Tips & Tricks: Food Hacks
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I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.1 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
Good to know, because that would be a real turn off. I wonder if the same thing happens with eggplant.1 -
If I want a really big plate of food for not a lot of calories, I go with spaghetti squash with mushroom sauce. Both of those are shockingly low in calories and very filling.1
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I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
Good to know, because that would be a real turn off. I wonder if the same thing happens with eggplant.
Not quite as bad, and the eggplant's rich flavor is some compensation, unlike the mild zucchini. Maybe cut eggplant on the thicker side (1/2"+). Or cut the eggplant in half, hollow it some, and stuff/top the eggplant with the sauce/cheese instead.
Edited to add: One think I haven't tried, but should, is semi-dehydrating the eggplant slices in a slow oven before subbing them for the pasta.1 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
When you say 'butternut squash sheets' do you mean you sliced a butternut squash thinly or is this a premade product that you bought? Was it just squash or was there some type of flour added?1 -
myfitnessjourneyto180 wrote: »
That's a control issue not a caloric one...
I agree, but sometimes if I'm craving mcdonalds, 3 junior chickens, fries, and water is just enough to hit my calorie count for the day (close to 1500). Personally, i have the self-control to do this. However, 6-calorie jello, diet soda (aspartame-free), 4 plates of zucchini noodles, with 50 small shrimps and spices, shredded low-calorie mozzarella, a medium plate of skinny pop popcorn, a 20-calorie popsicle, and a fiber one bar is much more filling and tastes pretty damn good. It's also less than a 1000 calories btw. Just saying XD
Well you could just have one junior chicken (what is it anyway?) instead of 3.
That's a control issue not a caloric one...
No, not really. When you really want cheesecake, unless you're a weirdo who's actually satisfied with a couple bites, good luck fitting 800+ non filling calories in your day if you're on a 1400 calories meal plan (even only 400 calories of cheesecake really isn't a big serving, lol).
That's what bothers me about the 'eat what you want within your calories'. It's just impossible to do for some people, because they only like high calorie foods that are not necessarily filling. Sometimes, a diet change IS necessary.
You can bank calories for that cheesecake.
Just saying.
I did that when I first started and was much more sedentary and wanted a very large calorie bomb item.
The trick is to not have a woe is me attitude because those types of indulgences are limited to special occasions.
They're supposed to be for special occasions.6 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
Good to know, because that would be a real turn off. I wonder if the same thing happens with eggplant.
Isn't that almost moussaka? So should work ok?1 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
I've made it with eggplant that I roasted first. It was DELICIOUS. Since the eggplant was pre-roasted, it didn't get overly mushy.
Edit: I see someone asked about the eggplant. I sliced thick and pre-roasted for about 20 minutes. Worked a treat.2 -
I love mashed potatoes. I need a huge mound of mash on my plate or it just doesn't cut it for me. I would easily eat 300gm mash with meat and veges.
But I also love baby minted peas. So now I weigh 100 to 150gms of mashed potatoes and mix in 90gm of peas and I have a huge mound of delicious mashed potato on my plate.
That's my best yummy food hack that I have been doing for years now.2 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
Good to know, because that would be a real turn off. I wonder if the same thing happens with eggplant.
Isn't that almost moussaka? So should work ok?
Maybe slightly like moussaka, but that usually has bechamel in it, so comes out a slightly more souffle-ish texture, vs. the lasagna formula potentially coming out heavier/mushier.0 -
myfitnessjourneyto180 wrote: »
That's a control issue not a caloric one...
I agree, but sometimes if I'm craving mcdonalds, 3 junior chickens, fries, and water is just enough to hit my calorie count for the day (close to 1500). Personally, i have the self-control to do this. However, 6-calorie jello, diet soda (aspartame-free), 4 plates of zucchini noodles, with 50 small shrimps and spices, shredded low-calorie mozzarella, a medium plate of skinny pop popcorn, a 20-calorie popsicle, and a fiber one bar is much more filling and tastes pretty damn good. It's also less than a 1000 calories btw. Just saying XD
Well you could just have one junior chicken (what is it anyway?) instead of 3.
That's a control issue not a caloric one...
