I have learned in the past week that I need to eat 5 servings of fruit and veggies (F&Vs) per day. The F&Vs have helped me to stay fuller longer throughout the day. My thought process about what I’m going to eat is changing. When I go to grab a snack, I am no longer just looking at the calories, I also think about how many F&Vs I’ve had for the day. So instead of something like a 100 calories snack pack, I go for an apple or black beans with salsa. It cuts way down on the carbs and adds more nutrition to my snacks. I still eat my carbs, I just prefer to have them with a meal. I’ve been eating a lot of potatos and whole wheat flat bread lately, but I limit my portions. I’ll have a small nuked potato with olive oil butter, low fat sour cream, and salsa with my dinner, or I’ll have a flat bread wrap at lunch. Also, the only time I eat white rice is when I go out for sushi, and that has never affected my weigh-ins so I don’t worry about it.
Laughing Cow Light Wedges
I’ve had the Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges in the past, but I only ate them with crackers. Now I’m finding other ways to use the wedges. Yesterday I tried a wedge on some (canned) turnip greens. I nuked them in the microwave and mixed them together. The taste was very similar to a spinach/artichoke dip that I tasted during the Bama game on Saturday, except I’m sure this was a whole lot healthier. Also, I put a wedge on my wrap today instead of mustard or mayo.
Fresh Salsa
I’ve also learned about fresh salsa in the deli section at the supermarket. It tastes so much better than the jarred stuff. The veggies in it are actually a little crunchy instead of soggy like in the jarred stuff.
This past week has been so much better food wise because I have more choices in what to eat. I am slowly getting out of the habit of eating the same thing everyday.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like you are doing great, keep it up! I love the laughing cow light wedges – my new favorite way to have them is mixed in with a scrambled egg or on some baby carrots!
I have a suggestion, and please take it with love. At our size, you need a nutritionist or a doctor advising you about what works and doesn't. I get the expanding your horizons stuff, but some of what you write about scares me. Experimenting to maintain 500 pounds is fine. To lose the weight, you need a little more help. Not a knock, you have done wonders, but some of the choices sound off… All the best
All of my choices are being reviewed by a dietician. They don't have any complaints with my menu. I believe we are slowly changing what I eat…. You probably wouldn't like the project they are working on…. The Carb Lover's Diet. You sound like you're in the no carb camp, which just isn't for me.
I think you are doing great as a bachelor. 5 fruits and veggies a day is a solid idea and for me it makes eating on the go easier..baby carrots a banana or an apple to eat on the car works and is not messy.
I think about food as a fuel sometimes and that helps me keep on track because I need enough of this or that to have the energy to keep working out and it being enjoyable.
Not in any camp. I do know that if you base your diet on the same plan as a 145 pound cute girl, you will have a few problems. As long as it works, awesome…
Wow, you've posted some great snack ideas! It will also torch your metabolism when you change up what you eat – keeps your body and metabolism guessing. Now I want fresh salsa …
If you really wanna rock your own world, take a stab at making your salsa. It'll spoil you like nobody's bizness.
Laughing Cow was a fairly recent discovery for moi, too. Good stuff.
Sounds great! I don't eat enough fruits and veggies myself. Just not “into” them, I guess, but need to force myself. Thanks for setting a good example.
I also like to do the nuked potato thing with Olivio and some cheese for dinner. Yum.
laughing cow is also good as a sauce for low-carb pasta. Just put the cheese on top of the warm pasta and stir it up so it melts. You can add some tuna, chicken, or salmon and some veggies. Its very easy and tastes really good.
Is it weird that I like the canned salsa better? I think it's because most fresh salsa has cilantro in it. Blech.
he he he, I like the cilantro…
Stuff the laughing cow in some celery. That is what they tell you to do on the South Beach Diet which by the way is excellent in the healthy category.