Healthy, Tasty Recipes

[mrc 0]

Fats and oils aren't bad when cooking with them in moderation. Stay away from deep frying. I bake a lot of items or use oil like olive oil when cooking. Also, portion size is a key factor. Remember, a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.

I eat a lot of whole grains and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is what gives you that "full" feeling longer and it is very healthy for you. Most people don't get enough fiber in their diets. For instance, I've already cooked my breakfast for the morning. I picked up these whole grain tortillas (great taste and they provide 21 g of dietary fiber per tortilla...that's a day's recommended allowance). I take three egg whites (I use half of a yoke for color) and cook them in a pan with a small bit of chorizo (I don't need oil when I use the chorizo...just cook it in the pan and cook the eggs in the pan with it). I then put the eggs and chorizo in the tortilla with a little bit of monterey jack cheese and you have a very healthy, satisfying breakfast with under 300 calories, very little fat, a load of dietary fiber and a ton of flavor.

Just experiment and use healthier alternatives in your favorite dishes...you'll be surprised. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables is also key.

[Heracles 417]

First thing first, don't buy any food or products that contain 'Trans Fat'..

The healthiest diet is generally the Mediterranean diet

There are lots of recipes on the net..

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Thanks! I don't know what chorizo is though, mrc. suppose I could look it up quicker than posting here tho, hey?

A long time ago when I was waitressing, a lot of people used to order EggBeaters omelets instead of regular eggs. Are they really that much better for you, and are they still around? what about taste?

I do agree on the veg/fruits too. That will go a long way in and of itself instead of having junk around. Where I get discouraged is when I look up things on websites and it says but stay away from this fruit, too much natural sugar (bananas I think??) and stay away from that fruit...I mean, it's FRUIT! ARGH!!! M.

[mrc 0]

Thanks! I don't know what chorizo is though, mrc. suppose I could look it up quicker than posting here tho, hey?

A long time ago when I was waitressing, a lot of people used to order EggBeaters omelets instead of regular eggs. Are they really that much better for you, and are they still around? what about taste?

I do agree on the veg/fruits too. That will go a long way in and of itself instead of having junk around. Where I get discouraged is when I look up things on websites and it says but stay away from this fruit, too much natural sugar (bananas I think??) and stay away from that fruit...I mean, it's FRUIT! ARGH!!! M.

No way...in fact, eating an apple in the morning is a more efficient way to wake up in the morning than a cup of coffee and much healthier. Fruits are high in natural sugars, which are broken down MUCH more effectively than fructose and corn syrup. Fruits are your friend.

Chorizo is a spicy sausage that is popular in Mexican cooking. It's reddish in color due to the paprika.

Use egg whites...egg beaters aren't bad, but they are rather expensive. Eggs are fairly cheap.

I made brown rice jambalaya w/a little bit of turkey smoked sausage for dinner tonight. Very tasty and healthy the way that I have prepared it.

Edited October 30, 2006 by mrc

[Canuck Carrie 1]

Check your library, there should be some sort of cookbook(s) there to help you out. I used to love one called "Looney Spoons", it was by 2 Canadian sisters so you might not be able to get that one but their recipes were easy, healthy and not chock full of 'fancy' ingredients.

Just take baby steps, throwing yourself into it fully will most likely result in failure as your taste buds are accustomed to your old methods. Try to wean yourself off sauces, dips and anything creamy first.

We eat fish at least once a week, and it's usually Tilapia. Lemon juice and dill, bake for 15 mins @ 400, I serve it up with rice that I've added red onion, peas and green/red peppers to.

Good luck, it's not easy

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Thanks again for the info!

I'm afraid it WONT be easy... but...baby steps, baby steps.... I'm soooo used to eating what I want to(within reason, of course...I don't have a food orgy or anything!) but creamy, pasta, potatoes, blah blah...usually cook a lot of that. I have tried to make small changes as I go, such as fat free sour cream instead of reg.,etc. but it's simply not enough to lose weight, or to make much of a difference. Does anyone have some healthy ways to fix taters??? (heh...see, trying to get around it already!)

Another huge downfall of mine is Coke...ohhhhhh do I loveeeee my classic Coke...I usually get one the minute I get to school. I've got a couple rather large water bottles, and I'm going to be taking them in from now on. I will have to wean off....I've tried going cold turkey with my Coke in the past, and not only do I fail, but I end up with a pounding head from caffeine withdrawal.

Chorizo..never heard of it, but I bet Craig would love it. He likes anything spicy. I like spicy, but not HOT. For him, hotter the better...yipes. Maybe I'll look and see if the store has any, but I'm not holding my breath. *sigh* small towns.

Ok...out of here for now, but will be checking in, so if you have more....

