Can someone take a look at my food journal

Swimnessa

So I am only 13 days into this journey and I would like other's opinions on what I have been eating. I know the one area where concern is going to be raised is the amount of sodium I am consuming. I actually have a rare heart condition that effects the electrical aspect of my heart and my current cardio wants me to maintain a higher salt content in my diet while still losing weight. Besides that aspect, can someone, or a few people check it out and let me know what your thoughts are on it... I am trying to make changes that are life long, not a quick fix.

edited to add: I am using a food scale, measuring cups and spoons...

SezxyStef

Well I see you are using quick adds...those are dangerous...

Some of your entries are not weighed? did you weigh them and just use the cup entry? If so try to find one with the correct measurment and if you can't find one...make it.

Try not to use entries that start with Generic...or Homemade unless you made it and have it in your recipe box.

As well if you do weigh try using grams instead of oz...

The only other thing is try to get more protien...it's quite low, esp if you exercise it helps repair the muscles.

Miamiuu

It looks fine to me. If you can cook for dinner try cooking something rather then microwaving. Also make sure you get vegetables in every once in awhile. If you eat more protein you would also feel fuller during the day. You are low on protein but if you arent working out trying to build muscle then I wouldnt worry too much about it.

healthygreek

I read in your profile that you're trying to get healthier.
If that is truly the case then I would cut out the everyday ready to eat and fast food meals!
They are ok once in a while in a pinch but for a healthier lifestyle it's best to cook your meals from scratch if you are able.
These don't have to be lengthy recipes or cooking sessions. Just simple meals from fresh ingredients.
A variety of veggies, proteins and fats. You can add extra salt along with other yummy spices.

Swimnessa

All of this makes total sense. Throw me some recipe ideas for quick meals please!!!!! I love the cooking light recipes, but they are pretty time intensive. My 2 kids both play baseball on different teams in different leagues and we are literally doing baseball 6 days a week. We just started last week, I know bad timing, start a healthy lifestyle just as the kids get crazy busy. I need quick healthy meals for dinner with minimal ingredients (that kids will eat too) and then I need lunch ideas that are easy to make the night before and grab and go. I am a teacher and have EXACTLY 21 minutes to eat lunch, pee and prep for the next class coming in I am NOT making excuses, just want advice on how to handle things on the fly.

Miamiuu

Bake some fish with lemon pepper on it. Make sure you put lime juice on it.
Bake barbecue chicken. All you do is season it and put barbecue sauce.
I like getting the frozen veggies that come in the steam bags that you can microwave
For lunch id stick with the tv dinners you like, or a salad if you are going to be in a big rush.

SPeffer1

For breakfasts if you like oatmeal I would suggest making a crock pot full of steel cut oats on the weekend and portion out and refrigerate. They are super quick to grab and microwave in the morning. Or the same with making a lot of scrambled eggs. I'd plan ahead so that in the morning it's easy to grab something, microwave and eat without much though.

For lunches I would consider bringing leftovers (once you are cooking more) from the night before. Just as quick (quicker) to heat up than frozen meals and much healthier.

One thing I do is find some time on the weekend and bulk cook. It will all depend on your tastes and what you like, but this is what I do - what I make changes slightly each week but not greatly. I also plan my meals for the week so it's less work during the week.

*Bread (breadmaker so super easy)
*Soak and cook black beans - I think put some in the refrigerator to eat through the week and some in the freezer to use other weeks.
*Make a batch of home made wheat pancakes and then portion out and freeze for the week
*Boil a dozen eggs
* Clean and prep fruits and veggies
* Bake tofu to use through the week
* Bake a spaghetti squash
*Make spaghetti sauce and/or soup and/or chili or something
*If we are having lasagna or something I'll make that ahead

Here are some quick dinners that I love and will make during the week

Crock pot salsa chicken. You can get fancy if you want, but I don't. I add chicken, dump salsa, turn on and go.

