Bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Long-term weight loss through the standard of care procedures (Roux en-Y bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) is largely achieved by altering gut hormone levels responsible for hunger and satiety, leading to a new hormonal weight set point.
A gastric bypass diet helps people who are recovering from sleeve gastrectomy and from gastric bypass surgery — also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — to heal and to change their eating habits.
After the bariatric surgery, your meal portions are much smaller. Your new diet helps you progress with weight loss in a nutritionally sound manner to reach your health goals. Eating a variety of foods will help you obtain adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals.
With these tasty bariatric-friendly recipes you can enjoy eating food and follow bariatric eating guidelines.
According to DJ Mazzoni, the medical reviewer at Illuminate Health. “each meal should consist of one-third to one-half cup of food with 3 to 5 small meals per day”
5 Bariatric Surgery Recipes
Salmon Cakes
“Salmon cakes are best after week five or six following the procedure, depending on the surgery,” Dr. Benito says.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces canned salmon (next to canned tuna in the supermarket)
- 1 large sweet potato (microwaved for 6-8 minutes with skin on, or sub out for a can of drained garbanzo beans)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1⁄2 cup almond flour (optional)
- 2 eggs (can be subbed for two tablespoons mayonnaise)
- 3 tablespoons chia or flax seeds
- 1⁄4 cup diced red pepper, carrot, and/or celery
- Salsa or remoulade (for serving)
Yields:
- 6 cakes
Instructions:
- Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl and beat. If using potato, leave skin on and microwave on high for 6-8 minutes. Let cool. Otherwise, grain garbanzo beans. Place into bowl and mash. Drain and mix in salmon. Mix in onion, almond flour, and seeds (if using). Form into 1-inch thick patties. (An egg ring is useful for this.)
- If frying, pan fry in olive oil over medium heat, 4-5 minutes per side. Cover pan for the first side – ensuring the burgers cook through. If the burger is still “spongy” when it is flipped, cover for the second side as well.
- If baking, place in a 425F oven for 25 – 30 minutes.
- Serve topped with salsa or remoulade (a fancy word for mayonnaise mixed with hot sauce).
Source: Dr. Adi Benito, chief medical advisor to Eating for Your Health in Princeton, New Jersey. Benito is board-certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Pea Shoot Soup
“The pea shoot soup is ideal. Depending on what type of surgery, pea shoot soup would be recommended after week three for the gastric sleeve but after week six for gastric bypass (also called Roux-en-Y) because, up to week five for gastric bypass, the recommendation is to avoid ‘fibrous vegetables,’” Dr. Benito says.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 head of cauliflower (chopped)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk (15 oz can)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 4 cups loosely packed pea shoots (or a bag of fresh spinach)
- 1⁄2 lemon
- 1 bunch fresh mint (chopped, optional)
Yields:
- 6 servings
Instructions:
- Melt coconut oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add salt and onion and sweat for 10 minutes, allowing the onions to color but not brown.
- Add cauliflower and sauté for 3 minutes. Add coconut milk and broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in pea shoots or spinach, and allow soup to cool.
- Puree in a blender or with an immersion blender. Return to pot to heat. Adjust flavor with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh mint.
Source: Dr. Adi Benito, chief medical advisor to Eating for Your Health in Princeton, New Jersey. Benito is board-certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
