We recommend using the plate method as a guide to help with weight loss and to create good eating habits prior to surgery. Use a dinner plate no more than 9-10 inches in diameter.
Protein (Eat 1st)
Choose 3-4 oz
(size of a deck of cards)
- Lean meat
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Cottage Cheese
Non-Starchy Veggies (Eat 2nd)
Should fill half your plate
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Bamboo shoots
- Bean Sprouts
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Green beans
- Greens
- Mushrooms
- Leeks
- Okra
- Onions/green onions
- Parsnips
- Peppers all varieties
- Radishes
- Rutabaga
- Salad Greens
- Sprouts
- Squash (crookneck, summer)
- Sugar snap peas
- Swiss chard
- Tomato
- Turnips
- Zucchini
Starch/Fruit (Eat 3rd)
Limit to 1 serving
- Fruit, ½ cup or 1 small fruit
- Dried fruit, 2 Tbsp
- Corn, ½ cup
- Green peas, ½ cup
- Potato, ½ cup, or ½ medium
- Sweet potato, ½ cup
- Cereal, ¾ cup
- Oatmeal, ¾ cup
- Beans, ¾ cup
- Grits, ½ cup
- Bread, 1 slice or 1 roll
- Biscuit, 1 small
- Waffle 1 small – 4″
- Tortilla, 1 small – 6″
- Pasta, 1/3 cup
- Rice, 1/3 cup
- Crackers, 5
- Popcorn, 1 cup