15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (2024)

Christmas appetizers, entrees, sides, drinks and dessert recipes for patients after weight loss surgery

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (1)

Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Meals after Bariatric Surgery

You can have a healthy holiday with these Bariatric Christmas Recipe ideas. It’s true holidays have to be different after Bariatric Surgery. Most patients will agree the first year is the hardest because you aren’t used to the change!

Of course we have sentimental memories and feelings around what the holidays should look like, including the menus and baking sessions.

When Pinterest fills up with amazing looking recipes or your sister has called asking what you are bringing this year, it’s okay to take a breath and recognize that change is hard. But there is also GOOD news! Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday dishes can be adapted to better suit your bariatric lifestyle and keep great flavor and enjoyment.

Plus, there is so much about the Holiday Season that brings joy outside of the foods we eat! We can focus instead on the things we love like time with family, Christmas decorations, music, lights, puzzles and so much more.

Below are 15 bariatric friendly holiday recipes are listed by appetizers, entrees, side dishes, drinks and desserts. These options are tweaked to reduce carbohydrates and fat or increase protein. And bonus, the best part of holiday meals is the main protein dish!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (2)

Please note!! Some recipes are reserved for Premier Access Members. Find out about Premier Access Membership! HSA/FSA cards accepted.

Creamy Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs can be made SOOO many ways and they arealways a crowd pleaser. They don’t have to be only an Easter recipe! It’s a great Bariatric Christmas appetizer recipe too.

This recipe is one of the most classic recipes for deviled eggs but you can also make a spin like BLT Deviled Eggs .

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (3)

Creamy Stuffed Mushrooms

Another recipe that can be made several ways and is always a welcome holiday favorite. Whether it be a holiday party before the actual holiday or an appetizer to bring to your family get together! I love bringing something I know I can eat myself.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (4)

Rosemary Turkey Tenderloin(Members Recipe)

If you aren’t cooking for a “crowd” so much as a few people, it’s wonderful to know you can make a simple turkey breast instead of the whole bird! Talk about bariatric friendly Christmas!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (5)

Become a Member

Fall Inspired Turkey Sausage Tomato Sauce

You may think this doesn’t seem like a holiday recipe but I still decided to include thisbecause the flavors in this tomato sauce are so bold they remind me of a marriage between thick and hearty chili and a marinara sauce. For me, that’s a very holiday friendly meal! It’s cold outside and a big pot of a hearty meal on the stove is exactly what I want before decorating a tree or watching a holiday movie! I put mine over zucchini noodles.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (6)

Reduced Fat Green Bean Casserole(Members Recipe)

Skip the high calorie ingredients and enjoy this Bariatric Christmas recipe for a modified green bean casserole! One of my families favorites (and they don’t even know it’s not that bad for them!!!)

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (7)

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (8)

Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

Roasted veggies are a great Bariatric Christmas recipe for side dishes. They go great with the main protein dish and can easily be made festive with roasted nuts or sprinkling red pomegranate seeds for color!

I love these roasted brussel sprouts with parmesan cheese as a side dish to any main meat dish like ham or turkey. They are flavorful and fast and keep you on the low carb bariaric diet without making you feel totally ripped off!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (9)

Green Beans with Toasted Pecans

I included these green beans with toasted pecans for the same reason as the parmesan brussel sprouts. Easy vegetable side dishes that are simple yet carry bold flavor and texture are a wonderful way to fill your plate for a holiday dinner or party. I always sign up for the side dishes for my family meals and bring roasted vegetables like these and they always disappear!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (10)

Mashed Cauliflower (Members Recipe & Cooking Video)

I tried mashed cauliflower SO many different ways before I finally came to this conclusion….it HAS to have Laughing Cow® Cheese to make it creamy and delicious. Fresh garlic never hurt anyone either! Trust me…this is the way to go!This is my favorite hand blender and my go to for this recipe! (ad)

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (11)

Spinach & Red Pepper Frittata

This recipe is PERFECT for a holiday brunch or a Christmas morning breakfast! The red pepper gives it a fleck of holiday color too :) If I’m hosting or staying with family, I have been known to make the egg mixture the night before so I can get up and finish the recipe without the prep work when I’m wanting to take my time in the morning!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (12)

Spinach Pesto & Chicken Sausage Egg Bake

Another delicious holiday brunch recipe that is sure to please to masses. I take this one to breakfast themed parties all the time! Actually, I make this recipe as a breakfast for dinner meal or even when someone has a baby. I think it’s just an awesome WLS friendly recipe.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (13)

Candy Cane Protein Shake

If you are still on a diet using protein shakes (because not everyone is!! I have thoughts on protein shakes after surgery)…this shake a splash of minty fun for a fresh holiday taste. You may also use it as a sweet treat that doesn’t get you off track!

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (14)

Bariatric FriendlyPumpkin Spice Latte (Members Recipe & Video)

Oh the Pumpkin Spice Latte!!! Similar to the Low Carber’s Egg Nog, this recipe is a concoction to get you the experience of your favorite warm drink without the the trouble :)

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (15)

Low Carber’s Holiday Egg Nog

I know it sounds, well, wrong…but this recipe is the best way to get the taste of an eggnog type holiday drink without compromising your goals to stay low-carb and holiday healthy.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (16)

Chocolate Mousse Dip

Not going to lie, this chocolate mousse dip is very rich. Which means you don’t need much at all to get the rich chocolate flavor and satisfy a sweet tooth! With all the temptations around for the holidays, it’s nice to have a few options of sweet treats you can have that won’t interfere with your post-op weight loss goals.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (17)

Pumpkin Whip

The pumpkin obsession continues! It can be hard to find pumpkin flavored desserts that are truly low carb and keep you in the macronutrient goals for post-op patients. (More on macro goals in my blog “Most Asked Weight Loss Surgery Questions”) Pumpkin itself is high carb because it’s a root vegetable. Recipes like this one that use more pumpkin pie SPICE and lower amounts of actual pumpkin are a great way to get the taste without the carbs.

