Tag: #BariatricLiving

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!

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.

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.

💛

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.

Sugar-Free Apple Cranberry Dump Cake

Lisa Kidd

If you love classic comfort desserts but want a lower-sugar option, this Sugar-Free Apple Cranberry Dump Cake is a must-try. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for anyone following a bariatric or low-sugar lifestyle.

This recipe combines tender apples, tart cranberries, warm spices, and a buttery cake topping—all without traditional sugar. It’s one of those desserts that no one will believe is sugar-free.

Ingredients

  • 5 apples, cubed
  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup Splenda
  • ⅛ cup Jordan’s Caramel Skinny Syrup
  • ⅛ cup Jordan’s Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skinny Syrup
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Pillsbury Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix
  • 16–20 pats of butter

Instructions

  1. Sauté apples and cranberries in a skillet with butter, Splenda, and both Skinny Syrups until tender.
  2. Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry and stir into the fruit mixture until thickened.
  3. Transfer fruit filling to a 9×13 baking dish.
  4. Evenly spread the zero-sugar cake mix over the fruit.
  5. Top with butter pats.
  6. Bake at 325°F for 30–40 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

One of my favorite ways to add flavor without added sugar is by using Jordan’s Skinny Syrups. The caramel and brown sugar cinnamon flavors give this dump cake that classic holiday taste without the sugar spike.

👉 You can save 10% on your first order at skinnymixes.com by using my code: BARIATRICLIVING101

Final Thoughts

This sugar-free dump cake is proof that you don’t have to give up dessert to stay on track. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for holidays or anytime cravings hit.

Peppermint Mocha Sugar Cookie Iced Coffee – A Festive Christmas Coffee

Lisa Kidd

If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to enjoy coffee this holiday season, this Peppermint Mocha Sugar Cookie Iced Coffee is the perfect Christmas treat. It’s creamy, refreshing, and packed with classic holiday flavors—peppermint, chocolate, and sugar cookie—all in one cup.

I love using Jordan’s Skinny Syrups in my coffee because they add incredible flavor without added sugar, making them a great option for bariatric-friendly lifestyles.
👉 You can save 10% on your first order at skinnymixes.com with my code BARIATRICLIVING101.

Ingredients:

  • French Vanilla Coffee
  • Jordan’s Peppermint Mocha Skinny Syrup
  • Jordan’s Sugar Cookie Skinny Syrup
  • Heavy Cream
  • Salted Caramel Salt (optional but highly recommended)

How to Make It:

  1. Brew your French vanilla coffee and let it cool slightly if making iced coffee.
  2. Fill a cup with ice and pour in the coffee.
  3. Add a couple splashes of peppermint mocha skinny syrup and a splash of sugar cookie skinny syrup.
  4. Add heavy cream to taste.
  5. Finish with a dash or two of salted caramel salt.
  6. Stir well and enjoy your festive Christmas coffee 🎄☕

This drink is perfect for holiday mornings, Christmas movie nights, or anytime you want a little seasonal joy in your cup.

Mini Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Pumpkin New York Style Cheesecakes

Lisa Kidd

The holidays are the perfect time for cozy flavors, and these Mini Sugar-Free Salted Caramel Pumpkin New York Style Cheesecakes check all the boxes. They’re rich, creamy, perfectly spiced, and finished with just the right touch of salted caramel — without all the sugar.

These mini cheesecakes are portion-controlled, bariatric-friendly, and ideal for holiday gatherings, dessert trays, or just a special treat at home.

Ingredients

Crust

  • 5 oz Nutrail Cinnamon Pecan Keto Granola
  • 1.25 oz butter, melted

Cheesecake Batter

  • 12 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup Splenda
  • ¼ cup 100% pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs, scrambled before adding
  • 0.75 oz cornstarch
  • 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2.7 fl oz heavy cream
  • 1 splash Jordan’s Brown Sugar Cinnamon Skinny Syrup (to taste)
  • 1 splash Jordan’s Caramel Skinny Syrup (to taste)
  • Toppings
  • Salted caramel salt
  • Skinny Mixes caramel sauce

Instructions

💡 Affiliate Note: I use both Jordan’s Skinny Syrups and Skinny Mixes products in this recipe. If you’re shopping Skinny Mixes, you can save 10% on your first order with my code BARIATRICLIVING101 at checkout.

