If you are going through bariatric surgery – in the first three months of the procedure – your body changes and so should your diet. Nutrition will make you happy, you heal your body and get set to lose weight. Comfort food is big news in the winter months so try to create dishes that are comforting and enjoyable but still work with your new diet. I’m sharing 5 Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Recipes in this post to get you through your first 3 months after bariatric surgery.
Understanding Your Body and Food
It begins with recognizing that you are not feeding yourself to have a belly but to nourish your body. Lost is as much an act of mind as of body. Each meal is your opportunity to feed your body what it needs to heal, mature, and stay at the weight you’re losing. So no worries, just have to live with this while you slowly work your way up from liquid and puréed to full meals. ‘You’ve got to be a grown up mentally if you want to survive post-op. You are feeding your body for fuel, choosing what feeds you, a new relationship with food.
Bariatric Patient Winter Breakfast Ideas
- Warm Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal – A warm bowl of oatmeal can start you off on the right foot in the morning, and because it’s developed with bariatric nutrition in mind, it can also deliver fiber and protein. Bake oats first with unsweetened almond milk or water. Add a little cinnamon and some drops of apple puree. Blend in Greek yogurt for protein. It is a comfort food that doesn’t cross the line on your health.
- Scrambled Eggs Spinach Feta Scrambled eggs are a great protein and digestive tool. For a winter feel, brown spinach and top with eggs and feta. This protein-rich breakfast is healing for your muscles and the spinach supplements them with vitamins and minerals.
- Cottage Cheese with Berries and Ground Flaxseed Light and bulky breakfast: Cottage cheese is protein-rich. Serve it with berries fresh or frozen and some ground flaxseed for fat and fibre. This won’t bloat but won’t overwhelm your body so is great for the first few months post-surgery.
- Protein Pancakes Made with a bariatric protein pancake mix or almond flour, protein pancakes are a filling, dense breakfast. One scoop of low fat Greek yogurt and some berries to cap it off. It’ll have you wishing you were in a comfort food restaurant and not on the diet.
- Chia Pudding with Almond ButterFor a basic, straightforward breakfast, chia pudding is fantastic. Chia seeds and unsweetened almond milk, chill overnight. Mix in a tablespoon of almond butter for protein and good fats in the morning. It’s filling and stays with you longer, so you have fuel to last the day.
Bariatric Patients: Bariatric Patients Winter Lunch Menu Ideas
- Chicken and Vegetable Soup: A bowl of chicken soup is a nice winter food. You’re also bariatric-safe if you prefer lean protein (chicken breast, say) and low-carb veggies (carrots, zucchini, spinach). Don’t overdo the broth and don’t add much heavy cream or butter. It’s vegetable soup that will not only digest you properly, but also feed you the protein and vitamins.
- Turkey Lettuce Wraps For a carb-free and protein-rich lunch, choose turkey lettuce wraps. Cut thin turkey breast and place in big lettuce leaves with little avocado, tomato and olive oil. It is novel, easy to prepare, and has nutrients that won’t be taxing on your new gut.
- Ground Turkey Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce Zucchini noodles are a carb-free alternative to pasta. Scatter over thin ground turkey, top with fresh tomato, garlic, and basil marinara sauce. This dinner is high in protein and delicious veggies, and it is also a great winter dinner.
- Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables For a super healthy meal, toss cooked quinoa with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, cauliflower and squash. Add some lean chicken or tofu in for protein. The quinoa is fibre and the roast vegetables are warm and your post operation tastes.
- Egg Salad With Greek Yogurt A classic egg salad is better with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Cook eggs and put in yogurt, mustard, salt and pepper. It’s an easy to digest protein-rich soup and great for a quick lunch.
Bariatric Patient Winter Meal Ideas
- Baked Salmon and Asparagus A little baked salmon and roasted asparagus for a protein-heavy, nutrient-dense snack. Salmon has omega-3 a heart healthy fat and asparagus is packed with fibre and vitamins. You can get it velvety, which is ideal for dinners after a procedure.
- Rice Stir-Fry with Chicken & Cauliflower Rice: Cauliflower rice works great for rice and has less carbs and fiber. Stir-fry it with a little thin chicken breast, vegetables and a dollop of soy sauce for a small dinner. This recipe is so delicious, packed with protein and healthy fats, and it’s perfect for the first 3 months after surgery.
- Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers Prick inside bell peppers and stuff with ground turkey, tomatoes and seasoning. Roast 20 minutes or until peppers are tender. It’s vegetable protein packed, and the peppers are a high fiber food so this is good for post-operative nutrition.
- Roasted Chicken and Steamed Broccoli Roasted chicken is low fat protein and steamed broccoli — a healthy meal. Broccoli has the fiber and vitamins to cleanse your system, but it is light and easy to digest.
- Spaghetti Squash Meatballs Spaghetti squash is an excellent low carb pasta substitute. Cook turkey meatballs in the oven and layer them over marinara sauce for a greasy but perfectly good snack.
Re-Invention and Making the Move
Post-operative weight loss isn’t only about food but also your brain. Do not pass up the process, make it an experiment on you and your relationship to food. As a kid, the meal of the day is not a meal you eat but rather fuels your body, makes it better and sets it up for success in the long run. And when you’re adding these tasty, nutritious recipes to your post-surgery diet plan, remember where you are at, don’t change and stay consistent in health.
Contact Information:
Email: info@UMGcare.com
Phone: 1-800-330-1015
