One of the most important duties I have as a bariatric dietitian is teaching pre-operative patients about the post-surgery diet. Inevitably when I get to the pureed stage I hear groaning. I get it. What adult wants to eat pureed food? However, when I suggest pureed chicken salad those frowns turn upside down!
I know the idea of eating baby food or pureeing food is not appealing to most adults. I generally do not recommend baby food. Let’s face it, babies spit baby food out. I usually suggest pureeing common foods, but patients don’t usually jump on that idea either. When I explain that a commonly consumed adult food like chicken salad would work patients feel a bit better about this stage.
One concern often expressed is regarding mayonnaise. Patients assume they can’t eat mayonnaise. Mayo is a source of fat, however lighter varieties are fine to include. Most patients can only handle about 2 oz of chicken, so there won’t be much mayonnaise per serving in this pureed chicken salad.
To lighten up the pureed chicken salad you can reduce the amount of mayonnaise and add non-fat Greek-style yogurt. You want the chicken salad creamy and pretty smooth. I don’t advise adding anything fancy like celery or onion. These veggies won’t puree smooth enough.
One chicken breast will yield about 4 1/4 cups servings. I always tell my patients that they would not need a lot of food. Just a few choices rotated through the stage will work.
Smooth Chicken Salad
A pureed version of chicken salad perfect for people who require smooth food such as bariatric surgery patients.
Ingredients
1 chicken breast, cooked
2 Tablespoons plain Greek style yogurt
2 Tablespoons Light Mayonnaise
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Place chicken breast into a food processor.
Grind chicken until it is a fine consistency.
Stir in yogurt, mayonnaise, celery salt, onion powder, and pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 84 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 4 g | 6% | |
Saturated Fat 0.8 g | 4% | |
Unsaturated Fat 2.6 g | ||
Cholesterol 32.2 mg | 11% | |
Sodium 148.5 mg | 6% | |
Total Carbohydrates 0.9 g | 0% | |
Sugars 0.7 g | ||
Protein 10.7 g | 21% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Items you may need:
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Additional pureed recipes:
Hi, I noticed in the photo of the chicken salad that you have tomatoes with it. I didn’t think tomatoes were OK because of the skin, did you have any problems with the skin? I love tomatoes and chicken salad and want to try this. I still got a few weeks left to that stage. Have you tried the Hellmans Olive oil mayo….it is delicious and as good as regular with almost half the fat and half the calories. I tried them all and this was the only “light” mayo that tastes good. Your recipe sounds good but I’d leave out the yogurt on mine as I hate it. I do like Kefir and I like buttermilk they are both tart. I take a cup of 1% milk and add a tablespoon of buttermilk to it and let it sit out for a day or longer….it thickens up to the same texture as Greek Yogurt and I think it tastes better…it’s basically creme fraiche without the fat and has a lot of protein. I bet it would be good with the Hellman’s Olive Oil mayonnaise.for this recipe. Thanks!
I am at the stage where I can eat meat. This will be the first thing I try but I will add egg to it. This has been such a great journey to have barbaric surgery. I really wish I had done this sooner. I feel great!
I am fixing to be 3 weeks pre op and I keep gagging every time I drink anything how did you feel after 3 weeks of your surgery? How long did it take you to start feeling good? I am very week to.
Hi Debbie! Congrats on your new journey. I am not a patient, but a dietitian who has worked with weight loss surgery patients for over 10 years. I can’t comment on how you should normally feel although I will say that you should be in contact with your surgeon and definitely let your team know how you are feeling.
I will be 6 months out on Sept. 26th and I still can’t drink anything that doesn’t make me nauseous. Having a balloon dilation of my esophagus tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will help!
Good luck to you!
HOW do I cook the chicken? Boil?
I usually boil chicken in chicken broth, however, you could use baked chicken or even a rotisserie chicken.
Is it possible to use the canned chicken and if so how much would you use
You can certainly use canned chicken. One chicken breast makes about 1 cup, so I would use 1 cup of canned chicken.
I was diagnosed after 3 years with Achalasia. I had Heller myotomy surgery with a fundoplication .
I am 2 weeks post op and and about to go in to a puréed foods diet . Looking for ideas . This one sounds good . I’m trying hard to eat like I’m supposed to but hoping to gain weight soon . As I’m now down to 85lbs do to my Achalasia. Do you have any other recipe idea ? I can’t have tomato sauce either. I’ve been doing shakes thus far now looking for puréed idea . Will definitely try the chicken salad.
So sorry to hear you are struggling to keep weight on. I am still working on some other pureed food recipes, but they aren’t ready yet. You can make a similar recipe to the chicken with either tuna or turkey. How about eggs? I would try to add extra calories by using whole milk in your shakes. Maybe eating mashed potatoes with extra butter and or sour cream. Full-pudding and yogurts would work too.
Does this freeze well?
Hi Trudy! I have never tried to freeze the chicken salad. I’m not sure how the mayo and greek yogurt would stand up to freezing. I would try freezing just the chicken and then add the dressing and spices when you are ready to eat.
Can I apply this recipe to tuna? Just want an opinion on whether you think other ingredients should come into play. (I’m clearly not a good cook 😂)
You can certainly use tuna.
I am almost three weeks post op and I’m definitely going to try this. What are some other puréed foods can I do. I would rather make my own food. Do you have one for tuna. I’m excited to continue my new journey and learning to cook new ways
I am working on other recipes. You can certainly substitute tuna in this recipes. Look for some other recipes in the next few weeks.
I am 5 week post-op & have been having several issues.. I am so glad to see this for I will be trying it with the chicken & some tuna. I stay dehydrated for I can’t get enough fluids in or calories or protein.. I hope this works..
Thanks
I agree with I’m 2 weeks post OP and end up in the hospital for dehydration so hoping this chicken salad work i made something similar tonight
I hope you are feeling better. Remember to keep sipping liquids.
Hello I’m week 2 into the gastric sleeve I go actually on Monday to my doc I’m sure I’ll be entering another stage like this purey foods what else is a good option beside chicken and tuna salad? Can we have avocado ? And or other types of foods ? I’m going to ask when I go but just wanted to see if u had any other options 😀
Generally, patients are told to concentrate on protein only during the pureed phase. You can puree fruit and veggies, but you need to get your protein in. You could have peanut butter (not chunky), mashed beans, hummus, or tofu. Cottage cheese and yogurt are ok as well.
My dietary post op guidelines says I’m at full liquids, but it includes baby foods, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and sugar free pudding. Would this be to heavy/thick yet?
I have seen pudding and yogurt on a full liquid diet, however, baby food and cottage cheese are generally on pureed lists. Always follow your doctor’s directions.