Why do “bad” foods go down so easily?

After sleeve gastrectomy you’re encouraged to eat a diet mostly full of unprocessed foods and to stay away from “junk” or “bad” foods. But why are processed foods so much easier to eat (and keep eating)? And is this a problem in the long term? 

Let’s unpack why processed foods go down so much more easily than those less processed foods. 

What are “bad” foods? 

First things first… Let’s get this out there – I don’t like to call foods “bad” or “good” as this can encourage a diet mentality where we demonise food and then chastise ourselves for eating said “bad” foods. Instead, a much more sustainable relationship with food and eating intuitively is so important.

However, in this context when people on forums and blogs refer to “bad” foods, we are talking about those more processed foods. You might also hear them called “slider” foods. 

You know- those that you start eating and can’t stop? Think savoury foods like chips, popcorn, crackers, pretzels and sweet foods like chocolate, cake, pastries, flavoured yogurt, choc chip biscuits and big milky drinks like milkshakes.

Why is it easier to eat processed foods? 

After a sleeve gastrectomy, processed foods are much easier to eat quickly and more volume compared to less processed foods. 

This is because of the processing. When a food is processed the body doesn’t have to do so much work to chew, swallow and digest these foods as this has been started by the production of the product.

For example, an extruded breakfast cereal (those that are a ‘shape’ like Cheerios or Fruit Loops) have had the grains and other ingredients smooshed together, turned into a paste and then made into the shape before being dried again. The tough outer layer of the grains have been removed and when you eat them, you don’t need to do nearly as much chewing or digestion to break that grain down – it’s been done for you!

Processed foods also have other ingredients like saturated fat, sugar and salt added to them. This combination of salt, fat and sugar hits all your mouth and brain’s pleasure points, making them moreish and it more difficult to stop! 

So once you start eating these foods, not only are they easy to chew, swallow and digest, but you are also wanting to eat more due to that flavour combination of the fat, salt and sugar. 

Is eating processed foods really a problem after a sleeve? 

Due to the added ingredients like fat and sugar, processed foods are usually higher in calories. Combine this with the fact that they’re easier to eat and more difficult to stop eating, overindulging in processed foods can result in you eating more calories than you need. This can slow weight loss or contribute to weight regain. 

Processed foods are also lower in nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals compared to unprocessed foods. If these processed foods are taking the place of more nutritious foods in your diet, you can miss out on key nutrients you need for good long term health!

The bottom line?

After a sleeve gastrectomy, it’s really important that we try to minimise the amount of processed foods in our day. Don’t get me wrong, having something on the odd occasion will be fine, but these foods should not be a regular feature in your daily diet. 

If you can manage this you will be more likely to keep nutrient deficiencies at bay and be better able to regulate your appetite leading to more success in the long term and less weight regain. 

Try these swaps to eat less processed foods: 

• Instead of cruskits swap for Vita Wheat crackers which have more wholegrains. 
• Go for a fruit, vegetable or egg-based snack like fruit and yoghurt, vegie sticks and dip or a mini quiche rather than something like chips, chocolate or biscuits. You’ll get less calories, and more fibre, vitamins and minerals. 
• If you need dessert, go for Greek yogurt rather than ice cream to keep the sugar and saturated fat content down.