Top 5 Pureed Diet Recipes

There are a number of alterations made to the intestinal tract during bariatric surgery. Healing will be a critical step to ensure success in your post-surgery journey. The different diet phases following surgery will promote healing of the intestinal tract and stomach.

This process typically starts with clear liquids within 24 hours after surgery, followed by a progression of full liquids, pureed, and soft foods all within a 2-4 week period. The duration and transition process of these diet stages will depend on the procedure you have undergone and any possible complications.

In this blog, we will explain the pureed diet phase, what a grocery list may look like during this stage, and some dietitian approved pureed recipes.

Phase 3: Pureed Diet

Phases can be broken down differently based on the surgical center you are affiliated with. Below is a typical breakdown of transitioning phases:

• Clear liquids
• Full liquids
• Pureed
• Soft
• Regular

When entering the pureed food phase, the consistency is altered to slowly introduce the gastrointestinal (GI) tract back to a regular food consistency. A food is considered pureed when it becomes the consistency of a paste or thick liquid without chunks. This can usually be done by cutting larger foods up into smaller portions and then utilizing a food processor or blender.

As a bariatric patient, you should also be supplementing the diet with vitamins and minerals in order to meet daily needs after surgery. Protein supplementation can also be heavily relied on in this phase if you are unable to consume enough through dietary sources. This can mean consuming a daily high protein meal replacement or other protein supplement to reach a recommendation of 60-80 grams of protein or as directed by your dietitian.

This phase may last longer for a gastric bypass patient considering it is a more intense surgery that will have more extensive alterations to the intestinal tract.

How Many Calories Should Be Consumed During A Pureed Diet?

Calorie intake will differ based on the surgery, restriction, complications, and toleration. Similar to before surgery, your calorie intake will decrease again. For about the next 2 months following surgery, it can be common to only consume around 300-600 calories per day. After the 2 months, it can increase to up to 1,000 calories per day.

Don't expect big changes in eating capability in one day. Lifestyle adjustments take time, especially to promote long-term success. The diet phase process will promote healing, relieve discomfort after surgery, and maintain weight loss.

It is extremely important to follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and dietitian during this time to ensure you are receiving all of the nutrition you require.

Pureed Food Grocery List

For proper healing an recovery, the following foods can make up your grocery list during the pureed diet phase:

• All fluids acceptable during the full liquid diet (water, protein shakes, Powerade Zero, Vitamin Water Zero, Hint water, tomato juice)
• Fat-free cream soups
• Strained soups
• Low-sodium broth
• Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain)
• Sugar-free pudding and Sugar-free Jell-O
• Applesauce
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Scrambled egg whites
• Black beans, lentils, kidney beans, garbanzo beans
• Hummus
• Unsweetened almond milk (or other milk substitutes)
• Thinned mashed potatoes
• Pureed, moist fish and poultry

Foods may be added as recommended by your Registered Dietitian based on individual needs.