Dinner Replacement?

orleansmith

I know this has probably been addressed multiple times but ...

I am making my shopping list for the upcoming week and have some easy ideas for lunches and I usually just have a smoothie and fruit in the mornings. Dinners are another animal ... I usually get home around 6:30 and I don't feel like cooking and I don't want to eat too late; I also don't want to give into an unhealthy habit of eating junk. I try to have something on the way home (I have an hour commute so by the time I get home, it's been about 6 hours since I've eaten) so I'm not that hungry when I get home. I want to have time to workout as well so I was considering a meal replacement shake or similar. I need to stay lower on my sugars (and with my morning fruit smoothie it's difficult!) and my sodium. Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks

Jamcnair

I love Lean Cuisines and Healthy Choice meals. Or you could try freezing a casserole or something and then thawing it out and cooking it for dinner and then have a few days of leftovers.

chapagonzo

Just reading your eating habits for morning and lunch, I recommend you try a more balanced approach to eating. Cook ahead, say on the weekend and divide it up into dinners you can warm in the microwave. Although some work required to cook it, measure it and store it, you will Thank yourself on the late evenings when you want to keep it simple and nutritional.

Good Luck!!

caszattf

Herbalife meal replacement shakes or canation instant breakfast shakes. With herbalife, you can use the formula 1 with milk, or you can get the protein drink mix to add to the shakes and just add water. They are filling and don't taste bad. I also heard that walmart sells jillian michals shake mix which are similat to herbalife shakes. Hope that helps!

lauristewart

I might get flamed, but I am a big lean cuisine fan. You can steam extra veggies (green beans, brocolli, mushrooms, whatever you like) and add them to any lean cuisine. It takes about 5 min and you have a nice meal. Sometimes I add extra chicken if I have the extra calories, add a yogurt and fruit too.....Good luck!

hoosiermama1977

You have tons of options and honestly I will probably get flamed for some of them because they aren't what others suggest BUT first off you could always do the slow cooker thing - whether for 1 or 5 there are tons and tons of slow cooker recipes out there, you could throw something in the a.m. and then wham have dinner ready for you.

You could do the big cook on the weekend - I've done that often - find a handful of recipes that freeze well and make them ahead.

Or you could :::gasp::: do the t.v. dinner thing. I know, I know, I will get totally flamed for this because it's not "clean eating" BUT I've done it, I do it often on my late work nights and a lean cuisine with a big ole side salad or handfuls of raw veggies, a piece of fruit for dessert and a glass of skim milk still beats the mickey d drive thru, skipping the meal entirely or relying on a big of m&m's as your dinner...

So... I guess it depends on your goals but those are the 3 options I usually use. I HATE dinner time - it's my hardest time of the day because by that time I'm tired, stressed and just ready to get me and the kiddos to bed! I very often do the lean cuisines but add fresh fruits and veggies.

hoosiermama1977

Oh and someone mentioned the Jillian Michaels shakes? I love those things - they are super filling and I found them on clearance at CVS for $2.49 for a 4 pack and stocked up... wonder if that clearance is anywhere else?

avalacrosse

Lean Cuisines and other frozen "full course meals" are not "healthy" no matter what the name. Read the ingredients. If you can't pronounce them, DON'T EAT IT. The food corps. love putting weight-loss terms in their labels to trick their customers. A ton of people on here and everywhere ALWAYS fall for it. If you don't feel like cooking, There's black bean burgers or veggie burgers by MorningStar where you can use a microwave. Make a salad. Make a smoothie; Easy and filling. Sometimes you just gotta suck it up and make the meals. Trust me, your abs will prove that in the long run. Also, cooked vegetables have no nutritional value. They are stripped of the enzymes.

avalacrosse

At Wal*Mart, they also have Tilapia & Salmon filets in the freezer section. Just prepare them with lemon juice and some herbs/spice, pop in the over or microwave and BAM, healthy unprocessed fish.

Michellerw1

I do have to agree that lean cuisin/packaged meals are not the best choice BUT if it is instead of fast food? Go for it. I agree with what someone else said about freezing a caserole. Usually once a week I will make a double recipe of whatever I am cooking and freeze portions of the leftover for later use (AKA if I am in a pinch for time and need a healthy meal).

For work lunches, I make a big batch of rice/bean goodness and portion it off. It is so easy and would be a good thing to have around for quick meals. I cook up some brown rice, and whatever beans, along with veggies and seasoning. So yummy. I have made it with rice, lentils, coconut milk, curry, carrots, onions, spinach and cilantro; and rice, black beans, tomatos, jalapenos, spinach, salsa, cilantro, and a tiny bit of cheese. Really satisfying, keeps well, and reheats well. HTH!

IronSmasher

Salads or stir fry. You can even buy them pre-chopped and mixed, nothing added.

nrvo

Do you have a crock pot? You can just toss some food in there in the morning, slow cook it all day, and voila! Dinner will be ready when you get home.

My fav is frozen chicken breasts, a can of black beans, some forzen corn, and a jar of salsa. I let it sit on low for about 8-10 hours and then shred and serve on corn tortillla shells topped with cilantro and ff greek yogurt. Easy and yummy!

stevwil41

I usually cook something quick and easy about 4 nights a week and I keep a few cans of reasonably healthy soups in the pantry and a few frozen dinners in the freezer for nights when I'm running late. I eat both canned and frozen veggies. I make the occasional box of au gratin potatoes and have them on and off for a few days as part of my meals. You need to figure out what works for you and your lifestyle. As for the "clean" thing, do the best you can and don't sweat the rest of it.

ChristinaRamos

Sometimes I drink a vi shape meal replacement milkshake for dinner! They are packed with nutrition but only have 90 calories, 1 fat, 7 carbs, 1 sugar.  I mix mine in a blender with milk, juice, or coffee,  ice and cocoa powder, peanut butter, or pudding powder, and/or extract flavors. Sweet cream flavor only!!!! Definitely my "fast food" choice!!!!!!