Tag: #ProteinPacked

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!

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!

High-Protein Sugar-Free Tropical Parfait (Bariatric Friendly)

Lisa Kidd

If you’ve ever wished for a dessert that feels indulgent but still fits into your healthy lifestyle, this High-Protein Sugar-Free Tropical Parfait is exactly what you need.

This recipe combines creamy, fluffy filling with fresh tropical flavors and a satisfying crunch—without all the sugar. It’s perfect for bariatric patients, low-carb eaters, or anyone looking for a better-for-you treat.

🌴 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • High in protein to keep you full
  • Sugar-free and low-carb
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and crunchy
  • Feels like a tropical getaway in every bite

đź›’ Ingredients

  • 1 box sugar-free coconut key lime pudding mix
  • 1 vanilla protein shake
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • Fresh pineapple, chopped
  • Keto granola
  • Heavy cream
  • Sugar-free pineapple syrup
  • Sugar-free whipped topping

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Mix pudding mix and protein shake until thick and smooth.
  2. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with sugar-free syrup until stiff peaks form.
  3. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  4. Combine pudding mixture with cream cheese until creamy.
  5. Gently fold in whipped cream.
  6. Chop fresh pineapple.
  7. Layer parfait: filling → pineapple → granola. Repeat layers.
  8. Top with sugar-free whipped topping and enjoy!

đź’ˇ Tips

  • Chill before serving for an even thicker texture
  • Swap pineapple for strawberries or mango for variety
  • Use small jars for portion control

đź’› Final Thoughts

This parfait proves you don’t have to give up dessert to stay on track. It’s rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor—without the sugar crash.

One bite, and you’ll see why this feels like a tropical escape in every spoonful 🌴

Sweet & Spicy Southwest Breakfast Stack

Lisa Kidd

Sometimes the best recipes come from simply experimenting in the kitchen, and that’s exactly how this Sweet & Spicy Southwest Breakfast Stack came to life.

I wanted a breakfast that was hearty, full of flavor, and high in protein. After looking through what I had on hand, I decided to combine seasoned roasted sweet potatoes with a savory mixture of chorizo, ground beef, and onions, and then top it all with scrambled eggs and melted cheddar cheese.

The sweet potatoes are seasoned with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, and just a touch of brown sugar substitute. This gives them a slightly sweet flavor with a warm, southwest-style spice.

Layered together, the combination of sweet potatoes, spicy chorizo, savory beef, fluffy eggs, and melted cheese creates the perfect balance of flavors.

This dish is filling, satisfying, and perfect for anyone looking for a high-protein breakfast while living the bariatric lifestyle.

2 cups sweet potatoes, diced
Chili powder
Cumin
Oregano
Garlic powder
Paprika
Brown sugar substitute
Salt

½ lb chorizo
½ lb ground beef
½ onion, diced

3–4 eggs
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Season diced sweet potatoes with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar substitute, and salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and roast until tender.

While the sweet potatoes are baking, cook the chorizo, ground beef, and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.

Scramble the eggs in a separate pan. Once cooked, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and allow it to melt.

To assemble the stack, start with a layer of roasted sweet potatoes, then add the chorizo and beef mixture, and finish with the scrambled eggs and melted cheese.

Serve warm and enjoy!

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Ranch + 0 Net Carb Mozzarella Sticks

Lisa Kidd

If you’re following a bariatric lifestyle, getting enough protein in can sometimes feel repetitive. This recipe is one of my new favorites because it takes something we all love — ranch dressing — and turns it into a protein-packed powerhouse.

And trust me… you cannot taste the cottage cheese.

Why This Works for Bariatric Living

  • High in protein
  • Low in carbs
  • Simple ingredients
  • Great for snacks or light meals
  • Helps you hit protein goals without feeling heavy

High-Protein Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz cottage cheese
  • 1 oz + 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 7 Tablespoons dill pickle juice

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.

This ranch is thick, tangy, and perfect for dipping or spreading.

0 Net Carb Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

  • String cheese
  • 0 net carb tortillas
  • Butter, melted
  • Seasonings of choice

Instructions:

  1. Roll each string cheese in a tortilla.
  2. Brush the outside with seasoned butter.
  3. Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  4. Serve immediately with high-protein ranch.

This combo is crispy, cheesy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying — without blowing your carb count.

Perfect for:

  • Mid-day snack
  • High-protein lunch
  • Party appetizer
  • Late-night craving

If you try this recipe, let me know! I love seeing how you’re living your bariatric life successfully.