Step 1: Make the Crust

  1. Add the keto granola to a food processor and pulse until finely crushed.
  2. Add melted butter and blend until well combined.
  3. Divide evenly among 12 mini cheesecake cups and press firmly.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 2: Make the Cheesecake Batter

  1. In a blender or mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Splenda, pumpkin puree, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and heavy cream.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Add scrambled eggs last and blend just until incorporated.
  4. Add a splash of both skinny syrups to your desired sweetness.

Step 3: Bake

  1. Use an ice cream scoop to evenly portion batter into each crust.
  2. Place cheesecakes in a steam bath.
  3. Bake at 300°F for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Cool & Finish

  1. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle salted caramel salt on top while warm.
  2. Let cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
  3. Drizzle with Skinny Mixes caramel sauce before serving.

These mini pumpkin cheesecakes are a must-have for the holiday season. They’re festive, flavorful, and a great way to enjoy dessert while staying mindful of sugar and portions.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out — and don’t forget to check out more sugar-free and bariatric-friendly recipes here on Bariatric Living! 🧡

Gingerbread Chai Pumpkin Spice Latte (Holiday Coffee Magic!)

Lisa Kidd

If you love holiday flavors, this cozy latte is going to be your new favorite. It blends warm chai spices with classic gingerbread flavor and the seasonal comfort of pumpkin spice. It tastes like Christmas morning in a mug!

Ingredients

  • A splash of heavy cream
  • Jordan’s Gingerbread Skinny Syrup
  • Jordan’s Chai Skinny Syrup
  • Pumpkin Spice Coffee
  • Skinny Mixes Caramel Sauce
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice

How to Make It

  1. Add a small amount of heavy cream to your coffee mug.
  2. Add a splash of Gingerbread Skinny Syrup and a splash of Chai Skinny Syrup.
  3. Froth until it becomes creamy and fluffy.
  4. Pour in your freshly brewed Pumpkin Spice coffee.
  5. Drizzle with Skinny Mixes Caramel Sauce and add a dash or two of pumpkin pie spice.

This latte is warm, festive, and perfect for mornings when you want something special without heading to a café. It’s quick, simple, and full of cozy holiday flavor!

✨ Save on Skinny Mixes! If you want to try any of the Skinny Syrups I used, you can take 10% off your first order at skinnymixes.com using my code: BARIATRICLIVING101

It’s the perfect time to stock up on syrups for your protein coffees!

Autumn Skillet Dinner

Lisa Kidd

There’s just something about fall that makes you crave warm, cozy meals — and this Autumn Skillet Dinner fits the season perfectly. It’s packed with flavorful smoked beef sausage, sweet roasted vegetables, caramelized onions, and a simple garlic-butter sauce that brings everything together.

This dish is hearty, colorful, comforting, and comes together with simple ingredients. You can enjoy it on its own or serve it over jasmine rice like I did.

⭐ Ingredients

  • 2 (10 oz) packages smoked beef sausage
  • 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 (12 oz) bags Brussels sprouts
  • 2 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 oz butter
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt, Pepper, and Paprika to taste

🍽️ Instructions

1. Prep & roast the veggies

Peel and cube the sweet potatoes. Add them to a baggie with a drizzle of olive oil, plus salt and pepper. Shake until coated, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Microwave each bag of Brussels sprouts for about 30 seconds — just enough to soften slightly. Slice them in half, add to a baggie with olive oil, salt, and pepper, shake, and place on the same baking sheet.

Bake the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts at 400°F for 30–45 minutes, or until tender and slightly golden.

2. Brown the sausage

Slice the smoked beef sausage. Add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.

3. Caramelize the onions

Add the sliced onion to the skillet with the drippings from the sausage. Add a little more olive oil if needed. Season with a pinch of salt and cook until caramelized. Remove and set aside.

4. Make the garlic butter sauce

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant. Add the butter and let it melt, creating a buttery garlic sauce.

5. Combine everything

Once the roasted veggies are done, add them to the skillet along with the caramelized onions and browned sausage. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated in the butter sauce.

Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.

6. Serve & enjoy

This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it over jasmine rice for a heartier meal.

If you make this Autumn Skillet Dinner, be sure to tag me — I love seeing your recreations! 🍁