Shopping for a 2-Week Pouch Reset Diet

There may be a time after weight loss surgery when you notice that you are not losing weight as fast as you once were, or even that you are gaining weight again. Many bariatric patients turn to a 2-week pouch reset diet to help regain focus and go back to eating the foods and portions they were when they were losing weight according to plan. Having the right foods on hand can help you succeed with the diet so you can simply follow the instructions without worrying about what to eat. These are some pointers for shopping for a 2-week pouch reset diet.

Basic 2-Week Pouch Reset Plan

The plan mimics the progression you may have followed in the days and weeks after getting bariatric surgery, but the progression is faster.

• Day 1: Clear Liquids
• Days 2 and 3: Full Liquids 
• Days 4, 5, and 6: Pureed Foods (“Mushies”)
• Days 7, 8, and 9: Semi-Soft Foods
• Days 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14: Solid Foods

Day 1: Clear Liquids 

Day 1 includes only clear liquids just like you may have had right after your bariatric surgery. Along with water, these can include flavored water, sugar-free popsicles and gelatin, Decaffeinated Acid-Free Coffee, herbal tea, and Sipping Broth. Remember to keep taking your Bariatric Vitamins throughout the pouch reset diet!

Days 2 and 3: Full Liquids (High-Protein)

While the clear liquid diet only kept you hydrated, the Full Liquid Diet can help keep you nourished. The new emphasis here is on getting enough protein from liquid sources. These can include Protein Shakes (both Ready-to-Shake and Powders), Protein Hot Drinks, and Protein Fruit Smoothies, with Protein Gelatin and Protein Pudding as a welcome treat, and Protein Soups for a savory break. Protein Shots can give an added boost of protein in a package of only 1 to 2 ounces, allowing your stomach pouch to still stay small.

Days 4, 5, and 6: Pureed Foods (“Mushies”)

You get to add back a few “real” foods on Day 4, as long as they are thin and pureed or completely smooth. Yogurt, pureed cottage cheese, pureed tuna or cooked ground turkey, and pureed sweet potato, carrots, and peas are examples. Getting enough protein remains a focus, and products such as Protein Oatmeal, Protein Omelets, and Protein Protein Chili with Beans offer variety and low-carb protein. You can add Unflavored Protein Powder, such as Protein One Raw Natural, to any pureed food, such as pureed oatmeal or pureed applesauce, to boost your protein intake.

Days 7, 8, and 9: Semi-Soft Foods

Semi-soft foods help you inch closer to getting your regular foods back. Cooked fish, ripe fruit, and soft-cooked vegetables may be staples here. It may be time for meal helpers such as low-carb Protein Pasta, low-carb Protein Pancakes, and bariatric-friendly entrees such as Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Enchilada Verde, and Vegan Chicken Curry.

Days 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14: Solid Foods

Now you can gradually reintroduce the foods that will keep you healthy and on track for life. Vegetables, fruits, and nuts may be back. As snacks can make or break a diet, it may be time to consider protein-packed, low-carb snacks such as Protein Bars, Protein Chips and Pretzels, Protein Cereal and Bean Snacks, Meat Snacks, and Cheese Snacks.

A pouch reset diet can help you break through a plateau or reverse weight regain, and put you back on the path to losing weight. You will have to eat carefully during this period so you can reconnect with proper levels of hunger and fullness and so you can reestablish the habits that had let you lose weight before. The BariatricPal Store can help you get what you need to ace the 2-week pouch reset diet and put you within reach of your goals.