The Bulletproof Diet – Any Good After WLS?

Further to my blog yesterday, saying we’d take a look at some other dietary regimes out there that may (or may not) help WLS patients, here’s a resumé of one that may have caught your eye. My son-in-law (not a wls patient) has enjoyed particular success with the Bulletproof Diet and so I have been interested to know more … read on …

GUEST POST: There are so many diets out there, all of which make claims about controlling weight, increasing energy and improving your overall health. The key is to find one that provides you with balance, and that best fits your tastes and needs. If you’re looking for a structured diet after weight loss surgery, the best diet to follow is the one given to you by your bariatric dietician, but I know sometimes we want to mix it up a bit. In which case you might have considered the Bulletproof Diet and it could be the one for you, just remember to always consult your doctor or team before you start. So let’s take a look at what the benefits are, along with what you should and shouldn’t consume on the Bulletproof Diet.

 

What are the benefits of the Bulletproof Diet?

It’s claimed that the Bulletproof Diet offers a host of benefits and is very simple to follow. Amongst these benefits are:

 

• Straightforward weight loss – it’s said that you don’t need to count calories, so a lot of the hassle is taken away.
• More energy – one of the biggest causes of high cholesterol levels is a lack of activity and the increased energy should give you the boost to get moving.
• Improved mental function.
• Supports immune system.

 

Foods to eat

The emphasis is very much on the quality of what you eat. Rather than going for highly processed products, the Bulletproof Diet focuses on ‘purer’ options. There are a number of key foods, which include:

 

• Fresh fish: Omega 3 has been shown as playing a significant role in fighting the causes of high cholesterol, so oily species like salmon are ideal.
• Grass-fed meat: You’re looking for clean sources of protein, so pastured beef, lamb, chicken etc. is the way to go.
• ‘Healthy’ fats: Grass-fed butter, MCT oil, coconut oil etc. are good options.
• Organic vegetables: Greens like broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts should become staples. As should other veg like asparagus, cauliflower and courgette. Go organic when you can and don’t be scared of frozen products, sometimes they’re better quality.
• Bulletproof Coffee: Not a food, but a central part of the Bulletproof Diet. There are specialised Bulletproof Coffee Beans to drink every morning. Add up to 2 spoons of grass-fed butter and MCT oil for a creamy, energised start to your day.

 

Foods to avoid

What you consume is important but so is what you eliminate. Here are a few things to avoid:

 

• Bad fats: The types of artery-clogging fats that are major causes of high cholesterol should be avoided and replaced with the above healthy fats.
• Eliminate sugar: That includes the hidden sugars in things like fruit juice.
• Limit fruit intake: Speaking of fruit, you should favour the lower fructose options like berries, and keep servings down to 1 or 2 per day.
• Eliminate non grass-fed dairy products.
• Ditch artificial sweeteners, colourings and flavourings.
• Remove gluten, grains and legumes

 

That’s given you an overview of the Bulletproof Diet and there is a lot of additional information out there. It can be useful to some WLS patients but do your research and talk to your health professional to see if they think it’s a good idea for you to give it a try. Once you get given the green light, enjoy the challenge of your new diet.

Feature courtesy of Joana Teixeira