Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato

Lisa Kidd

If you’re craving tacos but want something a little different, this Taco Sweet Potato is the perfect twist! It’s warm, filling, and loaded with bold taco flavor—plus it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand.

I start by baking sweet potatoes at 375°F for about an hour until they’re soft and tender. While the potatoes bake, I sauté a diced onion with one pound of ground pork (ground beef works great too) until the meat is browned and the onions are soft.

Next, I add one packet of taco seasoning along with about ¾ cup of water (or whatever the packet instructions recommend). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the sauce thickens. While the meat is simmering, warm up a can of refried beans—I used black bean refried beans for extra flavor.

To assemble, slice open your baked sweet potato and add a little butter and salt if desired. Spoon one to two tablespoons of refried beans onto the potato, followed by a scoop or two of taco meat. Finish with shredded cheese, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream.

This Taco Sweet Potato is comforting, satisfying, and perfect for a fun dinner idea or even meal prep. It’s definitely a must-try!

Easy High-Protein Breakfast & Coffee Using Aldi Finds

Lisa Kidd

Some mornings call for something quick, comforting, and still supportive of a bariatric lifestyle. Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite easy Aldi breakfasts that checks all those boxes.

Protein Waffles from Aldi

I recently found protein waffles at Aldi, and they’ve quickly become a staple. Two waffles provide 12 grams of protein, and they toast up perfectly. I like to keep it simple by topping them with Sugar-Free Log Cabin Syrup—no fuss, no guilt.

Cozy French Vanilla Coffee

My coffee today was made with Barissimo French Vanilla coffee, Aldi’s brand. To make it feel like a coffeehouse treat, I added:

  • A splash of Jordan’s Iced Cinnamon Roll Skinny Syrup
  • A splash of Jordan’s Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Skinny Syrup
  • Heavy cream
  • A pinch of salted caramel salt

Stir it all together, and it’s nice, cozy, and satisfying without added sugar.

Why This Works for Bariatric Living

  • High-protein and low-sugar
  • Quick and realistic for everyday life
  • Budget-friendly Aldi finds
  • Feels indulgent without derailing goals

If you’re navigating post-op life or simply trying to eat with intention, meals like this prove that simple can still be delicious.

Sugar-Free Ambrosia Salad (Inspired by Courtney Cook)

Lisa Kidd

Ambrosia Salad is one of those classic recipes that instantly brings back memories — creamy, fruity, and always present at family gatherings. When I saw Courtney Cook’s Ambrosia Salad, I knew I had to try it… but of course, I wanted to make it sugar-free and a little more elevated.

This version keeps all the nostalgic flavor while creating a smoother, creamier texture that fits beautifully into a bariatric and low-sugar lifestyle.

Why I Love This Version

  • Completely sugar-free
  • Creamier and smoother texture
  • No nuts (but you can add them if you’d like!)
  • Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or make-ahead desserts

Ingredients

  • 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple in its own juice
  • 2 (15 oz) cans mandarin oranges in their own juice, drained
  • 1 family-size box sugar-free lime Jell-O
  • 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 (8 oz) tub sugar-free Cool Whip

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed pineapple (with juice), mandarin oranges, and sugar-free lime Jell-O.
  2. Refrigerate for about 3 hours until partially set.
  3. In a blender, blend the cottage cheese and cream cheese until completely smooth.
  4. Stir the blended mixture into the Jell-O mixture.
  5. Gently fold in the sugar-free Cool Whip.
  6. Refrigerate for several more hours or overnight until fully set.

Final Thoughts

This sugar-free Ambrosia Salad is creamy, refreshing, and absolutely delicious. It’s proof that you don’t have to give up classic comfort recipes just because you’re living a bariatric or low-sugar lifestyle.

If you try this recipe, let me know — I’d love to hear what you think!