Anything crock pot really. Some of the ones I like are pulled chicken, bbq, taco meat

Baked tilapia - it's thin and cooks quickly. Last night I had lemon pepper lilapia with roasted asparagus - amazing.

I'll come up with more, but I need to get back to work for a bit.

I do understand being busy - most nights I get home a little after six and my son goes to bed at 7:30, so I don't have a lot of time to make something big! I depend greatly on those weekend sessions and quick cooking food/planning ahead.

klyn7788

All of this makes total sense. Throw me some recipe ideas for quick meals please!!!!! I love the cooking light recipes, but they are pretty time intensive. My 2 kids both play baseball on different teams in different leagues and we are literally doing baseball 6 days a week. We just started last week, I know bad timing, start a healthy lifestyle just as the kids get crazy busy. I need quick healthy meals for dinner with minimal ingredients (that kids will eat too) and then I need lunch ideas that are easy to make the night before and grab and go. I am a teacher and have EXACTLY 21 minutes to eat lunch, pee and prep for the next class coming in I am NOT making excuses, just want advice on how to handle things on the fly.

I use my slow cooker all the time. I make chili and chicken for tacos or salads (chicken breasts, homemade taco seasoning, fresh salsa, chicken broth) weekly. Both are great heated up in the microwave. I throw the chicken on lettuce and add avocado and salsa for lunch at work a few times a week. No kids ... and my SO doesn't seem to mind eating the same things over and over again. Hopefully this won't be more difficult for you than it is for me.

SPeffer1

Also I know I'm always plugging these websites and I promise I'm not paid to do so, but skinnytaste.com and emilybites.com have amazing recipes that I think are family friendly. Plus a lot of them have casseroles and/or food that is easy to make ahead or freeze.

MrsMarLis

For easy foods, Cheek your oven, can you set a timer on it when to start and finish. This saves me. I also have 2 kids (5 and 8) both in sprots, though "only" 4 days a week. I need to have dinner done the min I walk into the door. I only have one day during the week I have time to cook dinner. Though we eat a home cooked dinner 90% of the time. Weekends are easer most of the time since my DH is home.

Today we had a roast, I set my oven to cook my food for an hour and then turn of at 7pm, or to what ever time we get home. That way we are done with dinner by 730 and the kids are in bed by 8ish. All I do is heat up the carb side (was a dumpling thing) and make a quick salad.

I do have time in the morings to get everthing ready though.

I also have a clay pot, good for soups and stues. Or use a slow cooker. I can through together some stuff for soup in about 10 mins put it in my clay pot then eat a good dinner, as soon as we get home.

Google recapies, adjast to fit your eating and food style. I usuly don't use any fat when cooking, I made this
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/121034308710291004/
for dinenr last night,

Though used chicken breast instead of thighs, didn't use the oil. served it with couscous and streamed vegtabels. Dinner was just under 500cal, with a 200g chicken breast.

Also planing ahead makes it easer, we sit down everyweekend and plan what is for dinner and go shopping, this also saves alot of money and time. I know what I am going to make for dinner and can easly plan it. I plan it with pintrest and google.

Wraps/tacos/tortillas, or what ever you want to call it, I just cut, littice, tomato, onion, brown chicken mince (ground) with taco sesoning (make your own if you want), I can cut all this up when I have time. I put the tortillas in the microave to warm up heat up the meat, and just take all my bowls out and put on the tabel, everone makes there own.

Swimnessa

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I planned ahead heavily this week and it looks like the only "pre-packaged" food I am eating is cannon greek yogurt on 2 days for breakfast. Otherwise lunches, dinners and even breakfast are made from REAL foods. I am excited to see how this week plays out, how much energy I have and how much weight I lose. Thank you so much for all the suggestions and help. I am using the cooking light 1500 calorie diet mix and match cookbook as my current food planning diet bible! I was so proud of myself when I looked at the shopping list for the week and 2/3 of it is fresh fruits/veggies and lean cut meats. Very little of anything else!