Tag: #bariatriclivingwithlisa

High Protein Dalgona Coffee (30g Protein)

Lisa Kidd

If you’ve never tried Dalgona coffee before, you’re in for a treat! This viral whipped coffee is incredibly creamy and delicious, and I’ve given it a bariatric-friendly makeover by pairing it with a 30-gram vanilla protein shake.

The result is a rich, coffeehouse-style drink that’s low in sugar, packed with protein, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • 30 grams of protein
  • Bariatric-friendly
  • Low in sugar
  • Rich and creamy texture
  • Easy to make in just a few minutes
  • Feels like a gourmet coffee shop drink

Ingredients

Whipped Coffee

  • 2 Tablespoons instant coffee (I used Decaf Nescafé Gold Espresso)
  • 1 Tablespoon Splenda
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Caramel Crème Skinny Syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons very hot water

Coffee Base

  • Ice
  • Skinny Mixes Sugar-Free Caramel Sauce
  • Skinny Mixes Sugar-Free Marshmallow Sauce
  • One 30-gram vanilla protein shake

Instructions

  1. Add the instant coffee, Splenda, skinny syrup, and hot water to a small bowl or glass.
  2. Using a handheld frother, whip the mixture until it becomes thick, fluffy, and several times its original volume.
  3. Drizzle the inside of a serving glass with sugar-free caramel and marshmallow sauces.
  4. Fill the glass with ice.
  5. Pour in your vanilla protein shake.
  6. Spoon the whipped coffee over the top.
  7. Stir everything together before drinking and enjoy!

My Thoughts

This drink honestly tastes like dessert in a glass. The fluffy coffee melts into the creamy protein shake, creating a smooth, velvety texture with just the right amount of sweetness. The caramel and marshmallow drizzle take it to another level and make it feel like a specialty coffeehouse drink without all the sugar.

If you’re looking for new ways to enjoy your daily protein, this recipe is a fun and delicious option.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment on the YouTube video and let me know your favorite sugar-free syrup combinations.

Happy sipping!

— Lisa

A Day in My Bariatric Life: Meals, Grocery Shopping & Behind the Scenes

Lisa Kidd

One of the questions I get asked most often is what my everyday life actually looks like. While I love sharing recipes and cooking videos, there’s so much more that goes into living a healthy bariatric lifestyle.

So today, I thought I’d take you along for a typical day!

From my morning coffee to my meals throughout the day, you’ll see the foods that help me stay on track while still enjoying what I eat. Eating enough protein, staying hydrated, and making balanced choices have become part of my daily routine, and I hope seeing my day gives you ideas for your own journey.

You’ll also come shopping with me as I pick up ingredients for future recipes. I enjoy looking for products that fit my bariatric lifestyle while still keeping meals flavorful and satisfying.

One of my favorite parts of this video is showing you what happens behind the scenes. Creating YouTube videos involves much more than simply turning on a camera. From planning recipes and shopping to filming, editing, and sharing with all of you, every video is truly a labor of love.

Whether you’re considering bariatric surgery, are years into your journey, or are simply looking for healthier meal ideas, I hope this video reminds you that healthy living doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about making intentional choices one day at a time.

Thank you for spending the day with me. Your encouragement and support mean the world to me, and I’m so grateful you’re part of the Bariatric Living with Lisa community.

If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look, let me know! I’d love to create more lifestyle vlogs, grocery hauls, meal prep videos, and “What I Eat in a Day” content in the future.

Sugar-Free Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Refresher with Strawberry Cold Foam

Lisa Kidd

If you’re looking for the ultimate summer drink that’s refreshing, fruity, and sugar-free, you’ve found it!

This Sugar-Free Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Refresher with Strawberry Cold Foam has quickly become one of my favorite warm-weather treats. It’s packed with fresh strawberry flavor, perfectly tart lemonade, and topped with a creamy strawberry cold foam that makes every sip taste indulgent.