I Tried the Viral Ina Garten Brownie Pudding — Low-Carb Edition (And It Wasn’t a Win)

Lisa Kidd

Every once in a while, a recipe goes viral and you have to try it. This time, it was Ina Garten’s famous Brownie Pudding — rich, decadent, and perfectly underbaked in the center.

Of course, I wanted to see if I could make it low-carb and sugar-free.

The result?
✔️ Beautiful texture for a brownie
❌ Flavor that just didn’t work for me, and it didn’t have the lava pudding center

I made several substitutions, including swapping all-purpose flour for peanut flour. While the dessert baked great for a brownie, it didn’t have the lava pudding center I was hoping for. The peanut flavor overpowered everything else. It’s not something I’d personally make again — and that’s okay.

Low-carb and bariatric-friendly baking is a lot of trial and error. Some swaps behave beautifully. Others… teach us lessons.

I usually only share recipes that make it into my regular rotation, but I wanted to share this one too — because honesty matters. If you’re experimenting in your own kitchen, know that it’s normal when things don’t turn out perfectly.

Let’s Learn Together

If you try this recipe using different low-carb ingredients (like almond flour, different sweeteners, or adjusted eggs), I’d love to hear how it turns out for you. Leave a comment or message me — your version might be the one that works!

Because at Bariatric Living 101, we’re not chasing perfection — we’re building sustainable, real-life habits.

💛

Viral Sweet Potato Stuffed With Cheese (Bariatric-Friendly Take)

Lisa Kidd

Viral recipes don’t always work for a bariatric lifestyle—but every once in a while, one catches my attention. The sweet potato stuffed with cheese, originally shared by Courtney Cook, is one of those recipes I had to try for myself.

Sweet potatoes often get a bad reputation, but when eaten in moderation and paired with protein and fat, they can absolutely have a place in post-op life. This recipe is simple, comforting, and incredibly customizable.

Why This Recipe Works for Bariatric Living

  • Simple, whole-food ingredients
  • Easy to control portions
  • Can be paired with added protein if needed
  • Comfort food without feeling over-the-top

How I Made It

I baked my sweet potato until soft, cut one end off, and ran my knife down the center of the potato, and stuffed it with cheese, allowing it to melt into a creamy, satisfying filling. From there, you can customize it—add protein, seasonings, or keep it simple depending on your goals and tolerance. I cut mine in quarters, added some chicken and green beans to my plate to make a rounded-out meal. Delish!!

Bariatric Tips

  • Focus on portion size
  • Consider adding protein (chicken, ground beef, cottage cheese, etc.)
  • Eat slowly and mindfully
  • Remember: balance > perfection

Viral recipes don’t have to be off-limits. With a little intention, they can be enjoyed in a way that supports your bariatric journey.

If you love trying viral food trends through a bariatric-friendly lens, be sure to follow Bariatric Living for more recipes, encouragement, and real-life after surgery.

Ketovore Hawaiian Pizza (Carnivore Pork Crust)

Lisa Kidd

Ketovore Hawaiian Pizza with Carnivore Pork Crust

A Bariatric Living 101 Recipe

If you’re craving pizza while staying true to a bariatric-friendly, low-carb lifestyle, this Ketovore Hawaiian Pizza delivers all the comfort without the carb overload. 🍍🍕

This recipe is a twist on my Carnivore Philly Cheesesteak Pizza, but this version leans ketovore with classic Hawaiian flavors and a touch of sweetness — all built on a high-protein carnivore pork crust.

The crust is blended together in a food processor, creating a sturdy, flavorful base that holds toppings beautifully and reheats well for leftovers.

Carnivore Pork Crust Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 cup ground pork rinds
  • 1 egg
  • 3 Tablespoons cream cheese spread
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Paprika, to taste
  • Dill, to taste

Ketovore Hawaiian Toppings

(All toppings are added to your liking)

  • Sweet Baby Ray’s No Sugar Added Barbecue Sauce
  • Chopped onion
  • Chopped green pepper
  • Black Forest ham, chopped
  • Pineapple chunks (drained, in its own juice — no heavy syrup)
  • Mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Add all crust ingredients to a food processor.
  3. Blend until fully combined and a thick dough forms.

