Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Ideas for make-ahead-freezer meals



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone,

I am new to the site, and my husband had his lap-band surgery about 5 months ago. He is doing good on his weight loss and diet. We are empty nester's, so there are just the two of us at home. Since his surgery, I feel like our meals and food are going to waste!!

My question for all of you, is there any way of preparing pre-cooked, small individual meals and freezing them? I know it's possible, just wondering if anyone does it, and what kind of meals freeze best. It would be so great to grab something all ready cooked.

I have thought about using a food Saver for the meals, and then reheating by boiling the bags in Water. Anyone tried this method, and know of any good advice? We have been eating a food delivery system called Bistro MD which uses this method, but it's just too pricey to justify continuing on much longer.

Thanks for any info.

Starling

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi starlings. Homemade Soups and chili are great for freezing. I bought some little tupperware containers that hold small amounts and I freeze chili all the time. I just take it out when I'm ready to eat it and let thaw, then microwave.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree Soups , stews and chilis are great. I also make homemade meatballs and vacuum seal them in 3-5 meatball portions. I make chilaquiles which is a layered mexican casserole and have both baked it whole then divy it up into 6-7 oz containers and have recently started baking it in the same size containers. (I will sometimes take one of the small mexican casseroles and put into a slightly bigger container put a small slice of either mexican velveeta or shredded cheese on top and cover it with 1/3-1/2 c. chicken broth and microwave I end up with a really thick creamy mexican Soup.< /p>

I bought a braised beef dinner from dream dinners and vacuum sealed little 4 oz bags of the shredded meat (made my own bags with the sealer) then did the same with some mashed potatoes (froze the taters in the bags prior to sealing them)

I also make a baked parmessan chicken with thin small chicken breasts and vaccum seal them individually then when I pull one out I also grab a mini container of either marinara, light alfredo or pesto.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In my freezer at the moment is some chilli, tons of bolognaise sauce, 2 lasagnes, several containers of lamb curry, moroccan lamb shanks, 2 shepherd's pies, a thai green curry (chicken) as well as the general assortment of chicken and meat (I think I have 2 types of beef roasts, a rolled lamb roast, scotch fillet steaks, marinated chicken breasts, 3 lots of bratwurst sausages and some chicken rissoles).

I keep the freezer well stocked with both cooked meals and plenty of raw materials. Its pretty easy to cook a steak, mash some potato and steam some vegies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In my freezer at the moment is some chilli, tons of bolognaise sauce, 2 lasagnes, several containers of lamb curry, moroccan lamb shanks, 2 shepherd's pies, a thai green curry (chicken) as well as the general assortment of chicken and meat (I think I have 2 types of beef roasts, a rolled lamb roast, scotch fillet steaks, marinated chicken breasts, 3 lots of bratwurst sausages and some chicken rissoles).

I keep the freezer well stocked with both cooked meals and plenty of raw materials. Its pretty easy to cook a steak, mash some potato and steam some vegies.

Keeping in mind that I am cooking challenged, what is a rissoles?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×