The Bariatric Foodie Guide to Perfect Protein Shakes

After WLS in early 2014 I had serious intenstinal problems that my nutritionist and I couldn't track down. Turned out to be the premade protein shakes that I had diligently screened and taste tested pre-surgery! All of a sudden, something (not lactose, whey, soy, or gluten, but something ELSE) was no longer agreeing with me, and I had to start making my own shakes. I found the Bariatric Foodie blog during my quest for good shake recipes and am supremely grateful for Nikki's blog and this book.The book includes tips for how to make shakes of different consistencies (her Triple X method gives you super thick frappe-like shakes, my favorite!) and each recipe includes a hot version and a cold version. There is lots of room for and encouragement for experimentation with the recipes, and enough variety to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Most shakes use a milk base, which I have successfully substituted with a variety of other options. Nikki's use of pudding and syrups as flavoring has been a revelation, and they significantly help the flavor and consistency of the shakes. There are also ice cream recipes in there. She also gives you guidance on where to buy potentially hard-to-find ingredients!The one drawback to the book is that none of the shakes use other bases or protein-filled ingredients such as yogurt, and very few use fresh fruit in the recipe. I was very surprised and disappointed by that.I use the book on a regular basis and am particularly grateful for the Reese's PB Cup Shake and the Lemon Meringue shake - they really make my morning. This book actually motivated me to read and buy Nikki's other cookbook, which I also recommend!

I purchased this book when I was about a year out from my RNY surgery. In spite of having used Nik's Bariatric Foodie blog for inspiration my whole first year, getting the book (and also ordering one of her fabulous holiday survival kits) were just what I needed to make me love my protein shakes again. Because after a year, I'd gotten pretty lazy...I tended to just mix whatever powder I had on hand and water in my blender bottle because it was easy. But I'd gotten tired of them. I didn't always drink the whole thing. So when I saw on her blog that there was going to be a book, I anxiously awaited it. I think I even put it in my shopping cart as soon as it could be pre-ordered. And it has not disappointed.The great thing about Nik's book is it's simply a guide. She encourages you to play with the recipes. Don't like X ingredient? Add Y. But she gives you a great background on, shall we say, the science of creating a great shake. She gives tips on flavor additives and texture additives. She gives great instructions on making a milkshake quality protein shake (something I'd never gotten the hang of until discovering her instructions). And even better, instructions on the perfect warm protein drink for those cold winter mornings.Honestly, for anyone (post-op from WLS or not) who drinks protein shakes on a regular basis, I think this is a must-have for your cookbook library!

I've been fortunate enough to meet Bariatric Foodie - AKA Nikki and also follow her blog and FB page. She is an amazing and supportive person. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone who has had weight loss surgery or needing to add extra protein into diets easily.I'm one year Post-Op Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and while I'm able to get most of my protein from food, there are some days I just don't feel like eating but I know I need to get my protein in. After drinking protein shakes for awhile, you need a variety so you do not get bored. With this book, I can try something new.Nikki's recipes are tried and true and can keep your shakes tasty. She tells you where you can buy some of the sugar free syrups, mixes and protein powders needed. My kitchen counter looks like a Starbucks counter with all my flavors of Sugar Free Torani syrups.If you, someone in your family or a friend has had or is having weight loss surgery, this would be a great gift. Some surgeon's require two weeks of liquid only prior to surgery (ie, shakes only). This book would be a God send for those people.Thanks Nikki for making this so easy for us. Much love to you!

Okay. Honestly I wasn't going to review this book. Heck, I wasn't even really going to try it. I have one protein drink that I have made for the last 3 years and as I love it I saw no reason for change. But. But. But... I bought this book on the Kindle version more in support of Nikki. Ha. The joke was on me. From the very beginning with the Protein Shake Personality Quiz I was hooked. What I read in between all the pages has led me to share this book with many others. Not just weight loss surgery people either. Protein drinks are so popular now for more than just those with surgically altered guts.I have loaned this book to 2 people (via kindle) who have not had surgery but work out and have been complaining about their protein drinks.They have since bought the hard copy of the book. :)I have gifted a hard copy to about 4 or 5 people who have since gushed about how great it is.Go on. Read the reviews. Read the excerpt from the book. I bet ya that reading Nikki's book will not only make you laugh out loud but will make you go "Aha" when you find the protein drink that is just right for you!

Good all round book very detailed recipe and nice clear photos , in fact makes them almost look inviting thanks

lovely stuff

Like her other book, the recipes are not whole food. How to mix a bunch of artificial flavours and sweeteners. Yuck. I recommend Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook for delicious whole food, nutritious recipes.

Now don't get me wrong, the tips at the start of the book are worth the few euros this book costs. But I honestly wouldn't have minded paying a few euros more to get pictures of the recipes... Honestly, not even one picture? I honestly don't think taking one picture per shake would have been that hard or expensive, and for me preparing food is a visual thing as well, I do care about how my drink looks like for example, and it's really hard to imagine each and every drink she gives a recipe for, so should I go on taste preference alone, or try each of them? That's such a shame.Another point, in the conversion section at the end, it would have been nice putting some conversion help for non-Americans, instead, if you don't live in the US, it's figure it out yourself.Last point, opening this book to people who are not specifically pre or post weight loss surgery would have touched a broader audience, this kind of shake is not only for people who get WLS.In conclusion, some nice tips about preparing the shakes, but a complete lack of pictures for the recipes makes that a disappointment.

Recipes were not what I was expecting....adding ingredients which aren't as readily available in stores near me:(