Labor Day – Cook-Out Not Blow-Out!

Throughout the year, regardless of country and occasion, we all have to deal with a National Holiday and all it brings to the table!  Christmas, Easter, Bank Holidays, special festivals and now this weekend – Labor Day in the US. They all bring their own challenges to the bariatric post-op patient.

I don’t usually find the main food on offer a problem – turkey I can cope with at Christmas or Thanksgiving; bbq I can negotiate in the summer months; chocolate I can avoid or feign indifference (or just a nibble) at Easter; but the side dishes can be my downfall at any one or all of them. It’s hard to resist or feel tempted to try a full-fat coleslaw; a creamy side dish or gratin; some roasted or fried potatoes and chips; a salad with a high-mayo dressing … and more alongside the basics!

Here are a couple of tips to negotiate these this coming Labor Day weekend:

1. Make Your Own Bariatric-Friendly Side-Dish and Take Along to Share

I have a great bariatric-friendly coleslaw recipe here; and some antipasto ideas here to get the party started!

2.  Make or Bake Your Own Potato Wedges

I continually make these vegetable wedges to serve all year round. Sometimes I use potatoes (white or sweet) and sometimes use parsnips or celeriac. They’re great just cooked in the oven with salt and herbs and a spritz of low-fat cooking spray or mist but can be cooked in an Actifry. My favourite of the moment is potatoes with a dusting or Parmesan and rosemary. See the original basic recipe here.

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3.  Have a burger by all means but just eat the burger and leave the bun!

4.  Portion control your meal by taking along your own bariatric portion plate or small salad size plate.

5.  Join in the fun activities like volleyball or tug of war. It’s the taking part that counts not how good you are.

6.  If you’re likely to be tempted by all the sweet desserts on offer then take your own labor day fruit salad along and tuck into that instead. Most hosts are appreciative of any extra food or dishes supplied so you win both ways.