9 Healthy Bariatric Meals: Recipes After Gastric Sleeve And Gastric Bypass

9 Delicious and Healthy Bariatric Meals Recipes are prepared by our Nutritionist. These recipes can be used to prepare the best meals for patients who have undergone gastric sleeve surgery or gastric bypass surgery.

After having bariatric surgery, patients go through several stages of food textures. The reason behind this is to check your body’s food tolerance levels.

Generally, these phases include liquid, puree, soft, and regular. Moreover, these altered food textures serve a dual task – provide optimum nutrition and go easy on your gut.

Most patients do not prefer these diets as they appear boring and tasteless. However, we can add variations and make these foods more appealing to the patients.

In this article, we will provide healthy bariatric meal options.

What Constitutes Healthy Bariatric Meals?

Bariatric surgery greatly changes the body’s normal functioning as these patients face appetite changes, altered tastes, smaller stomach sizes, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Moreover, these patients have an additional nutrient requirement due to delayed absorption. As a result, their diet needs to be carefully planned, with a prime focus on the key nutrients. 

Carbs are the main source of energy, and therefore, all meals should supply adequate amounts of carbs to avoid hypoglycemia.

Furthermore, these patients have a high risk of dumping syndrome. So, a golden rule is to use complex carbs and smaller but more frequent servings.

Protein is the most important nutrient when it comes to bariatric patients; even in pureed, soft, or liquid diets, it is recommended to add at least 15 g of protein per meal.

Adding protein shakes to a regular diet is ideal for fulfilling the additional requirement.

Another essential part is the daily water intake, and it is mostly ignored because drinking water during meals can cause discomfort in these patients.

Nonetheless, you can add water as herbal tea to have an overall soothing effect.

9 Delish and Healthy Bariatric Meals for Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass Patients

No matter what, food should always be nutritious and yummy. So, here are some healthy meal ideas for bariatric surgery patients.

1. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

It is a very simple, low-carb, high-protein meal option that is super easy to prepare. You can also freeze it for later use or eat it right away. Let’s get to the recipe!

• Startup by preheating the oven up to 375 F
• Now mix the chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, chilis and cilantro. After mixing, spread these onto a casserole dish.
• Place it in the oven for 15 minutes till the cheese melts. 
• Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Note: Eliminate chilies and cheese if you are on pureed and soft diet phases. 

2. Banana and Chai Seed Pudding

This one is a perfect breakfast to consider after bariatric surgery. But you must not take this one until you are on the regular diet phase because fiber is avoided in the earlier stages to prevent bloating.

Additionally, always use overnight-soaked chia seeds in the pudding to avoid any extra discomfort, especially in bariatric patients. Furthermore, you can add a little chocolate to make it look even more yummy.

• Take all your ingredients in a bowl and mix them to make a pudding.

3. Egg Salad

Egg salad is a perfect way to get your protein more lightly. Moreover, it is super quick to prepare. You can also add some low-fat cheese to make it taste better. 

• Start with boiling the eggs.
• Once boiled, add some salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
• If you are still in the pureed diet stage, blend all these in a food processor. 

4. Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower soup is a healthy option for those in the adaptive phases or on a regular diet.

Although it is a soup, it is not recommended during the earlier phases. Nonetheless, this one is a perfect way to get back to your normal eating patterns.

• Heat olive oil in a pan.
• Add onions and sauté them until golden
• Now add cauliflower and spices like turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper, etc.
• Add water and bring it to a boil.
• Boil until the cauliflower is soft. 
• Now blend the mixture and garnish it with cilantro.

5. Egg Muffins

A perfect way to restore your protein is by adding protein-rich sources such as eggs.

Egg muffins can be an amazing breakfast option for patients in the regular diet phase.

• Begin with heating the oven at 350 F
• Prepare an egg mixture that includes eggs and vegetables
• Now add bacon, egg mixture, and Swiss cheese to the muffin cups
• Sprinkle some extra cheese on the top
• Bake for 20 minutes.

6. Banana and Kale Smoothie

If you are in the pureed phases, then smoothies are the best answer to all your problems.

Especially the ones packed with all types of nutrients that you can have in just one go. The banana and kale smoothie brings back all the taste with its rich, fruity flavor.

• Take 1 cup of frozen berries, kale leaves, and one banana.
• Add Greek yogurt, milk, and fruits in a blender and blend until smooth.
• It’s done, and you have your power drink within minutes.

7. Chicken Broth

Surprisingly, it’s a bit easier to manage the later stages as compared to the clear fluid stage.

People often forget that this phase is the most crucial one. So, the safest and healthiest option is to go for chicken broth. You can even store it for later use.

• Place some chicken bones in a deep pan and add water.
• Add some garlic, carrots, onions, and celery.
• Boil until all the ingredients are totally soft. 
• Strain the broth. Chill it for some time and remove the fat layer that forms on the top.

8. Lentil and Mint Soup

Soups are good to go with the soft diet stages, and they also fulfill the nutrient requirements.

Lentil soups are high in protein, which is definitely needed in the adaptive phases and throughout the recovery period. So, here’s how you can prepare a super easy lentil soup

• Start by cooking onion and garlic on low flame for 3 minutes.
• Now add water, lentils, tomatoes, mint, salt and pepper.
• Boil it and then reduce the flame for 20-25 minutes.
• Blend it to convert it into a puree.
• Garnish with parsley and serve smooth!

9. Cheesecake Pudding

Cravings are a constant, and you can have them amidst your recovery phases.

This pudding is a good escape for those sweet lovers who have made it to the soft diet phase. Besides, it’s easy, quick, and low in calories.

• Add one cup of fat-free Greek yogurt and sugar-free cheesecake pudding mix in a blender.
• Blend the mixture for one minute.
• Top it with berries to make it even more delicious.