Best Bariatric Recipes for Weight Loss Success

W e i g h t L o s s g u i d e :

Best Bariatric Recipes for Weight Loss successYour diet is one of the biggest changes you’ll make for weight loss surgery. Many patients have reservations about this lifestyle shift because it literally affects the choices they make, multiple times a day. While making this change can give some patients pause, there are simple ways to make this new dietary lifestyle work for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the healthiest, and tastiest foods and recipes that will benefit your health and weight loss goals both before and after bariatric surgery. With enough practice, you’ll come to love the new foods and healthy recipes that coincide with your new, healthy style.

Easy Bariatric Recipes for Your Post-Weight Loss Surgery Diet

You may be wary of how to eat after you’ve had weight loss surgery. For many patients, this can be a big adjustment, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. There are still plenty of delicious and healthy food options that will fit perfectly with your new bariatric diet needs. You can satisfy your taste buds, as well as your doctor’s orders, with this day’s worth of easy post-weight loss surgery friendly recipes.

Peanut Butter Crepes

Cooking UTensils:non-stick panBlender or whisk and a bowl Tongs (to flip the crepe)

Crepe ingredienTs:1 egg 6 egg whites (1 cup of egg whites from a carton)1-2 teaspoons of vanilla1 ¼ tablespoons of splenda 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter

CinnaMon CreaM Cheese Topping:4 oz of fat free cream cheese (1/2 block)1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon

direCTions:1. Mix up the eggs with a blender or whisk them in a bowl thoroughly until they

get foamy and emulsified

2. Mix the vanilla, splenda, and peanut butter with the eggs

3. set the non-stick sprayed down pan to warm up on medium heat until hot, then gently apply a thin layer of your crepe mix

4. let the crepe cook for about a minute. if it doesn’t appear to be cooked through, flip it over and let cook for another 30 seconds or so.

5. After that small amount of time, you then have the first delicious peanut butter crepe!

6. now all that’s left to do is top it off with fat-free cream cheese and 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon and enjoy!

Corn Dog Bites

CornBread BaTTer Mix ingredienTs:1 package corn muffin mix1 cup of Carbquik baking mix2 eggs1/3 cup canola oil1 cup of milk

direCTions:1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well

Corn Dog BiTes (1 serving)

ingredienTs:1 fat-free hot dog¼ cup of your low-carb cornbread batter mix2 tablespoons of Carbquik flourToothpicksa zip-top baggie

direCTions:

1. Put the flour into the zip-top bag

2. Cut the hot dog into 6 even pieces, drop into the bag and shake

3. stick the toothpicks into the individual hot dog pieces and shake off excess flour

4. dip hot dog bites into the cornbread batter and coat them well

5. line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray it down with cooking spray

6. Place the hot dog bites on the sheet and bake at 350 for about 12 minutes in a toaster oven

Taco Casserole

ingredienTs:1 lb. lean ground meat1 small zucchini, diced1 small yellow squash, diced1 small onion, diced1 clove of garlic minced1 envelope of taco seasoning mix1 can black beans, drained and rinsed1 can fat-free refried beans1 can of tomatoes2 cups reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese

direCTions:1. apply cooking spray to a pan, sautee veggies with garlic until soft. drain the

excess liquid and transfer to a bowl

2. Cook ground meat until brown, drain and then transfer to the same bowl as the veggies and mix with canned beans and tomatoes altogether.

3. Mix in taco seasoning thoroughly and then transfer mixture to a 13x9 casserole dish

4. Microwave fat-free refried beans in a bowl for about a minute and then spread evenly on top of the casserole dish

5. Top with cheese and then oven bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

6. Let cool for about 20 minutes if desired and enjoy!

don’t be intimidated if the kitchen isn’t your natural domain. These recipes are simple to make and either way, practice makes perfect. You can even make adjustments to better fit your personal tastes by adding fruit to your crepes, or more vegetables to your tacos. at the end of the day, cooking these tasty foods for your post-weight loss diet will leave you feeling healthy and satisfied.

