Bariatric Diet Recipes

Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery which involves reduction of the stomach size to eventually minimize the consumption of food. The general criteria to be an eligible candidate for this surgery is extreme obesity with BMI above 40. Bariatric surgery is highly recommended as an obesity surgery taking into consideration its success rate. Immediately after the surgery, doctors recommend a proper bariatric surgery diet as the success of the surgery depends on proper adherence to bariatric diet plans suggested by them. Hence, bariatric diet recipes have become extremely popular to avoid any surgery complications.

Bariatric diet after surgery involves four stages, and the main aim of these stages is to help the patient gradually adapt to a normal diet. Hence, after discharge, patients are provided with a bariatric diet menu in order to guide them on what can be consumed for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, evening snack, from day 1. Proteins should be the first priority in bariatric recipes, and there are many exiting high protein recipes for bariatric patients.

Stage I

For the first stage, immediately after the surgery, it includes an all liquid diet for one week. Since the stomach is reduced to the size of a walnut, only liquids like milk, juices, broth, water, etc., can be taken in sips at quick intervals without gulping.

Green Banana Porridge

Ingredients:

• 1 green banana
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp. milk or cream
• ½ tbsp. butter
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract

Process: Grate the green banana and pour it in the blender with half of the water. Beat it until smooth and pour it in a pan. Add rest of the water in it and bring the mixture to boil. Stir continuously and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir and serve hot.

For Stage II

For the second stage, only blended or pureed food is allowed. This diet from the second week should be rich in proteins and should not be taken in chunks. Food like eggs, yogurt, cheese, etc., should be pureed in a blender and taken for easy digestion.

Blended Chicken with Pepper

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked chicken
• 2 tbsp. of hot broth
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. black pepper

Process: Pour the broth and cooked chicken in a blender. Blend well on low speed until smooth. Add pepper and salt to taste. Serve hot.

For Stage III

For the third stage, from the fifth week onwards, it should consist of soft solid foods. The food must be swallowed only after proper chewing as the stomach gets slowly accustomed to solid food. The diet can include food items like fish, cottage cheese, rice, meat paste, eggs, etc.

Mini Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground turkey meatballs
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• ¼ cup grated cheese
• ½ cup finely diced onions
• 1 tbsp. minced parsley
• ½ tsp. black pepper

Process: Pour all the ingredients in a bowl and mix by hand. Make small fork-sized balls. Heat a pan and pour low-fat vegetable, oil and cook the meat balls until browned in low simmer.

For Stage IV

For the fourth stage, it can include all solid food items taken in a normal diet from the tenth week onwards. Care should be taken that the food is low in fat and sugar content, and consumed in smaller amounts to reduce the chance of weight gain.

Breaded Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces boneless chicken breast
• 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup bread crumbs
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. dried onion
• ½ tsp. red pepper powder(optional)
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil

Process: Cut each chicken breast horizontally into two thin pieces. Rub olive oil in it and mix all the ingredients except bread crumbs with the chicken. Pat each piece in bread crumbs and bake for 20 minutes at a uniform temperature of 375ºF.

Drinking lots of liquid is recommended but avoid drinking liquid with meals. It is advisable to stop eating once the stomach feels full and food should be chewed well before swallowing. Since it might not always be possible to maintain the recommended levels of necessary nutrients through food items, doctors often advise supplements of proteins, vitamins and minerals after bariatric weight loss surgery. From the fourth month onwards, regular diet can be followed which should not exceed 1400 calories per day. Maximum care should be taken to include as much proteins as possible in the daily menu, along with vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Foods containing fat, sugar and alcohol is a huge hindrance in losing weight, so are best avoided.