight loss plans. We created this guide for bariatric patients so eating fast food won’t jeopardizepost-op goals.

Fast Food After Bariatric Surgery Tips

• For an easy low-carb, keto-friendly option, you can ask for no bread/bun/croutons on a sandwich/burger/salad or try a lettuce wrap instead.
• Remember to adjust your order to your health concerns and always exclude items with high-fat content.
• Many fast-food joints allow you to go “carb-less” by getting all the goods you would enjoy on a burger – wrapped in lettuce instead.

Top 10 Bariatric-Friendly Fast-Food Chains

Bariatric patients can still enjoy the secret pleasure of fast food with certain modifications. We created this fast food guide after weight loss surgery so eating out won’t jeopardize post-op goals. Our ten favorite bariatric-friendly take-out restaurants:

1. Taco Bell

• Soft Taco Beef (180 Cal)
• Soft Taco Supreme- Chicken (190 Cal)
• Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme (190 Cal)
• Crunchy Taco Supreme (190 Cal)

Complete Guide to Taco Bell After Weight Loss Surgery

2. McDonald’s

• Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken – 190 calories
• Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad, no dressing – 250 calories
• Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich – 430 calories
• Quarter Pounder® with no Cheese – 420 calories
• Egg White Delight McMuffin® – 260 calories
• Egg McMuffin – 288 calories

Use McDonald’s calculator for nutritional facts.

3. Subway

• 6” Oven Roasted Chicken Sub (310 calories)
• Black Forest Ham Salad (120 Cal)
• Oven Roasted Turkey & Ham Salad (110 Cal)
• Grilled Chicken Protein Bowl (200 Cal)
• Rotisserie-Style Chicken Protein Bowl (220 Cal)

For more meal ideas and a meal planner, check out Bariatric Friendly Subway Menu Blog!

4. Chipotle

• Burrito bowl with chicken, black beans, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, and lettuce – 360 calories
• Burrito bowl with steak, pinto beans, romaine lettuce, fresh tomato salsa, and tomatillo-green chilli salsa – 325 calories

Check out our Chipotle blog for a nutrition calculator!

5. Chick-fil-a

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich (380 Cal)
• Chick-fil-A Nuggets (250 Cal)
• Grilled Nuggets (130 Cal)
• Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips (310 Cal)
• Chicken Tortilla Soup (340 Cal)
• Chicken Noodle Soup (170 Cal)

Complete Guide to Chick-fil-A After Bariatric Surgery

6. Panda Express

• Black Pepper Angus Steak (180 Cal)
• String Bean Chicken Breast (190 Cal)
• Kung Pao Chicken (290 Cal)
• Mushroom Chicken (170 Cal)
• Black Pepper Chicken (280 Cal)

Check out more bariatric-friendly Panda Express here!

7. Wendy’s

• Ultimate Chicken Grill (370 Cal)
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich (350 Cal)
• Caesar Side Salad with Lemon Garlic Caesar Dressing (170 Cal)

See the full bariatric-friendly Wendy’s menu

8. Jack in the Box

• 4 Piece Grilled Chicken Strips (250 Cal)

9. El Pollo Loco

• Double Chicken Avocado Salad (380 Cal)

10. In-N-Out

When you go to In-N-Out, make sure to order your burger “Protein-Style” meaning your high-carb bun is replaced with a lettuce wrap.

• Protein-Style Cheeseburger (330 Cal)
• Protein-Style Hamburger (240 Cal)

Post-Bariatric Fast Food Precautions

It has happened to everyone. You are with your friends or family, and somebody wants to stop at a fast-food chain to fill their appetite. Everyone agrees and you pull into the drive-thru. Now you are in a big predicament that can make or break your weight loss plans.

Here are some tips for choosing healthy fast food options after weight loss surgery:

1. Understand Nutritional Data

As a bariatric patient, there is a nutritional blueprint to follow in order to maintain an effective weight-loss strategy. Stay away from meals high in calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. Plan your fast food meal around protein to fulfill yourbariatric dietary requirements. High protein choices that are low in fat are your best bet while eating out.

2. Basic Rules to a Bariatric Diet

Always follow the doctor’s orders first and foremost. Afterbariatric surgery, it is essential to maintain a healthy bariatric diet while following a meal plan. It is very important to follow a consistent eating routine that fulfills nutritional requirements. Remember to focus on eating slowly by taking small bites and chewing your food thoroughly.

3. Stay Focused on Your Weight-Loss Goals

Fast food is something that can be avoided. This guide is not an excuse to eat fast food regularly or to go against your nutrition plan. Do not lose focus on yourweight loss goalsand stay committed to your bariatric diet.

4. Fast Food to Avoid

It is important to keep away from foods that are soft or liquids like milkshakes or ice cream. These fill you up slower, which can cause bariatric patients to eat more. Solid foods will fill you up faster and keep you feeling full longer. Any drinks that contain calories like soda or sweetened beverages should also be avoided.

On a bariatric diet, you should not eat fried food such as french fries, fried chicken/fish strips, or fried wonton strips. Don’t use high sugar/calorie salad dressings. Stay away from high-fat and high-sugar condiments such as ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, mayo, or special sauces.

Food for Thought

Armed with knowledge and tips on what to look for and what not to look for, you can navigate any menu like a weight-loss pro without losing all your hard-earned work. Happy ordering!

Related Resources

• What to Eat at Your Favorite Restaurant After Bariatric Surgery
• Bariatric Friendly Cookbook – Recipes On the Go
• Starbucks Bariatric Friendly Menu
• Nutritional Complications After Weight Loss Surgery
• Gastric Sleeve Results and What to Expect Post-Op
• Motivational Non-Scale Victories of Past Patients (NSV’s)