Bariatric Foodie "Fit Frappe Makeover" Recipe Contest

Next week is a very special week on Bariatric Foodie - Fit Frappe week!

“What the HELL is Fit Frappe Nik?”

Good question! It’s a new protein supplement on the market made by a company called Big Train that specializes in making Frappe mixes for coffeehouses. Fit Frappe is a protein drink Big Train developed for folks who love delicious Frappes but want to get their protein too.

But most importantly...they want to give some Fit Frappe to YOU!

(If you’re a more visual person,  here's me saying basically everything below...)

So let’s cut to the chase. There are five flavors total: 3 that are coffee-based, 2 that are not coffee-based.

The coffee-based flavors are:

·         Vanilla Latte

·         Mocha

·         Espresso

…and the two non-coffee based flavors are:

• Chocolate
• Vanilla 

Boy, do I have a LOT to say about each! So each day this week I am going to post a review of one Fit Frappe flavor. And each day you’ll get the opportunity to WIN some Fit Frappe for yourself!

Here’s how YOU can win some Fit Frappe to try:

1. Look out for my Fit Frappe review each day. Each day I'm going to tell you about one flavor.
2. Submit your recipe idea - At the end of each review, I'll give instructions on how to submit a recipe idea for that day's flavor on Facebook, Twitter and here on the blog!  Each day one finalist will be chosen. 
3. Vote! At the end of the week the five recipe finalists will go head-to-head for your votes and the winner takes all: a BIG container of Fit Frappe! This is important because you can...
4. STILL win some for yourself! Do not be discouraged if your recipe didn't make it to the finals! Every single person who votes will be entered into a drawing to win one of FIVE Fit Frappe sample packs!

Because we could all use a little more yum in our lives, right? Each sample pack contains one individual serving of each Fit Frappe flavor!

So…questions…I know you have them. Here are a few I’ve been asked already:

Are we talking protein shake recipes, protein dessert, protein ice cream???

Yes. That is all.

Wait…no, it’s not! Be creative!

But I don't know any fancy recipes!

Chances you already have a great recipe - the shake you already make! So submit it and see what happens. Believe me, the prize is worth taking the chance! Heck, even if you've ever put YOUR own spin on a Bariatric Foodie recipe, that counts!

Do we have to take pictures of this protein recipe?

No. That’s not necessary. But you do have to post the recipe, including all the ingredients.

I don't know the exact amounts of stuff I use. I kinda dump stuff in the blender.

If you don't know the exact amount of ingredients you use, try your best to guesstimate (and that is allowed for this contest)! Remember, others may try your recipe out! As a side note, as you get further out from surgery you might wanna change that. You'd be surprised at the calories we add without even knowing it!

Can our recipes have other products in them (Davinci, Torani, etc.)?

Sure, why not! Whatever recipe you think might be great with Fit Frappe, we want to hear about it!

Does it have to be an existing recipe or can I make one up?

Hey…you know what I always say. Play with your food! In this case, you have my full blessing to play with your recipe. Go for it!

Got other questions? Leave them in the comments!

BF Top 5: Healthy Back-to-School Eating!

Monday is back to school for the divas (and the crowd goes wild!).

This year I have a few tools in my arsenal to make sure their lunchboxes are fitting for Foodie Nation heiresses ;)

Here's my top five suggestions to make YOUR lunch box a little bit healthier (for you AND the kids!) Where applicable, links are provided in the title to where you can order.

#5: A Bento-style Lunch Box (link is different from box shown, but you can click on the picture if you're interested in that one)

These things are neat! They allow you to have several different things in one lunch, complete with dipping sauces and it's instant portion control!

#4: Lunch Skins!

Aren't these reusable sandwich and snack bags CUTE??? I bought each of the divas a set of these. I have been on a movement the last year or so to make our lunches a bit more eco-friendly. Healthy earth, healthy you, I always say. (Btw they come in all sorts of designs geared toward boys and girls!)

