Registered Dietitian Rene Norman, RD/LD with The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center joins us on the blog today to share a recipe to celebrate the sweetness of Valentine's Day for pre-op patients before the liquid diet phase and post-op patients during or after the soft and pureed proteins phase of the program. Enjoy!
I bet you didn’t think you’d see these two words - Valentine's Cheesecake - together in a bariatric nutrition tip, right? Regular cheesecake is laden with fat and sugar. This version can be a treat for Valentine’s Day that provides a good source of protein and some calcium. As a bariatric patient, you don’t have much volume in your stomach pouch. That means that you need to pack in as many nutrients as possible when choosing your foods. This recipe can be used before the pre-surgery liquid diet begins or after surgery when you can have soft and pureed proteins. For RNY gastric bypass patients, that means one week after surgery. For sleeve gastrectomy patients, that means two weeks after surgery. This treat is not only good for your heart, but it’s also good for your muscles and bones.
Equipment: Medium mixing bowl
Hand or tabletop mixer
Serving dish or container that will hold ½ cup (4 oz.)
Yield: 6 (½- cup) servings
Ingredients | Directions |
4 oz. fat free cream cheese 16 oz. plain, non-fat Greek yogurt | Place in medium mixing bowl. Mix until smooth. |
½ package (1 oz) Sugar Free, Fat Free Jello Instant Pudding 2-3 packets Splenda or other sweetener |
Blend with cream cheese and yogurt until smooth.
Use a flavor of instant pudding you’d like (chocolate, vanilla, cheesecake). |
4 oz. Cool Whip Free | Blend with other ingredients until smooth. Spoon into ½ cup containers. |
Adapted from Spark People Recipes
Nutrition Information per serving: Calories: 106
Fat: 0 gr
Protein: 10 gr
Carbohydrate: 12 gr
Calcium: 85 mg
Enjoy before you go on the pre-surgery liquid diet and after surgery when you can have soft/pureed protein.