After bariatric surgery, rethinking and changing your eating habits can be a challenge. Luckily, bariatric cookbooks provide recipes that are nutritious, healthy, and high in protein for patients. With the right bariatric cookbook, you can pave the road that leads to healthy post-op nutrition. We have reviewed some of the best bariatric cookbooks out there. These books offer hundreds of recipes and guidance in the form of clinical and nutritional information. Bariatric Cookbooks (Our Review) Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook: Healthy Recipes to Enjoy Favorite Foods After Weight-Loss Surgery (Best Overall) The Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook contains over 100 recipes that provide a fresh take on some of your favorite foods and hearty meals. It is easy to use and will help you come up with nutrient-packed recipes for each diet stage. Author Sarah Kent is a Senior Dietitian and Certified Health and Wellness Coach for bariatric patients. Patients who underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band placement, and other bariatric procedures can use this cookbook. The book features an overview of the stages of post-op recovery and the foods that you can eat, including full liquids, soft foods, vegetarian meals, protein drinks for bariatric patients, slow cooker meals, and nearly a hundred other recipes that are healthy and delicious. Icons are used in the cookbook to note the best recipes for your specific stage of recovery. This is not just a cookbook. It provides guidance to implement portion sizes and higher protein in your meals. With a better understanding of portion sizes, bariatric portion control plates won't be needed. These recipes should fit right in to your gastric bypass food list and bariatric diet. Pros Recipes suitable for a variety of bariatric procedures More than 100 delicious recipes Meals for all stages of recovery Helpful nutrition information and other resources provided by a dietitian Cons Limited recipes for early post-op stages Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery (Best for Intermediate to Advanced Cooks) Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery was written by author Pat Levine; a recipe developer who has also undergone "Lap-Band” bariatric surgery. She wanted to rethink her approach to food while keeping her palate excited. Meredith Urban-Skuro, MS, RD, CDN also incorporated some of her expert nutrition advice in this cookbook and promotes the recipes for bariatric patients. There are over 150 dishes that are high in protein and low in fat. High protein foods for gastric sleeve patients and other bariatric patients are essential. Each recipe contains no added sugar and nearly all the recipes are gluten-free. With a wide range of food cuisines that are simple and quick, including American comfort food, French, Italian, Indian and Caribbean dishes, this cookbook provides a variety of flavors. This book will follow along with your eating phases. The meals are delicious whether they are solid, pureed, or chopped up. Pros High in protein, low in fat Nutritional analyses of every meal (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, sodium) Over 150 recipes Covers all meals Versatile and delicious flavors Food can be enjoyed solid, chopped up, or pureed Cons Some meals are more complicated to prepare Meals may require ingredients not commonly found at home Recipes For Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes For Nourishing The New You (Most Recipes) Between authors Margaret Furtado and Lynette Schultz, there are over 40 years of experience and expertise in the fields of clinical nutrition, surgical weight-loss, and culinary arts. This cookbook contains more than 200 delicious recipes and clinical guidance that will help you transition and adjust to your new and healthy post-op lifestyle. There are recipes for after gastric bypass surgery and many other bariatric procedures. The updated and revised version of the popular bariatric cookbook boasts 50 new recipes, each with nutritional analysis because we know how important bariatric vitamins and minerals are through whole food sources after surgery. It also has meal plans for gastric sleeve patients, or patients of other bariatric procedures, during each post-op stage of recovery. Chapters are divided into categories like desserts, slow cooker recipes, breakfast, bariatric soup, food for entertaining guests, and eating-on-the-run, to name a few. Meals plans and pantry lists are included too. You can make anything, including bariatric pancakes, lavender-blueberry muffins, and sesame-glazed salmon. While most meals are simple enough to prepare, there are more complicated recipes too. Some readers report that those looking for high-protein diets may need to look elsewhere. Pros Over 200 recipes Nutritional analysis of meals Meal plans for each stage of recovery Versatile recipes Cons Recipes are poorly organized regarding