Puréeing Food

Post op Weeks 3 and 4

Pureed food should be the texture of applesauce and should not contain any solid pieces of food. Baby food is a convenient choice during the pureed stage of the diet, but you can also make your own pureed foods at home. Follow the suggestions below to make flavorful pureed items.

General guidelines for pureeing food

• Always cook meats, starches, vegetables and hard fruits before pureeing.

• Add liquid as needed to smoothly puree the food. Use a liquid that will add flavor or enhance the flavor of the food. Or, use water and add seasoning.

• Suggested liquids: low-sodium broth, milk, low-fat creamed soups, low-fat gravy, plain yogurt (Greek or light) or vegetable juice.

• Puree in a blender or food processor until the food is similar in texture to applesauce.

• Add salt, pepper and herbs as desired.

• Soft fruits, cooked vegetables and canned tuna or meat can be mashed well with a fork.

To prepare foods ahead of time:

Cook and blend, let cool and pour food mixture into clean ice cube trays. Freeze food, pop out of the trays, place into freezer bags and label the bag with the food and the date. Each cube is about 1/2 - 1 ounce in size. You can pull out the amount you need, thaw, and reheat for a quick, portion-controlled meal.

Tips for Specific Foods MEAT

• Puree to a smooth consistency. There should be no lumps.

Starches

• Add a hot liquid to your hot starch and puree before it has cooled. Sweet potatoes, potatoes and winter squash, such as butternut, are nutritious choices. Avoid rice and noodles during this stage.

Vegetables

• Remove seeds and tough skin before cooking.

• If using canned vegetables, try low-sodium canned vegetables and rinse with fresh water prior to pureeing to remove excess salt.

Fruits

• Remove tough skins and large seeds before pureeing.

• Canned fruits puree well. Look for those canned in juice or with no sugar added.

Nutrition

Calories 95

Total Fat 4.4 g

Saturated Fat 1 g

Monounsaturated Fat 2.6 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8 g

Trans Fat 0 g

Cholesterol 21.5 mg

Sodium 244 mg

Total Carbs 1 g

Dietary Fiber 0.1 g

Sugars 0.8 g

Protein 12 g

Potassium 134 mg