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Air Fryers: A Helpful Kitchen Appliance for Lower Fat Cooking

Air Fryer

Air fryers can be particularly helpful for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery.

After bariatric surgery, patients need to make significant dietary changes to support their weight loss and overall health goals. Here are a few ways that air fryers can be helpful!

Lower Fat and Healthier Cooking

One of the primary advantages of an air fryer is its ability to cook food with significantly less oil compared to traditional frying methods. You can achieve crispy and delicious results with just a fraction of the oil or even without any oil at all, making it a healthier option for those looking to reduce their fat intake. This may be particularly helpful for people that have the Duodenal Switch surgery as higher fat foods causes gut upset.

Air frying retains more nutrients in food compared to deep-frying, as it doesn't immerse food in oil, which can lead to nutrient loss. Vegetables, for example, maintain their vitamins and minerals better when cooked in an air fryer.

Crispy Texture

Despite using less oil, air fryers are excellent at achieving a crispy and golden-brown texture on various foods, including french fries, chicken wings, and even vegetables. This makes them a great option for those who enjoy the crunchiness of fried foods but want to make a healthier choice.

Versatile Cooking

Air fryers are versatile appliances that can be used for a wide range of cooking tasks, from frying and roasting to baking and grilling.

You can prepare a variety of dishes, including chicken, fish, tofu, and vegetables, with an air fryer. Try this roasted brussels sprouts recipe!

Quicker Cooking Time and Easy Clean Up

Air fryers cook food faster than traditional ovens, making them a convenient option for busy individuals who want to prepare quick and healthy meals. 

Air fryers are generally easy to clean, as they often have non-stick surfaces that prevent food from sticking, and many of their parts are dishwasher safe.

Portion Control

Air fryers are suitable for preparing single servings or smaller batches of food, which can help with portion control and preparing smaller meals associated with bariatric surgery.

Generally, cooking for one person can be challenging at times and a little unmotivating. Using cooking methods that make small batch cooking easier can be a useful tool in supporting your commitment to preparing more foods at home as well. 

Different Air Fryer’s to Explore

DASH Compact Air Fryer Oven

Ninja 4QT Air Fryer

Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven

Beautiful 6-Quart Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore

An air fryer can be a valuable tool for those looking to make healthier eating choices by reducing oil consumption, preserving nutrients, and achieving a crispy texture without deep frying. 

They provide a lot of options for cooking methods and are useful for individuals who want to enjoy the taste and texture of fried foods while maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.

Just remember to limit breading on chicken, even lower carbohydrate options like almond flour, until you are closer to your goal weight after bariatric surgery.

Author
Katie Ott, MS, RD

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