How about this? Think about what you can have, not what you cannot have.
I read an interesting book over the weekend (a proper review and the title to come tomorrow, I hope) . . . and the thought struck me that perhaps it would be helpful to think about the foods I can eat rather than focus (obsess?) about the ones I cannot eat.
The book recommended eating a complex carb with a protein every two or three hours.
So, how about:
Oatmeal with an accompaniment of egg whites?
Granny Smith apple with (no sugar!) peanut butter?
One slice of cheese with six Triscuits?
Baby carrots with hummus?
Six almonds with some strawberries?
Share your ideas . . . what are some combinations of complex carbs and low-fat protein that we can eat?
Since I don't eat eggs, nuts, peanut butter, dairy, or wheat, this is a tough one. My suggestions would be vegetarian baked beans and tostitos, a low fat sausage link and a small banana, or half a chicken breast and an oat flour pancake.
I forget about hummus. I'll have to try some. Thanks.
Posted by: Jill | October 31, 2007 at 06:12 AM
OK...I am still being stupid in my eating over here...BUT...if I can EVER get myself back on track, you just highlighted the thing that REALLY HELPED ME THE MOST when I was loosing successfully. Thanks for the reminder. Actually I have stepped away from the diet coke to do the Special K protien mix things. I am finding that I still crave something to chew before their beneficial effects kick in. I am thinking I need to have some veggies cleaned and easy to grab with the drink...gosh I wish I could get past my small brain issues so I could actually plan things ahead. This change thing is brain wise worse than being pregnant!
Posted by: Sandy McCann | October 31, 2007 at 07:41 AM
Low-fat yogurt and fruit. Remember that non-fat yogurt is usually thickened up with sugar! Dr. Oz and some researchers did a study about adding low fat dairy into your diet, and they found that you excrete more fat when eating dairy. Who knew? I also love black beans pureed with salsa, with carrots or whole grain chips to dip! This post is a great reminder of how to get through the hard times - no feeling deprived and sorry for yourself. Thanks, Mel.
Posted by: SaraB | October 31, 2007 at 11:51 AM
I just had some cashews and freshly squeezed orange juice! Another favorite is banana and peanut butter. Or a rye cracker with almond butter or cheese or eggs. Whole Foods' 365 Organic Peanut Butter is so incredibly delicious. I don't think lowfat is always the best choice...especially with dairy, lowfat options usually have more sugar or artificial stuff which makes you hungrier faster. And nuts, although higher in fat, keep you full and satisfied much longer. My two cents.
Posted by: Christine | October 31, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Before I got tired of eating it every.single.day I was loving turkey slices with hummus. I find that I fixate on a certain food for awhile then end up avoiding it for awhile. I haven't settled on my new snack yet. Hopefully I'll be inspired by someone's comments here!
Posted by: She-Ra | October 31, 2007 at 05:16 PM
Sliced pear with that low-fat Vache Qui Rit cheese. Or low-fat cottage cheese.
Yogurt and berries made into a smoothie
Grapes with vanilla yogurt
If there's a Whole Foods nearby, sushi made with brown rice
Fat-free black bean dip spread on lettuce and rolled up
Posted by: Poppy | October 31, 2007 at 06:27 PM
How about peanut butter and chocolate, as in Reese's peanut butter cups? Okay, sorry, just a little Halloween joke. I like a half cup of cottage cheese with fruit (e.g. berries or apple), or cottage cheese with salsa/pico de gallo, or cottage cheese with smoked salmon and dill (no carb there, but very yummy!). For an easy breakfast, mix 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, and 1/2 cup blueberries (top with a spoonful of ground flax for an omega 3 boost).
And really, lowfat and nonfat yoghurt are only filled with sugar when they are premixed with sweetened fruit. Plain yoghurt is just fine. Mix it with fresh fruit and a little splenda if it needs sweetening!
Posted by: Kristin | October 31, 2007 at 09:46 PM
oatmeal and yogurt or skim milk.
Muesli, that has millet and almonds in it with yogurt.
lentils and brown rice
beans and whole wheat tortillas
celery and peanut butter
poached egg and sprouted grain toast
Turkey breast in sprouted grain bread with lettuce, tomato, pickle (without sugar), sprouts, and mustard. (MMM, I'm off to make lunch.)
May I suggest you skip the triscuits and go for something less fatty and salty in a cracker? Trader Joe's has some yummy whole grain crackers that are lower in fat. Akmak make a whole wheat cracker that is tasty and low in fat. It's yummy with peanut butter or cheese. Wasa makes whole grain rye crackers that are unique and I like them. Triscuits just taste too oily to me.
You can also make your own. I can e-mail you a recipe if you want. (Since it's from a book I don't want to just post it cause that would probably be messing with copyright, but I'm sure sharing it between friends would be fine. And it has a few really great muffin recipes. :)
Posted by: carrien | November 01, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Ezekiel bread toasted with almond butter. Mmmmm.
Posted by: Lena | November 05, 2007 at 11:18 PM