No, not really. When you really want cheesecake, unless you're a weirdo who's actually satisfied with a couple bites, good luck fitting 800+ non filling calories in your day if you're on a 1400 calories meal plan (even only 400 calories of cheesecake really isn't a big serving, lol).
That's what bothers me about the 'eat what you want within your calories'. It's just impossible to do for some people, because they only like high calorie foods that are not necessarily filling. Sometimes, a diet change IS necessary.
if you can't eat a small piece of cheesecake and be satisfied with it then yes, that is a control issue...sorry, but that is the truth...
nice straw man argument about fitting in 800 non filling calories into a 1400 calorie day. When people say eat what you like, it means meet your other goals first and then eat what you like with the REMAINING calories...
I find cheesecake very filling for the calories (maybe all that fat is a satiety key for me
?)
If I ate 800 calories of cheesecake for breakfast, I'm probably still full by lunch and can have all the zucchini and shrimp that I want for dinner :P 4 -
I made an amazing lasagna using Butternut Squash sheets rather than lasagna noodles. I was expecting it to be horrible (I'm not a veggie lover) but it was amazing. I'd almost say better than normal lasagna. Will be making it again for sure. I bought them from Tesco. As long as they make them I will be experimenting with them for more recipies
I was thinking of trying this with zucchini, but I think I like the idea of butternut squash better (flavor wise).
Also, the zuke tends to cook to mush by the time the sauce & cheese get bubbly.
Good to know, because that would be a real turn off. I wonder if the same thing happens with eggplant.
Not quite as bad, and the eggplant's rich flavor is some compensation, unlike the mild zucchini. Maybe cut eggplant on the thicker side (1/2"+). Or cut the eggplant in half, hollow it some, and stuff/top the eggplant with the sauce/cheese instead.
Edited to add: One think I haven't tried, but should, is semi-dehydrating the eggplant slices in a slow oven before subbing them for the pasta.
Thank you. These are good ideas.0 -
Loool I just like eating large volumes of food and enjoy food hacks XD Don't see why it's supposedly wrong for me to have my own low calorie recipes because I like eating a big meal. Sometimes it's not just about working hard, it's about working smart. Regarding 3 junior chickens to reach my calorie count... as much as it tastes amazing, it's loaded with sugars, sodium, and sauces to make you even hungrier. That's why I mix it with water and don't eat it all the time 3
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Of course pasta is not evil. Some people really desire more food volume....and that's fine but now I wonder about the volume eating...seriously who needs to eat 4 big plates of anything?<- This guy.
Me too. I'm a volume eater for sure, and sadly, I'm not a 20 year old, 6' male with a 3,000 calorie limit. Finding ways to eat more volume with fewer calories helps me stay on track.
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Of course pasta is not evil. Some people really desire more food volume....and that's fine but now I wonder about the volume eating...seriously who needs to eat 4 big plates of anything?<- This guy.
Me too. I'm a volume eater for sure, and sadly, I'm not a 20 year old, 6' male with a 3,000 calorie limit. Finding ways to eat more volume with fewer calories helps me stay on track.
preachh2 -
To each his or her own and I'm diabetic also but some of these substitutions are just gross to me, and I've tried to many to name. And not every diabetic can control their diabetes and eat pasta, I can occasionally. But I agree with sezxystef if you can eat the regular pasta an sugar in your coffee or burger buns for that matter do it in moderation. I can't do the weird fake noodles or fake out veggie noodles, good for those who can. I'll eat my veggies but just not in that way. Lean meats, low fat dairy, veggies, fruit and grains all in moderation.0
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Of course pasta is not evil. Some people really desire more food volume....and that's fine but now I wonder about the volume eating...seriously who needs to eat 4 big plates of anything?<- This guy.
Me too. I'm a volume eater for sure, and sadly, I'm not a 20 year old, 6' male with a 3,000 calorie limit. Finding ways to eat more volume with fewer calories helps me stay on track.
my point is this...what is the drive for volume eating...seriously.
to me it sounds disordered...I mean I eat 2 peaches in one sitting but it's 160 grams...not a whole lot (small peaches) but 4 plates of filling carbs...wow...
again why? and note my quote says "needs" not wants...2 -
my point is this...what is the drive for volume eating...seriously.
to me it sounds disordered...I mean I eat 2 peaches in one sitting but it's 160 grams...not a whole lot (small peaches) but 4 plates of filling carbs...wow...
again why? and note my quote says "needs" not wants...
