Bring Your Own Veggies – ‘Cuz We Have the Protein!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could lose weight and feel less hungry while enjoying great tasting meals and without spending too much time in the kitchen? No problem. We’ve got you covered.
The BariatricPal Store has all kinds of delicious, low-calorie meals that you can make in minutes. They provide the protein you need. If you supply the veggies, you’ll be adding fiber, vitamins, and minerals without many extra calories at all. The result will be well-rounded, nutritious meals that fill you up, and over time, that’s what you need to get the weight loss results you want. Here are some ideas for protein and veggie pairings to keep your weight loss solidly on track while your taste buds are happy and your stomach is satisfied.
Breakfast: Veggie Omelet
Start with a BariatricPal Protein Omelet. Whether you opt for our Vegetable Omelet or our Bacon and Cheese Omelet, you’ll be starting off your day with 15 grams of protein for only 100 calories. Protein is a filling nutrient, but you can help yourself get all the way through the morning with some extra fiber from veggies.
You can add any of your favorites. Quick cooking ones like spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, and kale work nicely, and you can always add diced peppers and onions for some extra crunch. If you like your veggies well cooked, just saute them quickly before adding them to your omelet. This whole breakfast is well under 200 calories and packs an antioxidant punch.
Lunch: Vegetable Beef Soup
Lunch should perk you up, not put you to sleep, but that’s exactly what you risk if you overdo it on the starchy carbs (think – fries, pasta salad, and subs) or overly processed foods (think processed deli meats and frozen meals). Instead, a hearty bowl of soup may do the trick. Start with a bowl of BariatricPal Protein Soup in your favorite flavor, and know you’re at 15 grams of protein and no more than 100 calories to start.
Then get wild with the veggies! The more you add, the more fiber, antioxidants, and hunger-fighting power you get. Any leftover cooked veggies from last night will work, and frozen veggies are great, too. You can keep the flavors simple by adding broccoli to broccoli cheese soup mix, canned or cooked tomatoes to tomato soup mix, or mushrooms to cream of mushroom soup mix, or you can mix and match because any combo will work. You’ll get an even longer lasting afternoon energy boost if you add some cooked beans, diced chicken, or whole-grain pasta.
Snack: Pasta Salad
Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that you down a cup of mayo-laden, nutrient-devoid pasta salad with 300 calories and 40 grams of carbs. Instead, try a healthier version to get you through your afternoon. Here’s what we suggest.
Cook up a serving of BariatricPal High Protein Pasta. A whole packet has only 110 calories and 3 grams of net carbs, while packing in 20 grams of protein. Toss your pasta with a half-cup of diced veggies, such as cauliflower florets, chives, bell peppers, celery, zucchini, or tomatoes. Season it with your favorite Low-Calorie Pasta Flavor Pack, whether you love Garlic and Herb or Tomato Parmesan, and enjoy your afternoon pick-me-up for under 200 calories and a good dose of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Dinner: Hearty Chili
Chili should be filling and nutritious, and that’s exactly what it is when you start with BariatricPal Vegetable Chili. It has 100 calories and 15 grams of protein, not to mention 5 grams of dietary fiber and 40 percent of the daily value for vitamin C. But you can do better! Add canned tomatoes, diced red peppers and onions, eggplant, or even carrots, and you’ll have a satisfying bowl of pure weight loss.
These meals can help make weight loss easier by filling you up and keeping your diet delicious so you don’t get bored. They’re ready in minutes, so give them a try!
