Pre-Op Diet Question

[BariatricCeliac 33]

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!

[James Marusek 5,244]

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

[SugarFreeMe 293]

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???

[BariatricCeliac 33]

<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!

[BariatricCeliac 33]

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.