After Gastric-Bypass: Convenient, Healthy Meatball Soups
This time of year we need to enjoy warm comforting food that is quick and convenient to prepare, while being nutritious and delicious. Meatball soups are a great way for weight loss surgery (WLS) patients to enjoy a nutritious tasty meal with easily digested protein. Here are two very good quick soup recipes that take advantage of pantry staples and ready-made fully cooked chicken meatballs from the freezer. Enjoy!
Chicken-Meatball Mexican Soup
Ingredients:
salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
Chopped cilantro
low-carb tortilla strips
Avocado cubes
Sour cream
Pickled Jalapeno
Monterey Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 425. Arrange meatballs in single layer on a cooking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.
While meatballs bake heat olive oil in a 4-6 quart stockpot. Brown onion and garlic. To the onions add the green chilies, stewed tomatoes, chicken stock, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce.
Simmer the soup for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the cooked meatballs and bring soup back to a simmer. Serve soup with garnishes.
WLS patients should eat 3-5 meatballs topped with a modest serving of liquid.
5 meatballs contain 13g protein, 11g fat (3 saturated), 6 grams carbs.
Chicken Meatball and Ravioli Soup
Ingredients:
Preheat oven to 425. Arrange frozen meatballs in single layer on a cooking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.
While meatballs bake heat olive oil in a 4-6 quart stockpot. Brown onion and garlic.
Add tomatoes and liquid, tomato paste, broth, water, sugar, basil, thyme and oregano. Bring mixture to a simmer, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add ravioli and cook, covered at a gentle boil according to package directions (approximately 10 to 15 minutes), until they are just tender and no longer have a starchy taste. Stir in meatballs and return to simmer. Stir in parsley and sprinkle with cheese.
Serve warm.
WLS patients should eat 3-5 meatballs topped with a modest serving of ravioli and liquid.
5 meatballs contain 13g protein, 11g fat (3 saturated), 6 grams carb
Since 1925, artisans at Le Creuset have been making richly enameled cookware. Each piece from their line is individually created, coated, fired and inspected in order to bring you the finest quality cookware-to-tableware available. Their 16-Qt. Stockpot, made of enameled steel, is fitted with 2 loop handles for easier lifting and comes with a domed lid to lock in the flavors and juices as your soup or stock simmers

When you’ve got a whole crew, team, or family reunion to feed, this 16-quart stockpot steps up to the plate. One of the largest of Le Creuset’s stockpots, this one holds corn on the cob, lobsters or crabs, soup, chili, and just about anything else you can boil or simmer in quantity. Le Creuset makes the pot of high-gauge steel with a strong enamel coating, resulting in a lighter weight than the company’s cast-iron pots, yet very durable. A shiny rim made of stainless steel helps prevent cracks and chips. Safe to use on any type of stovetop burner, the pot features a domed lid to keep in moisture and flavor, and two loop handles to aid in lifting.
Le Creuset is known for suffusing the exterior of its products with bright, modern colors, while keeping a more neutral tone on the interior. The smooth enamel coating means food particles tend not to stick, making cleaning this large pot by hand a snap. Enjoy choosing coordinating colors for your Le Creuset baking pans, pie dishes, French ovens, and more. –Ann Bieri
- 16-quart stockpot made of heavy-gauge carbon steel with porcelain-enamel finish
- Loop side handles ensure a secure grip when lifting or transporting
- Tight-fitting domed lid with a stay-cool knob traps heat, moisture, and nutrients
- Hand wash only; safe for use on all heat sources, including induction
- Measures approximately 12-1/5 by 12-4/5 by 11-1/2 inches


