Tiny Shrimp Tacos, a bariatric recipe

Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth! This recipe is a finger-food fun variation on your favorite Tex-Mex dish – shrimp tacos! Each ingredient was light, tangy, with a bit of kick to spice it up! Plus, these make an ideal table centerpiece with the beautiful colors from the Pico de Gallo, bright cheddar cheese, and gorgeous pink from the shrimp! We garnished these with a low-calorie cilantro lime dressing, but if you want to go lighter or maybe less spicy, a squeeze from a fresh lime will take you pretty far!

As always, our goal is to make these recipes as healthy as possible without taking away from the flavor and satisfaction you get from a delicious meal. We considered placing the shrimp on top of tortilla chip scoops, but something that high calorie with so little nutritional payoff, we figured it was best to avoid those altogether! Instead, we found the perfect substitution. Phyllo dough!

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AND they were pre-formed into cups for us! How convenient?! Just in case you haven’t ever shopped for phyllo dough, you can find it in the freezer aisle, typically in the frozen pastry section. We were so worried we would have to cut all the pieces, form them in a muffin tin, bake, and THEN stuff with the yummy ingredients. But the work was all done for us! How nice? We didn’t even have to bake them! Though I will say, if you want a crunchier bite, you could try baking them at a low-temp, maybe 350º for just a few minutes, careful not to let them burn.

Same with the shrimp – careful when you pan fry them! They only need a few minutes on each side, otherwise you get a chewy shrimp bite that no one will want! We used medium-high heat for the pan, but if you aren’t getting a nice sear on each side, feel free to crank it up a notch. Shrimp cooks rather quickly and is easy to tell when finished. I just peek at the sides of the shrimp to make sure the flesh turned from translucent to white! And man, the color from the taco seasoning and that beautiful pink from the shrimp? It was hard not to eat it all from the pan!

We bought Pico de Gallo pre-made and found it very tasty, but if you want to go the extra mile, feel free to make it fresh! It’s at most five ingredients – onions, tomato, cilantro, lime juice, and salt! Pile that yummy Pico de Gallo on the phyllo dough scoops, followed by cheese and top it off with a shrimp piece and drizzle of the dressing! It’s so easy to make these Shrimp Tacos.

Someone in the office suggested we pop just the phyllo scoop, shrimp, and cheese in the oven so we could get a cheesy, melty bite, but we were so impatient we just had to eat it as is! The end result was delicious and so flavorful. We hope you’ll enjoy it as soon as possible!

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Shrimp is an excellent source of protein for us weight loss surgery patients due to its high protein content, low calorie density, and versatility. Here are several reasons why shrimp is a beneficial protein source for individuals after weight loss surgery:

1. High Protein Content: Shrimp is remarkably high in protein, with approximately 20 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving. Protein is essential for weight loss surgery patients as it helps preserve lean muscle mass, promotes satiety, and supports the body’s healing and recovery process post-surgery. Consuming an adequate amount of protein is crucial for maximizing weight loss and maintaining overall health.
2. Low Calorie Density: Despite being rich in protein, shrimp is relatively low in calories, making it an ideal choice for weight loss surgery patients who need to monitor their calorie intake. By incorporating shrimp into their diet, patients can satisfy their protein requirements without consuming excessive calories, helping them achieve their weight loss goals more effectively.
3. Low in Fat: Shrimp is naturally low in fat, particularly saturated fat. This makes it a favorable protein option for weight loss surgery patients who may need to limit their fat intake, especially in the early stages of their post-surgery diet. Choosing lean protein sources like shrimp can help patients maintain a healthy balance of nutrients while reducing the risk of dietary complications.
4. Rich in Nutrients: In addition to protein, shrimp is also rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, selenium, and iodine. These nutrients play various roles in supporting overall health, including nerve function, thyroid function, and antioxidant defense. Incorporating nutrient-dense foods like shrimp into the diet can help weight loss surgery patients meet their nutritional needs while promoting optimal health and well-being.
5. Versatility in Meal Preparation: Shrimp is incredibly versatile and can be prepared in numerous ways, including grilling, sautéing, boiling, or baking. It can be incorporated into a wide range of dishes, like our tiny shrimp tacos, to salads and stir-fries and seafood soups. This versatility allows weight loss surgery patients to enjoy a diverse and satisfying diet while still meeting their protein requirements.

Overall, shrimp is an excellent protein source for us bariatric surgery patients due to its high protein content, low calorie density, low fat content, nutrient density, and versatility in meal preparation. Including shrimp in their post-surgery diet can help patients achieve our weight loss goals while ensuring they meet their nutritional needs for optimal health and recovery. So what are you waiting for? Make our Tiny Shrimp Tacos today!

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Ingredients for Tiny Shrimp Tacos

• ½ lb raw deveined, deshelled shrimp
• 1-2 tsp of taco seasoning
• ½ tbsp olive oil
• Phyllo dough scoops
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Pico de Gallo
• Optional lime dressing drizzle, or fresh lime juice for garnish

Here’s the Nutritional Breakdown for Tiny Shrimp Tacos (Estimated for 1 serving, assuming 2 tacos per serving):

Per Serving (2 tacos):

• Calories: 220-240 kcal
• Protein: 18-22 g
• Fat: 10-12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3-4 g
• Carbohydrates: 14-16 g
  • Fiber: 1-2 g
  • Sugars: 3-5 g
• Sodium: 500-600 mg

Directions

1. Toss the shrimp and taco seasoning in a medium sized bowl until evenly coated.
2. On a medium-high temp, heat up olive oil until the consistency close to water. Carefully place the shrimp on a pan that is large enough so that they do not touch each other. Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side.
3. In one scoop, fill with Pico de Gallo and cheddar cheese. Top with a piece of shrimp and a drizzle of lime dressing.
4. Serve and enjoy!

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If you make this bariatric tiny shrimp tacos recipe, please post, follow and tag us on social media! We love seeing how our blogs can help bariatric patients continue to make healthy choices and maintain wellness years after weight loss surgery. That’s what we’re all about at WLS Afterlife! Whether you’ve had the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, lap band, gastric balloon, or any other kind of weight loss surgery- we have recipes for you.

We recommend our WLS Afterlife viewers follow their doctor’s dietary guidelines, regardless of our recipe instructions. Don’t forget to control your portions after weight loss surgery. We know this is a tasty dish, but please mind your servings of tiny shrimp tacos.

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