Every time I post here about how *this* is the time I'm going to do something drastic about my weight ... I never do. Obviously I am engaged in a war with the drastic diet and so far I've lost every battle.
SO ....
I'm thinking baby steps & one of my biggest problem areas is what to eat for lunch. I don't like salad much and I really don't like all the time & prep that goes into eating salad. Sandwiches are pretty much the same - unless they have mayo or something on them I don't really like them.
Nothing wrong with sandwiches - I use the best foods low fat mayo which I think tastes good and it's only 15 calories for a tablespoon. I have to run but I'll be back for more ideas.
I love making a big batch of healthy chili, and for lunch, I would microwave a baked potato and put a cup of chili on top, and then sprinkle a little bit of cheese on top. But it all up, and it makes a yummy lunch.
I'll keep thinking about what else is good (I'm a big sandwich and salad person).
Sara, I have gotten in the habit of taking my lunch to work, and here is what I do. I buy a ton of bagged frozen veggies (broccoli, cauliflour, greenbeans, even spinach!) and protein (grilled chicken, scallps, shrimp, salmon patties, etc). In the morning, I take a ziplock baggie and fill it a little less than half way with the protein, and then fill up the rest with veggies. I then add some seasoning (a cube of garlic, or basil, or some peppercorns) and/or a couple table spoons of some sort of "sauce". Sometimes its salsa, low fat cilantro dressing, oil and vinnegar, wishbone salad spritzer, tomato sauce, etc.
Then I zip it up and take it with me. By lunch time it has defrosted a bit, and I just shake it up a little to mix everything, then dump it in a bowl and nuke it for 2-3 minutes. Drain any extra water and enjoy.
I used to buy precooked cut up chicken from costco. I could keep it in the freezer and just take out what I needed for lunch.
I'd either make a pita pocket type thing or add it to a salad (I'm with you on the too much work aspect - I'd normally just take baby spinach and add chicken, olive oil and balsamic)
Sara, I have gotten in the habit of taking my lunch to work, and here is what I do. I buy a ton of bagged frozen veggies (broccoli, cauliflour, greenbeans, even spinach!) and protein (grilled chicken, scallps, shrimp, salmon patties, etc). In the morning, I take a ziplock baggie and fill it a little less than half way with the protein, and then fill up the rest with veggies. I then add some seasoning (a cube of garlic, or basil, or some peppercorns) and/or a couple table spoons of some sort of "sauce". Sometimes its salsa, low fat cilantro dressing, oil and vinnegar, wishbone salad spritzer, tomato sauce, etc.
Then I zip it up and take it with me. By lunch time it has defrosted a bit, and I just shake it up a little to mix everything, then dump it in a bowl and nuke it for 2-3 minutes. Drain any extra water and enjoy.
what an awesome idea, Erin!! Thank you :) (also, I got a bunch of those steamer bags at target awhile back for like .49 so I could use those and steam it!)
I'm more of a snacker so one of my fav things is greek yogurt. I buy the unflavored 0% fat. Sweeten with honey, top with fresh fruit, maybe some cereal for crunch.
Hummus with veggies and/or crackers. Or a hummus and veggie wrap.
also, I'm big on leftovers. Quinoa is a great grain with a lot of protein. Make some with fresh veggies, some feta cheese (a little of a strong flavored cheese goes a long way) and enjoy.
I really need to start eating better too. I was doing well for a while but crappy food just tastes so good.
Sara - would you be willing to type up some of your favorite foods? Even if it's junk food, not so healthy? Also, stuff you hate.
I think that would help see where you can substitute for healthier but similar tasting foods and just kind of tweak things a bit so that it's not such a shock but you cut a lot of calories.
If you don't feel like it, no biggie.
As far as lunch goes, I'm a sandwich girl. I always want to try and do the salad route and default to sandwiches most of the time. But there's nothing wrong with sandwiches when you do them the right way. I do the orowheat sandwich thins, 45 calorie lunch meat, a slice of the lowest calorie cheese (or you can even do laughing cow cheese which is about 35 calories), lettuce, tomatoes and sometimes avocados. Oh, and the best foods lowfat mayo - only 15 cals!