Not disordered. Different things satisfy different people. If you want to be nitpicky, I suppose we could classify everyone here as being somewhat disordered with food. After all, we're here because we need to lose and/or maintain our weight. And my volume is certainly different than someone else's. Four huge plates of pasta would be too much for me, but I definitely prefer more than a serving or two.
I think you're being a bit judgmental, and I get that. I tend to be judgmental towards low carb and keto ways of eating, but I have learned that everyone is different and responds differently to a particular way of eating.
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my point is this...what is the drive for volume eating...seriously.
to me it sounds disordered...I mean I eat 2 peaches in one sitting but it's 160 grams...not a whole lot (small peaches) but 4 plates of filling carbs...wow...
again why? and note my quote says "needs" not wants...
Not disordered. Different things satisfy different people. If you want to be nitpicky, I suppose we could classify everyone here as being somewhat disordered with food. After all, we're here because we need to lose and/or maintain our weight. And my volume is certainly different than someone else's. Four huge plates of pasta would be too much for me, but I definitely prefer more than a serving or two.
I think you're being a bit judgmental, and I get that. I tend to be judgmental towards low carb and keto ways of eating, but I have learned that everyone is different and responds differently to a particular way of eating.
not trying to be nitpicky at all tho...
not everyone here can be seen as disordered because we are on MFP I am in maintenance and have been for over 3 years...I used this site to lose weight I don't see how that is disordered...
I am not trying to be judgemental tho either I am seriously wondering and expressing a valid opinion on the subject.
To me wanting to eat vast quantities of food in one sitting is foreign and really just trying to understand it...
I have 4 brothers, a husband and a son (all big men) and none of them are volume eaters so you can see why it's foreign to me.
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my point is this...what is the drive for volume eating...seriously.
to me it sounds disordered...I mean I eat 2 peaches in one sitting but it's 160 grams...not a whole lot (small peaches) but 4 plates of filling carbs...wow...
again why? and note my quote says "needs" not wants...
Not disordered. Different things satisfy different people. If you want to be nitpicky, I suppose we could classify everyone here as being somewhat disordered with food. After all, we're here because we need to lose and/or maintain our weight. And my volume is certainly different than someone else's. Four huge plates of pasta would be too much for me, but I definitely prefer more than a serving or two.
I think you're being a bit judgmental, and I get that. I tend to be judgmental towards low carb and keto ways of eating, but I have learned that everyone is different and responds differently to a particular way of eating.
not trying to be nitpicky at all tho...
not everyone here can be seen as disordered because we are on MFP I am in maintenance and have been for over 3 years...I used this site to lose weight I don't see how that is disordered...
I am not trying to be judgemental tho either I am seriously wondering and expressing a valid opinion on the subject.
To me wanting to eat vast quantities of food in one sitting is foreign and really just trying to understand it...
I have 4 brothers, a husband and a son (all big men) and none of them are volume eaters so you can see why it's foreign to me.
Okay, well, maybe I can help explain it. My parents are both obese, as are my brothers. My mom cooks every day, good nutritious food, but she serves huge portions. While I was younger, eating these huge portions worked for me and I was actually underweight because I was so active. Then I got older, had injuries and illness which sidelined me, and learned the hard way that eating thousands of calories a day doesn't really work when you're sedentary.
The thing is, I grew up eating these huge portions and they are what I think of as normal. My husband was shocked the first time he ate at my house - my mom piled spaghetti on his plate and he said he couldn't possibly eat that much, so she served him half. He ate half of what she served him, and later said eating that much made him feel sick. Plus a salad, plus bread, plus side vegetables, plus dessert - I should go through and count up sometime but I suspect a typical spaghetti dinner with my mom is at least 3,000 calories.
My eyes and my stomach think that's normal. An actual official serving size seems like a joke to me. After counting calories and weighing my food for a long time, I have become more conscious of proper portions and what I should be eating, but that isn't getting through to my subconscious. On that level, every day feels like I only get to eat a doll's sized portion of food. I will probably never get to the point where an appropriate sized portion of food feels like enough. So any tricks which allow me to eat a whole bunch without wrecking myself are good tricks.9
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