Puree Stage After Gastric Sleeve,
Bypass, or Band
It's finally time to say goodbye to living solely on protein shakes, popsicles, and jello, and hello to a delicious pureed diet. With a wide range of naturally pureed foods to choose from, and some simple bariatric puree recipes below, you'll wonder why you ever feared the puree stage after gastric sleeve, bypass, or band.
And don't worry, no need to spend hours in the kitchen blending, and no need to depend on baby food (unless you want to!).
What to Eat
Generally, “pureed” texture = applesauce consistency. No lumps.
Just remember to double check with your surgeon's guidelines, as every practice may have slightly different recommendations.
Puree Stage After Gastric Sleeve,
Bypass, or Band
TYPICAL FOODS ALLOWED
Proteins:
- Milk
- Protein shakes
- Greek yogurt
- Blended cottage cheese
- Blended bean soups
-AND-
- Refried beans (fat free or vegetarian)
- Scrambled eggs
- Pureed egg salad (hard boiled eggs may be too rubbery at the puree stage)
- Pureed tofu
- Blended moist, cooked chicken, turkey, or fish
Vegetables:
- Blended vegetable soups
- Vegetables blended into protein drinks
- Cooked and blended non-starchy vegetables (examples: green beans, carrots, spinach)
Healthy Fats (use sparingly):
- Guacamole (no chunks)
- Lowfat hummus
- Smooth peanut butter or almond butter
Fruits (if your surgery center allows):
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Pureed fruit
- Fruit blended with protein shakes
Starchy Foods (if your surgery center allows):
- Thinned oatmeal
- Cream of wheat
- Cooked, blended sweet potatoes (skin removed)
- Other:
Other:
- Any whole food you can blend (to applesauce consistency) that is still appealing to you!
Use These Less Often (low nutritional value):
- Low-fat cream soups, strained
- Sugar free pudding
Puree Stage After Gastric Sleeve,
Bypass, or Band
WHAT TO AVOID
Protein:
- Solid chicken, turkey, meat
Vegetables:
- Raw vegetables
- Salad
Fruits:
- Any fruit not pureed/blended
- Canned fruit in heavy syrup
- Whole fruits
- Dried fruits
Carbs:
- Ice cream
- Milkshakes
- Sweets
- Anything with added sugar
-AND-
- Bread
- Pasta
- Rice
Quick and Easy Bariatric Pureed Diet Ideas
Soups
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.
-OR-
“Homemade” Blended Black Bean Soup:
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup high protein bone broth
- ¼ cup mild salsa (optional)
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
Pudding
Quick High Protein Pudding:
Use a ready made protein shake in place of milk to make sugar free pudding:
- 2 cups Premier Protein drink (or other ready made protein drink of choice)
- 1 package Jell-o sugar free instant pudding mix
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.
Miscellaneous Bariatric Pureed Diet Ideas
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.
Pureed Diet Post Gastric Sleeve, Bypass, or Band
FAQs
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 bariatric pureed diet allows your stomach a break from digestion and eases it back into the world of food.
Think of it as a vacation for your stomach, no heavy lifting required. Instead of making it work hard to digest, you're giving it a break by feeding it foods that are already pre-chewed by a blender...or mushy enough that they don't need much chewing. It's like giving your stomach the spa day it deserves after all the cutting, stitching, and stapling it's been through.
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.
The Bottom Line for Your Bottom Line
- You don’t have to live on baby food! There are a variety of naturally pureed textire foods to choose from.
- You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen blending food.
- Develop a Mealtime Schedule
- Eat Mindfully
- The puree stage will be over before you know it. You’ve got this!