Bariatric-Friendly Recipes for the Holidays

It's the best time of the year, and ProCare Health teamed up with Chef Healthy Henry to help you celebrate! Chef Henry Baker, who underwent bariatric surgery in 2020, is dedicated to helping others live healthier lives by creating bariatric-friendly recipes and sharing his journey.

From roasted chestnuts with vegetables to dark chocolate with berries, here are several delicious holiday recipes to enjoy after bariatric surgery.

Roasted Vegetables With Chestnuts

A flavorful combination of roasted chestnuts, vegetables, and thyme, tossed in a tangy balsamic glaze, roasted vegetables with chestnuts make for a satisfying and nutritious dish. It just may steal the show!

Ingredients

• 1 pound chestnuts
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• 2 medium eggplants, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons thyme
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 2 medium red onions, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. Roast chestnuts. See the recipe below.
2. As the chestnuts bake, add the Brussels sprouts, eggplants, and mushrooms into a big bowl and toss with thyme and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Brush a cookie sheet with olive oil, and then spread the vegetables in a single layer. Roast for about 30 minutes, until the Brussels sprouts can easily be pieced with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. In a medium pan, add olive oil, sugar, and onion to the pan. Sauté for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When done, place in the bowl with the vegetables.
4. Then, in a medium pan, add the balsamic vinegar and reduce it to about half.
5. Transfer the balsamic glaze and chestnuts to the big bowl. Add salt to taste.

Roasted Chestnuts

Sweet roasted chestnuts are much simpler than you would think and are a great warm treat for a winter evening.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chestnuts
• 2 cups cold water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lay the chestnuts flat side down on a cutting board. Using a knife, cut an X about 1/3rd of the way through each chestnut. Making a slit will allow the stream to release; otherwise, they will explode in the oven.
2. Place chestnuts flat side down on a small baking sheet. Place chestnuts on the top shelf of the oven, and place a baking sheet with water on the bottom shelf, directly below the chestnuts.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the skin peels. Remove from the oven and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let cool for 5 minutes before peeling and cutting into quarters.

Spaghetti Squash Pasta

Spaghetti squash is naturally low in carbs, high in fiber, and gluten-free, making it the perfect stand-in for carb-dense noodles! This simple recipe for spaghetti squash pasta has loads of flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds spaghetti squash
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 ounces crumbled feta

Directions

1. Using a large serrated knife, cut the spaghetti squash in half. Discard the seeds.
2. Place both halves cut side down on a large piece of parchment paper, and microwave on high for 9 to 11 minutes, until tender. Use a fork to create the spaghetti squash noodles. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, toss the onion and lemon juice with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Set to the side.
4. In a nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and chopped garlic. Once it begins to turn golden brown, add the chickpeas and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add the spaghetti squash, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper to the skillet.
6. Fold in the parsley, crumbled feta, and onion and lemon juice mixture.

Baked Peaches

Baked peaches with sweetener, butter, and cinnamon taste like homemade peach pie without all the work and calories! This mouth-watering dessert is best served warm with yogurt.

Instructions

• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract/paste
• 1 tablespoon Allulose (sweetener)
• 1 tablespoon Just Better Fiber
• 4 small fresh peaches, halved and pitted
• 1/2 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Stir the butter, cinnamon, vanilla, sweetener, and Just Better Fiber together in a small bowl until combined. Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
2. On top of the butter mixture, arrange the peaches cut-side down. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender, basting the tops of the peaches with the melted butter mixture halfway through.
3. Divide the peaches, cut side up, among 4 small plates. Serve with yogurt.

Caramel Apples

Tart Granny Smith apples pair perfectly with sweet caramel. ProCare Health’s Sea Salted Caramel Calcium Chews gives a nutritious twist to this classic fall treat! View the video here!

Ingredients

• Calcium Soft Chew | Sea Salted Caramel | 90 Count
• Milk
• 1 apple, sliced
• Additional fruit of your choice
• Herb for garnish

Directions

1. Add calcium soft chews and milk to a saucepan. Heat over the stovetop and stir until melted.
2. Arrange the apple slices and additional fruit, like blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, on a plate. Garnish with your favorite herb.
3. Drizzle the caramel sauce on top of the fruit.

Dark Chocolate and Berries

ProCare Health’s Calcium Dark Chocolate bars are back for the season! Drizzle melted chocolate over yogurt and fruit for a delectable way to reach your daily calcium intake. View the video here!

Ingredients

• Calcium Dark Chocolate | 500mg Calcium | 500 IU Vitamin D
• Milk
• 1 container (5.3 ounce) Chobani Zero Sugar Vanilla Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 1 banana, sliced
• Raspberries

Directions

1. Add calcium dark chocolate bars and milk to a saucepan. Heat over the stovetop and stir until melted.
2. Transfer the yogurt to a plate. Add the banana slices and raspberries.
3. Drizzle the chocolate sauce on top of the yogurt and fruit.

Stuffed Turkey

Take your turkey up a notch! Juicy and tender roasted turkey breast stuffed with spinach, herbs, and bacon filling will knock your socks off. This dish is perfect for special occasions and holiday menus. View the full recipe here!

Watch the Cooking Demonstrations

Watch Chef Henry Baker make all of these dishes on on our YouTube channel.

Stay Focused on Your Goals With ProCare Health

ProCare Health’s experts make it easy to understand post-bariatric surgery needs so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Simply request a free sample, view recordings of our live video events, or reach out to a member of our team.

Give us a call at 877-822-5808 or contact us today with any questions!