Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook: Healthy Recipes to Enjoy Favorite Foods After Weight-Loss Surgery

I'm writing a long review because I love this cookbook so much, I'm compelled to tell you why so you will know how vital it's been. My husband has said many times, "If this is how you have to eat for the rest of your life, I'm totally on board!"This is one of my kitchen bibles. The other kitchen bible is Ms. Kent's Gastric Sleeve cookbook. Get it, sit down and read it, then start cookin' fresh, healthy, and amazingly delicious things for you and your family.I'm sitting here trying to think of where to begin telling you how much I love this book and what it's meant to me post-op. First, you should know I love to cook. Secondly, you need to understand how very difficult it is to find excellent delectable food after your surgery that's available in the grocery store or in a restaurant. You just can't eat grilled chicken or a rotisserie chicken all the time. Protein is #1 and when you're beginning an entirely new way of eating, you need something that will offer variety, flavor, and satisfaction all while making your life so much easier.The format of this cookbook is so bariatric-friendly. Ms. Kent begins with an overview of the procedures and gently describes what to expect with food in post-op life. She gives suggestions about how to navigate the first few days and weeks after surgery and provides meal plans for liquid, puree, soft, and general diets based on the recipes contained in the book, setting you up for success. She lays it all out there so you don't have to, you just have to follow it.Every single recipe has a guide underneath the ingredients telling you how much you should eat in whichever stage you are post-op and it helps you get a picture about how much you'll be able to eat as you ramp up. The amazing part, for me, is that her suggested portions were EXACTLY what I was able to eat, and sometimes I couldn't even eat as much as what was suggested and that's completely okay. I did make sure that I didn't go over the recommendations because I don't want to stretch my sleeve by overeating.Every single recipe has a nutritional breakdown at the bottom of the instructions so you know exactly what you're getting per serving. Her recipe layout is super easy to read. At the top of each page is the recipe's name, under that is an explanation regarding the recipe and how it can be a delicious substitute for things that we enjoyed before our surgery that really weren't good for us. She delivers this information without doling out any unsolicited advice nor inciting guilt. She is very gifted in that way. Sometimes, underneath the recipes, she has very valuable information about the ingredients and how they provide certain nutrients that we might not be able to ingest easily otherwise. For example, did you know that bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C? When you use them in these recipes, you're getting a solid amount of vitamin C along with the protein that we must put first. I don't have to think about eating an orange with all its fibers and skin when I can get that vitamin in my meal while I also get my protein.What you'll find with these recipes is that they are low-carb, low-sugar, low-fat, low-sodium, high protein, and supreme MAXIMUM flavor. Ms. Kent employs seasonings and spices that probably hung out, lonely, on your spice rack prior to surgery. For instance, I really just used dill in my tuna salad before surgery, but now, just 3.5 months out, I've had to buy more already! In my pre-op life, I knew that using herbs and seasonings could elevate a recipe instead of using salt but I just didn't do it because I had such unhealthy cooking habits. Those things just sat in my pantry to use in recipes that also contained butter, cream, and pasta or white potatoes. Now I'm using them in recipes that are helping me stay healthy while dropping pounds.I credit these Ms. Kent's cookbook's recipes, and my tool of course, to my successful weight loss and I will continue to do so. I have recommended her books to almost everyone I know because I almost always get asked "but what do you eat?" Well, this is what I eat. I've even gifted her books to friends of mine that aren't surgery patients at all because the recipes are THAT good! Almost every recipe has been a winner for us. There have been a few misses too, but only because my boys are pretty picky. Most of the time, I'll like them, but they won't, which means I'm probably not going to make that recipe just for myself since I'd have too many leftovers. I don't want to fill up my freezers with things I'm probably not going to reach for when her recipes are so great fresh and for lunch the next. They also make great leftovers during the week, making them all used up and nothing wasted.My surgery was in September, and by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled around, I'd tried enough recipes to know that I wanted to make some of them for my family during the holiday gatherings. Every single thing I made was a hit with everyone who ate it and most people came back for more. The Creamy Pumpkin Mousse (p 156) was so good and turned out more like a pudding, but I froze some of what was left in small containers and they've made great ice-cream-ish treats.Here are a few recipes that have been MAJOR wins in our home:High-Protein Blueberry Muffins (p 59): Dense and hearty, these are great portioned out and frozen for snacking on whenever you need a little something. Just a tiny pat of butter softens them up and they're so yummy.Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potato Wedges (p 66): OMG! I didn't really ever care for sweet potatoes, but when white potatoes aren't recommended after surgery, these make a fantastic healthy version. The coating for the wedges really bring all the flavor to the party and the rosemary makes them amazing. These get gobbled up every time I make them.Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese (p 90): This is pretty darn delicious, is easy to make, and is great leftover. This was one of my soft food go-to recipes. I portioned it out into 1/2 cup servings and had it for lunch or a snack during those two weeks.Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup (p 112): We all loved this. My little boy does not like soup and said: "it's amazing!" Needs a little salt to taste, but not a lot. I doubled the chopped green chilies.Two recipes I have made more than once already are Baked Chimichangas with Chicken and Fresh Salsa (p 122) and One Pan Chicken and Broccoli (p 123) because the are A-MAY-ZING! For the chimichangas, my husband came home from work and said the house smelled like a Mexican restaurant. My son (who hates cheese) said; "I can see the cheese, but I don't care because it's amazing!" The fresh salsa is so yummy. The chicken and broccoli recipe is so hearty and delicious. Both recipes make great leftovers during the week.Beef and Broccoli (p 141): This is a MAJOR win. It tastes better than what you'd find in a Chinese restaurant and you know it's way more healthy because of no MSG.I have so many more recipes tagged to try and I can't wait because I know they'll be amazing.In conclusion, buy the book. If you don't like to cook, maybe it's time you start. You'll have a lot more success with these recipes than you might when you're just getting by with frozen dinners and bunless grilled chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-a. All the best to you, C

