Liquid Diet: Protein Broth

We all know that the most difficult part of bariatric surgery is the liquid diet. It takes a toll mentally and physically while your body gets used to adjusting to this new lifestyle. While on a liquid diet, protein is key! You will want to ensure that you are getting at least 60-90 grams, or as instructed by your surgeon’s office. It is important to keep protein levels high to stabilize your energy levels, reduce hair loss, and maintain muscle mass. One of my favorite ways to get protein in on a liquid diet is protein broth. You can mix an unflavored protein powder into a bone broth or regular broth, or you can buy a protein broth that you can mix with warm water. If you are unsure if you can tolerate it, take small sips and see how you feel. I like to add a pinch or two of salt to enhance the flavor and add more electrolytes. One trick to make sure that it’s not clumpy is to blend or use a hand frother to mix the powders into the liquid, then use a fine mesh strainer to remove any clumps. It is essential to ensure that there are no clumps left in the mixture. Drinking plain bone broth or soup broth does not provide enough protein, and another source must be added.

Some of my favorite broth options include:

• Great Value/Swanson Box Broths with unflavored or flavored protein powders

• Better Than Bouillon broth paste with unflavored or flavored protein powders

• Instant Bouillon Cubes or Powder without parsley with unflavored or flavored protein powders

• Kettle and Fire Bone Broth with unflavored or flavored protein powders

Please ensure that all broths are strained and without clumps.