One thing that is always amazing to me is how the contestants on The Biggest Loser ALL seem to lose huge amounts of weight in the first few weeks. I’m convinced that changing their eating habits has as much impact as their workouts. Basically, I can exercise all I want but real change won’t come until I change what I take into my body.
In order to do this effectively, we’ve all got to have a plan. I’d prefer not to ‘go on a diet’ but to make a positive change in my relationship with food. To me, this is a process and it’s the hardest part of losing weight and keeping it off. It takes time and planning as well as consistent effort.
Do you know of some satisfying foods that we can substitute for snacks? What meals have you tried AND LIKED, that present a healthier option? What tips do you use when you eat out (we can’t go to subway for every meal)?
The idea behind this section is to provide information but more importantly, options. When carrots and celery get old, what else can we do? If each of us find and share a few tips, meals or recipes, we’ll quickly have a huge list of ideas and options.
When going to a fast food restaurant, I try to order off the dollar menu. I just get a burger or chicken sandwich and ask for water. I might steal a few of my daughters fries but it's better than getting my own. This is much less expensive and much healthier than ordering a combo or "value meal" - which isn't really a value.
ReplyDeleteI've really cut down on the times I go to fast food restaurants but when you are out and about and are hungry this is a way I've found to cut the hunger but not pack on too many calories. I'm sure the burger or chicken sandwich isn't the most healthy thing to eat but when you're in a pinch, it's all about the choices we make right? I've been trying to think in small rather than large about food - it still satisfies me so why stuff myself.
I've also cut soda out and that has been great - I drank diet soda before but I've heard it causes you to crave sugar - which I already have a problem with so I don't need anything to stimulate that more. Anyway, quitting soda has forced me to quit getting combo meals because they always come with a soda and it's not only cut out more calories but cut down on the budget as well.
Sally W. sent in this recipe:
ReplyDeleteHere is one that most people seem to know about but some may not. It's supposed to be 2 points per cookie (weight watchers points)
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 Spice Cake mix
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 C chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375*. Mix ingredients together and drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes.
I made a spiced cider and craisin reduction to go on top of pork cutlets that was great and easy. Sometimes when making a change in eating we try to go too plain. This is a great way to "spice" it up.
ReplyDelete4 servings of about 60 calories each (or a fruit exchange)
4 Tbsp craisins
1 c spiced apple cider (the real stuff)
Simmer for about 15-20 until most of the cider is absorbed or evaporated. Serve over grilled pork or grilled chicken breast.
Here is another recipe, some friends of ours make this on their grill with Tin foil under the chicken. Oh my Goodness this is one of the yummiest ways to each chicken! And it is pretty healthy!!
ReplyDeleteIt's Called Grilled Bruschetta Chicken (I am going to try it in my oven since it's freezing outside!)
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/grilled-bruschetta-chicken-106252.aspx
If you can't click on the link - just copy and paste it - if you can't copy and paste it then here it is: :) It's from Kraft and the Nutritional info is at the bottom of the page on the link I put in the previous post.
ReplyDeleteGrilled Bruschetta Chicken
What You Need
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1/4 cup KRAFT Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing, divided
1 tomato, finely chopped
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Make It
HEAT grill to medium heat.
COVER half the grill grate with sheet of heavy-duty foil. Place chicken in large resealable plastic bag. Add 2 Tbsp. dressing; seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with dressing. Refrigerate 10 min. Remove chicken from bag; discard bag and dressing.
PLACE chicken on uncovered side of grill; cover with lid. Grill 6 min. Meanwhile, combine remaining dressing, tomatoes, cheese and basil.
TURN chicken over; place on foil. Top with tomato mixture. Grill, covered, grill 8 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).
Sally, here's a link to your recipe. Thanks for submitting it, it looks tasty :)
ReplyDeleteI added it to the 'Links' page also.
ReplyDeleteSimple Balsamic Vinaigrette
ReplyDeleteRecipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse
Ingredients
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar, optional*(I left this out and I LOVE IT)
* 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 3/4 cup olive oil
* Mesclun salad mix or favorite greens, for accompaniment
* Assortment of salad ingredients, such as cherry tomatoes, chopped carrots, sliced red onion, chopped celery, diced cucumbers, walnuts, apples, grapes, strawberries
* Blue cheese, or Grated Parmesan Cheese for garnish
Directions
Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.
Toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the salad mix and desired salad ingredients, top with blue cheese and serve immediately.
If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.
*If using a good quality balsamic vinegar you should not need the sugar, but if using a lesser quality you might want the sugar to round out the dressing.
Need something to hold you over until your next meal? I grab something high in protein. It does the trick for me!
ReplyDeleteSomething new I have found that is a treat is Kroger Carbmaster Yogurt I found at Smith's stores. High in protein, low in fat. I don't like the blackberry and the carrot cake is ok but I love the rest of the flavors. I love finding a new protein that isn't necessarily meat. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've started eating a granny smith apple each day. Not chilled. They're actually sweeter than I thought. Also a container of cut celery and carrots. Cooked aspagres? too. How about yams sliced like fries. Place in ziplock with olive oil and italian etc. seasoning. Place on cookie sheet and cook in oven for about 15 min. until done.
ReplyDeleteThe Sweet potato fries that we made were super yummy Mom! I think it was 15 min. then we flipped them and cooked another 10-15 min. My family is loving asparagas too!
ReplyDeleteI need to get in the groove with making some yummy healthy dinners again... I really want to try white chicken chilli - I've had it before, but never made it myself. I think if I use low sodium chicken stock it should be pretty healthy right?
I have found that keeping track of the foods and calories I eat throughout the day help me a lot with keeping my portions under control. It helps me to eat healthier and feels great to see I am meeting my daily goals!
ReplyDelete