Book on bariatric recipes for first time

Bariatric/metabolic surgery brings about a sea-change in diet and lifestyle. Patients who embrace this change fare much better in terms of weight maintenance and overall health in the long run.

The Bariatric Recipes, a global cookbook from India compiled by renowned bariatric surgeon Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, along with her two dieticians Mariam Lakdawala and Miloni Shah Sancheti, will aid patients in their weight loss journey.

The first-of-its-kind book gives a variety of meal options for every phase after the surgery.

The book aims to make the post-bariatric surgery journey easier, healthier, and comfortable.

Obesity is a silent killer and a precursor of many diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cholesterol-related issues, PCOD, joint-related problems, lung and liver disease.

“Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment option for patients with severe obesity. With rising levels of obesity, there is an increase in the number of bariatric operations across the world and India. A healthy diet is an integral part of post-bariatric surgery management,” said Dr Aparna.

Food and diet are an integral part of any culture and the aim of bariatric surgery is not to take away the joy from the diet. There are some very interesting recipes in this book such as gram dal and cabbage pancakes, ragi tikkis, healthy sliders, and so on.

“When it comes to post-bariatric surgery diet, a lot of recipe books are available in the western world that can help patients. However, till now, no such dietary resource was available for Indian patients. Indian diet is unique and very different from the Western diet and the recipes in this book will go a long way to help patients to cope up with post-surgery requirements,” said Dr Aparna.

Additionally, macro-nutrient calculations (protein, carbohydrate, and fats) are listed for each recipe along with its nutritional benefits. The recipes are contributed by qualified nutritionists from India as well as countries like the USA, UK, Peru, Ukraine, Spain, Jordan, Dominican Republic, and so on. Hence this cookbook is truly global in nature.

“Getting bariatric surgery done does not mean that it takes away the joy from food and life in general. One can eat healthily and yet enjoy food. As a bariatric team committed to the well-being of our patients, this is our endeavour to make their post-bariatric surgery journey easier,” adds Dr Aparna.