Nutritional Alternatives to Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery helps many morbidly obese patients lose weight, but there are a number of risks involved. For that reason, many people prefer to try nutritional alternatives.
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Low-Carbohydrate Diets
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As the name suggests, low-carbohydrate diets limit carbohydrates, including bread, rice, pasta and other starches. Studies suggest that low-carbohydrate diets decrease the appetite, and these diets generally are low in calories. In addition, diets high in protein (as most low carbohydrate diets are) make you feel full longer, so you eat less.
Low-Fat Diets
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Doctors frequently recommend low-fat diets to patients who need to lose weight. These diets also are low in calories. They are usually high in fiber, which helps you feel full.
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Weight Watchers
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Weight Watchers provides an easy-to-follow, low-calorie diet plan. The program also involves regular support group meetings, which help ensure success.
Pre-Packaged Meal Plans
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Pre-packaged meal plans like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig provide ready-to-eat meals and snacks that are low in fat and calories. These plans are easy to follow since you don't have to plan menus or prepare meals. But the meals can be pricey.
Liquid Diets
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Some people who need to lose a lot of weight quickly follow a liquid diet plan, such as Medifast or Optifast. These plans offer low-calorie, nutritious shakes that are used in place of meals. To be safe, a physician should supervise a liquid diet plan.
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