After weight loss surgery it is important to include as many healthy foods in our diet as possible while still respecting the the restrictive nature gastric bypass system. One of the foods that many patients report having a high tolerance for is tomatoes. It's well known that a high intake of tomato products is associated with lowered risk of colon and prostate cancers, a beneficial effect thought to be due to tomatoes high content of the carotenoids, lycopene and beta-carotene.
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoid family of phytochemicals and is the natural pigment responsible for the deep red color of several fruits, most notably tomatoes. Recently scientists have found evidence that supports the role of lycopene in human health, specifically in the prevention of cancers of the prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix and lung, as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
Lycopene is also believed to play a role in the prevention of heart disease by inhibiting free radical damage to LDL cholesterol. Before cholesterol can be deposited in the plaques that harden and narrow arteries, it must be oxidized by free radicals. With its powerful antioxidant activity, lycopene can prevent LDL cholesterol from being oxidized.
Lycopene is a fat-soluble substance, and as such requires the presence of dietary fat for proper absorption through the digestive tract. To facilitate proper absorption tomatoes can be prepared with minimal healthy fat such as olive oil, canola oil or even dairy fat found in cheese. These "healthy fats" are generally well tolerated by gastric bypass patients.
Shopping for Tomatoes:
Choose tomatoes that have a deep rich color. Not only is this one of the signs of a delicious tasting tomato, but the deep color indicates that it has a greater supply of the health-promoting phytochemical red pigment, lycopene. Tomatoes should be well shaped and smooth skinned with no wrinkles, cracks, bruises or soft spots. They should not have a puffy appearance since this indicates that they will be of inferior flavor and will cause excess waste during preparation. Ripe tomatoes will yield to slight pressure and will have a noticeably sweet fragrance.
Tips for Preparing Tomatoes:
Before serving, wash tomatoes under cool running water and pat dry. If your recipe requires seeded tomatoes, cut the fruit in half horizontally and gently squeeze out the seeds and the juice.
Kaye Bailey ? 2005 - All Rights Reserved
An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website http://www.livingafterwls.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community.
The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, http://www.livingafterwls.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes, general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled "You Have Arrived" available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog.
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Making the Decision:Whether you are interested losing ten pounds that... Read More
Obesity raises the risk of various types of cancer. And... Read More
Calorie burn can be really enhanced if you follow a... Read More
1. Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot... Read More
"Hey, you have reduced now, compared to the last time... Read More
Do you compete in sports for weight loss or fat... Read More
Want an after dinner snack? Jealously watching your family consume... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
Did you know that being successful with losing weight starts... Read More
Many individuals these days, male or female, young or old,... Read More
Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More
Is this even possible?Well hold on to your seat because... Read More
What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people... Read More
If you're a low carb diet enthusiast, you've probably tried... Read More
I asked my sister to come to my gym with... Read More
Have you ever wondered why diet books always seem to... Read More
To see the "low carb" diets on the way out... Read More
Do you know what the words really mean on food... Read More
Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of... Read More
Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More
The world today has more obese and overweight people than... Read More
Have a conversation about gastric bypass surgery with just about... Read More
Think for a moment about the highest mountain you ever... Read More
Studies show that most Americans are fifteen percent fatter today... Read More
Your Can Turn Fat into Muscle......Fact or Fiction???Completely False!!!!First of... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..Permanent Weight loss is not about Diet. If you are... Read More
A frequent question brand-new gastric bypass patients ask is "How... Read More
Obesity, especially in children, is a matter of rapidly growing... Read More
"How do I lose 5 kg or 30 kg?""How do... Read More
Lipoxinol Weight Loss Review: Does Lipoxinol Live Up To All... Read More
Lose Weight - Get A Break ---------------------------------------- The American Obesity... Read More
One way of recognizing a fad diet is... Read More
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor; nor do I play... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More
In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work... Read More
Do you remember nodding your head with understanding during your... Read More
A "normal-tummy" looks at the food pyramid from the bottom... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT1. Take it one step at... Read More
Put simply, your resting metabolic rate is the minimum number... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Do calories matter or do you simply need to eat... Read More
Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and... Read More
Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably... Read More
Okay, so you've read some of these articles, done your... Read More
We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More
Compulsive eating is characterized mainly by periods of impulsive bingeing... Read More
A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More
You see it all the time; people agonizing over their... Read More
Weight Loss |