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Summer is almost here. Between barbecues and trips to the beach, there are plenty of opportunities to get off track with your post-surgery diet. With the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, summer is the perfect season to focus on nutrition.

If you are looking for bariatric snack ideas that go beyond string cheese or hard-boiled eggs, look no further.

Here are a few recipes that are perfect for summer.

If you are in the mood for something high in protein but also sweet then try this Raspberry Yogurt Whip. I absolutely adore yogurt and berries, so combining two of my favorites is a must.

Raspberry Yogurt Whip

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Course Snack

Ingredients

1/3 cup frozen Raspberries
2/3 cup plain 0% fat Greek Yogurt I recommend Dannon Light & Fit Greek(7g of sugar)
1/2 cup light whipped topping

Instructions

Place frozen raspberries in a small microwave-safe bowl. Defrost for 60 seconds.
Using kitchen shears or a knife, dice the raspberries in the bowl until slightly runny and well chopped.
Add Greek yogurt and stir.
Add light whipped topping and fold into the Greek yogurt.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving. Can be eaten alone or as a yogurt dip.

Notes

The raspberries can be substituted with blackberries or strawberries for approximately the same amount of sugar.

If you are not a fan of Greek yogurt, you can substitute regular vanilla yogurt. Make sure you are looking at the sugar content. A good choice is Dannon Light and Fit Vanilla Yogurt at 10 grams.

You can prepare this recipe in 5 minutes and store it in the fridge to eat for later. It would taste yummy topped with fresh fruit or dried coconut.

The next two recipes will use a melon baller. You can find them on Amazon in a variety of sizes. I use the Aolzg Melon Baller 4-Piece Set for everything.

Cucumber is arguably a perfect summer snack food. It’s low in calories and rich in nutrients that work to reduce swelling and help prevent water retention, like silica and caffeic acid. Even better for hot summer days, they are incredibly hydrating too, so munching on these will help you reach your daily water needs. Adding the cream cheese adds a little extra protein to help keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Cucumbers

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Course Snack

Ingredients

2 English Cucumbers
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1 shallot diced
1/2 lemon juiced
1 bunch dill chopped
Pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper

Instructions

Using a peeler, create stripes on the outside of the cucumber by peeling along the length of the cucumber, leaving every other section intact.
Cut off ends of cucumber and slice into 1-inch rounds.
Using a melon baller, scoop out the seeds and inner flesh from the top 2/3's of each cucumber slice. Do not scoop all the way through. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine equal parts cream cheese and sour cream. Mix in shallots, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, combining thoroughly.
Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag with a star 8 tip. Pipe the filling generously into each cucumber section. If you do not have a pastry bag, simply spoon the mixture into the cucumbers.
Garnish with a sprig of dill.

Notes

For a little extra protein, try adding 3 oz of smoked salmon, chopped into small pieces.

If you are going to be out in the sun, then you’ve got to be diligent about keeping your body hydrated. Not only is it important to keep water on deck at all times, but snacking on hydrating foods like watermelon—which is made up of mostly water at 92 percent—can help your body get the water it needs. Watermelon is also naturally low in calories, with about 40 per cup and about 9 grams of sugar.

Feta and Watermelon Blocks

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Course Snack

Ingredients

5 lb Seedless Watermelon
8 oz Feta cheese crumbled
2 tbsp Fresh Basil chopped
2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

Instructions

Cut Watermelon into 2-inch blocks,
Using a small melon baller, scoop out the top of each watermelon block.
Fill holes in melon with crumbled feta.
Sprinkle with Basil and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Eating delicious and healthy foods after bariatric surgery keeps you satisfied while losing weight. The occasional snack should not derail your progress. The majority of your bariatric diet should consist of whole food sources like lean meats, veggies, and fruits; however, throwing in a snack here and there will do little (if anything) to your long-term goal.

Be sure to check out my recipe for Low Sugar BBQ Sauce if you are heading to barbeques this summer. If you enjoyed these ideas please be sure to share them with others.