Step 2: Form & Bake

  1. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
  2. Press mixture evenly into a pizza shape.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly golden.
  4. Carefully drain any excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Add Toppings

  1. Spread Sweet Baby Ray’s No Sugar Added BBQ sauce over the crust.
  2. Add onion, green pepper, ham, and pineapple.
  3. Top with mozzarella cheese.

Step 4: Final Bake

  1. Return pizza to the oven and bake an additional 8–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Let cool slightly, slice, and enjoy mindfully.

Bariatric Living Tips

  • Pineapple is optional and can be reduced for stricter keto
  • This pizza reheats beautifully in the air fryer
  • Crust can be pre-baked and frozen for meal prep

Mom’s Bean Salad: A Recipe Filled With Memories

Lisa Kidd

Some recipes live on a page. Others live in your heart.

This bean salad is one of those recipes for me.

My mom used to make this for me, and it was always my favorite thing she made. There were no measurements, no fancy ingredients — just simple food made with love. Especially around the holidays, I find myself missing both my mom and dad, and recreating this dish helps me feel close to them again.

This isn’t a “perfect” recipe, and that’s exactly the point. It’s meant to be made to your taste, just like my mom always did.

Ingredients (All To Taste):

  • Kidney beans
  • Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • Shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • Onion, finely diced
  • Green pepper, diced
  • Celery, diced
  • Mayonnaise
  • Yellow mustard
  • Salt

How to Make It:

  1. Drain and rinse the kidney beans.
  2. Chop the hard-boiled eggs and vegetables.
  3. Combine everything in a bowl.
  4. Add mayonnaise and a squirt or two of yellow mustard.
  5. Season with salt.
  6. Stir gently and adjust everything to your liking.

That’s it. No rules. No pressure.

A Note for Bariatric Living

This recipe can easily be adjusted based on your personal needs. You can change ingredient amounts, swap items, or enjoy it in smaller portions. What matters most is that food can still be meaningful, comforting, and nourishing after bariatric surgery.

Sometimes, healing comes from honoring where we’ve been — and who loved us along the way.

💛

A Different Kind of New Year

Lisa Kidd

As I was reflecting on this New Year, something hit me — quietly, but powerfully.
This is the first year of my life that I’m not making a New Year’s resolution centered around weight loss.

For so many years, the new year meant chasing a smaller number, more restriction, or “fixing” myself. But this year feels different. It feels peaceful. It feels rooted.

What I’m Focusing on Instead

Instead of weight loss, my goals are centered on health, faith, and gratitude.

I want to:

  • Nourish my body better by incorporating more red meat and protein-forward meals
  • Move my body regularly through exercise
  • Spend intentional time in Bible study, growing spiritually
  • Live with gratitude

These goals feel sustainable. They feel life-giving.

Gratitude Changes Everything

I also want to say how incredibly grateful I am for this community. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just recently subscribed, your support means more than I can express.

This space is about more than food or fitness — it’s about living well after major life changes and doing it with grace.

Moving Forward

If you’re stepping into this New Year without a weight loss resolution — or questioning the ones you’ve always made — I want you to know that it’s okay to do things differently.

Growth doesn’t always look loud.
Sometimes it looks like peace.

Here’s to a New Year filled with health, faith, gratitude, and intention.

Refreshing Sugar-Free Protein Drink Hack

Lisa Kidd

If you’re tired of drinking plain protein shakes, this simple protein drink hack is about to become your new favorite. It’s light, refreshing, sugar-free, and completely customizable — perfect for bariatric life or anyone focused on high-protein, low-carb living.

One of the biggest challenges after surgery (or during weight loss) is finding ways to enjoy protein without getting bored. This drink feels more like a fun, flavored refresher than a traditional protein shake — and it’s incredibly easy to make.

