Once you receive your surgeon's okay to progress to foods with a thicker consistency after your bariatric surgery, you can begin puréeing your foods.
Key Goals of the Puréed Food Diet (Phase 2B) After Bariatric Surgery
- Incorporate high protein foods into your diet, which helps your pouch heal.
- Women: 50–60 grams of protein
- Men: 60–70 grams of protein
- Start taking your chewable vitamin supplement with minerals.
- Drink plenty of fluids, 48–64 ounces per day.
Meal Plan for Phase 2B: Puréed Diet After Bariatric Surgery
- Consume three small meals each day.
- Protein supplements
- Gastric Bypass Patients: Begin using protein supplements after each meal to meet your daily protein requirements.
- Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Patients: Continue using protein supplements as you did in Phase 2A.
- Liquids between meals
- Wait at least 30 minutes after each meal. Then consume an 8 ounce protein supplement or shake, followed by 16 ounces of sugar free, clear liquids.
- Try to spread fluids out over a three-hour period.
- Stop drinking at least 30 minutes before mealtime.
Suggested Foods Ideas for Puréed Diet After Bariatric Surgery
Protein Sources
- Yogurt (plain or sugar free, low or nonfat, blended without fruit chunks)
- Strained cream soups (celery, potato, mushroom, or chicken made with skim milk)
- Skim milk with ½ scoop protein powder
- Protein supplements added to food or water for extra protein
- Mashed cottage cheese (low or nonfat, small curd)
- Ricotta cheese (low or nonfat)
- Scrambled eggs or egg substitute
- Puréed beef, chicken, or turkey
- Baby food meats
- White fish (cod, haddock, tilapia, orange roughy) mashed with a fork
- Canned chicken breast, mashed and moist
- Canned tuna fish in water, mashed
Grains/starches
- Cream of wheat or cream of rice
- Farina
- Grits
- Baby oatmeal
- Mashed potatoes/sweet potatoes
- Puréed winter squash
Fruits
- Diluted, 100% fruit juices (apple, grape, cranberry)
- Light juices sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener
- Applesauce
- Mashed bananas or mashed canned fruits in own juices
- Puréed peaches, apricots, pears, pineapples, melons
Vegetables
- Tomato juice
- Diet V-8 Splash® or V-8 Juice®
- Puréed spinach, carrots, summer squash or green beans
Avoid puréed broccoli, cauliflower, and other fibrous vegetables at this stage.
Sample Menu for Phase 2B: Puréed Diet After Bariatric Surgery
Eat the protein portion of your meal first, and don't forget your liquids between meals (about 30 minutes after each meal).
Breakfast
- Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup scrambled eggs or egg substitute
- Starch: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup cream of wheat
Lunch
- Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup mashed low fat cottage cheese
- Fruit: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup puréed peaches in own juices
Dinner
- Protein: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup baked skinless chicken breast (puréed) or mashed canned chicken breast
- Vegetable: 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup puréed carrots
Liquid meal- If you're having a liquid meal replacement, soup, or high protein shake:
- Drink 4 ounces (1/2 cup) over 20 to 30 minutes
- Try adding mashed, canned chicken or tuna to soup to increase protein content
- Blend if needed
Suggested Recipes
View Phase 2B: Puréed Food Diet suggested recipes for post-bariatric surgery.
How to Purée Foods
Puréed food should be the consistency of baby food, “spoon thick.”
- Cut food into small pieces and place in blender or food processor
- Add liquid (broth, low calorie gravy or skim milk)
- Puréed until smooth
- Season food to taste
Tips and Ideas for Staying Hydrated
- Sip all fluids slowly to prevent nausea and vomiting
- Carry a water bottle with you everywhere
- Other liquids to help maintain hydration include decaffeinated coffee and tea, broth, and sugar free fruit juices with artificial sweeteners.
Next
As you receive regular checkups after your bariatric surgery, your bariatric surgeon will advise you when to advance to the next phase of your diet.
