Tailgate Ideas for Bariatric Patients

Behind every great football game, there is an even better tailgate. No matter what sport you’re watching, the tailgate is the key to having a great day. Even if you’re not a sports fan, I’m sure you’re not opposed to a tailgate. Food, drinks, and good company, what’s not to love? And just because you’re a bariatric patient, doesn’t mean that you can’t love them too. Social events surrounded with greasy food and drinks may be hard to maintain your diet, and honestly just easier to avoid. But that shouldn’t be the case! There are plenty of healthy game day recipes that are guilt free and you too can enjoy!

Bariatric-Friendly Tailgate Recipes for Your Game Day Party

SPINACH AND FETA TURKEY BURGERS 

Everyone knows that tailgate season means grilling season. Although the typical ground beef may not fit in your diet, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a yummy burger. Try out these spinach and feta turkey burgers for a light, high protein meal! 

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs. extra lean ground turkey

½ cup bread crumbs

2 large eggs

2 cloves garlic, minced fine or grated

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

1 10 oz box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground pepper

*Lettuce for wraps, tomato, onion, and condiments as desired

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove frozen spinach from package, squeeze out moisture until it is very dry. Roughly
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until fully combined.
3. Form into 8 – 4 oz patties. Transfer to fridge and allow to set for at least 30 minutes.
4. Heat a grill over high heat for 10 minutes.
5. Transfer patties to grill and cook for 5-8 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
6. Serve on a whole wheat bun, or in a lettuce wrap with toppings and condiments of choice.

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES

Buffalo cauliflower bites are a quick and easy substitute for the typical chicken wings, plus they taste great! They’re low calorie, and nutrient packed! Who needs chicken wings anyways? 

INGREDIENTS:

½ head cauliflower, cut into 1 in florets 

¼ cup flour

3 tbs skim milk 

½ tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ cup Louisiana Hot Sauce, or hot sauce of choice

* Celery and Carrot Sticks for serving

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with either parchment paper or foil. Spray with non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl mix together flour, milk, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to form a thin batter.
3. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and toss in the batter until cauliflower is completely coated
4. Place cauliflower pieces on baking sheet so that they are all separated with a small bit of space between them.
5. Place in the oven and roast until cauliflower is tender and outside is crisp and brown.
6. Remove from oven. Turn on ovens broil setting and allow to heat up. Brush each piece with hot sauce. Return pan to oven and allow to broil until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Be sure to keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn. Serve with celery and carrot sticks.

PROTEIN BUCKEYE COOKIES

Come on, what’s a tailgate without dessert?! These are especially great if you happen to be cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes. And if you’re not, that’s okay too, because they’re great either way!

INGREDIENTS:

Protein Cookies

1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

½ cup Peanut Butter Cookie Rebuild Protein

¼ cup sugar free maple syrup

Chocolate Coating

½ cup dark chocolate chips

2 tbsp coconut oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Pulse coconut in a food processor until it is a fine powder.
2. In a large bowl mix together peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut powder, protein powder, and maple syrup. Mix until it forms a stiff dough.
3. Roll dough into ½ inch balls and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. In the microwave melt chocolate and coconut oil in 30 sec. intervals until melted and completely smooth.
5. Using a toothpick or fork dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the chocolate about ¾ of the way so it resembles a buckeye. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Allow to chill in the refrigerator until chocolate is set. Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. 

 SPARKLING CRANBERRY MULE MOCKTAIL

Avoiding alcohol post-weight loss surgery may be hard for some, and especially hard at a tailgate. Instead of falling off your diet, go ahead and make yourself a mocktail! You can partake in the social aspect of enjoying a drink, while staying on track with your nutrition! This recipe is a cranberry mule mocktail, but feel free to substitute the cranberry juice for other sugar free fruit juices/fruits, make it your own!

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle ginger-flavored kombucha (*sub sugar free ginger ale or sugar free ginger beer)

2 cups sugar-free cranberry juice

2 tsp fresh lime juice

Frozen cranberries, lime wedges, sprigs of rosemary for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a pitcher combine kombucha, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Chill until ready for use.
2. Fill serving glass with ice, frozen cranberries, a lime wedge, and a sprig of rosemary. Pour drink into glass and enjoy. 

SUMMARY

Just because you’re a bariatric surgery patient, it doesn’t mean that your social life is gone. Food involved around the big game or other social events isn’t always going to fit your diet, and that’s okay! Plan ahead and find easy swaps that allow you to still enjoy yourself while maintaining your diet. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and so is your food, find a way to do both!