People get bariatric surgeries for a number of reasons. But one thing everyone who receives surgery must consider is their diet. These bariatric recipes will help your recovery go smoothly.
Following bariatric surgery, the stomach’s capacity is no longer as big as it used to be. That means that food can’t sit in stomach acid for as long!
In other words, it can’t digest the food you eat as well as it used to. That’s where a tailored bariatric meal plans comes in.
What’s a Good Diet for Bariatric Patients?
Bariatric diets are all about balancing your stomach with easily digestible foods like soft foods.
You should always consult your doctor about what is best for your particular case following gastric bypass surgery.
A general rule of thumb is to opt for a diet low in fats, sweets, and processed foods and other tough solid foods.
Other things to avoid might include raw foods that are tough to digest, grains like rice, and tough meats. Well-cooked meals with gentle ingredients that offer long-burning calories are ideal.
How Many Calories Should Bariatric Patients Eat?
As a bariatric patient, the number of calories and types of foods you should eat will depend on your case.
For example, if you have a high Basal Metabolic Rate, your doctor might say you should eat more than someone else.
Generally speaking, weight loss surgery diets recommend lower calories than some others.
Easy Bariatric Diet Recipes
The key to keeping on track is having some easy recipes ready. Takeout isn’t great for the stomach, so these recipes are meant to be as fast and easy as takeout to support your weight loss journey!
Check out twenty-one delicious recipes for your bariatric diet to keep you feeling healthy and satisfied.
1. Pea Puree
Source: inthekitch.net
While this green pea puree looks like it’s just made of peas, butter, broth, and herbs are hiding in this mixture too!
You only need twenty minutes from start to finish!
A single serving of this simple recipe will fill you up, and it’s a great option for your post-op diet
Don’t have heavy cream on hand? Try these best heavy cream substitutes.
2. Mashed Turnips
Source: masalaherb.com
Mashed turnips are a tasty substitute for mashed potatoes and are easier to digest!
Be gentle with the margarine or butter to make sure your stomach doesn’t have too much richness to digest.
This dish with healthy fats tastes amazing when seasoned with the right herbs even in smaller portions. Heaps of butter aren’t needed to support this healthy lifestyle!
3. Pumpkin Puree
Source: itsnotcomplicatedrecipes.com
Our third dish takes a classic fall vegetable and turns it into a delicious puree.
The best part is that this requires only one ingredient: pumpkin! With no additives, this is super easy on the stomach. Since pumpkin is such a rich vegetable already, it tastes great this way.
4. Pan Fried Trout Fillet
Source: masalaherb.com
Light proteins like trout are ideal for bariatric patients. This lean protein is super filling, so it will keep you going for a while.
You only need fifteen minutes to whip this up. So, it’s ideal for a rushed weeknight at home or to meal prep for lunch or dinner.
5. Mashed Cauliflower
Source: wholesomeyum.com
By now, we all know that mashed cauliflower is a great alternative to mashed potatoes. It’s light and delicious, but you can season it to taste like potatoes.
Boil your cauliflower and mash it to a fine paste with your favorite fixings. Remember to keep the amount of butter light with this one.
6. Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup
Source: jessicainthekitchen.com
Carrots are the hero ingredient in this Indian-inspired roast vegetable soup, offering a rich sweetness that’s so addictive. A swirl of coconut cream balances the whole thing out.
Ginger and garam masala adds a lovely heat to the soup. This is an ideal winter warmer that your whole family can enjoy together.
7. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Half the time, I prefer mashed sweet potatoes to regular potatoes! There’s just an extra level of flavor there that’s hard to beat.
These mashed sweet potatoes are light on the stomach and tastebuds. You can enjoy this as a snack or part of your main meal. Sprinkle with chives for the finishing flourish!
8. Vegan Potato Leek Soup
Source: veganhuggs.com
This potato leek soup is great for enjoying potatoes on a bariatric diet. They’re smooth and delicious and light on your digestion.
This is the kind of soup you whip out when someone needs comfort.
Ready for more low calorie dishes? Enjoy these yummy low calorie recipes.
9. Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes
Source: spoonforkbacon.com
Give your mashed potatoes a unique spin by using ube instead! Ube – or purple yams – are bright purple and have an earthy flavor.
