Upcoming Liquid Diet: Any Tips?

sdirks

DISCLAIMER: Liquid diets are not a healthy or sustainable weight-loss solution. This post is about being on a liquid diet due to dental surgery. Thanks!


Hi MFP friends!

I'm having major dental surgery, and will not be able to chew anything tougher than a banana for several weeks post-op. While I'm sad to be missing out on all the holiday treats, this is a very important surgery which will drastically improve my quality of life (not only fixing my teeth, but correcting sinus problems I've suffered with since I was a child).

My doctors and physical therapist predict that this "liquid and soft-chew" phase could last anywhere from two to five weeks, and recommend that I start acclimating my digestive system to liquid calories about a week before surgery. I already juice and drink protein shakes, so I'm not too worried about pre-op diet, but I'm thinking that four+ weeks of nothing but smoothies and mushy soup are going to drive me a little bonkers.

Has anyone else been through something like this? Do you have any recommendations for smoothies/juices/soups/desserts/etc which can help keep my diet from being mind-numbingly boring?


Here's what I've been making so far:

Protein Smoothies -
Chocolate whey, Strawberry & Soy Milk
Chocolate whey, Dark Cocoa Powder, Espresso & Frothed Soy Milk
Vanilla whey, Mango, Pineapple & Soy Milk
Vanilla whey, Raw Almonds & Soy Milk
Vanilla whey, Banana, Orange Juice & Soy Milk
+ various Bolthouse Farms pre-packaged smoothies

Juicing -
Green Machine (spinach, baby bok choi, apple)
Red Dragon (beets, pear, carrots, cranberries)

Soups -
Ham & Lentil
Tomato Basil
Gazpacho
Potato & Garlic Puree

Desserts -
Chocolate Mousse
Creme Brulee
Custard
Gelato


And here's my equipment list:

Kuvings Juicer
Magic Bullet Blender
Immersion Blender
Hand-Held Milk Frother
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
Kitchen Torch
Stove & Microwave

*My only dietary restrictions are that I can't have cow's milk or yogurt, and have a very low gluten tolerance.


Thanks in advance everyone! I'm really looking forward to recipes and suggestions to keep me from going crazy!


- Sarah