Today is my first day of my new lifestyle plan that includes counting calories (seems to be the plan that I have the most long-term success with).
I've just cleaned out the pantry and am making my list for the grocery store. It's been so long since I've calorie counted and was wondering if there are certain foods/items/condiments that go on your list weekly that you just can't live without.
I like the Jello chocolate pudding. It is the Liv-Active (hope I spelled it right) kind found in the refridgerated dairy section. It is sugar free and only 60 calories. On the days I find myself a little behind in calories, one of those helps me bring my total up some. On the days I am veering towards being over but have a sweet-tooth, it helps keep me under.
I only have one a day, sometimes I choose it as a dessert for lunch and some days I choose it as a dessert for dinner. It kind of just depends on when my sweet tooth strikes.
Also, I LOVE the Yoplait Whips Chocolate Mousse. A little higher in cals than the pudding but it is soooo good. I hate tarty yogurt and the chocolate mousse is not tarty at all.
Spinach, broccoli, asparagus, corn, watermelon, blueberries, coffee, black beans, every kind of pepper and mushroom I can get my hands on, thai chili paste, carrots, onions, garlic, cucumber, soy yogurt, and fire roasted tomatoes. Oh, and homemade hummus. And Kashi crackers. That pretty much sums up my pantry and fridge.
Thank you so much for the quick responses! There were a lot of items I didn't even think about.
If anything, it seems like I'll be eating more (volume wise) than before.
Yes, that's exactly it! I need/want/require a LOT of food. I was willing to change over my lifestyle - but I was not willing to be hungry and eat tasteless, boring foods. Which is why I turned to veggies and proteins. LOTS of volume and nutrition and filling power for waaaay less calories then that "other stuff".
Give it some time, you'll see that your eating will evolve as you discover all sorts of yummy things to make this wonderful new lifestyle work for you.
I see several people listed the morning star burgers and I have to ask, do you taste, well, horrible? I tried them 5+ years ago and they weren't the best. Have they changed since then?
I see several people listed the morning star burgers and I have to ask, do you taste, well, horrible? I tried them 5+ years ago and they weren't the best. Have they changed since then?
EAting horrible food is not an option for me. I don't care how healthy or "diet" friendly it is. If I don't like it, I'm not eating it. Period.
So, to answer your question, no they don't taste horrible *to me*. Though I haven't eaten them in a long while. The year I was losing, I ate them almost every day for lunch.
My two favorites are the Spicy Bean Burger and the Chick Pattie Original.
You need to experiment and find foods that you love. Be creative. If we love what we're eating, it makes sense that it would be MUCH easier to stick with this lifestyle. No reason to go off plan, when on plan is so good.
Eggs, Lowfat Cheeses (feta, laughing cow, babybel), beans, ground turkey, spinach, veggies, berries, flax, high fiber cereals, hummus, High fiber bread, salsa, Ak Mak crackers, Low cal dressing, tuna, nuts, chicken breasts, SF Jello, SF pudding, limes for my water, and coffee