Eating/dieting at cold weather climate

redheadmommy

During the summer I had no problem to drink lots of water, eat cottage cheese and fruit for breakfast and eat raw salad for lunch and dinner, but now i do.

I live in a cold climate and we already have frost on the ground at the mornings.
I work from home , sitting in a sweater and my hand and feet are constantly cold. I turned the heat on, but my office room has 2 outside wall and is the coldest place in the whole house.

I can not even stand the idea of drinking cold water. I gave up coffee, so i drink some herbal tea instead, but I can't do that without adding some honey into it. This adds some unwanted calories to my daily intake.

Also I just feel too chilly to eat cold salads. I do not feel satisfied after those meals, and I feel the cold just spreading out from my stomach.
The problem is cooking veggies take much more time, and for lunch I do not have time. I just end up cooking one veggies and eat it, but it neither good tasting nor have variety. Yesterday I just cooked a bunch of corn for lunch. For dinner I just baked a whole eggplant in the oven. Other day I toss a cup of frozen veggies into a steam bag, or cut up a broccoli or cauliflower.

I am BORED. I had a bunch of salad recipes at the summer and they tasted yummy and had lost of variation, but I have no idea about how to make warm veggies taste good.

Please shout me your fantastic meal ideas that WARM, fast, low calorie , high fiber and satisfying in a cold dumpy fall days.

dmpizza

I think the worst thing about cold weather is that you can hide under a big sweater.
If your house is warm enough, you should be able to drink cold water.
Good luck.

Jiv7

try soup! If you have one day a week you can prepare soup or just buy it in the can. Or maybe make a sandwhich like a panini?

mgmlap

replace honey with stevia...its a natural sweetner..and have 0 calories..
for lunch..maybe cooking chicken the night before..heating it up for lunch..and throwing it on your salad..that may warm you up..

You can also do loads of soups during winter that are nutritous and low cal.

But I do feel your pain..I am always cold..whether its summer or winter....

hazelmae123

Hit the soup aisle of your grocery store. The weather is cooling down here and to me nothing is better than warm soup and a sandwich. There are lots of yummy gourmet soups in the health food aisle. I also buy a yummy sandwich from a deli and only eat half for lunch with half the soup and the other half for dinner with the other half of the soup.

A yummy super lowcal soup.
2 big head of cauliflower
Large can of low sodium chicken broth
nutmeg
season to taste.
Steam both cauliflower til really soft. Take out half, put in blender and puree with broth. Break up other half of cauliflower in pan with back of a spoon. Pour pureed mixture back into pan, season. Eat.

monocot

why Not just drink Hot water? Just heat in the Microwave and injoy. My Mom and grandma drink it all the time. They seem to enjoy it. THough I heat 3 cups of water and add Arizona Iced tea Lemon Stix and Love it. And there is no Calories.
Why Not make a Vegetarian Chili or a Chicken chili. THey both have tons of veggies, tons of protein and fibre and if you use the right ingredients. Very low in Calories.
Then all you have to do is pop it into the microwave and enjoy.!

Naughtybiscuit

When the weather gets cold I make veggie soup at the weekend and keep a jug of it in the fridge, so all I have to do is reheat it when I'm busy in the week. I change the soup, use different veg and that stops it from being boring. You can freeze portions of it too so you could have a different one every day.

Amandajean1105

Bump for Northern Wisconsin Weather (not to metion that Cauliflower soup sounds good!)

slynnmiller

Its kind of hard to make hot meals quickly and have them be healthy as well. Here's a link to a recipe that I love. It takes less than 30 min to make. I know its probably not as quick as you want but its the best I can do. Good luck!!

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/north-woods-bean-soup-10000000231620/

RLGamby17

chili
any soup with beans

sexforjaffacakes

SOUP!

louiseei

Porridge for breakfast, soups or jacket potatoes for lunch, or warm up some leftovers from the day before, healthy pasta or cous cous type dishes for example. Stir frys are good too.

LittleFootHafner

COMPLETELY agree with you! The winter is always harder for me as well - makes me want more comfort food and hot chocolate! haha

Why not make extra at dinner-time so that you have some leftovers for lunches (will only take 1-2 minutes to warm up in the microwave). I made chicken brocolli this week (look up beef broccoli, and substitue meats). It's very filling and has a fair amount of fibre! I also make chicken-rice soup in the winter and freeze it into individual portions for lunches. Have to watch your salt intake here though....

