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Post by Lindanshadow on Jan 17, 2007 12:46:43 GMT -5
The only way I know how to cook is like my Mom and you can imagine how that is.....gravy on everything, potatos, caseroles and fried porkchops etc....HELP! I don't know where to start! I LOVE pasta, rices, potatos and bread but I know they are not good for me! HELP!!!
Linda H.
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Post by LoriB on Jan 17, 2007 12:54:30 GMT -5
If you love those foods, and cannot live without them, find another way.
You can have them, but a lot less.
For example, my son is a carbaholic, LOL.
So, he starts his meal with a salad. OK, well he hates salad, so his salad consists of plain romaine hearts, no dressing. He hates dressing.
His plate will be 1/2 filled with something like broccoli, 1/4 with a protein, and 1/4 with the carb (spaghetti, potato, whatever).
You don't need to eat it all in one day, or in one meal.
Gravy?
No problem. Keep it on the side, don't pour it over.
My kids, when they have pancakes, for example, put about a tablespoon or two of syrup on the side of their plate. Then, they dip a corner of what is on their fork into it. Plenty satisfying, without drenching it. We use the real stuff, not Aunt Jemima fake dark sugar syrup, LOL. You get more taste with the real stuff, so you need less.
Gotta fry porkchops?
Alright, do it in olive oil, and use less.
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Post by Lindanshadow on Jan 17, 2007 12:58:01 GMT -5
Great ideas! Thanks!
Linda H.
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Post by DorothyB on Jan 17, 2007 13:28:35 GMT -5
Check your local library for cookbooks by JoAnn Lund - they are very simple recipes, even I can make them.
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Post by Lindanshadow on Jan 17, 2007 14:07:49 GMT -5
Believe me...I am the worst cook ever!!! I will look her up!
Linda H.
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Post by Marci on Jan 17, 2007 14:56:54 GMT -5
Weight watchers has tons of wonderful light recipes. But yeah pretty much I think the key is smaller portions. Maybe we ought to throw away all those big plates and use the small ones?
You know I love the Lean Cuisines, they have lots of good pasta ones.
And yes, nothing like the REAL maple syrup. Although oddly enough-I don't like syrup at all.
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Post by ride4fun on Jan 17, 2007 15:16:37 GMT -5
Make substitions where you can. Brown rice is very healthy, whole grain breads are ok, they make pastas with whole grains or some veggies added although I hear a lot of folks don't like them. And I think potatos are not that bad its just that they tend to get slathered with or cooked in fat (butter, sour cream .....) Use lite sour cream or plain yogurt instead of full fat --- and so on. Bake your taters in a very hot oven with just a lite coating of oil instead of frying them.
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Post by Sheryl on Jan 17, 2007 15:55:49 GMT -5
Can I suggest that you start with small changes? i think that overhauling everything at once can be discouraging and a potential set up for failure. In reality, small changes can make a big difference.
For example, I LOVE potatoes. What makes potatos "bad" is that they have a high glycymic indicator AND people tend to put high fat toppings on. So, what I do is have yams instead - which doesn't have the glycymic indicator issue ANd to me are so sweet that they don't need a topping. I have probably 4-5 ways to make healthy yams that I adore. Next thing is I stopped buying HUGE russet baker potatoes. I buy either the small yukon golds or even fingerlings. They taste so good to me, they are practically dessert. I still have potatoes several times a week, because I love them, but much much smaller serving size.
Same things with gravy/sauces. There are so many sauces and gravies you can make or buy that aren't that bad health wise. That, combined with portion control, allows you to enjoy favorite foods, while making better choices.
Finally, you have to decide what your primary goals are. I want to lose weight and be healthier, but I am not quite ready to go extreme low fat, or super lowcarb or vegan. That means, I do enjoy roast beef, lean pork roasts, potatoes and other "heavier" foods, but prepared in lower fat ways, and with portion control in mind.
The other day, I posted links to 3-4 recipe websites filled with ideas for healthier eating. Halfmysize.com and aimeesadventure.com both have simple recipes that have plenty of "down home cooking" ideas. I LOVE cooking light, becuase there focus is healthy food that tastes good, but their recipes tend to be more time consuming and complex.
Since I have started "weight watchers" cooking, my family thinks our food taste has improved, not become unappetizing. They have said multiple times that the best thing about weight watchers is how good the food is now.
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Post by Lindanshadow on Jan 17, 2007 16:08:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for all the ideas. I really think my biggest problem is portion control. I think I am definately going to try the small plate/smaller portions and pay attention to all the sauces and stuff I put on everything. I will also be a little more aware of what types of foods I am buying (lower fat etc).
I have never had to do this before and it is very hard!
Linda H.
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Post by Stephanie on Jan 17, 2007 23:37:53 GMT -5
Sparkpeople.com has lots of healthy recipes you can try. They will also suggest meals for you if you choose that option. It's free to register and use...give it a try!
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Post by Mary Ann on Jan 18, 2007 7:34:32 GMT -5
Okay, so you guys got me wondering. I have some old china. One set is from the 1880s, and another from the 1920s. And I have some relatively new stuff. So I got out my yardstick just now and measured. 1880s china-- nine and a half inches 1920s china-- ten and a quarter inches modern stuff-- ten and three quarters inches We're talking an inch an a half here. Not much of a big deal if you ask me. The big difference seems to be the size of the 'bowl' in the middle. That seems to be a bit smaller on the older stuff. But it still doesn't seem to be a substantive difference.  |
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Post by Trailpal on Jan 18, 2007 10:33:11 GMT -5
hehe, circles are really deceiving!
The area of the 1880 china is 70.88 square inches.
The area of the 1920 china is 82.52 square inches, or 16% bigger than the 1880 china
The area of the current china is 90.59 square inches or a whopping 27% bigger than the 1880 china!
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Post by DorothyB on Jan 18, 2007 10:50:09 GMT -5
hehe, circles are really deceiving! The area of the 1880 china is 70.88 square inches. The area of the 1920 china is 82.52 square inches, or 16% bigger than the 1880 china The area of the current china is 90.59 square inches or a whopping 27% bigger than the 1880 china! Now I know who to ask next time I'm trying to convert the nutrition info for a slice of large pizza to a slice of medium pizza!! |
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Post by Mary Ann on Jan 18, 2007 11:02:35 GMT -5
LOL! Yeah, no kidding! Isn't she just the smartypants???  |
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Post by snaffle on Jan 18, 2007 20:40:29 GMT -5
The magic number for me is THREE. If I can go for three days without eating something or drinking something.. it is a lot easier for me to stay away from it.
We tend to crave the foods that are the worst for us and usually that is because we are eating them. Whenever I have read anything on healthy foods... (for examply cancer lists) they always recommend staying away from flour, sugar, white foods.. (except chicken and seafood). even potatoes are white foods. They are a starch which turns to sugars...
I did not think I could EVER stay away from bread and potatoes!!! My treat is subway sandwhiches... I love their bread. I do not buy bread anymore.. I would eat the whole loaf... if I dont buy it I am not tempted.
LoriB is right.. have those things but cut down. That is what I did for a long time. Now I look forward to those special occasions... family get togethers.. holiday meals.. and those are the times we have the homemade breads... mashed potatoes.. GRAVY!!! all those special things that are bad for us!!
I have noticed too..that once you begin to eat healthy.. the foods that you loved for years... and years.. are not as appealing to the taste buds..
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