The original recipe calls for a drizzle of melted butter and some crushed nuts over the top. You can always swap these out for crispy onions and a little mayonnaise or soy sauce drizzle.
10. Creamy Pumpkin Potato Soup
Source: myplantifulcooking.com
This pumpkin and potato soup provide the best of both worlds. This happens to be a vegan and gluten-free meal so anybody can enjoy a bowl of this.
The potatoes help lighten the pumpkin flavor, while the pumpkins add sweetness.
Enjoy more soup recipes with more tasty low calorie soups!
11. Hard Boiled Eggs
Source: wholesomeyum.com
Boiled eggs are a super simple high-protein snack you can make any time of the day or night.
Best of all, you can use any other flavors you like. Drizzle some mayonnaise and chili over the top to create a tasty snack. Or, enjoy them with salt and pepper too.
12. Broiled Salmon Fillets
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Salmon is a great protein high in nutrients. It’s also filling in small amounts so you can feel full and satisfied with even a small fillet.
Experiment with your favorite flavors on top of the salmon fillet. Soy sauce and honey are a tried-and-true combination that you can never go wrong with.
13. Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Source: chefsavvy.com
I love this recipe thanks to both its look and taste. A bowl of this in front of you will get your mouth watering!
Making cauliflower rice is simple, and you can prepare it in advance. Shave the cauliflower and keep it in portions in your freezer. Steam, mix, and you’re ready!
14. Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Source: theflavorbender.com
Eggs are an ideal ingredient if you’re sticking to a bariatric diet and you can be sure you’ll get protein.
Scrambled eggs are a great breakfast option. Play with your favorite herbs and spices to create a new taste every time! Add a little milk when you whisk them to make them extra fluffy.
15. Steamed Garlic Herb Butternut Squash
Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com
Steamed butternut squash is so light and soft that you can carve through it with a spoon. The garlic and herb mixture makes it even better.
Every bite tastes both earthy and sweet. Some crunchy pine nuts or crispy onions would be great to add some much-needed crunch.
16. Baked Chicken Breast
Source: bellyfull.net
This is a simple chicken recipe with delicious results. All you need is a spice rub, your oven, and twenty minutes.
Try roasting your vegetables and the chicken to save yourself even more time. That way, you don’t have many dishes, and all the ingredients taste as they go together!
Enjoy more low calorie chicken recipes!
17. Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
Source: thatgirlcookshealthy.com
This Jamaican recipe is a great condiment on a main dish or a delicious snack. Plus, the ingredients are super affordable.
To save time, try making a big batch and freezing it. This recipe defrosts well, keeping the flavor and texture of the cabbage for a long time.
18. Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
Source: lifeloveliz.com
The one-pan meal features ground turkey as a light-yet-filling protein. There are also plenty of vegetables in the mix.
This meal is easy to digest and great no matter what time of day you’re sitting down to eat. Trust me. Your entire family will enjoy a plateful of this tasty skillet.
19. Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Source: veggieinspired.com
This recipe has all the flavors you know and love from the fall season! Butternut squash and apple blend into a perfectly comforting and sweet soup.
A dose of warm spices lifts the whole soup to new heights. Imagine curling up under a blanket to stip at a bowl of this healthy, tasty soup. Heaven.
20. Steamed Cauliflower with Herbs
Source: healthyseasonalrecipes.com
Next up, we have a super simple side or snack dish. A huge helping of herbs and spices helps turn cabbage into a tasty treat.
Since the cauliflower is steamed, it’s easy to digest. Try drizzling this bowl with your favorite dressing to turn it into a simple salad.
21. Low Carb Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet
Source: ifoodreal.com
This is a low-carb ground turkey and zucchini skillet packed with nutrients. All the vegetables are stewed and easy to digest.
The ground turkey is the real hero, with plenty of flavors soaked into every bite. A great dish to make for the whole family on a busy weeknight, and it won’t hurt your stomach.
Ready for more meal inspiration? Check out these creamy pureed diet recipes.
So, which of these recipes will you try in your next weekly meal rotation? Do you have any other favorites? Let me know in the comments below!