Thanks for your email and sorry to hear about your health problems. Your weight loss post-surgery has been amazing. As you have already recognised, absorbing nutrients is a bit more tricky for you now with far less surface area in your small intestine, and a shorter bowel.

Nutrient rich foods tend to also be richer in calories, so it's going to be a balancing act trying to get the right level of essential nutrients, but keeping calories in check for the weight that you want to lose. Are you under the care of a specialist dietitian at all? I would have thought that your complex needs would merit a consultation with a dietitian, who would be able to advise you on the best diet to follow, and whether more supplements might be required?

So good nutrient rich foods would include:-

- Eggs (rich in protein, vitamins, minerals)

- low fat dairy - semi skimmed/ skimmed milk, yogurts, fromage frais, cream cheese (rich in protein, calcium, other minerals)

- Nuts - all kinds (although they are high in fat and calories, there are so many great nutrients that small amounts of nuts can give very positive

nutrition)

- Fortified breakfast cereals - any cereal that has vitamins and minerals added are great nutrient rich foods - have with low fat milk or yogurt to get a good range of nutrients

- Jellies/ desserts made with condensed/ evaporated milk - these can make a good alternative to yogurts but are a nutrient dense sweet treat

- Adding a cheese sauce to veggies can add essential nutrients and calories if you need extra

- Fruit and veg is nutrient dense in terms of plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants but they do tend to be bulky so perhaps blending down F+V into a smoothie might be a good idea - you get all the goodness but less volume.

It might also be worthwhile considering a meal replacement type product, as these can help to get essential nutrients in, within a small volume. I would take advice from your dietitian or hospital consultant about this because they may not want you to include a liquid diet in your intake.

I hope this helps - please don't hesitate to get back in touch should you have any further questions.

Best of luck with the weight loss and your health.

Janet

Nutracheck Nutritionist