🥤 Protein Drink Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 sugar-free drink packets (any flavors you love)
  • A small amount of water
  • Ice
  • 1–2 splashes of sugar-free syrup (optional)
  • 1 ready-to-drink protein shake

Directions:

  1. Add the drink packets to a cup with a small amount of water and stir until fully dissolved.
  2. Fill the cup with ice.
  3. Add a splash or two of sugar-free syrup if desired.
  4. Pour in your protein shake.
  5. Stir well and enjoy!

Flavor Combo I Used

  • Welch’s Cherry Pomegranate
  • Sonic Ocean Water

This combo is fruity, refreshing, and perfect for warmer days — but the possibilities are endless.

💡 Why This Works for Bariatric Life

  • Helps increase protein intake
  • Encourages hydration
  • Sugar-free and low-carb
  • Easy on the stomach
  • Totally customizable

If you try this protein drink, let me know your favorite flavor combo! And be sure to follow Bariatric Living for more protein-forward recipes and tips that make this lifestyle easier — and more enjoyable.

Carnivore Philly Cheesesteak Pizza (Ketovore Option)

Lisa Kidd

If you’ve been missing pizza while following a carnivore or keto lifestyle, this Carnivore Philly Cheesesteak Pizza is about to become a staple. It’s high-protein, low carb, and bariatric-friendly, with a rich beef crust, creamy cheese sauce, and classic Philly cheesesteak flavors.

I made mine ketovore-style with onions and green peppers, but if you’re strict carnivore, simply leave the vegetables off — it’s just as delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Protein-forward and very filling
  • Low carb and blood-sugar friendly
  • Easy to customize for carnivore or ketovore
  • Bariatric-friendly with soft textures
  • Tastes like real pizza, not a substitute

Carnivore Philly Cheesesteak Pizza Recipe

1️⃣ Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz cottage cheese
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a food processor.
  2. Blend until completely smooth.
  3. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan on the stove.
  4. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth.
  5. Set aside. (You will only use about ¼ of this sauce for the pizza.)

2️⃣ Gary’s Quick Steak

Ingredients:

  • Gary’s Quick Steak (large slab)
  • Olive oil
  • Wow seasoning packet (included with the steak)

Instructions:

  1. Drizzle a little olive oil into a skillet.
  2. Add the steak and the Wow seasoning.
  3. Cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart until shredded.
  4. Set aside.

3️⃣ Beef Crust

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup (about 2 oz) pork rinds, ground in food processor
  • 1 egg
  • 3 Tablespoons cream cheese spread
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, pepper, and taco seasoning to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Add all ingredients to a food processor.
  3. Blend until fully combined and the beef starts to ball up.
  4. Line a pizza pan with parchment paper.
  5. Spread the beef mixture evenly onto the pan, thinning it out to the edges.
    • (This recipe fits a 16-inch pizza pan.)
  6. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned on the edges.

4️⃣ Toppings (Ketovore Option)

  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced

(Omit for strict carnivore.)

5️⃣ Assemble the Pizza

  1. Remove the cooked beef crust from the oven.
  2. Spread about ¼ of the cheese sauce evenly over the crust.
  3. Layer with slices of provolone cheese.
  4. Add Gary’s Quick Steak, onions, and green peppers (if using).
  5. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Return to the oven and bake at 425°F until:
    • Cheese is melted and golden
    • Onions and peppers are tender

6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy

Slice, eat, and enjoy a pizza night that fits your lifestyle!

Tips for Bariatric & Carnivore Lifestyles

  • Eat slowly and stop at satisfaction — this is very filling
  • Save leftover cheese sauce for casseroles, bowls, or dipping
  • Reheats well in the oven or air fryer
  • Works great for meal prep

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how you made it — carnivore or ketovore!

Follow Bariatric Living for more high-protein, low-carb recipes made for real life.