One of my favorite things about creating recipes is finding healthier alternatives to popular café drinks. This recipe delivers all the flavor without the added sugar, making it a wonderful option for anyone living a bariatric lifestyle or simply trying to make healthier choices.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Sugar-free
  • Bariatric-friendly
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Refreshing on hot summer days
  • Budget-friendly
  • Tastes like a specialty coffee shop drink

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 packet sugar-free lemonade
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Jordan’s Strawberry Skinny Syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream

Directions

  1. Add the frozen strawberries to your blender cup.
  2. Fill with water to the max fill line.
  3. Add one packet of sugar-free lemonade.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Fill a mason jar with ice.
  6. Add a splash of Jordan’s Strawberry Skinny Syrup.
  7. In a separate cup, combine heavy cream with another drizzle of strawberry syrup and froth until thick and creamy.
  8. Pour the frozen strawberry lemonade over the ice.
  9. Spoon the strawberry cold foam on top.
  10. Stir together and enjoy!

Final Thoughts

This drink is everything I want in a summer refresher—cold, fruity, creamy, and incredibly satisfying without all the added sugar.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment on YouTube and let me know if you tried it or added your own twist.

Happy sipping!

— Lisa
Bariatric Living with Lisa

Sugar-Free Peach Pineapple Cobbler

Lisa Kidd

If you’ve been craving a warm, comforting dessert but still want to keep things lighter, this Sugar-Free Peach Pineapple Cobbler is such a delicious option. It’s sweet, fruity, easy to make, and comes together with just a few simple ingredients.

I love recipes like this because they let me enjoy a comforting dessert while still being mindful of my bariatric lifestyle and my goal of making better choices without feeling deprived. This cobbler combines juicy peaches, fresh pineapple, Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix, and butter for a golden, bubbly dessert that tastes like summer in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients
  • Uses Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix for a lower-sugar twist
  • Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, cookouts, or holidays
  • Delicious served warm on its own or with a lighter whipped topping

Ingredients

  • 3 cans sliced peaches in their own juice, drained (reserve the juice)
  • 1 fresh pineapple, cubed
  • 1 box Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix
  • 20 pats of butter
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch

How to Make Sugar-Free Peach Pineapple Cobbler

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Drain the peaches and set the juice aside.
  3. Add the peaches and cubed pineapple to a 9×13 baking dish.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch into the reserved peach juice until completely dissolved.
  5. Pour the peach juice mixture evenly over the fruit.
  6. Sprinkle the Zero Sugar Yellow Cake Mix evenly over the top.
  7. Place pats of butter all across the top of the cake mix.
  8. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the cobbler is golden brown and bubbly.

Tips for Success

  • Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved in the peach juice so it helps thicken the fruit mixture evenly while baking.
  • Spread the butter across the top as evenly as possible so the cake mix bakes up golden.
  • If you want to make serving easier, let the cobbler rest for a few minutes after baking so it can set up slightly.

A Sweet Treat with a Lighter Twist

One of my favorite things about recipes like this is that they still feel fun and indulgent, but with a few swaps that better fit a healthier lifestyle. The peaches and pineapple bring plenty of natural sweetness and flavor, while the Zero Sugar cake mix helps keep it simple and lower in sugar than a traditional cobbler.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! And if you enjoy bariatric-friendly recipes, lighter comfort foods, and realistic healthy living inspiration, make sure you follow along with me on Bariatric Living with Lisa.

Container Garden Update: Growing Healthy Food at Home

Lisa Kidd

One of the most rewarding parts of my healthy lifestyle journey has been growing my own food. Today I’m sharing another update from my container garden and showing how everything is progressing this season.

Container gardening is a great option if you have limited space, and it’s amazing how much food you can grow on a patio, porch, or small backyard. Watching seeds and seedlings grow into healthy plants never gets old!

During this update, I share what’s thriving in the garden, any challenges I’ve encountered, and the fresh harvests I’ve been able to enjoy. There is something special about stepping outside and picking ingredients that you grew yourself.

As someone focused on bariatric living and healthy eating, having access to fresh vegetables and herbs makes it easier to create nutritious meals while saving money and enjoying the gardening process.

Gardening has become more than just a hobby for me—it’s a way to stay active, reduce stress, and connect with the food I eat every day.

I’d love to hear from you! What are you growing in your garden this season? Leave a comment and let me know.

Happy gardening!

