Author: Lisa Kidd

I am a wife, a mom, a grandmother, and a pastry chef. Back in 2017, I used to weigh 332 pounds. I was very unhealthy, could barely move, and boy was I miserable. Also, that same year I wound up in the hospital with a saddle pulmonary embolism that traveled through my heart. I am told that I am very lucky to be alive. This is what got the ball rolling for me to get the bariatric surgery that I so desperately needed and now I want to share my journey with all of you.

🍎 Salted Caramel Apple Protein Coffee

Lisa Kidd

A cozy, fall-inspired drink that’s packed with protein and flavor — without the sugar or guilt!

There’s just something about fall that makes me want to slow down and savor every sip. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to change, and suddenly all I can think about are cozy sweaters and comforting flavors — especially anything with caramel, apple, or cinnamon. 🍁

But since having bariatric surgery, I’ve learned how to recreate those seasonal favorites in ways that fit my protein-forward, low-sugar lifestyle. That’s where this Salted Caramel Apple Protein Coffee comes in — it’s sweet, creamy, and has all the cozy fall vibes without any of the extra sugar.

☕ The Inspiration

After surgery, my morning coffee became more than just caffeine — it’s my little ritual of self-care and gratitude. I wanted something indulgent that still supported my goals, and this drink checks all the boxes.

Think: the warm spices of fall, the richness of caramel, and the comfort of apple crisp — blended into a smooth, protein-packed drink that feels like dessert in a cup (without the sugar crash).

🍎 Ingredients

  • 1 Nurri Vanilla Protein Shake
  • 1 Tbsp Jordan’s Salted Caramel Skinny Syrup
  • 1 Tbsp Jordan’s White Chocolate Mocha Skinny Syrup
  • 1 drizzle Jordan’s Skinny Caramel Sauce
  • 1 tsp Sugar-Free Spiced Apple Cider Mix
  • 1 tsp Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix
  • 1 cup brewed Apple Crisp Coffee
  • Ice
  • White Chocolate Mocha Cold Foam (optional but amazing!)
  • Salted Caramel Salt + a dash of Cinnamon for topping

🍁 Instructions

  1. In a blender, combine the Nurri Vanilla Protein Shake, Salted Caramel and White Chocolate Mocha Syrups, Spiced Apple Cider Mix, and Butterscotch Pudding Mix.
  2. Blend until creamy and smooth.
  3. Fill a glass with ice, line your glass with Caramel Sauce and pour your blended protein mix over top.
  4. Add 1 cup of Apple Crisp Coffee (cold or room temp).
  5. Top with White Chocolate Mocha Cold Foam, a sprinkle of Salted Caramel Salt, and a dash of Cinnamon.
  6. Sip and enjoy your guilt-free fall treat!

💪 Why You’ll Love This Protein Coffee

✅ High Protein: A full Nurri shake keeps you full and energized.
✅ Sugar-Free: Sweetened with Jordan’s Skinny Syrups — no sugar, no crash.
✅ Bariatric-Friendly: Perfect for post-op lifestyles that focus on protein and portion control.
✅ Fall-Inspired: Apple, caramel, and cinnamon create cozy coffee perfection.

✨ Final Thoughts

This Salted Caramel Apple Protein Coffee is proof that you can still enjoy your favorite seasonal drinks while living a bariatric or health-focused lifestyle. For me, it’s a reminder that the journey isn’t about restriction — it’s about reinvention.

Finding joy in new, nourishing habits (and delicious recipes like this one!) is what Bariatric Living is all about. 💛

💬 Share the Love

If you try this recipe, I’d love to see your creations! Tag me @BariatricLiving101 so I can cheer you on.

High Protein Banana Cream Pudding | Sugar-Free Bariatric-Friendly Dessert

Lisa Kidd

This creamy High Protein Banana Cream Pudding is light, sugar-free, and perfect post-bariatric surgery. Made with Greek yogurt and sugar-free pudding mix, it’s the perfect sweet treat that fits your goals!

🍨 A Dessert You Can Feel Good About

There are days when you just need something sweet — a little comfort in a bowl. But after bariatric surgery, finding desserts that satisfy that craving without derailing your progress can be tricky.

