Start Your Day With A Smooth Splash!

 

I’m frequently asked for some early stage recipes, those that straddle the area between clear fluids and soft or pureed, and I trot out the usual ones that are fail-safe and then some that maybe challenge the conservative patient. Thankfully this stage is usually short so even though boredom can set in it’s a manageable time. Recently I was asked by a lactose-intolerant and vegetarian post-op what I could come up with for her during this time and so I have gone back to the test kitchen to see what is possible.

 

Thankfully I have a reliable taster and tester in the guise of Charlie our trusted (and also tested) website, despatch and marketing guy, who doesn’t tolerate cow’s milk too well either. His milk of choice is almond milk so we took a look at what it could be made with this for some early-post-oppers.  

 

What you will see coming up are 7 days of smoothie type preparations using unsweetened almond milk (I used the Alpro brand). Some are sweet and some are savoury so tickle all tastebuds.  One thing we are sure about is that they are not just for early post-oppers – they can and will perk up the diet of anyone post-op – short term or far-out, and to start the day or provide a healthy and nutritious solution any time.

 

JUST FOR THE RECORD:

I used Alpro Almond unsweetened milk. If you drink it plain it has just 26 calories per 200 ml/about 1 cup glass. It’s naturally low in saturated fat and packed with plant power (also free of animal fats) and has good levels of vitamin B12, D and E. It’s also free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.  I use it with cereals, porridge and to make smoothies. I have been able to tolerate all the recipe ideas given, even those that have a bit higher sugar than I would normally drink. But then I only drink half the quantity stated, so if you’re sugar sensitive don’t gulp and take a full recipe on board unless you know you’re likely to tolerate well.

 

So Here’s a Week’s Worth:

 

 Blue Monday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 50 g/11/2 oz frozen spinach (or 2 large handfuls of fresh spinach leaves), 1/2 small banana, 50 g/2 oz blueberries and 1 tbsp plain yogurt and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and perk up a dreary Monday morning!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 95  Protein: 3g  Carbohydrate: 18 g (Sugars – 14.6g)  Fat: 2g

 

Terrible Tuesday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 15 g/1/2 oz kale leaves, 75 g/3 oz fresh or frozen pineapple pieces and 20 ml/4 tsp lime juice and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and keep your intentions on track for the week ahead!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 88  Protein: 1.9g  Carbohydrate: 14.9g (Sugars – 14.9g)  Fat: 2.6g

 

Hump Day Wednesday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 75 g/3 oz chopped melon, 50 g/2 oz chopped cucumber, a couple of sprigs of fresh mint and 2 tbsp yogurt and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and give your body a much needed boost to tackle the hump of the week!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 65  Protein: 2.8g  Carbohydrate: 6g (Sugars – 5.9g)  Fat: 3g

 

Pick Me Up Thursday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 40 g/11/2 oz frozen spinach (or 2 large handfuls of fresh), 1/2 small banana, 40 g/11/2 oz peeled kiwi, a good squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and toast that the weekend isn’t far away now!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 92  Protein: 2.8g  Carbohydrate: 13.9g (Sugars – 12.9g)  Fat: 2.8 g

 

Flagging Friday: Place 200 ml/1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 75 g/3 oz cherry tomatoes, 10 g/1/2 oz stem ginger, 40 g/11/2 oz peeled and chopped cucumber, 1 tbsp lemon juice, a small piece of green chilli (optional) and salt and pepper to taste and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and raise a toast to the last day of the working week!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 73  Protein: 2.4g  Carbohydrate: 10.3g (Sugars – 9.7g)  Fat: 2.7g

 

Step Up Saturday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 1 cored and chopped red pepper/capsicum, 50 g/2 oz fresh or frozen raspberries, 10g/1/ oz goji berries and 40 g/11/2 oz yogurt and process until smooth. Pour into a glass to drink and start your Saturday with a smile!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 136  Protein: 5.3g  Carbohydrate: 19.7g (Sugars – 17.9g)  Fat: 0.5g

 

Settle Down Sunday: Place 200 ml/scant 1 cup unsweetened almond milk in a blender with 65 g/21/2 oz cooked and cooled pumpkin (or unsweetened canned pumpkin), 1 Medjool date, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon and 1 tbsp tahini and process until smooth. Pour into a glass and drink slowly to savour and help ease that sluggish Sunday feeling!

Serves 1  WLS Portion: 1/2-1  Calories Per Portion: 268  Protein: 7.3g  Carbohydrate: 21.1g  (Sugars – 17.9g)  Fat: 17.9g