Can you eat foods such as cheese and peanut butter after weight loss surgery?

Yes you can. But where most of us go astray is how to count these items into our diet plan. I count items such as cheese, peanuts, and nut butters as fat (they just happen to contain a little protein.)

You can add the protein that these foods contain into your daily protein count, but nevertheless they contain high amounts of fat. For example, one tablespoon of peanut butter has 4 grams of protein, but it has over 8 grams of fat. That is twice as much fat as protein. You would have to eat a lot of peanut butter, and fat, to get your daily protein requirement of 60 grams.

My advise: choose whole foods, enjoy these foods in moderation, know the fat, sugar, carbohydrate, and protein grams food items contain, make healthy (whole food) bariatric choices, and measure out proper portion sizes. Choose foods wisely and savor the flavor, texture, and variety without feeling guilty.

When eating cheeses, select varieties that are real whole food products, not processed. Choose one 1-oz portion size. Get creative. Try wrapping a few slices of turkey around that cheese for a higher protein count. Nut butters, such as peanut or almond, taste better when ground fresh and contain no unnecessary additives, oils, or sugar. One word of caution about nut butters from personal experience: they are sticky and our new pouch isn't what it used to be, it can get stuck and cause pain. Nut butters are best eaten with bread or crackers, not alone. Oh, and by the way, take small bites and chew well.  

Eat well, be well. Yes you can. You have many more miles to go!