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.
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.
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.