— Lisa
Bariatric Living with Lisa 🌱💚

High Protein Caramel Banana Fluffer Nutter Iced Coffee

Lisa Kidd

If you grew up loving Fluffer Nutter sandwiches or peanut butter and banana sandwiches, this recipe is going to bring back some memories.

I wanted to create a protein coffee that tasted indulgent while still fitting into a bariatric-friendly lifestyle. The result is my High Protein Caramel Banana Fluffer Nutter Iced Coffee—a creamy blend of coffee, banana, peanut butter, marshmallow, and caramel flavors with a protein boost.

This drink feels like something you’d order from a specialty coffee shop, but it’s easy to make at home and can help you meet your daily protein goals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • High in protein
  • Lower in sugar than traditional coffeehouse drinks
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Bariatric lifestyle friendly
  • Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up

Ingredients

  • 8 oz brewed coffee
  • 1 Monster Alani Protein Shake (or your favorite protein shake)
  • 1 banana
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, divided
  • Skinny Mixes Caramel Sauce
  • Skinny Mixes Marshmallow Sauce
  • Skinny Mixes Salted Caramel Syrup
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Brew your coffee and allow it to cool.
  2. Blend the protein shake, banana, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter until smooth and creamy.
  3. Melt the remaining tablespoon of peanut butter.
  4. Drizzle melted peanut butter, caramel sauce, and marshmallow sauce around the inside of your glass.
  5. Fill the glass with ice.
  6. Add a drizzle of salted caramel syrup.
  7. Pour the blended protein mixture into the glass.
  8. Top with brewed coffee.
  9. Stir and enjoy!

Tips

  • Freeze your banana beforehand for an extra thick, frosty texture.
  • Use decaf coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
  • Adjust the amount of syrup and sauce to fit your sweetness preferences.
  • Try different protein shake flavors for a fun twist.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest challenges after bariatric surgery can be finding enjoyable ways to prioritize protein. This recipe proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to stay on track.

If you make this High Protein Caramel Banana Fluffer Nutter Iced Coffee, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment on my YouTube video or tag me on social media and share your creation!

Happy sipping!

— Lisa
Bariatric Living with Lisa

Easy Aloha Pineapple Chicken & Rice Casserole

Lisa Kidd

If you are looking for an easy comfort food recipe with a tropical twist, this Aloha Pineapple Chicken & Rice Casserole is absolutely delicious! 🍍🌺

This recipe combines tender chicken, sweet pineapple, savory soy sauce, colorful vegetables, and rice into one simple baked casserole dish. It’s hearty, flavorful, and makes a great family dinner or meal prep recipe.

To make it more bariatric lifestyle friendly, I used a combination of jasmine rice and cauliflower rice. This helps lower the carbs while still keeping that comforting casserole texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy one-pan meal
  • Sweet & savory flavor combination
  • High in protein
  • Great for leftovers
  • Perfect for busy weeknights
  • Budget friendly

Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar or brown sugar substitute
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce (I used a sweet soy sauce)
  • 2 teaspoon Adobo garlic powder
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1½ cup uncooked instant white rice (I used ½ cup uncooked Jasmine rice and a frozen bag of Cauliflower Rice, microwaved)
  • 1 diced sweet onion
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits or chunks in juice, NOT drained
  • 1 lb. thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, diced into bite-sized pieces

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. I used a 13x 9 baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and chicken broth.
  • Add uncooked rice, onion, bell pepper, pineapple and it’s juices and chicken. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 50 minutes. Once cooking is done, uncover and stir ingredients.
  • Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

The pineapple gives this casserole a sweet tropical flavor that pairs so well with the savory chicken and soy sauce!

Final Thoughts

This recipe is the perfect combination of comfort food and tropical flavor. It’s filling, protein-packed, and easy enough for busy weeknights.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think!

Creamy Tortellini Soup with Fresh Garden Spinach

Lisa Kidd

There’s nothing better than harvesting fresh spinach from the garden and turning it into a warm, comforting homemade soup. In today’s Bariatric Living with Lisa recipe, I made a rich and creamy Tortellini Soup loaded with Italian sausage, vegetables, cheesy tortellini, and fresh garden spinach.