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (18)

– Steph Wagner MS, RDN/LD (Bariatric Dietitian)

Updated November 9th, 2023
Original Publish Date December 14th, 2015

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (19)

15 Bariatric Friendly Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving or Christmas | Bariatric Food Coach (2024)

FAQs

Is there anything you can never eat again after bariatric surgery? ›

Since your stomach is about the size of an egg after bariatric surgery, it will need to get enough daily nutrition by you making wise diet choices. A bariatric surgery diet means avoiding foods that provide little or no nutritional value. This includes pastries, sweets, chips, pretzels, rice cakes, and popcorn.

What happens if you eat bread after Gastric Bypass? ›

You should wait around six to eight weeks before eating bread again after your gastric surgery. This also goes for other starches like pasta, rice, and cookies. First of all, it'll be difficult to swallow. Secondly, it's a simple carbohydrate.

What happens if you don't get enough protein after bariatric surgery? ›

Without an adequate amount of proteins in the diet, the body can begin to show signs of a deficit. Increased Hunger: Cravings and poor food choices can be accelerated with irregular eating patterns and skipping meals. Unlike carbohydrates which provide the body with quick energy, proteins take longer to digest.

What can you eat 2 years after Gastric Bypass? ›

Nutrition and Exercise: 2-5 Years Post Bariatric Surgery
  • Always consume lean protein first, non-starchy vegetables second, and high-fiber carbs or a healthy fat source last.
  • Try to consume at least 64 ounces of hydrating fluids.

Can you ever eat pizza again after bariatric surgery? ›

If you frequently enjoy a slice of pizza, you may wonder, 'When can I have pizza after gastric bypass surgery? ' Fortunately, you do not have to eliminate pizza from your diet forever after a bypass surgery, but you should wait for at least 6 weeks before you can comfortably enjoy your delicacy.

Can I eat Ritz crackers after gastric bypass? ›

Dry, crunchy foods are not recommended after gastric bypass surgery because they can be challenging to digest. Dry-roasted nuts, crackers, and pretzels should all be avoided, as these can create a blockage in the stomach or intestine.

What can you never do again after bariatric surgery? ›

Avoid the use of drinking straws, carbonated beverages, chewing gum and ice. They can introduce excess air into your surgically created pouch and cause discomfort. Avoid sugar, sugary foods and beverages, and fruit juices.

Can you ever eat rice again after gastric bypass? ›

Although foods like bread, rice and bread are soft, they stick together and can cause patients to become nauseated and should be avoided. The soft food diet will last two weeks. Six weeks after bariatric surgery, patients begin adding other foods such as salads, uncooked vegetables and other meats back into their diet.

Why can't I eat chicken after bariatric surgery? ›

But, many bariatric patients are surprised to find out that they don't tolerate chicken breasts easily after their surgery. Bariatric patients often report that chicken breasts are too dry and can make them gag.

How many protein shakes a day after bariatric surgery? ›

Drink at least 3 protein shakes per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for the first 4-6 weeks after your surgery. This will allow time for your new stomach to heal. As your food intake increases, shake requirements decrease.

How to get 80 grams of protein a day after gastric sleeve? ›

Spacing of Your Proteins

Since the body cannot absorb more than about 30 grams at once, you will need to take in protein throughout the day, across multiple meals or healthy snacks. Foods that are high in protein should always be eaten first during meals, in case you feel full quickly and can't finish your meal.

What is the average lifespan after gastric bypass? ›

In our baseline analysis, a 40-year-old woman (BMI = 40 kg/m2) would gain 2.6 years of life expectancy by undergoing gastric bypass (38.7 years versus 36.2 years without surgery).

What are complications 10 years after gastric bypass surgery? ›

Chronic complications include but are not limited to strictures, internal hernias, gastro-gastric fistulae, gallstones, marginal ulcers, dumping syndrome, and the nutritional deficiencies that accompany altering the GI tract.

How long does it take your stomach to fully heal after gastric bypass? ›

What is the recovery time from gastric bypass surgery? You'll likely spend a day recovering in the hospital, then a few weeks recovering at home before you feel ready to go back to work. You may need to avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks, and it may take up to twelve weeks to resume a normal diet.

What happens if you eat regular food after bariatric surgery? ›

Gastrointestinal Issues

What happens if you eat solids after gastric sleeve surgery? You risk experiencing gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Your digestive system needs time to adapt to its new size.

Can I drink coke zero after gastric sleeve? ›

Recovering gastric sleeve surgery patients are typically advised to stay away from carbonated beverages due to the various potential risks and complications they pose. Bloating: One of the primary concerns associated with drinking soda after gastric sleeve is the potential for uncomfortable bloating.

What foods make you dump after gastric bypass? ›

High fat foods can also cause dumping syndrome in some people. Early dumping symptoms occur when concentrated sugared foods (such as hard candy, most cakes and cookies, soda, juice, table sugar) pass too quickly from the stomach into the intestine.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 6239

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.