Newbies! Is this your first Christmas post-op? It’s hard…we know. We’ve been there!

Some of you are on liquid diets of some sort. Others just don’t have the appetite to indulge in all the foods you love. And for others still, you wonder if it’s worth the effort for the measly two bites you’ll be able to take.

First…let’s pause a moment to acknowledge that yes…this sucks…badly.

BUT…all is not lost! Bariatric Foodie has your back! Here are some ideas for some great Christmas-themed protein drinks to get you through the holiday in the merriest way!

Candy Cane Protein Drink

Ingredients

8 oz. milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
3 pumps sugar free Crème de Menthe or Peppermint syrup (in the absence of either use one drop…AND I REALLY DO MEAN ONE DROP…of peppermint extract)
No-calorie sweetener to taste

For cold drinks: 3-5 cubes of ice

Optional for either: fat-free whippage, 1 or 2 crushed sugar-free peppermint candies.

Directions:

Hot drink: Combine all ingredients in a blender and nuke for about 45 seconds to warm. Top with whippage and slurp!

Cold shake: Blend all ingredients using the Triple X method. Or not, your choice!

Gingerbread Protein Drink

Ingredients

8 oz. milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix (don’t ask me why this works…just go with it)
3 pumps sugar-free Gingerbread Syrup (in the absence of this use 1/8 tsp ginger + a “splick” of nutmeg + a drop or two of maple extract – and no maple extract does not have sugar in it)

For cold drinks: 3-5 cubes of ice

Optional for either: fat-free whippage, 1-2 pumps sugar-free Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup

Hot drink: Combine all ingredients in a blender and nuke for about 45 seconds to warm. Top with whippage and slurp!

Cold shake: Blend all ingredients using the Triple X method. Or not, your choice!

Sugar Cookie

Ingredients

8 oz. milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tbsp sugar-free French Vanilla pudding mix

Or

1 tbsp sugar-free Vanilla pudding mix + 2 pumps sugar-free French Vanilla syrup
2 drops butter extract (about 1/8 tsp – and no, butter extract does not have fat in it)
No calorie sweetener, to taste

For cold shake: 3-5 cubes of ice. Another variation for a cold shake is to use unflavored Greek yogurt as the base instead of milk (same amount). The taste of the yogurt mimics the Cream of Tartar often used in sugar cookies.

Optional for either: Fat-free whippage and a dash of cinnamon for garnish

Hot drink: Combine all ingredients in a blender and nuke for about 45 seconds to warm. Top with whippage and slurp!

Cold shake: Blend all ingredients using the Triple X method. Or not, your choice!