That’s why I love this High Protein Banana Cream Pudding. It’s light, creamy, and tastes just like banana cream pie — only this version is sugar-free, low-carb, and packed with protein.

It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but supports your goals, reminding you that life after surgery can still taste delicious.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ High in protein — thanks to Greek yogurt
✔️ Sugar-free & low-carb — no added sugar, no guilt
✔️ Quick & easy — ready in minutes, no baking required
✔️ Creamy & comforting — the perfect texture and flavor combo

🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 5.3 oz vanilla light Greek yogurt
  • ½ tablespoon sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
  • ½ tablespoon sugar-free banana cream pudding mix
  • 2 dollops sugar-free Cool Whip (for that mousse-like texture)
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • A sprinkle of keto Nutrail cinnamon pecan granola for crunch
  • Extra Cool Whip for topping

👩‍🍳 Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt and both pudding mixes. Stir until smooth and thick.
  2. Fold in two dollops of sugar-free Cool Whip to make it light and fluffy.
  3. Slice the banana and layer it in your serving dish.
  4. Spoon the pudding mixture over the banana slices.
  5. Sprinkle granola on top for a bit of texture and crunch.
  6. Add a final dollop of Cool Whip on top — and enjoy!

✨ Tips & Variations

  • Use different pudding flavors like chocolate, butterscotch, or cheesecake for variety.
  • Swap banana for berries if you want to lower the carbs.
  • Chill for 30 minutes before serving for an extra creamy texture.

💬 From My Bariatric Journey to Yours

After surgery, our relationship with food changes — but that doesn’t mean food can’t still bring joy. Recipes like this remind me that we can nourish our bodies and our souls at the same time.

This High Protein Banana Cream Pudding hits that perfect balance: sweet, creamy, comforting, and completely guilt-free. It’s proof that you can love dessert and still love your goals. 💛

🍌 Nutrition Benefits (Approximate)

  • High in protein
  • Low in sugar
  • Lower carb
  • Source of calcium and probiotics

💪 Perfect For:

  • A quick and satisfying dessert
  • A sweet mid-day pick-me-up
  • A post-surgery treat that still fits your plan

If you try this recipe, tag me @BariatricLiving101 — I’d love to see your version!
And if you’re craving more protein-forward, low-carb recipes, make sure to subscribe to Bariatric Living for weekly recipes and inspiration.

☕️ Salted Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Coffee

Lisa Kidd

A guilt-free, protein-packed coffeehouse drink you can make right at home!

💛 My Story Behind the Sip

Some mornings, a plain cup of coffee just doesn’t cut it. You crave something creamy, rich, and comforting — a little taste of indulgence that still fits your goals.

After my bariatric surgery, I promised myself I’d find ways to enjoy my favorite treats in a way that supported my new lifestyle. That’s how this Salted Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Coffee came to life. It’s everything I love — sweet, chocolatey, and silky smooth — without all the sugar or guilt.

This recipe has quickly become my daily “treat yourself” moment. It’s full of protein, low in carbs, and tastes like dessert in a cup — because living a healthy life doesn’t mean giving up joy. 💛

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • ✅ Protein-forward: keeps you full and satisfied
  • ✅ Low-carb & sugar-free: perfect for bariatric or low-carb lifestyles
  • ✅ Coffeehouse flavor: all the taste without the high-calorie extras
  • ✅ Quick & easy: ready in under 5 minutes
  • ✅ Perfect for mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups

Salted Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Coffee

🧋 Ingredients

  • 1 Fairlife Chocolate Protein Shake
  • 2 splashes Jordan’s Salted Caramel Skinny Syrup
  • 2 swirls of Jordan’s Salted Caramel Sauce (optional but delicious)
  • 1 tsp PB Fit Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder
  • 1 tsp Sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix
  • 1 1/2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
  • Ice
  • Sugar-free whipped cream, for topping
  • Pinch of salted caramel salt or sea salt, for garnish

🥄 Instructions

  1. Blend the base:
    In a blender, combine the Fairlife Chocolate Protein Shake, Jordan’s Salted Caramel Skinny Syrup, PB Fit Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder, and sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  2. Prepare your coffee:
    Fill a glass with ice and swirl some Caramel sauce around the inside of the glass and pour in the cooled coffee.
  3. Combine:
    Slowly pour the blended protein mixture over your iced coffee.
  4. Top it off:
    Add a swirl of sugar-free whipped cream, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of caramel salt for the perfect finishing touch.
  5. Sip & enjoy:
    Treat yourself to this rich, protein-packed, low-carb coffee that tastes like dessert in a cup!