Perfect Weight Loss Surgery Recipes For Summersummer is the season for a lot of great things! From a day trip to the beach to family vacations, you’ll hopefully find yourself enjoying this amazing, albeit hot, time of year. summer also involves lots of food-centric get togethers. From cookouts to family barbeques, you will likely face some tough dietary decisions. if you’re looking for healthy alternatives to your favorite summer treats, we have them here just for you.

BreakfastWe’ve all heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well guess what, it’s true. There so many benefits to eating a healthy breakfast--from kick starting your alertness, to increasing your metabolism. Try this unique and sweet breakfast recipe to get your day started the right way.

Banana Split With Yogurt and Jam:

a banana split for breakfast?! We thought it was crazy, too. But this isn’t your regular banana split from the ice cream parlor. This greek Yogurt creation is loaded with protein, which is imperative for your post surgery diet. Using a low-fat greek yogurt as well as sugar-free jam, this breakfast is a sweet and perfect start to any day.

ingredienTs1 ripe yet firm banana, peeled1/2 cup greek yogurt2 tablespoons fruit jam or preserves2 tablespoons sliced almonds or other nutshandful fresh berries or cherries

direCTions

1. split the banana lengthwise and lay the two halves in a shallow bowl. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the yogurt and put it on top of the banana. Warm the jam in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds or until it is very runny. Use a spoon to drizzle the jam over the yogurt, and sprinkle the nuts over everything. Top with the berries or cherries, and dig in!

Lunch and Dinner

When planning meals on your diet, among the other things you need to remember, a big one is protein. protein minimizes loss of lean body mass and will facilitate your post surgery healing. high protein meals are plentiful, but here is one of the most delicious recipes we recommend.

Chicken & Polenta:

Don’t just settle for plain grilled chicken to get your protein. This protein-filled dinner has an amazing taste to go along with it. adding grilled nectarines and blackberries will give your chicken dinner a sweet and unique summertime flavor. Your dinner guests will surely be returning after this. Tip: Pair this with an avocado salad for a unique combination of flavors.

ingredienTs1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola oil, divided1 tablespoon ground cumin1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper1 16- to 18-ounce tube prepared plain polenta1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed2 nectarines, halved and pitted1 pint blackberries, coarsely chopped2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro1 tablespoon lime juicehot sauce, to taste

direCTions1. preheat grill to medium-high.

2. Combine 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. rub 1 teaspoon of the mixture all over polenta. rub the rest into both sides of chicken. Cut the polenta crosswise into 8 slices. rub the cut sides of nectarine halves with the remaining 1 teaspoon oil.

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3. oil the grill rack (see Tip). Place the chicken, polenta slices and nectarines on the grill. grill the polenta until hot and slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean plate; tent with foil to keep warm. grill the nectarines, turning occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. grill the chicken, until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken and nectarines to a cutting board. Coarsely chop the nectarines. let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice.

4. While the chicken rests, combine the chopped nectarines, blackberries, cilantro, lime juice, hot sauce and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. layer the polenta, chicken and fruit salsa on 4 plates and serve.

Weight Loss Surgery Recipes Even Your Family Will Enjoy

The words “healthy diet” may not have your family members jumping for joy. Based on the usual perceptions of “healthy foods,” it just doesn’t sound appetizing or fun. But a healthy diet doesn’t have to mean a boring or bland diet. There are plenty of healthy recipes your family will love just as much as all of the less than healthy items they may be used to. here are a few weight loss surgery recipes that you and your entire family will enjoy.

Guilt Free Mac and Cheese:

Macaroni and cheese are three of our favorite words. This guilt free mac and cheese will leave you feeling just that. The only thing that this recipe is guilty of is being too delicious. it combines reduced fat cheddar cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream to give you the taste of your favorite macaroni and cheese dish.

ingredienTs4 cups cooked elbow macaroni (about 2 cups uncooked)2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese, ran threw food processor till smooth3/4 cup nonfat sour cream Continued on the next page...

