I've just completed my first Post-Op week. My plan has me on an initial pureed food diet (for 8 weeks - ugh) with each of my three meals capped at 4 TBSP, or 1/4 Cup.... at least half of which must be Protein. After getting quickly tired of canned tuna and chicken, I started branching out, and I've found a recipe that works terrifically for me.

Kroger sells packages of pre-cooked meatballs, 24 in a package for about $3. They're near the cold cuts, not in frozen foods. I put three of them in the food processor with 6 TBSPs of Marinara and a little garlic and chili powder. Makes 1/2 Cup, or two meals. Because everything's already cooked, all I have to do is microwave it for 30-60 seconds and I've got a delicious Italian micro meal with 4g of protein and a 2nd serving in the fridge for lunch at work tomorrow.

The rest of the meatballs stay in the fridge in an airtight container, as does the rest of the Marinara jar. Easy to store the ingredients to make this "on demand", and it takes less than 5 minutes from start to dinner.

ahhh yes meatballs.....the best part of my pureed stage. My wife is an awesome cook when my surgeon told me to mash up meatballs and add sauce and ricotta on the pureed stage i was in heaven.

Ricotta. Hadn't thought of that, though substituting a TBSP of grated parm for one of the sauce did occur to me.

Progresso makes some good soups also, lentil, black bean all are high in protein and easy to purée .

You're on pureed food for EIGHT WEEKS???? Holy cow!

I'm on all foods now but meatballs are still a favorite! So easy to make small portions and get in my protein. I make a huge batch with homemade sauce and freeze them two portions at a time. I don't even miss the pasta I used to eat with them

Sounds like you are finding tasty creative ideas to meet your goals. I am sure you will be successful on your journey ☺

If I have time I make my own meatballs, they're tastier than Costcos. But I bought a big Costco bag and put 5 in a Tupperware container for lunch/snack. I then add a tablespoon or so of a marinade and nuke them. Takes me an hour to go through 3-4 meatballs and I then have the leftover as snack later. Tastes great IMO. High protein and keeps my carbs down.

Yep, this was my go-to after surgery and I still keep them in the freezer at 15 months! So handy and very versatile! Try them with a little soy sauce.