I want to start off by saying I am non-medical professional. This means that I am writing this review based on my personal opinions.I love that the author refers to the team in this book, (the team meaning doctors, nurses, dietitians and you). If you are planning to have this surgery or have had it, all those people are a part of your team and want you to be healthy and successful. She even suggests taking her book to them, (more than once as you progress through the first months of surgery), so they can help you decide what is best for you. She talks a lot about bariatric surgery and what you can expect. Not everyone has the same experience so some things may or may not apply to you. It is good to know about them though. I like that she also talks about supporters and critics. You will most likely have both in your life. I think there is a lot of good information in the first chapter. If you are in the thinking stage, you may want to read this chapter at the library.The recipes in the book are easy to make. I love the icon system. The author uses icons to note which recipes are best for what stage in your recovery you are in. I think that feature is extremely helpful. There is a list of foods to avoid the first month or so after surgery that I think is very good to know beforehand.The recipes start off with a small chapter dedicated to early post-op eating. If you are in the thinking stage look this over too. It can help you decide if you are ready for this life changing surgery. The rest of the recipe chapters are divided the traditional way of food types and includes a chapter on vegetarian dinners. Tips for eating out come after the recipes and the author includes some resources that you may find handy.The recipes are easy enough to follow and consist of fairly easy to find ingredients. You probably already have most of them. I liked her homemade alternative to protein shakes. Protein shakes can eat up your food budget. Having an inexpensive alternative is awesome. The recipes are tasty enough to be enjoyed by the whole family. The table of contents is very user friendly. Tap on the chapter and it will show you the recipe titles so you can easily find the one you want. Tap on it and your there.A sample of recipe titles that made me go, "YES!", are: Dreamsicle Protein Shake, Mini Egg Muffins with Turkey Bacon, Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans, Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soup, Szechuan Shrimp Zoodle Bowl, Baked Chimichangas with Chicken and Fresh Salsa, Naked Pulled Pork, (with creamy coleslaw) and Healthier Fudge Brownies.I'm not going to tell you whether or not you should get this surgery. I'm reviewing a cookbook not debating pros and cons. Your decision should be yours with help from your medical team and the people in your life who you think should be a part of it. I do think this book can help you with information and a look at the kind of food you will be able to enjoy. I think the recipes are good for most people to enjoy. If you decide against the surgery, you can still use the recipes.

Great recipes

I’m only 9 days post op so I’m limited to what I can make out of the book but the 2 smoothies I made were fantastic.The reason I gave it 4 stars was the ingredients are printed in cyan and unless I’m in a very well lit area it can be a little hard to read. Text should be in the orange or brown to make it better visible.

Very good stuff in it a must buy

Not the best product...recipes are okay.

I have purchased over a dozen "Bariatric" cookbooks over the past year. THIS is by far the BEST OF THE BEST!!

If you can't cook or struggle to make meals pre - and post bariatric surgery, you need this book!!!!!! I liked that the meals were simple to prepare. I do pretty well on my own with preparing my bariatric meals, but sometimes I just want something different. I can't wait to try the brownies for dessert since I only eat protein bars, yogurt, and fruits when I want something sweet.

I love this cookbook. For post R-en-Y this exactly followed what my “recovery” plan is supposed to be.It has specified each recipe for liquid, purée, soft or general stages.I’ve made 5 or so recipes at least and love it!

A lot of helpful information. Even though it’s US measurements it’s still easy to follow

Excellent advice and recipes. Extremely well written. For those consider bariatric surgery, Sarah Kent provides a great insight into life after. Worth buying the book for the recipes alone.

A good mixture of recipes, love the sauces (super handy and easy to make)- covers appetizers, soups, sauces, main courses, vegetarian options - pretty well everything. A good workady cookbook.

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