1/2 cup skim milk2 tablespoons grated fresh onion1 1/2 teaspoons reduced-calorie, reduced fat stick margarine, melted1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper¼ c egg substitute1 tablespoon dijon mustardVegetable cooking spray1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs1 tablespoon reduced-calorie, reduced fat stick margarine, melted1/4 teaspoon paprikaFresh italian flat leaf parsley, chopped

direCTions

1. Combine first 11 ingredients; stir well, and spoon into a 2-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Combine breadcrumbs and next 2 ingredients; stir well. sprinkle over casserole. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 5 minutes or until set. garnish with fresh parsley.

S’mores Ice Cream:

You can’t forget about your sweet tooth! Yes, we all have one, and the sweet tooth can be one of the most dangerous things to a weight loss surgery diet. however, this delicious recipe combines two of our favorites: ice cream and s’mores. rather than taking the family down the block for ice cream, try making this recipe at home!

ingredienTs1 pkt Chocolate Chip w/Marshmallows pudding 2 oz Water5 ice Cubes1 bar Crispy Fudge & graham Bar, Chopped

direCTions

1. in a blender, crush ice cubes to achieve an icy/slushy consistency. add the pudding and water and blend until a smooth, icy consistency is reached. remove from blender and put into a bowl. Mix in the chopped bar and stir so pieces are distributed throughout icy pudding. serve immediately (for a softer treat) or freeze for 30 minutes (for a harder, icy texture), serve.

How to Get All of Your Bariatric Nutrition Before and After Bariatric Surgery

getting the proper nutrition before and after surgery is equally as important as the surgery itself. no weight loss surgery is successful without a strict and controlled diet. here is some information on how to get all of your bariatric nutrition before and after bariatric surgery.

Before Surgery

it’s easy to think of your post-surgery diet, however a pre-surgery diet is often overlooked. This is not the time to let your diet worsen. You may want to visit your favorite restaurant “one last time,” but this is a time to commit to a healthy lifestyle, rather than return to comfortable habits.

Your pre-surgery diet should be high in protein and low in calories. avoid foods with excess fats and carbohydrates, especially foods with refined sugars and saturated fats. it’s not uncommon for many pre-surgery patients to go on a liquid protein diet with heavy vitamin supplements. By increasing protein intake, you help preserve and protect muscle tissue post-surgery.

drinking lots of water and performing gentle exercise will also help you with the pre-surgery weight loss you need. all these measures together will reduce body fat, preserve lean body mass, and will prepare your body for post-surgery recovery and diet.

After Surgery

You have just lost a massive amount of weight. naturally, your body is going to go into shock for quite some time and you are not going to feel the same. proper nutrition is essential during this time to maintain lean body mass, hydration, skin elasticity, as well as to avoid hair loss. Ultimately, your diet and lifestyle will determine how successful your surgery is.

depending on the type of surgery you have, it will reduce the amount of food you can eat or absorb. When you are discharged from your surgery, immediately you will go on an all liquid and clean protein diet. This diet can last anywhere from five days to three weeks, depending on your progress and what your doctor prescribes. during this time, it’s important to keep your vitamin and mineral supplements high. Your doctor will recommend the right ones for you.

When you are done with the liquid-only phase of your post-surgery diet, you may begin to move into soft foods. These soft foods must also be high in protein. Foods during this phase include eggs cooked with minimal fat, low-fat yogurt, poultry, and fish. recommended liquids during this phase include water, unsweetened decaffeinated iced tea, Crystal light beverages, and sugar-free juices. it is imperative to avoid pesky snack foods, such as crackers, cookies, and chips. These have a tendency to catch up to you very fast!

When eating you may feel gassy and begin burping. You should not worry about this, as many weight loss surgery patients experience these symptoms. as we said, your stomach’s makeup has changed, and it is going to take a while to adjust. if you experience loss of appetite from being gassy, it is important that you do not stop eating altogether. You should keep up a regimented protein intake. it will help to cure this faster. eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly so that it is easier to digest. remember, if you feel satisfied, it’s because you are, and that is when you need to stop eating, not when you feel stuffed!

