Pesto Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner with only a handful of ingredients, these Pesto Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers could be just what you’re looking for. 

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner with only a handful of ingredients, these Pesto Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers could be just what you’re looking for. 

There are only three main ingredients- shrimp, lemon, and pesto- and then whatever low carbohydrate vegetables you want to add. Good options for low carbohydrate vegetables include: zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, and eggplant. These vegetables are low in carbohydrates and pair well with both shrimp and pesto. 

Keeping your carbohydrate intake low (ideally less than 50 g/day) is ideal for post surgical gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients to maximize their weight loss. By focusing on proteins and keeping calorie intake low, weight loss surgery patients can maintain their lean muscle mass while losing weight. 

Shrimp is a good source of protein- 19 g per 3 oz cooked shrimp and 101 kcal. Three ounces of shrimp will provide nearly a quarter of your daily protein goal of 80 grams/day. Fish and seafood, including shrimp, are often well tolerated after bariatric surgery. For patients who do not normally enjoy seafood, many bariatric surgery patients report that their food preferences changed after surgery and seafood became a well liked and well tolerated high protein food. If you like seafood, or previously didn’t like seafood, this could be a good recipe to try!

Pesto Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers

• 1 lb deveined shrimp, if frozen allow to thaw
• 1 cup of low carb vegetables, like zucchini slices
• ¼ cup pesto (more if needed)
• 1 lemon, cut in wedges
• Salt and pepper
• Skewers (soaked in water)
• Cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat the grill to medium high. Alternate placing shrimp and vegetables on pre-soaked skewers. Season with salt and pepper. Spray nonstick cooking spray on grill. Grill skewers until shrimp are fully cooked and opaque, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and use a pastry/basting brush to coat with pesto. Serve with lemon wedges.

These skewers are easy to make and only require a handful of ingredients, making them a quick weeknight meal. They pair nicely with a spinach or green salad, cauliflower rice, tomato/cucumber salad, or a different low carbohydrate side of your liking. 

This weeknight dinner idea is offered by Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA, a board certified surgeon specializing in advanced laparoscopic and obesity surgery. Dr. Shillingford’s is located in Boca Raton, Florida and is primarily serving patients using telehealth appointments for pre-op and post-op at this time. Although some elective surgeries are being postponed due to a lack of available beds at local hospitals in South Florida, it is a good time to begin the process of deciding if weight loss surgery is right for you. To schedule a free Zoom-based informational session, please contact us here or call Dr. Shillingford’s office at (561) 483-8840. Informational sessions are now also being held in Spanish (en español).