If you’re in the bariatric stage where you’re tired of protein shakes and need something savory, this snack is a must.
Halloumi cheese fries are one of my favorite quick, satisfying, high-protein options when I want something warm, salty, and indulgent — without going off track.
I cooked these in a skillet with butter and the flavor is next-level. The outside gets beautifully golden and crispy while the inside stays soft and chewy. It honestly feels like a treat.
You can also make these in the air fryer if you want a lighter option, and they still turn out delicious.
Why this works for bariatric life:
High in protein
Low in carbs
Very filling in small portions
Helps curb cravings for fried foods
Quick and simple
This is one of those snacks that reminds you bariatric eating doesn’t have to be boring — it can still be comforting, flavorful, and satisfying.
Life after bariatric surgery comes with a lot of opinions—and unfortunately, a lot of myths. Over time, these myths can turn into guilt, fear, and the feeling that you’re “doing it wrong.”
Let’s clear a few things up.
Myth: You’ll never be hungry again. Reality: Hunger can come back, especially months or years post-op. Hunger does not mean your surgery failed. It’s normal. At least for me, it’s normal.
Myth: Regain means you failed. Reality: Weight fluctuations happen. Regain is feedback, not failure. It’s a chance to reassess habits—not a reason to quit.
Myth: You can’t eat carbs ever again. Reality: Carbs aren’t the enemy. Balance, portion awareness, and protein-first choices matter more than cutting out entire food groups.
Myth: Protein has to be boring. Reality: Protein can be delicious, satisfying, and creative. Eating well doesn’t have to feel like punishment.
What about cravings and scale stalls? Cravings happen. Stalls happen. Neither one means you’ve messed everything up. Consistency matters more than perfection, and one off day doesn’t erase progress.
One habit I never skip: Getting back to basics. Protein first. Hydration. Grace.
If you’re navigating life after bariatric surgery and wondering if what you’re experiencing is normal—chances are, it is. You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re learning how to live in this new season.
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.
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:
Add the drink packets to a cup with a small amount of water and stir until fully dissolved.
Fill the cup with ice.
Add a splash or two of sugar-free syrup if desired.
Pour in your protein shake.
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.
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
Sauté apples and cranberries in a skillet with butter, Splenda, and both Skinny Syrups until tender.
Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry and stir into the fruit mixture until thickened.
Transfer fruit filling to a 9×13 baking dish.
Evenly spread the zero-sugar cake mix over the fruit.
Top with butter pats.
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.
As I continue sharing my rediscovered 2018 bariatric videos on Bariatric Living 101, today’s video holds a very special place in my heart.
In this throwback video, I’m joined by my friend Penny. Penny and I met at the bariatric center and ended up having our surgeries on the exact same day. While we walked into surgery together, we chose two different bariatric procedures. I had Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Penny chose SIPS.
A Quick Protein Taste Test Before the Talk
Before our discussion begins, I share a quick taste test of a protein pudding I picked up from Aldi and give my honest thoughts. Finding protein-focused foods that actually taste good is a big part of bariatric life — and I’ve always believed in keeping things real.
Sleeve Gastrectomy vs SIPS: Our Experiences
In our conversation, Penny and I talk openly about:
What led us to choose different surgeries
How Sleeve Gastrectomy and SIPS differ
Early recovery experiences
What life looked like shortly after surgery
This wasn’t about saying one surgery is better than the other — it was about sharing real experiences so others could feel informed while making their own decisions.
Why I’m Sharing This Video Now
Many people following Bariatric Living 101 today are still in the research phase of their bariatric journey. Hearing firsthand experiences from patients who chose different paths can be incredibly valuable — and this video captures that honesty from the very beginning of my journey.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery, newly post-op, or just looking for community, I hope this video reminds you that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach — only the choice that’s right for you.
👉 Watch the full video on YouTube and don’t forget to subscribe for more bariatric lifestyle content, recipes, and rediscovered moments from my journey.
Today, I’m sharing a very personal piece of my past — my original 2018 introduction video from when I first talked openly about my health struggles and the road that led me to Sleeve Gastrectomy. As I relaunch my channel under Bariatric Living 101, I felt it was important to bring this video with me. It’s the foundation of everything I’ve learned and everything I share today.
My Health Was Declining, and I Knew Something Had to Change
Back in 2018, I was facing several developing health issues that were affecting my everyday life. I didn’t feel like myself anymore, and it became clear that something had to change. Bariatric surgery wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a necessary one — a medically supported choice to reclaim my health and my future.
Why I’m Sharing This Video Again
Many people who follow me now weren’t here in 2018. They may be just beginning their own bariatric journey or researching sleeve gastrectomy. I wanted to reintroduce this video to remind new viewers (and even myself) where this all started.
This video is raw, honest, and full of emotion — and it represents the moment I chose hope.
A New Chapter with Bariatric Living 101
Bariatric Living 101 is all about living a protein-forward, low-carb lifestyle after bariatric surgery. Today, I share recipes, tips, honest experiences, and real-life bariatric living — but it all began with the story you’ll see in this video.
Whether you’re researching surgery, newly post-op, or years into the journey, I hope this video helps you feel supported, encouraged, and understood.
Watch the Video
👉 Be sure to watch the full introduction on my YouTube channel and subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of my rediscovered videos from earlier in my journey.
If you’re comfortable, I’d love for you to share your story in the comments — you never know who your words might encourage.
Bariatric Living 