Once you advance to the puree stage after gastric sleeve, bypass, or band, you’re likely to be excited about the idea of finally getting to have something to eat besides protein shakes and fluids.
However, you’re likely not looking forward to pureed textures. Don’t worry, you don’t have to blend up all your food or rely on baby food (unless you want to!). You have options. There are many foods that are naturally pureed or mushy enough.
Generally, “pureed” texture = applesauce consistency. No lumps.
Note: Every surgery practice has slightly different guidelines. Be sure to double check whether you need to be concerned with a “thin” or “thick” pureed texture.
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Bean soups are particularly good choices on the puree stage after gastric sleeve, bypass, or band because they have protein AND fiber AND quality carbs that are good for long lasting energy.
Blended Canned Bean Soup: Puree a can of low sodium black bean soup, lentil soup, or split pea soup until smooth. I like Amy’s brand soups.
“Homemade” Blended Black Bean Soup:
Directions:
Place beans, broth and salsa in blender and blend until smooth. Heat and eat.
Pro Tip:
Add plain unflavored protein powder to ANY type of soup to make it high protein. (affiliate link)
Creamy Vegetable Soup: Low fat, low sodium boxed creamy vegetable soups (<5g sugar) like creamy carrot, butternut squash or tomato. I like Pacific brand.
Low Fat (Low Sodium) Cream Soups: Strained cream of mushroom, cream of chicken
Quick High Protein Pudding:
Use a ready made protein shake in place of milk to make sugar free pudding:
Directions:
1. Pour Premier into a bowl.
2. Slowly blend in pudding mix with a wire whisk or electric mixer.
3. Chill about 15 min until set.
Even Faster High Protein Pudding:
Stir plain nonfat protein powder into a sugar free, reduced calorie pudding snack.
High Protein Hot “Cocoa”:
Heat up a ready made chocolate flavored protein drink and serve in a favorite mug as a warm cocoa beverage. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
High Protein Hot Cereal:
Use a ready made protein shake in place of water to prepare oatmeal (best choice) or cream of wheat, cream of rice, or grits.
Any Pro Tips for the Puree Stage?
As a matter of fact…YES!
What’s the Purpose of the Puree Stage After Gastric Sleeve, Bypass, or Band?
The purpose of the bariatric pureed diet is to ease your body back into digesting food again.
Your teeth and stomach are both involved in digesting (breaking down) food. Once food enters your stomach, the stomach continues to “chew” whatever you swallow, by contractions. Your stomach contracting to digest food can be likened to your teeth chewing to digest food.
Bariatric surgery involves cutting, stitching, and stapling your stomach tissues. Ease up on making your stomach contract by eating foods that require minimal digestion or are already “digested” by a blender. Let your stomach get its needed rest!
How Long Do I Have Stay on the Bariatric Pureed Diet?
Usually, the puree stage after gastric sleeve, bypass or band (Stage 2) lasts anywhere from one week to one month post op. Every surgery practice has different guidelines so be sure to follow your doctor’s directions.