Pureed Food After Bariatric Surgery:
Discover Delicious Options

Pureed food after bariatric surgery is the gateway that bridges the gap between liquid sustenance and solid meals. However, as you stand at the precipice of the mushy, bariatric pureed diet phase, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Puree Foods? Really? That sounds disgusting. Do I have to?

Yes, pureed food after bariatric surgery may not sound like a gourmet feast at first, but trust me, it's a necessary pitstop on your path to greatness.

Fear not…

You don’t have to live on baby food or blenderize your hamburgers. I shall be your trusty guide, leading you through this gastronomic odyssey, armed with pro tips and a repertoire of some mush-tastic menu ideas.

Pureed Foods After Bariatric Surgery:
What to Eat

Let's dive into the world of pureed textures, where everything you eat should be as smooth as applesauce - not a single lump in sight!

Just a quick reminder, though: it's always wise to double-check your surgeon's guidelines, as each practice has its own little particulars.

Bariatric Pureed Food Ideas

Protein

Start with:

  • Protein shakes - ready to drink or homemade, your choice!
  • Greek yogurt (nonfat or lowfat, without any sneaky fruit chunks)
  • Cottage cheese (nonfat or lowfat)
  • Ricotta cheese (nonfat or lowfat)

Then Add:

  • Refried beans (go for the fat-free or vegetarian options)
  • Pureed bean soups (think lentil, black bean, or split pea soup)
  • Pureed tofu

And don’t forget:

  • Pureed egg salad - get rid of any pesky lumps
  • Canned tuna, salmon or chicken, in water, mashed

Get creative:

  • Lowfat cream soups + added protein powder

Pro Tips

•     Mash or blend foods to remove any unwanted lumps.

•       Moist foods will be best tolerated: Mix canned tuna, salmon, or chicken with lowfat Greek yogurt or lowfat mayo to add moisture.

Vegetables

  • Blended vegetable soups (add protein powder for a protein boost!)
  • Tomato juice
  • Diet V-8 Splash® or V-8 Juice®
  • Puréed vegetables like spinach, carrots, summer squash, butternut squash, or green beans
  • Greens (like spinach or arugula) blended into protein drinks - aka "green protein smoothies!"

Healthy Fats

Use them sparingly, but oh-so-deliciously:

  • Mashed avocado/Guacamole (no chunks)
  • Lowfat hummus
  • Smooth peanut butter or almond butter 

Fruit
(Only when your surgery center gives the green light)

  • Unsweetened applesauce
  • Pureed fruit - take your pick and blend away!
  • Mashed bananas
  • Mashed canned fruit in its own juice (think peaches, pears, or fruit cocktail) 
  • Fruit blended in protein shakes. Get blending and enjoy the delightful journey of the bariatric pureed diet!

Starchy Foods
(Only when your surgery center gives the green light)

  • Oatmeal
  • Cream of wheat
  • Cream of rice
  • Grits
  • Farina
  • Cooked, blended sweet potatoes (no skin)

Other:

Any whole food you can blend (to applesauce consistency) that still tickles your fancy!

Blended chicken or boca burger anyone? No judgment here!

Use Less Often

Enjoy with caution due to low nutritional value:

  • Sugar free jello
  • Sugar-free pudding

Pureed Diet Post Gastric Sleeve, Bypass, or Band:
How Much?

Don’t be scared when you feel full after taking only one small bite during your first meal after surgery! It’s highly likely.

But don’t worry.

  • Within 1-2 weeks you may be able to call 2-4 tablespoons a “meal.”
  • By the end of the first month, you may graduate to a whopping ¼-1/2 cup portion per meal.

But don’t hold me to these amounts! They’re just general guidelines. Everyone heals and advances differently, so there’s no exact amounts to aim for.

It’s most important to eat mindfully. The “right” portions will follow.

Bariatric Puree Diet: Nutrient Goals

Top Priority:

  • Protein: 60-90 grams daily*
  • Fluids: At least 64 ounces daily

*Note: Aim for the minimum protein target of 60 grams daily but know that it may take 2-3 weeks to actually hit it!

Most of your protein will come from protein shakes on the pureed diet post gastric sleeve, bypass or band. The small amounts of food you can manage simply help ease back into eating and breaks the monotony of the protein drinks.

But…

Don’t expect to meet the protein goal with food alone. You’ll be lucky if you can achieve even 15-20 grams of protein from food in the very beginning.

As You're Able:

  • Carbohydrates: 30-60 grams
  • Fat: Less than 30 grams

Pureed Food After Bariatric Surgery: How Long?

Let’s get real. The pureed diet isn't just about culinary creativity; it plays a vital role in your recovery.

Remember, your stomach has gone through some major renovations, and it needs time to heal. Pureed foods are gentle on your new stomach and allow your stomach to rest.

Usually, the bariatric pureed diet phase lasts 2-4 weeks. Now, I know what you're thinking, it feels like an eternity. Patience is key, my young grasshopper.

So, buckle up, embrace the pureed wonders, and remember, this phase is just a temporary pitstop on your journey to greatness!

Bariatric Pureed Diet: What to Avoid

  • Whole fruit of any kind - sorry, no biting into that juicy apple just yet!
  • Non-pureed meats, beans, or cheese - let's keep those chunks at bay for now, shall we?
  • Scrambled, fried, or hard-boiled eggs - your omelet dreams will have to wait a little longer.
  • Potatoes, pasta, or rice - these carb-loaded delights need to be tamed before they enter your pureed paradise.

And...

  • Non-pureed soups - no slurping chunky soups just yet.. Keep it smooth and silky.
  • Hard-boiled eggs - they may be too rubbery at the puree diet stage
  • Cookies, cakes, or pastry - the sweet tooth must be tamed, as these delights are off-limits.

Remember, when in doubt, if it’s not on the list of What to Eat…don’t eat it! Stick to the script, my friend, ;)

Bariatric Puree Food Ideas

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