#3: Lunch Box "Love Notes"

Now if you have older kids (like my 13 year-old) you may get exiled for life into the "silent zone" for packing these, but when my girls were little I used them. My youngest especially battled several bad bouts of separation anxiety in school and these little notes were just the ticket to making her feel better. Mental health is also important in the lunch box!

#2: Plenty of drink sticks or MiO

I used to buy juice boxes until I found out two things. First, that in my kids school there aren't that many opportunities for them to get water during the day (I can't be but so crazed about that. Teachers have a lot to accomplish in a day and I am THANKFUL!). Second is that my kids actually PREFER to drink water, even if flavored water. Well...that was the end of the juice boxes! Now I either pack drink sticks (and you can get naturally sweetened ones if you don't want your little ones consuming artificial sweeteners) or MiO + a bottle of water. That way it's their choice: plain water or flavored!

#1 - Great snacks

My divas lunch boxes always contain the following: A main dish (sometimes it is a sandwich with whole-grain bread, sometimes a cold salad like tuna, sometimes it's a green salad and here's how I keep those fresh for them) + one piece of whole fruit + some sort of indulgence. I also tend to pack them snacks. They have early lunch times and their teachers have embraced that full bellies tend not to be as restless. So I pack good snacks! The girls favorites: veggies with ranch for dipping, a protein bar (I kid you not. They love Quest bars!), an apple or even yogurt. I use these to make sure their yogurt lasts throughout the day.

Like I said, any of these things would serve your kids or YOU well in your healthy lunch endeavors.

Have a suggestion to add? Please leave a comment!

WLS-friendly Lunchables (the sequel!)

You all might remember my first, more traditional, WLS-friendly Lunchable.

I’ve been having lots of fun creating different iterations of this idea.

Today’s offering: tuna salad with halved cherry tomatoes, onions, TONS of garlic salt, salt, pepper and a little canola mayo. Alongside it are my “cuke-ers” (cucumber crackers) and I have a nectarine for a sweet finish!

What would you put in YOUR WLS-friendly Lunchable?

Melissa's Fig Newton Ramekins

So, you all may not know it, but I am stalking…paying attention to you.

When folks post something yummy they are making, I ain’t too proud to reach out and see if I can get the recipe for the Foodie Nation. Because we all deserve a little yumminess in our lives, right?

Today’s dessert recipe is courtesy of Melissa. When I saw this recipe, I knew I HAD to have it on BF. You all know my love affair with ramekins! This recipe is great because it brings together that love of ramekin cooking with an old time favorite -  Fig Newtons!

Melissa’s Fig Newton Ramekins

(Melissa reports this makes 10-12 two-ounce ramekins, less if you use bigger ramekins. In general, ramekins should not be frozen whole, so you may consider halving this recipe if you feel that’s too much!)

Ingredients:

Filling:

8-12 oz. of your favorite dried fruit (Melissa used prunes because that's what she had in the cupboard and to her it makes the recipe taste like a Fig Newton)

1 tbsp. sugar-free maple syrup

1 packet stevia or Splenda

3 tbsp. water

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

Crust:

1 cup oatmeal - whatever you like steel cut or old fashioned

1/3 cup vanilla protein powder

2/3 cup almond flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 packet stevia or Splenda

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

¼ - ½  c. water (might need additional 3Tbs)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Using a blender or a food processor, combine filling ingredients and stir until it is the consistency of a paste. Set aside.

In a bowl mix all crust ingredients, saving the water for last. Add in as much water as needed to sticky but not yet liquid texture. 

In 2 oz. ramekins, first press about two tablespoons (or 1/4 cup) of the crust mixture into each ramekin.

Then add about two tablespoons (or 1/4 cup) of the filling mixture. 

Lastly, top with two more tablespoons (or 1/4 cup) of the crust mixture. (NOTE: These measurements are Nik’s approximation given the amount of ingredients Melissa gives for her recipe. Feel free to adjust as you see fit based on the amount of crust/filling that YOU are working with! Also note that, yes, this does technically equal THREE ounces in a 2 oz. ramekin but since some is liquid and some is solid it may pack down into the space provided. Again, use your best judgment!)

Bake at 375 degrees 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Melissa likes to top hers with no-sugar added vanilla ice cream (as shown above). If you don’t want to use ice cream, a dollop of fat-free or sugar-free whipped cream would be great as well!

BF Basics: Fast Food

Ok, so a look into every post-op’s crystal ball, because sooner or later this is GOING to happen to you.

You’re on vacation. Or on business travel. Or somewhere where you don’t have ready access to the foods you lovingly prepare (from recipes from Bariatric Foodie) and for whatever reason you don’t have emergency snacks either. All there is to choose from is an endless strip of fast food joints. And you…need to eat.

What do you do???

Now I could be one of those post-op types that says “do not go to the fast food!” and throw old hags in your path admonishing “beware the golden arch!” but that’s not realistic. Especially if you live in the U.S. fast food restaurants are a part of our reality and eventually most of us will end up inside one and need to make some good decisions.

I’m here to help! Because believe it or not, there ARE decent decisions to be made in most fast food chains. Remember, they are out to make money. And they recognize that more and more people are about healthy options. So my guess is that you’ll see more weight-loss friend (not necessary WLS-friendly) options in the future.

Before we get into my picks from some of America’s most popular fast food chains, keep the following in mind:

• You should NOT use these decent fast food choices to justify eating fast food too much. That’s just wrong.
• Most fast food chains have their nutrition facts displayed somewhere or on a leaflet. I think they have to by law. If you don’t see it, ask the cashier for it and peruse it BEFORE making your selections.
• We have really little stomachs. If you choose to let your family eat at any of these places and to ride it out with a beverage for yourself, chances are you are not going to die.  
• Lastly, this guide is only MY suggestions. You may have others and I encourage you to share them! But bottom line: there is virtually NO situation after surgery that is insurmountable if you have a strategy. 

McDonald’s (here are there nutrition facts)

Yes, I know they are evil. I read Fast Food Nation. But damn if I did not love a McD’s fry hands down back inna day! Nowadays I have a “three fry rule.” The divas, if they choose to get fries, are allowed to give me three. That’s it! Here’s what I usually order for myself when I go to McDonald’s.

Breakfast: I am not a big McD’s breakfast fan. It is noteworthy that their Egg McMuffin is about 300 calories and seems the best choice on the menu. But whenever I go for breakfast and I get the same thing I list for a snack which is…

Snacktime: I usually get a sugar-free vanilla iced latte (yes, even in the winter) with non-fat milk. Lattes read as a snack in my pouch for some reason and if I start drinking sweet for some reason I can’t do salty, making it easier to resist the devilishly delicious fries. Anyhoo, a medium one (which is what I get) will set you back 160 calories, 0g fat (if you ask for nonfat milk), 21g carbs, 8g protein.

Lunch/Dinner: I LOVE the McDonald’s Southwest Salad. It comes with mixed field greens, tomatoes, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, either grilled or crispy chicken (I get the grilled of course) and a lime wedge. TIP: Ask for it without the crispy tortilla strips they usually add to the top and use the lime wedge instead of dressing. This nifty little salad will run you 290 calories, 8g fat, 28g carbs (this is factoring in the tortilla strips you are asking to be left off though), 7g fiber and 27g protein.

Wendy’s (here are their nutrition facts)

Ok raise your hand if, as a post-op, you have marveled at the joy of Wendy’s chili!

It’s good isn’t it??? And just perfect for those days when you just don’t feel like cooking. A small chili (which seems to be the norm) is 210 calories, 6g fat, 21g carbs, 6g fiber and 17g protein. A great choice!

Here’s what else I like:

Breakfast: Nothing. Does Wendy’s even have a breakfast menu? I don’t recall ever eating breakfast there and their website doesn’t have a breakfast section!

Snacktime: I am a dork, but I like their little side salad with a packet of low-fat dressing for a snack. That + a few of the divas chicken nuggets gets me over the hump.

Lunch: Wendy’s has a few good salads but guess what else? They have HALF-SALADS!!! God bless you, Wendy’s. I love both the Apple Chicken Pecan half-salad, which clocks in at 340 calories, 18g fat (much of that from the nuts), 29g carbs, 4g fiber and 19g protein. The other one I’ve tried is Berry-Almond Chicken half-salad which is 280 calories, 12g fat, 24g carbs, 4g fiber and 21g protein.

Taco Bell (here are their nutrition facts)

Enhhh. Much as I love Taco Bell (and I will ‘fess up and say I have tried the Dorito Taco), it’s always going to be a place where you have to make manual adjustments. If you don’t want to take in all the carbs of a tortilla, I highly recommend simply removing them. Their salads aren’t worth the calories and fat.

Since there’s no real breakfast menu to speak of, let’s talk basic meal choices. I like both the chicken and steak fresco tacos. Both come in at 150 calories each. The chicken has 3.5g fat, 18g carbs, 2g fiber and 11g protein. The steak has 4g fat, 19g carbs, 2g fiber and 9g protein.

If you are in the soft food phase, may I also point you toward the pintos ‘n cheese. To me, the fat sort of negates most of its benefit (although depending on your surgery type this may or may not be problematic) BUT if you are stuck there, it’s an option!!! An order has 180 calories, 7g fat, 7g carbs, 1g fiber and 2g protein.

Chick-Fil-A (here are their nutrition facts)

I feel like I should duck and run on this one for all the controversy surrounding this place lately. I will not be discussing it (NOTE: I will also not be publishing comments that discuss it as this is a FOOD blog!). That’s the beauty of the Foodie-world. Our politics are in the stats. Everything else is up to the individual.

That being said, there are some real landmines at CFA. Some of their shakes are equivalent to a fully mature post-op’s full day’s caloric budget! But there are still a few good options.

Breakfast: Stick with some coffee. Decaf if you have to. It suppresses the appetite until you can get to something better. They also have milk. That works as well. 

Snacktime: Neither option has much protein so if you’re new out, it’s probably best to keep driving until you reach a 7-Eleven and get yourself a Muscle Milk! For those of us who can make up the protein elsewhere, their fruit cup is a nice little snack at 70 calories, 0g fat, 17g carbs (fruit sugar) and 1g protein. They also have a side salad which is 70 calories 2.5g fat, 5g carbs, 5g protein (it comes with shredded cheese which is where the fat and protein come from).

Lunch/Dinner: Your best bet here is a salad. All their chargrilled salads are great. I am partial to the Southwest Chargrilled which is 250 calories, 9g fat, 19g carbs, 6g fiber and 26g protein.  

(EDITED TO ADD: I got a good Foodie recommendation from someone whose pouch is NOT the size of Texas. My girl Heather said she gets the grilled nuggets, a fruit cup and a Diet Lemonade - not sure when she drinks it but that's not my business - for 180 cals, 17g protein. Thanks Heather!)

I’m going to stop there. I know there are more fast food restaurants out there and if you’d like my picks for them, leave the name of the restaurant in the comments! For what it’s worth, here are a few places that get an absolute F:

• Burger King: they have a salad. Kinda. The next least objectionable thing to do is get a Whopper, Jr. and remove the bun. Work on that, BK!
• Arby’s: I had to stop there once on the way back from Pittsburgh and ended up picking the roast beef out of a roast beef sandwich that I then tossed because it had that gooey fake tasting cheese crap on it. Yuck!
• Popeye’s: Some of you will argue me down on the red beans/rice. The few times I have allowed myself to go there (and I avoid it because I DO like the food, not because I don’t) I got them to give me red beans but no rice. Enhhh…they could do better. I know there are SOME healthy eaters in New Orleans, dangit!!!
• Kentucky Fried Chicken: yes, yes, I know they have Kentucky GRILLED chicken now. And I’ve gotten sick every time I’ve eaten it. It is either too greasy or too dry. Other than that, what are our choices? 

I hope you find this helpful for that fateful day when you find yourself in the fast food quadrant. When there, remember the immortal words of Albus Dumbledore. “There will come a time when we must all decide between what is right and what is easy.” Make the RIGHT choices, Foodies!