Everyone likes a soul-warming bowl of soup. Tasty, easy to make and a great way to get fluids, soup is great for patients after gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery.

Our dietitians at the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute at Arkansas Heart Hospital have chosen three delicious low-carb, bariatric-friendly soup recipes that will make you and your family happy.

Harvest Soup (stage 2 only)

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce finely diced shaved deli turkey breast
• 2 tablespoons 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Chicken stock or broth

Directions:

1. In a food processor, pulse turkey until it’s finely ground.
2. Add soup and seasoning, and blend until smooth.
3. Add chicken stock or broth until soup reaches desired consistency

Spicy Bean Soup (stage 2 only)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of fat-free refried beans
• ½ cup salsa
• 6 ounces shaved deli chicken
• 8 ounces evaporated nonfat milk

Directions:

1. Place shaved chicken in food processor and pulse until finely ground.
2. Add refried beans and continue to blend until smooth.
3. Add skim milk or evaporated nonfat milk and blend until smooth. The soup may be thinned with a little chicken broth if needed.
4. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.

Serving size: 2 ½ cups

Nutrition information per ½ cup serving:

• 13 calories
• 15 grams protein
• 15 grams carbohydrate

Instant Pot Red Lentil Soup (stage 2 only)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup split red lentils
• 4 cups lower sodium chicken broth or stock
• 1 12 oz. jar roasted red peppers and liquid
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Set Instant Pot to “sauté” and add olive oil. When hot, add carrots, celery, onions, black pepper and bay leaves then sauté until softened – about five minutes.
2. Add chicken broth, jar of roasted red peppers and split red lentils, then stir together. All the mixture to come to a simmer. Secure lid and set vent to the “sealing” position. Cancel sauté function and choose “manual,” and use the + or – dial to choose 10 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the post to come to pressure.
3. When the cooking time has ended, let the pot sit undisturbed for 15 minutes to naturally release some of the pressure. Then, turn the steam release knob to venting to quickly release the remaining pressure.
4. When the pin in the lid drops down, carefully open the lid, facing away from you. Remove the bay leaves and blend the soup until smooth with the immersion blender. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Nutrition information per ½ cup serving:

• 92 calories
• 3.8 grams fat
• 14 grams carbohydrate
• 2.5 grams fiber
• 5 grams protein

If you’re ready to start your journey to a healthier, active lifestyle, our team is here to discuss the best bariatric surgery option for you. Visit bmi.arheart.com to learn more, see if you qualify for surgery and to watch our free, no-commitment online seminar. Also, find more recipes perfect for the bariatric diet.