💡 Tips & Variations

  • Swap the Fairlife Chocolate Shake for Salted Caramel for a flavor twist.
  • Add a shot of espresso for a stronger coffee flavor.
  • For a frosty version, blend everything with ice instead of pouring it over coffee.
  • Want it extra creamy? Add 1 tbsp of sugar-free vanilla pudding mix instead of butterscotch.

💬 Final Thoughts

This recipe is proof that healthy living doesn’t mean giving up flavor or fun. It’s a simple, satisfying way to start your day with something that feels special — and keeps you fueled with protein and energy.

So next time you’re craving a fancy coffeehouse drink, skip the drive-thru and blend this up instead. Your body (and taste buds!) will thank you. ☕️💛

📌 Save This Recipe

Share it, pin it, and tag me when you make it!
#BariatricLiving #ProteinCoffee #SaltedCaramelDream #HealthyCoffee #LowCarbRecipe #FairlifeProteinShake #PBfit #SkinnySyrups

What a Journey

Lisa Kidd

Good morning, Friends! I know it’s been a while since I last wrote anything on here, but I wanted to give you an update on my weight loss. I am now down to 183 lbs. Woohoo!! This is a huge accomplishment for me. I have finally dropped below the dreaded 200 lb. mark. I really only have about 33 more pounds to lose to where I will be happy. If I lose more than that, great! However, I’m trying to be realistic. I know I’ll be happy at 150 lbs. What a journey it has been.

I wanted to let you all know that I do have my YouTube channel up and running. The link is…. https://www.youtube.com/@bariatricliving101

I hope to see you over on my YouTube channel. Have a blessed day!!

Introduction

Lisa Kidd

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog and weight loss journey through bariatric surgery. In 2017, I weighed 332 lbs. as you can see in my before picture. In February of that year, I wound up in the hospital with a saddle pulmonary embolism that had traveled through my heart. I am told that I am very lucky to be alive. I feel very blessed to be alive! I knew I needed to change my life but through the years I have lost and regained my weight over and over again. I needed something that would make me change. So, at the end of that year, I was approved for my first bariatric surgery, the gastric sleeve. That is where they remove about 80% of your stomach and leave you with a very small pouch. I had that surgery done in February of 2018 and lost 120 lbs. by December. That is when the scale stopped moving. I had hit a wall. Due to me being an emotional eater, I started eating things that were not good for me or my weight loss. Plus, at the time my dad was displaying signs of dementia. By October 2020, my husband and I had to move in with my dad and I became his full-time caregiver for the next 3 years. During that time from December 2018 to August 2023, I gained back 50 lbs. In 2023, I could not get the scale to move up or down. During the 3 years of taking care of my dad, he was my main and only focus. I was not taking care of myself at all. My dad passed away in August 2023 and after some time I wanted to get my weight off and get my life back. I went and talked to my surgeon who did my original surgery, and he thought I may be dealing with some hormonal issues due to me being 6 years postmenopausal. He told me about possibly needing a revision surgery, so I proceeded to make that happen. In October 2024 I had my revision surgery. That is where they go back in and reroute your intestines. I went from having just a gastric sleeve to the SADI-S. That is the jump start that I needed. I have re-lost those 50 lbs. and more. I am now in new territory. I haven’t been this size since I was 20 years old, and I am so very happy!!

Now, I welcome all of you to come along on my weight loss journey. We will explore food and convert it into healthy recipes. We will exercise. We will drink lots and lots of water. We will be eating a protein-forward and low-carb diet, and We will find joy in making positive choices.

This picture is of me at 332 lbs. and now at 209.9 lbs. 🙂

Have a Blessed Day!!