Are you only wanting veggies for lunch? Or other meal ideas as well??

To keep warm, try hot lemon water... not my thing, but a lot of people enjoy it!

Good Luck with finding a new routine!

armymil

For most soups, the bad thing is high in sodium, even if advertised with low sodium.

You've got me on this one. I wish I could provide more help. The preparing chicken or buying chicken breasts and warming them up prior to salad sounds good! Maybe you could add two types of meat? Chicken and ham and warm them up and put in salad? That would make a mostly warm salad!

Emdog24

I am all about soup in the winter - i think Progresso has a lot of high fiber varieties now. Also, in the winter oatmeal becomes a snack for me as well as my breakfast - warm and filling . I usually eat an apple each day with a scoop of PB but if it's cold out, I'll slice it up, throw it in the microwave with some cinnamon and splenda sprinkled on and have that as a nice warm snack.

As far as getting enough water, I drink my water at room temp which some people might not like but I am always FREEZING at my office (i have USB powered heated typing gloves - no joke).

Hope the suggestions help!

asyouseefit

You could invest in a slow cooker. Little work involved, easy to make low cal and warm/hearthy!

WordToYourMamma

Soup is good and their are lot of canned kinds that are healthy. I ran out of sugar at work for my tea and I just got used to it without it, I drink raspberry or black cherry herbal tea. I also drink room temp water, I actually like that better maybe you will be ok with it too. I hate cooking, HATE it! But corn for lunch, hahaha, that is so bad! A fried egg sandwich is pretty satisfying and not cold. Just use PAM to cook the egg. Eggs are only 80 cals. Put it on a toasted, unbuttered hamberger bun (120 cals). Half a slice of cheese added is only 40 cals too. It's easy, at least. And get a little $20 space heater for your office

sweetiepie31612

In the winter months I drink hot water, no tea bags or anything. It wets the pallet and warms the bones. As for food...I LOVE chilli. I make mine with ground turkey, kidney beans, and a variety of veggies. You can make it in the morning in the crockpot or on low on the stove and then by the time lunch and dinner roll around you're ready to munch. I'm also a fan of homemade soups. SOmetimes I'll just throw together whatever veggies I have, some chicken broth, and some pasta and tada...soup!

armymil

Also, energy drinks make me feel flushed and warm. I usually drink one daily. Technically a bad habit but I like the Blue Monster Energies because they are low cal.

slynnmiller

I agree. Oatmeal is a great snack when its freezing out!

I am all about soup in the winter - i think Progresso has a lot of high fiber varieties now. Also, in the winter oatmeal becomes a snack for me as well as my breakfast - warm and filling . I usually eat an apple each day with a scoop of PB but if it's cold out, I'll slice it up, throw it in the microwave with some cinnamon and splenda sprinkled on and have that as a nice warm snack.

As far as getting enough water, I drink my water at room temp which some people might not like but I am always FREEZING at my office (i have USB powered heated typing gloves - no joke).

Hope the suggestions help!

TubbsMcGee

I'm a fellow Canuck and actually found that I LOST weight last Winter as opposed to the usual gain.
Do you have a crock pot?

There are tonnes of yummy soups and stews you can make from scratch and have simmering throughout the day (just be sure to keep your eye on the sodium levels). If you like chili at all, I have a super filling, ultra tasty and super easy recipe I'd be willing to share

Have you tried the Catelli Smart pastas? They're mighty filling and delicious mixed with your favourite sauces and meats on those chilly days, too.

What kind of teas are you drinking? Is there a Teaopia near you?
They have oodles of different blends that are so naturally sweet, you don't need to add any sugars or honey to them.

Best of luck!

redheadmommy

I generally do not buy canned food and i cleaned up my diet well, and I do not want to go back to world of processed food.
Eating canned soup has tons of sodium and preservatives.
Maybe I should cook more soup for dinner, but then my husband will complain.
Since i work from home and live in the burbs, I can not go out and buy lunch I have to make it myself.

mgmlap:
I use stevia in baking and I used it in frozen yogurt at the summer, but I can not stand the taste in tea.

sara4cos

Soup. Make ahead and freeze them in one serving size containers that you can microwave. Soup is a great way to get you protein and fiber. I just made a large batch of butternut squash soup (105 calories a serving- 2cups), and to add extra protein I can add a precooked chicken breast(2oz) or a ham sandwich(150 calories).

dls06

Soup and chili is always good. Look online for low cal recipes. I Make a big pot with lots of veggies and low sodium broth or tomatoes. Put a lot of herbs and spices to kick it up and enjoy. Watch the cream soups and thickeners though, you can't eat as much. :drinker:

redheadmommy

I actually brought a crock pot a week ago, but so far it has not been very useful. I made this teriyaki chicken based on a highly rated recipe and it was awful. I ended up throwing away half of it, and everybody ended up fill up on bread.