M.

[Caladan 19]

Just my two cents, not a nutritionist.

If you cut out all butter and fat, you'll lose a lot of flavor. That means you don't enjoy eating, and that means you don't stick to it, and that means you gorge on Oreos.

No one's happy then. So you need to get the flavor back.

A couple things you can do:

1) Stock your herbs and spice cupboard. You'll want: salt, cracked black pepper, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, cumin, ginger, rosemary, a basic curry powder, and if you like spicy food, crushed red pepper. That's a good start. Whenever there's a sale, buy more.

2) Buy better quality cuts of meat. A good piece of lean beef or tuna or other fish needs very little fussing, which means little butter, oil, etc. or

2b) Buy cheaper cuts of meat, but learn how to make a good marinade (they're usually an acid and some flavor, and they don't add fat, usually.)

3) Olive oil is a good all-purpose oil, but,

3b) It doesn't taste like butter or carmelize. Try cutting the butter you use in half -- you'll still get the flavor, but fewer calories.

4) More salads as side dishes. They'll make you feel fuller, and they're good for you.

5) Eat off smaller plates. I'm serious. It sounds ridiculous, but basically the idea is that your body takes its cues on how much it's eating from how full the plate looks.

Black bean salad:

3 cans black beans, rinsed well, and drained.

two cups frozen corn

One red pepper, chopped.

One tomato, diced.

One onion, chopped.

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1/2 cup lime juice

1 Tbsp. ground cumin

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Olive oil.

Rinse the beans in a collander, and then put them into a large saucepan with the tomatoes, peppers, corn, lime juice, cilantro and spices, over low heat.

In a separate pan, sautee the onion in olive oil. (I hate raw onions, you can leave this out if you like.) Put cooked onions in the other saucepan.

Let everything mingle for about 20 minutes. Spoon into a bowl and serve with warm tortillas.

Oh, and here's a marinade for beef or similar strong flavored meat:

Unfortunately, I don't really measure, so these sort of rough.

Old red wine or red wine vinegar - cup or so.

Soy sauce -- quarter cup or so

Cilantro -- about a quarter cup ish.

Ginger -- about three tablespoons, minced.

Garlic -- similar, minced.

Put the beef in it. Refrigerate it for at least two hours, but you can really go up to about 24 with a marinade. Grill or broil.

[Peikko 1,575]

Make your own beans, the'yre really easy, just remember not to add any salt until they are completely cooked.

I make both black beans and pinto beans regularly, there's always a bowl of them in the fridge.

That bean salad does look tasty though I think I may well have to try it.

[Fandango 1,440]

I cook a lot of stuff with Smart Balance...it's great and it lowers cholesterol or summat....I can't remember exactly, but it's healthier than butter

[Caladan 19]

Make your own beans, the'yre really easy, just remember not to add any salt until they are completely cooked.

I make both black beans and pinto beans regularly, there's always a bowl of them in the fridge.

That bean salad does look tasty though I think I may well have to try it.

Oh, it's easy to do from dried beans, and healthy, too. I'm just usually too impatient to remember to soak the little buggers first.

[Fandango 1,440]

Make your own beans, the'yre really easy, just remember not to add any salt until they are completely cooked.

I make both black beans and pinto beans regularly, there's always a bowl of them in the fridge.

That bean salad does look tasty though I think I may well have to try it.

Oh, it's easy to do from dried beans, and healthy, too. I'm just usually too impatient to remember to soak the little buggers first.

One cup of black beans has like over 200 calories

[I'm Gone 60]

No way...in fact, eating an apple in the morning is a more efficient way to wake up in the morning than a cup of coffee and much healthier.

OK lets open fruit stands all over the world and drive Starbucks out of business. LOL

[Peikko 1,575]

Maybe, but they are a good source of fibre and if you have them as your protein for the meal, then you aren't going to be over indulging.

If you forget to soak, cook really high for fifteen mins, then leave to an hour and cook as usual, but I know what you mean

[Fandango 1,440]

technically, it's best to have some protien in the morning instead of a fruit which has natural sugar.

I have a protien powder from Vitamin World...D says it's like drinking liquid cardboard but with some artificial sweetner it's, erm, well let's just say it's an acquired taste

and don't get me started on AS but sometimes it's a necessity imo...but just fyi, your pancreas will process artificial sweetners as sugar, so they're kinda pointless!

[I'm Gone 60]

There is no quick fix for eating healthy, I'm afraid

The unhealthy stuff just tastes better. I have been trying to drop a few pounds and have been taking carrot sticks to munch on when I get hungry at work and having a big salad for dinner, but would I rather be munching on Oreos at work and steak and fries for dinner, damn right I would.