Hello!

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow, and it is as follows:

Before Breakfast and between lunch and dinner:

1 Protein drink

Breakfast- Pick one item from each line

• ½ cup cooked oatmeal/cream of wheat/grits or 1 pkg of low sugar instant oatmeal

• 6-8 ounces light yogurt or 1 oz 2% cheese

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 fruit cup (packed in own juice)

*Sugar substitute, flavored extracts and/or cinnamon if desired

Lunch and Dinner- Pick one item from each line

• 8 ounces (1 cup) strained Soup (no rice, Pasta, or veggies- broth only!); if using a cream style soup, use skim or 1% fat milk to prepare

• 3 oz or ½ cup of lean chicken, turkey, or fish

• 6-8 ounces light yogurt or 1 oz 2% cheese or ½ cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 fruit cup (packed in own juice)

• 1 container of sugar-free Gelatin or 1 container of sugar free-fat free pudding or no sugar added popsicle

After dinner:

1 Protein Drink

Evening Snack

6-8 ounce light yogurt or 1 oz 2% cheese

My question for you is this: does anyone have any suggestions for cooking the chicken and turkey to make it less bland? I bought some lean ground turkey but I've never cooked with it before... I'm at a total loss. I have struggled to find Soups too, as I have Celiac disease and cannot eat gluten. It is VERY hard to find soups without gluten!

I don't see my nutritionist until Thursday, so I'm hoping to get some ideas from you folks to last me until then.

Thanks!

The secret to chicken and turkey is to soften it up. You may not notice this prior to surgery but it will become a major issue after surgery. For example I take chicken breast and put it in a pot, add Water and one or more chicken flavored bouillon cubes. I bring this to a boil and then put the stove on low for a few hours, until the chicken is so tender that it falls apart. The bouillon cubes adds plenty of flavor to the chicken.

Since you are interested in soup recipes. I have included some recipes in my article How I Survived Bariatric Surgery available at http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf

I like to cook my chicken and turkey with a tsp of olive oil and a tsp balsamic vinegar. It helps to keep it from sticking and it adds great flavor. You can also try adding a bit of Worcestershire for flavor. As for soups: I was looking at Jewel this weekend by their gluten free freezer section and also by the organic food isle and I did see several soups there. I don't know if you have a Jewel by you, but I'm guessing most big grocers have gluten free and organic sections. Maybe try that???

<p>I like to cook my chicken and turkey with a tsp of olive oil and a tsp balsamic vinegar. It helps to keep it from sticking and it adds great flavor. You can also try adding a bit of Worcestershire for flavor. As for soups: I was looking at Jewel this weekend by their gluten free freezer section and also by the organic food isle and I did see several soups there. I don't know if you have a Jewel by you, but I'm guessing most big grocers have gluten free and organic sections. Maybe try that???</p>

I've never even heard of Jewel! lol. I did find a couple of gluten free soups at Target that are the Wolfgang Puck brand. I know Amy's makes a few; just have to find a store that carries them. Thanks for the suggestions!

I cheated on my diet last night. I ate zucchini. It seems like such a weird thing to cheat on a diet for, but it was sooooo good. I hope it won't affect anything.