Undergoing weight loss surgery doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all your favorite holiday treats. These 15 Bariatric Christmas Cookies are full of all the holiday flavors you love while also being light on calories, sugar-free, and suitable for a bariatric diet for cookies so tasty your loved ones won’t even realize they’re eating a bariatric cookie!
Tis the Season!
It’s December, and that means the holiday season is officially in full swing. If your loved ones are anything like mine, that means holiday parties, family get-togethers, and cookie exchanges. Food may seem to be the center of all these events, and with all the rich and decadent recipes around, navigating this time of year can be difficult for those who have undergone or are thinking about weight loss surgery. It doesn’t have to be stressful, though! I’m here to let you know that you can absolutely still take part in the season’s festivities and enjoy a few treats along the way.
Of course, if you follow bariatric protocols, including in your favorite treats won’t look quite the same as it once did. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t still be tasty! With a few simple modifications and a little bit of planning, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite Christmas cookies and meet your weight loss and lifestyle goals. To get you started, I’ve gathered a few (15 to be exact) of the best low calories bariatric Christmas cookie recipes!
Simple to make and delicious, they’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with 0 guilt. Take a look to find your favorite, or bake them all!
Can Bariatric Patients Eat Christmas Cookies?
Yes!
Contrary to popular belief, you can absolutely enjoy Christmas cookies after bariatric surgery as part of a balanced diet. However, consuming cookies is not something you want to turn into a regular habit. It’s important to be intentional in your choices and include them in your overall plan.
Tips to Create Bariatric-Friendly Cookies
Opt for Low-Calorie Cookies – Whenever possible choose low-calorie cookie recipes which allow you to fit more nutrient-rich foods into the rest of your day. This may look like smaller portions, or using a sugar alternative in your recipes.
Consume On Occasion – Rather than making cookies part of your daily routine, save them for a special treat.
Use Bariatric Cookie Recipes – Nearly all traditional cookie recipes are not fit for a bariatric diet. They are high in sugar which may contribute to dumping and if eaten consistently may contribute to unwanted weight regain. Therefore, it’s important to find bariatric recipes such as those listed below to help you create recipes that adhere to your new diet.
How to Handle the Holidays
If you’re anxious about how to handle the dessert table this Christmas, try implementing one or all of these tips:
- Make a Plan. Before you attend an event, make a plan. This can look like eating a small snack beforehand so you are not overly hungry or arriving hungry and choosing to eat a balanced plate following the bariatric plate method.
- Bring Your Own Low-Calorie Cookies. To help eliminate the stress of not knowing what food choices will be available, try bringing a dish of your own that you know you’ll enjoy!
- Say No. If you do not want a dessert, you can absolutely say no without guilt or explanation. Do what feels most aligned with your body and your goals.
The Best Bariatric Cookies
- Bariatric Breakfast Cookies – Not your average Christmas cookie, these bariatric cookies are a great nutrient-rich option you can feel good about eating!
- Nik-A-Doodles – These Nik-A-Doodles are a fun low-calorie take on classic Snickerdoodles.
- Sugar-Free Keto Gingerbread Cookies Recipe – Low-carb and sugar-free, these Keto Gingerbread Cookies are just as good as the original recipe and perfect for decorating!
- Easy 4 Ingredient Splenda Peanut Butter Cookies – These 4 Ingredient Splenda Peanut Butter Cookies are the easiest recipe you’ll make all year!
- Keto Thumbprint Cookies – One of the most classic Christmas recipes, these Keto Thumbprint Cookies are just as festive as the original and every bit as delicious without all the added sugar and calories.
- Bariatric Hermit Cookies – Always a crowd-pleaser, these Bariatric Hermit Cookies are made with all of the flavor and none of the sugar.
- Keto Peanut Butter Blossoms – Soft, sweet, and made with sugar-free chocolate center, these Keto Peanut Butter Blossoms are bite-sized and delicious!
- No-Sugar Sugar Cookies – The perfect balance of sweetness, these No-Sugar Sugar Cookies are perfect for creating fun-shaped cookies for the holidays!
- Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies – These Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies turn everyone’s favorite treat into a low-calorie cookie recipe perfect for bariatric patients.
- Low Sugar Crescent Cookies – The perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, these Low Sugar Crescent Cookies have less than 3 grams of sugar per cookie!
- Sugar Free Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread – Light and buttery, these Sugar Free Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread cookies are the perfect balance of sweet flavors and soft and crunchy textures.
- Keto Chocolate Cookies – The perfect option for chocolate lovers, these Keto Chocolate Cookies are made with nut butter and cocoa powder for a soft and chewy bariatric cookie impossible to resist.
- 2-Ingredient Almond Cookies – Paleo, vegan, low-carb, bariatric-friendly, and made with just 2 ingredients, these Almond Cookies are the perfect Christmas cookies for everyone this holiday season! These contain real maple syrup so it’s important to stick with proper portion sizes.
- No-Flour, Lower-Sugar Chewy Pecan Cookies – These No-Flour, Lower-Sugar Chewy Pecan Cookies are perfectly soft and balanced out with crunch pecans for a cookie recipe you’ll love,
- Healthy No Bake Cookies – These Healthy No Bake Cookies are made with bananas, oats, and peanut butter for an easy recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing valuable nutrients.
How to Store Bariatric Cookies
The great thing about cookies is that they can be stored in a variety of ways to last for as long as you need them! So, go ahead and make a big batch! Or, keep just a few, and find how to store them below.
Room Temperature: When stored in an airtight container, cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Place leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 months.
Freezer: For the longest-lasting storage method, store your baked cookies or raw cookie dough in the freezer for 8-12 months.
More Storage Tips
- Store different kinds of cookies in different containers.
- Let them cool completely before storing.
- Arrange cookies in tupperware in single layers, placing parchment paper between each layer.
More Bariatric Desserts You’ll Love
- Caramelized Cinnamon Stuffed Pears
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites
- High Protein Chocolate Banana Chia Seed Protein
- Coconut Avocado Popsicles
I hope you guys found this list of the best bariatric Christmas cookies helpful and feel prepared to tackle the holiday season knowing you can enjoy your favorite treats with these low-calorie cookie recipes! What’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Let me know in the comments below!
