Chinese Five Spice with Zoodles
Chinese food has a bad reputation among people trying to lose weight, especially those who have had gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery. While it is true that chinese dishes often contain a lot of fresh vegetables and good sources of protein, the sauces can be high in sugar and the rice or noodles contribute simple carbohydrates making the dishes hard to fit into a low calorie, low sugar diet.
And making your own can be a time and work intensive process. Until now.
Enter Chinese Five Spice with Zoodles. The zucchini noodles replace the traditional lo mein noodles to reduce the carbohydrates and add vitamins and fiber. The ground turkey adds high quality protein that is usually better tolerated than beef after bariatric surgery. This recipe does call for adding sugar, which could be a problem for diabetics. We encourage you to experiment with your favorite no calorie sweetener in place of the sugar to reduce the carbohydrates and calories.
Chinese Five Spice Ground Turkey with Zoodles
Adapted from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or equivalent)
- ½ teaspoon five spice powder
- ¼ cup water
- 8 cups spiralized zucchini (about 3-4 zucchini, depending on the size)
Directions:
- Using a spiralizer, turn zucchini into zoodles.
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok.
- Saute turkey until brown.
- Add soy sauce, sugar, water, and five spice powder. Toss to coat meat and simmer for a few minutes.
- Add zoodles, toss or stir to mix.
- Saute for a few minutes or several, depending on your preference. Zoodles will get softer when cooked longer.
The above is offered by Dr. Shillingford, M.D., P.A., a board certified surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic and obesity surgery. Dr. Shillingford is widely known in South Florida for affordable gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric band surgery. His patients travel from all over Florida, from Miami, to Wellington, to Orlando, and Jacksonville, and from other states, including New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, and Hawaii. Dr. Shillingford’s bariatric patients are often interested in high protein recipes to help them succeed in their weight loss journey.
