Craving Pumpkin after Bariatric Surgery?

After you have weight loss surgery, some things will (hopefully) never cross your lips again, especially some of the more popular fall holiday fare. While you are sure to have a few cravings for those old favorites you used to love, now is the time to find new ways to enjoy these flavors without the empty calories and excess sugar.

Pumpkin Mousse, Pumpkin Pie …Oh My!

When you think about the flavors of fall, pumpkin is probably one of the first to cross your mind. The delicious taste of rich pumpkin mousse or a freshly baked pumpkin pie can be almost more temptation than a body can handle, but with a little fore planning, you can beat this craving with some Bariatric approved pumpkin recipes.

Bariatric Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Four ounces of light or fat free cream cheese, softened
One tbsp. skim milk
Three packets of Splenda sugar free sweetener
One 1/2 cups of Cool Whip Lite
One 9” graham cracker pie crust
One cup skim milk, cold
One 16 oz. can of pumpkin
Two pkgs. of sugar free vanilla instant pudding in the four serving size
One tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

In a large bowl, add the cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of milk and the three packets of Splenda, whisking until smooth. Stir in the whipped topping and spread across the bottom of the graham cracker crust.

Next, pour one cup of milk into a large mixing bowl and add pumpkin, spices and pudding mix, beating with the wire whisk until blended well. Your mixture should be thick, allowing you to spread it over the cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate the pie for at least four hours or until the pumpkin pie is fully set. Garnish with additional whipped topping. Without the topping, one slice of pie is only 218 calories, eight grams of fat and five grams of protein.

Makes 8 servings

Bariatric Approved Pumpkin Mousse Recipe

One pkg. instant sugar free vanilla pudding in the six serving size
Three cups skim milk
½ cup solid packed canned pumpkin
One tsp. pumpkin pie spice
½ cup Cool Whip Lite
One cup plain yogurt
One tsp. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, add pudding mix and skim milk, beating for approximately two minutes before folding in the rest of the ingredients above. Spoon into cups or stemmed glasses and garnish with a
sprinkle of cinnamon and a dollop of Cool Whip Lite. Each cup holds only 106 calories, one gram of fat and seven grams of protein.

Makes six servings.

You can make these recipes anytime you crave pumpkin, but when the fall holidays roll around, be sure to have some on hand to curb your yen for the foods that will keep you from reaching your goal weight.