Soups are an important part of a bariatric diet. Their high fluid content helps patients stay hydrated after surgery when food intake is limited. Soups also provide protein and nutrients that may be lacking during the post-op diet progression. Doctors and dieticians often recommend soups to help patients meet protein and nutritional goals while recovering from gastric sleeve or bypass procedures.

Benefits of Soup for Bariatric Patients

Soups provide several benefits that make them a smart choice for weight loss surgery patients:

• High liquid content - Soups help meet increased hydration needs after surgery when stomach capacity is reduced and fluid must come from foods. The liquid form also makes it easy to consume during the pureed diet stage.
• Nutrient and protein source - The combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals in soups is important when intake is restricted. Patients need at least 70g protein daily for healing and muscle retention, which can be challenging with small portion sizes. Soup allows key nutrients to be obtained easily.
• Comfort and satisfaction - Warm, comforting soups can aid the difficult diet change. Hearty soups provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction that supports adherence to the eating plan.
• Variety and flavor - With endless soup options, patients can find choices aligned with their tastes which promotes long-term compliance. A soup made with veggies, beans, lentils, and lean meats provides dietary diversity.

Suggested Reading: The Best Bariatric Protein Bars

Choosing the Right Soups for a Bariatric Diet

When selecting a soup, gastric bypass and sleeve patients should focus on options that align with bariatric diet guidelines.

• High protein - Seek out soups with at least 10-15g protein per serving such as bean, lentil, chicken noodle, turkey chili, or vegetable beef. You can also add extra bariatric-friendly protein powder.
• Low calorie - Look for broth-based soups instead of higher calorie cream soups. Broths have 60-80 calories per cup versus 300-500 calories for creamy chowders or bisques. Keeping calories in check aids weight loss.
• Chunky ingredients - Ingredients like chopped veggies, beans, pasta, or chicken provide a satisfying mouthfeel and feeling of fullness. This helps control hunger and prevents overeating.
• Limit sodium - Avoid soups with more than 600mg sodium per serving. High sodium can cause fluid retention, which diminishes weight loss results.
• Minimize processed ingredients - Soups with lots of processed, fried meats or oils undermine health goals. Check labels and choose soups with whole food ingredients.

The Best Bariatric Soup You Can Buy Online

We've put together a list of the top bariatric-friendly soups that you can buy online. This list comes from our 10+ years of product sales and reviews including online and in-clinic sales. We pulled data from Bariatric Food Source as well and have also considered Verified Product Reviews when putting together this list.

Spicy Tortilla Soup

The Spicy Tortilla Soup from New Direction is a sensible choice for those who've undergone bariatric surgery. With 27 grams of protein and 200 calories per serving, it aligns well with nutritional guidelines for most diets. This soup is part of the New Direction Advanced medical weight loss program, designed to support effective weight loss. The soup also contains essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to a balanced diet. It's low in added sugars, which is good news for those monitoring their sugar intake.

Bacon and Cheese Soup

This creamy soup is designed with low-calorie weight loss plans in mind. It packs 15 grams of protein and only 90 calories. The soup is not just delicious but also easy to prepare with hot water. It's suitable for various medical weight loss programs and is ideal for bariatric pureed phase diets. The real Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses add a touch of authenticity. So, it's a win-win situation: you get to enjoy the flavors of creamy cheddar and smoky bacon while adhering to your dietary needs.

Homestyle Chili

This Homestyle Chili is a vegetarian option that fits well into a bariatric patient's diet. It offers 12 grams of protein and only 100 calories. The chili is also low in fat, containing just 1 gram per serving. It's rich in fiber, which is beneficial for digestion. The chili is designed to be diabetic-friendly, making it a versatile choice for those with specific dietary needs. It's also easy to prepare, either in the microwave or on the stove-top.

Chicken Noodle Soup

This Chicken Noodle Soup is another option worth considering, not to mention the 100+ 5-star reviews. With 12 grams of protein and a mere 70 calories, it's a balanced choice for those looking to manage their weight post-surgery. The soup is also low in fat and sugar, which is beneficial for overall health. It's even diabetic-friendly. The single-serving pouches make portion control straightforward, and the preparation is simple—just add boiling water. 

Buffalo Chicken Soup

The Numetra Buffalo Chicken Soup is another well-rounded option for bariatric patients. It offers a substantial 20 grams of protein, which can help in muscle repair and growth post-surgery. The calorie count stands at 160 per serving, making it a manageable choice for those watching their caloric intake. This soup is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to a well-rounded diet. It's versatile enough to be used as either a meal replacement or a high-protein snack. The soup is designed to be compatible with both bariatric and diabetic diets. Preparation is straightforward, requiring just hot water or a quick spin in the microwave.

Recommended High-Protein Bariatric Soup Recipes

Below are recipes tailored for each phase of the post-bariatric diet, focusing on nutrition, flavor, and ease of preparation.

Clear Broth

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 1 lb of lean chicken or beef
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours.
3. Strain the broth, discarding solids.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 can of pumpkin puree
• 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup of light cream
• Salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste

Instructions:

1. Blend pumpkin puree and chicken broth until smooth.
2. Heat the mixture in a pot over medium heat.
3. Stir in light cream and seasonings.
4. Cook until heated through.

High-Protein Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of cooked, shredded chicken breast
• 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup of pureed carrots
• 1 cup of pureed celery
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Blend cooked chicken breast until smooth.
2. Combine chicken, broth, and pureed vegetables in a pot.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook over medium heat until hot.

Conclusion

Soups can be a nutritional powerhouse bariatric food. The combination of high protein, nutrients, and liquids helps patients heal, hydrate, and lose weight after surgery. Soups also supply comfort, variety, and satisfaction that makes the diet sustainable long-term.

Patients are encouraged to explore the wide range of options. Work soups into your daily meal plan to meet goals with minimal chewing and effort as you recover. With some creativity and planning, soups can be a tasty and effective component of your bariatric diet.

Author: Carrie H. Carrie is a passionate health and nutrition writer who transforms complex medical research into accessible, evidence-based content to empower readers to make informed choices about their wellbeing. With a background in science and a dedication to helping others live healthier lives, she provides thoughtful analysis of the latest studies and practical, actionable advice readers can apply to their own lives.

Reviewed By: Dr. Kevin Huffman Dr. Huffman is an accomplished board-certified bariatric physician with extensive clinical experience and expertise in treating obesity. He has trained countless healthcare providers and founded American Bariatric Consultants to develop highly sought-after protocols, training materials and continuing education used widely by medical societies, hospitals and physicians. Dr. Huffman's impact reaches far beyond direct patient care, as he actively prepares the next generation of physicians to achieve board certification in bariatrics, thereby exponentially expanding access to this vital medical treatment.

Further Reading

For those who have undergone bariatric surgery and are looking for a structured meal plan, we recommend checking out this 7-Day Sample Bariatric Meal Plan. Authored by Dr. Kevin Huffman, this guide provides a detailed 7-day meal plan designed to meet the nutritional needs of bariatric patients. It's an excellent resource for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet post-surgery.