Find press coverage for bariatriccookery.com and Carol Bowen Ball

TESTIMONIALS

‘Carol understands the challenges that weight-loss surgery patients face when trying to cook healthy and nutritious meals for themselves and their families.

We hope you will benefit from Carol’s recipes…’

Shaw Somers and Guy Slater, Bariatric Surgeons and TV’s ‘Fat Doctor’

‘I have looked at Carol’s ‘Return to Slender’ cookbooks and website over the last year and have been most impressed. So much so, I have recommended them to others.’

Mr Shaun Appleton, Bariatric Surgeon

‘Carol is uniquely placed to understand the challenges of choosing the right foods after weight-loss surgery. She understands the surgery and the nutritional requirements whilst maintaining the enjoyment factor and ‘real life’. I recommend her ‘Return to Slender’ books to all my patients and only wish they had been available after my own surgery in 2002. This has to be good for the whole family’.

Toni Jenkins, Nurse Consultant Bariatric Surgery

‘Carol will share with you some delicious recipes that have been designed specifically for bariatric patients. Carol is keen to help you learn how to cook nutritious, healthy and suitable food whether you are pre or post surgery.’

Shelly Frosdick, Thinner Times

Also. I wanted to say your website and recipe books are AMAZING! I’ve had a sleeve gastrectomy in the last 3 weeks after battling my weight for years. Stumbling into your website last week was the best thing to happen post-op! Thanks for creating this invaluable weight loss tool. Love the Instagram feed too!

Michelle, Early Post-Op Gastric Sleeve Patient

I have just received my parcel from you ……. I opened it and I just had to email you and let you know how utterly thrilled I am with the packaging and presentation of my order, it was like opening a special gift. My spirits are so uplifted by your thoughtful approach to this agonising problem so many people suffer with. Your amazing products will help me greatly on this journey.

Jane, Early Post-Op Gastric Bypass Patient

‘I think Carol’s books should be available in all bariatric surgery receptions and hospitals. Not everyone has the internet and they are losing out on all the information and great recipes.’

Janet, Pre-Op WLS patient

I’m Jennifer, I’ve spent the last couple of hours reading your site and I have to say Thank You!!! I’ve learned more from your site than I did pre-op or so far post-op for my gastric sleeve!! You are right about protein being so important! They don’t tell you or do the extensive teaching needed so that patients aren’t overwhelmed when they get home and feel lost!! I’m going to suggest this site to all of my friends that have had bariatric surgery, I had mine a month ago today and this site has made me feel so much more confident in my choices and how to get my protein in! Thank you so much again! I’m a loyal fan!!

Jennifer, gastric sleeve patient

Just back from a group session where we met 3 people who had had surgery. Their stories were so inspiring and I can’t wait to get on the list for surgery! Carol Bowen Ball, your book ‘Return to Slender’ is so highly recommended by the dietician and nurse in my group as well as one of the post-op people today, she said it was her bible.

Lorna, Pre-op WLS patient

Carol, I love these. I may be getting addicted!

Mandy, gastric bypass patient

Thank you so much Carol, I have been looking for an egg custard recipe as they feature high post op. Thank God you saved me from the egg custard in the baby food aisle…:)

Emma, gastric band patient

Carol, the evening was a resounding success and the feedback has been fantastic. Thank you for visiting us, everyone enjoyed your chat and the lovely food – ‘very inspiring’ was what one girl described you as.

BOSPA Leader, Goring Hall Hospital

I have made the Thai Chicken and Vegetable Soup today but had to share it with my neighbour! I have also made the Lamb Tagine, Chicken and Cauliflower Curry, Salmon Fishcakes, Cheesecake, Frozen Yogurt and the Chicken with Stuffing recipes. What can I say? I have enjoyed every minute and my husband has enjoyed every mouthful. Is there another recipe book in the pipeline?
Debbie, Gastric Bypass patient

I bought your book recently and the Turkey Bolognese is now a family favourite, my son has to be stopped from licking the plate!!
‘medic’ gastric bypass patient

‘Carol, your book travels with me to the supermarket as a shopping list. 3 weeks after surgery I am 17 lbs lighter and my rings no longer fit!’
Barbara, gastric bypass patient