post-op food phases Some recipes require ingredients not commonly found at home Recipes may not always contain sufficient protein for individual needs The Complete Bariatric Cookbook and Meal Plan: Recipes and Guidance for Life Before and After Surgery (Best for Pre-Op and Post-Op Nutrition) Registered dietitian and author, Megan Moore, shares her specialty nutrition advice for bariatric patients in this educational cookbook. Her expertise in pre-op and post-op nutrition education excels in this book. Not only does this book provide bariatric-friendly recipes, it includes grocery lists and exercise plans. The recipes will guide you through 10 weeks of food phases and lifestyle change for all bariatric procedure types. The recipes can be created for one person or the whole family. The meals are designed for bariatric patients, however, they guide you in creating larger servings for the whole family that are flavorful and delicious. Not only does this cookbook go over recipes for the post-op diet phases of bariatric surgery, but also the pre-op diet. Pros Pre-op and post-op recipes Nutritional analysis of all recipes Simple and suitable for you or the whole family Nutrition guidance to help you through 10 weeks of recovery Easily sourced ingredients Cons Recipes offer multiple servings, which may be confusing when dishing out bariatric portions Limited pictures Written as a 10 week guide Best Fork Forward: Everyday Dinners After Weight-Loss Surgery (Shortest Preparation Time) The Best Fork Forward bariatric cookbook focuses on meals that are easy to prepare, use simple ingredients, and can be made quickly. Patients who have undergone Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Banding, or Duodenal Switch Surgery can cook dinners that were designed and assembled by dietitian Steph Wagner. Meals only take 20 to 30 minutes to prepare and require 5 to 8 ingredients. Most recipes include common ingredients. Pictures of every meal were added and taken by the author herself. Meals are low-carb and protein-rich. There are sections on lean meats and low-starch veggies. However, there is an absence of nutritional information. If you are on a strict 1000 calorie bariatric diet plan, this recipe book may be difficult for you to keep track of caloric intake. This book encourages readers to follow nutrition guidelines without obsessing over numbers and delivers recipes that can give bariatric patients peace of mind. Pros Preparation time is under 30 minutes Uses few ingredients Uses simple and common ingredients Cons Dinner only No nutritional information The Easy 5-Ingredient Bariatric Cookbook (Best for Beginners) This cookbook is an all-in-one guide for successful post-op recovery and weight maintenance with over 100 delicious recipes. Whether you have had gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or gastric band, this book is suitable for you. The author, Megan Wolf, is a registered dietitian that specializes in comprehensive weight-loss. She shares her nutrition knowledge to make life a little easier after bariatric surgery. Each dish only needs 5 ingredients. The preparation process is simple and practical. Recipes are high in protein and low in sugar, geared toward lifestyle after bariatric surgery. A variety of entrées are offered alongside smoothies, sweet treats, sides, and sauces. The main dishes include poultry, vegetarian, and seafood. Seasonings, sauces, sides, and drinks are also included. You may find your new favorite gastric sleeve protein shake recipe. This book incorporates the foods you already have in your home, with a fresh and flavorful touch. Pros Simple and easy to prepare meals Five ingredients Common household ingredients More than 100 recipes Cons Few photos Recipes focus on phase 4 recovery for bariatric surgery Basic meals Conclusion Bariatric surgery is a life-changing weight-loss tool. However, it is important not to forget that in order to maintain the weight loss you desire, the effort, patience, and lifestyle change must be incorporated. The best bariatric cookbooks can make your new lifestyle a little easier. The recipes offered will increase protein in your diet, teach you portion control, and offer recipes for the nutrient-dense meals you require after weight loss surgery. Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking: Eating After Gastric Bypass Surgery Recipes Bariatric Restaurants Week 3 Gastric Sleeve Diet Gastric Bypass Foods List Low Blood Sugar After Gastric Bypass Surgery What To Eat Before Gastric Sleeve Surgery Why No Caffeine After Gastric Bypass Carbonation After Gastric Sleeve Eating Out After Gastric Sleeve Diet Pills After Gastric Sleeve Keto Diet Gastric Bypass How to Restart Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass What Are The Best Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric Recipes Drinking Alcohol After Gastric Sleeve Surgery **This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition.