Protein Artist

Tag: weight loss

  • “Queer Eye” Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley Avocado Green Goddess Dip

    “Queer Eye” Roasted Cauliflower with Parsley Avocado Green Goddess Dip

    Queer Eye Green Goddess Avocado Dip

    Essential fats are so important for our brain. But for for bariatric patients, the ratio of fat to protein is critical. Up those fats, give your brain the food it needs, and prevent muscle wasting while  you lose weight.

    Cauliflower is an excellent source of Vitamin K, which keeps your bones healthy and also prevents losses in bone mineral density which could lead to osteoporosis. Post-op WLS patients must make sure to load up on these essential vitamins and minerals.

    This dish is so simple. Roast cauliflower using oil and your favorite seasoning. Don’t roast them for too long, or they will get mushy.

    Next, in the food processor, mix:

    • 1 avocado
    • 1/2 bunch of parsley
    • Green onion
    • 3 cloves garlic, optional
    • Juice of one lemon or lime
    • jalapeño, optional
    • salt and pepper
    • healthy oil

    I used organic coconut avocado oil. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add more oil as needed until you have the buttery texture you want. In the Queer Eye episode, Antoni replaces Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to make this “green goddess” dip.

    Nutrition Facts:

    1 cup cauliflower has 100 calories and 2 grams of protein.

  • Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    sb10066176-005After gastric bypass surgery, the high protein diet causes a chemical imbalance in the body. As your body tries to adjust, it enters the state of ketosis. This is not dangerous, but a sign that you are burning fat. Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn’t have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes ketones.

    With ketosis comes a few minor annoyances like bad breath and awful underarm odor.

    I have been using vinegar under my arms since the surgery. I filled a tiny hotel shampoo bottle with vinegar and kept it in my purse. If the smell got worse during the day, I applied some more with a tissue.  I even used the same tissue for a quick dab on my privates to boost-charge the pH-balance. After a while, it no longer worked.

    I just switched to lemon and it’s working much better. I don’t use lemon juice. Buy a fresh lemon and cut it in half. Every morning, use the halves to apply like a roll on. Keep slicing off a bit until you run out of lemon.

  • Creamy Protein Dipping Sauce, 3 grams protein per ounce

    Creamy Protein Dipping Sauce, 3 grams protein per ounce


    Creamy Protein Dipping Sauce    This easy-to-mix dipping sauce is thick and creamy.  Perfect for chips, vegetables, and meats. Although the recipe calls for one teaspoon minced garlic per ounce, the garlic flavor is not intense or overpowering.   Make this in advance and keep it in the fridge to add a finishing touch to your meals.

    Ingredients

    • 1 ounce Greek yogurt (3g, 22c
    • 1 tablespoon Lite Thousand Island Dressing (0g,8c)
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (0c)

    Yields: one ounce of creamy dipping sauce.

  • Cottage Cheddar Scramble, 12.5 grams protein per 4 ounce meal

    Cottage Cheddar Scramble, 12.5 grams protein per 4 ounce meal

    cottage cheddar scrambleA high-protein breakfast that can be whipped up in minutes.

    Directions: 

    • Scramble the egg with the cheeses, and add salt and pepper.
    •  Cook like a regular scrambled egg.

    Ingredients:

    Ounces Grams Protein Calories
    Egg, large 1.75 6 70
    Cottage Cheese 1 2.5 20
    Shredded Cheese 1 4 40
    Totals: 3.75 12.5 130

     

     

  • Day before surgery

    Today’s horoscope:  “It’s a good day to trim the fat — in a budget, from your diet or anywhere else that seems like it could use cutting. Excess is not a good thing for you, at least not now. Go for moderation!”

    Surgery tomorrow!  Clear liquids today. It’s hot and humid, with rain showers.  I’ll push myself to start on some chicken broth because I’m feeling the hunger pangs now at 2:00 pm.

    4:30 pm – colon prep is starting to work, JUST before my last student’s piano lesson. Groan.

    5:40 – I am really grateful that my bowels held out until the end of the lesson. I am also grateful that the cleanse did not involve much cramping or tummy pain.  Small miracles.

    I spent the rest of the evening double-checking my rolling bag to make sure that my list of what to take to the hospital was complete. Then, I took some pre-op photos in my underwear until I grossed myself out and took my surgical prep sterile shower, and went to bed.