This recipe is hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make in one pot. The fresh spinach adds beautiful color and freshness while the creamy broth and cheese tortellini make this meal feel extra cozy and satisfying.

One of my favorite parts of container gardening is being able to walk outside, harvest fresh ingredients, and immediately use them in recipes like this. It truly makes homemade meals taste even better!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy one-pot meal
  • Comfort food with fresh vegetables
  • Great way to use garden spinach
  • Creamy, rich, and satisfying
  • Perfect for meal prep or leftovers

Ingredients

1 pound ground Italian sausage, browned

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 8oz pack of sliced mushrooms

  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • ½ Tablespoon Adobo Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth 
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed and dissolved in 1/4 cup water
  • 36 ounces evaporated milk 
  • 12 ounce packet three cheese tortellini I used dried not fresh; choose any flavour you like
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup milk, if needed

Instructions

  • Place the browned sausage, onion, carrots, celery, Adobo seasoning, Italian seasoning, chicken bouillon powder, salt, and broth in a Dutch oven. Cover and cook on Medium High until boiling and vegetables are tender.
  • Uncover and stir in the cornstarch mixture with the evaporated milk. Add the tortellini and the Spinach, mix well. Cover again and cook on Medium to Medium High heat until the soup has thickened, and the tortellini is soft and cooked through. You may need to add milk, a little bit at a time to thin out to your liking. Enjoy!

This soup is perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want a comforting homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

If you make this recipe, let me know how it turned out and what you’re growing in your garden this season!

Fresh Spinach Harvest From My Container Garden

Lisa Kidd

One of the most exciting parts of container gardening is finally getting to harvest something you’ve grown yourself! In my latest Container Garden Update video on Bariatric Living with Lisa, I shared the progress of my patio garden and harvested some beautiful fresh spinach.

Watching these plants grow from tiny seedlings into healthy, thriving greens has been incredibly rewarding. Container gardening has become more than just a hobby for me — it’s also a relaxing and enjoyable way to support a healthier lifestyle.

The spinach looked vibrant, fresh, and ready to use in so many healthy meals. Homegrown spinach is perfect for salads, omelets, smoothies, soups, stir-fries, and my Tortellini Soup. There’s just something special about eating food you grew yourself!

If you’ve been thinking about starting a container garden, don’t be intimidated. Even a small patio or balcony can produce fresh herbs and vegetables with a little care and patience.

Thank you so much for following along on my gardening journey! Be sure to check out the latest video on Bariatric Living with Lisa to see the spinach harvest and all the garden updates. 🌱💚

Viral High-Protein Pizza Bagel Using Rice Paper

Lisa Kidd

If you’ve been scrolling TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the viral rice paper “bagel” trend. People are making breakfast bagels, cheeseburger bagels, and pizza bagels using rice paper instead of traditional dough.

Of course, I had to make a Bariatric Living with Lisa version… and WOW, this turned out so crispy, cheesy, and delicious!

This recipe is packed with protein and gives you all the pizza flavor without the heavy carbs of traditional bagels or pizza crust.

What I Used

  • Pork sausage
  • Chopped onion
  • Chopped green pepper
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Tomato basil pasta sauce
  • Pepperoni
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Eggs
  • Rice paper wrappers

How I Made It

First, I browned my sausage in a skillet with the onions, peppers, and mushrooms until everything was cooked and flavorful.

Then I scrambled eggs on a baking sheet. I dipped two rice paper wrappers into the egg mixture and overlapped them slightly on my cutting board.

Next, I layered on the sausage mixture, tomato basil sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese.

I rolled everything up lengthwise, then twisted it into a spiral shape to resemble a bagel.

Finally, I air-fried it at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

The Result

The outside gets crunchy and crispy while the inside stays cheesy, savory, and packed with pizza flavor. It honestly tastes indulgent while still being protein-forward and bariatric-friendly.

The best part is you can customize these with endless filling ideas:

  • Breakfast versions
  • Cheeseburger versions
  • Buffalo chicken
  • Taco-inspired fillings
  • Ham and cheese
  • Philly cheesesteak

This viral trend definitely lived up to the hype in my kitchen!