We know this diet may sound strict and unappealing, but like we said, getting the proper nutrition is imperative both before and after your bariatric surgery. although it will be hard work, you will adjust to this lifestyle, and ultimately feel better about yourself. once the rough part is over you get to have some fun with some tasty bariatric recipes.

Adjusting to Your Post Bariatric Diet

Bariatric surgery is a major step toward weight loss for a better, healthier future. adjusting to your post bariatric diet determines how great your weight loss results will be. no matter what type of weight loss surgery you decide on, disciplined eating habits and adhering to the doctor’s orders are key to a smoother weight loss journey. knowing the general guidelines ahead of time can give you the edge to properly prepare for your diet after bariatric surgery.

Don’t cheat yourself

There are 2 things you must always remember after your weight loss procedure:

1. Your stomach can only hold a limited amount of food: Your stomach has been significantly reduced. What normally has filled you up, or what you think will fill you up has changed. overeating, or eating a lot of calorie-dense/fatty foods can cause unwanted side effects such as cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and weight gain. keep these side effects in mind and they will act as tools to limit the likelihood of cheating dietary guidelines.

2. Bariatric surgery is not a cure-all to weight loss: Weight loss surgery is not a magic bullet for your weight loss needs. exercise and hard work are still the key components to weight loss. if you didn’t exercise regularly before, then it’s even more important than ever after your procedure. The last thing anyone wants to do is slowly regress. Maximize your weight loss results by making active lifestyle changes, and by throwing out old bad habits.

Make a behavioral change

attitude and determination are the biggest players to a positive weight loss journey. do yourself a favor and get rid of any bad foods or habits that may tempt you when home. if you stick to the dietary guidelines handed to you by your doctor, you will be a winner. it may seem easier said than done so it can be a huge benefit to get love and support from the people around you. Have them monitor you or invite them to do something active alongside you.

Changing the way you eat after bariatric surgery does not have to be miserable. With these recipes and healthy eating tips, you can celebrate food for the rest of your life, while making healthy choices.

The best plan for adjusting to your post bariatric diet is to be prepared. The way you eat, what you eat, and your daily behavior will be changed, but for the greater good. The more you know the better you will feel when considering weight loss surgery. if you have any dietary questions please contact riverside surgical and Weight loss Center. We’re ready to help guide you through these important stages of your weight loss journey.

Meet the teaM

Patrick Domkowski, M.D., Ph.D., FACS

dr. domkowski is director of riverside surgical and Weight loss Center and is a board certified general surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery. he earned his medical and graduate degrees from georgetown University and completed his surgical internship, residency and fellowship at duke University Medical Center in durham, north Carolina. dr. domkowski has treated well over a 1000 bariatric patients and has a passion for helping people regain their lives lost by the disease of obesity. he is a fellow of the american College of surgeons and a member of the american society of Metabolic and Bariatric surgery. he

has published over 40 peer reviewed articles and presented at both national and international surgical meetings. he specializes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic adjustable gastric Band, laparoscopic gastric plication and converting failed lagB to the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. For more information about dr. domkowski, visit his physician page at sebastian river Medical Center.

Jason M. Radecke, MD

dr. radecke is a fellowship trained bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon. he completed his fellowship at the University of south Florida in Tampa under the direction of dr. Michel Murr. dr. radecke obtained both his Bs and Ms in Biochemistry and Microbiology, respectively from Clemson University. he then went on to attend medical school at and University of south Carolina in Charleston. dr. radecke went on to complete his surgical internship and residency in general surgery at Union Memorial hospital in Baltimore Maryland. dr. radecke specializes in the surgical treatment of obesity and has a passion for helping people eliminate this disease and the metabolic problems it causes. dr radecke is also highly trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery and he utilizes it to treat many surgical diseases of the abdomen. he is a member of both the american College of surgeons and the american society of Metabolic and Bariatric surgeons.