‘Carol, I love your Newsletter Breakfast recipes. I can now eat breakfast without being sick or my tummy making lots of noise. You and your book are awesome.’
Sarah, gastric bypass patient

‘My mum has just had a gastric bypass and this book, along with the associated website, were recommended to her whilst in recovery from the operation, by hospital staff. The book is excellent as it is not just a cookery book, but a helpful guide to your new lifestyle, which is essential to losing weight with the various weight-loss surgical procedures. The author has written this book from experience after undergoing weight-loss surgery in 2009 and prior to this being a ‘food writer’. It has an easy to follow ‘traffic light system’, which explains which foods and recipes are suitable depending on the stage of recovery you are in, post surgery. The author also takes cost, availability, accessibility, along with styles of meals (e.g. packed meals, dinner party) and nutritional benefit into account.
It’s an easy read and well worth the money if you are someone who is going to be making the huge lifestyle change that weight-loss surgery brings.’
zoe26, amazon website 5 star rating

‘Carol, I made your Herder’s Pie and it was scrumptious! I really enjoyed it and have lots left over for the freezer. Well done, the balance was just right. I shall be trying more recipes tomorrow!’
Nina, gastric bypass patient

‘I received your book today and it’s told me more in the first few minutes of reading than my private providers have told me in nearly 2 years, thankyou.’
Lisa, WLS patient

‘A really good plate to control and monitor your meal portion size. I would definitely recommend this for anyone following bariatric surgery’.

***** 5 star review from Nicola, Amazon Marketplace

‘The plate was very helpful in helping me to learn how much I could eat after my gastric bypass surgery’.

***** 5 star review from Caroline, Amazon Marketplace

The portion plate particularly has been great in showing me how off kilter I was. My weight has crept up and although I am far from where I was when I started I was starting to think that I would never get back to losing again, that powerless feeling. The planning diary and log is great in reminding me that there is always another meal coming. The kitchen plaque is really useful too.

I do not yet know whether I am losing but I feel great and surprisingly full after eating the smaller portions again and eating protein first then vegetables then the carbohydrate. I am also following the 20:20:20 rules you write about.

Anna-Lisa, Post-Op WLS Patient

Thank you very much for your wonderful website – I am so grateful and relieved to have found you. I was starting to get very worried about what to eat after the post-op liquid and soft food stages. I am having gastric band surgery in a few days, and I have been looking around for blogs and vlogs where WLS patients share their experiences. It was fantastic to find your website and see lovely, real food made from scratch, in the correct portions and proportions – this looks like the food I would like to eat long-term. As an almost-vegetarian (I still eat a bit of fish) I particularly appreciate the veggie recipes. I now feel more much more hopeful and optimistic going forward – your website has made such a difference.

Jane, Pre-Op Band Patient

PRESS & TV

Carol took part in the ‘Fat Doctor’ series which has been shown throughout the world. The 1st episode she featured in was Series 4, Episode 6 which you can view below. Carol’s main story begins 12.30 minutes into the episode but Dave’s story is also inspiring.

Carol and Elaine from Slim Chance You Magazine Feature – Mail on Sunday (see here)

Download the ‘How to Manage Your Diet After Gastric Bypass Surgery’ by the ID Band Company

Download the Scotland on Sunday article

‘Having weight-loss surgery is not a quick fix’ – Carol chats to Ruth Walker, Scotland on Sunday

Download the Bella Magazine article

Download Thinner Times Article 1

Download Thinner Times Article 2

Download Thinner Times Article 3

Carol Bowen is a gem – her books are full of original ideas’

Prue Leith

‘Cooks, novice cooks and would-be cooks: stop clattering your pots and pans, wipe the flour off your elbows and listen to Carol Bowen. Here is a cook who finds her task a joy, and who manages to transmit her enthusiasm to the novice who stands poised with a recipe book in her hands and a worried frown on her brow’

Wokingham Times

‘Carol Bowen is the sort of friend I’d love to be able to call on…she is undeniably a budding galloping gourmet’s best friend but as much at home slaving over a hot stove as she is dreaming up new and exciting recipes to get the taste buds tapping’

The Star, Sheffield

‘Carol Bowen, unofficial meals advisor to thousands, hits the spot again and is to be unhesitatingly recommended’

Yorkshire Post