Anybody know good healthy crockpot recipe sites?

mjshmily

I am Canadian and I understand cold climate and winter all too well!!! Cold makes me crave carbs.
My plan for this winter is lots of SOUP!!! I love homemade soup. So lots of broth type soups are in for me. And lean chili. or vegetarian chili-good for the fibre :-)

I am playing around with shiratake noodles so hopefully I will come up with something I really like.

Microwaved baked apple is warm and nummy. I sometimes slice an apple and sprinkle with splend and bake in the microwave and then serve it on a waffle (imagine my delight when i discovered most frozen waffles are about 100 calories-even a lot of the flavoured ones) and eat that for a hot breakfast or snack.

As far as beverages go, I like lots of lemon in my tea and a dash of sweetener. Once in a blue moon a hot chocolate is in order. Most packs are only about 90 cals so it isn't an off the wall horrid thing. Just a feel good treat. I am sure there are lighter ones or you can make from scratch with cocoa and sweetener of your choice. I sometimes like a hot ovaltine-especially when coming in from outdoor chores in the cold.

There are lots of options. just need to be creative.

TripleJ3

I do a ton of cooking ahead! I have loads of veggie base soups in my freezer at all times, even in the summer! I work from home also so at lunch I pull out soup ( I freeze them in individual servings) I also roast turkey breast and freeze in individual portions. Depending on the soup I add the turkey, spinach, avocado and/ whatever else i have on hand that sounds good. The turkey is also great for making sandwiches /paninis. I thaw everything in my microwave but I know some people try to stay away from the micro. My food mood changes so if I remember the night before to put my lunch in the fridge to thaw I might not want it come lunch time. Since I work from home its a bit of a benefit to be able to change my mind :bigsmile:

Its a lot of work at first and I buy a lot of containers but to me its worth it. I'll even roast a bunch or *fall/winter* veggies then keep them in the fridge to add to a meal or to snack on. They last me about 5 days. My favorite thing to flavor them with is balsamic because it works with just about any veggie and I love the sweet caramelized taste!

I make and freeze turkey, chicken and lamb meatballs/burgers. I have pre-shaped uncooked buffalo burger patties ready to go too.

I always have a can of my favorite low-sodium tomato soup on hand for those days I'm out of a soup or just because I love it and I just can't seem to re-create my own tomato soup that I love as much.

I slowly weaned myself to unsweetened tea. I buy good quality flavored teas. Maybe try a little lemon in them? A splash of milk just enough to cut the bitterness maybe.

You can take a piece (or two) of your favorite bread, swipe on some flavored/fav mustard, add some sauteed spinach, top with slices of tomato (I know, not tomato season but you cook this so it helps) top with ham/turkey/chicken, top with favorite cheese. Put under broiler(open faced) and keep an eye on it. Bread will toast and cheese will melt. I love this!

Flyntiggr

I'm confused. If you work from home, why can't you cook veggies and such? I work from home one day a week, and ALWAYS cook on that day. Get a microwave steamer (pampered chef sells them). You can steam rice and just about any veggie in it. Throw a chicken breast in the oven and let it cook. Takes NO time on your part for that. I buy chix breast on sale and trim them up in bulk. Freeze individually, and pull out as needed. You can even bake it from frozen.

AliV91

Quick hot lunches that help me:

Onion soup : slice and onion, put in microwave safe bowl, add water to cover and a bullion cube. Nuke till onion is soft. ( I like my onion slightly crisp, so cooking longer if you want your's softer) ~~3 min. Serve with a crusty roll. VERY low fat and filling.

Vegi mix with bouillon cube and enough water to cover, nuke till warm, about 3 min. Also very filling.

There are vegi bouillon cubes if meat is an issue. If sodium is an issue, well can't help you there.

I am currently trying salsa in place of the bullion as a base for vegi mixes, more anti-oxidants and the HOT spices are supposed to speed up your metabolism. I'll let you know how it goes.

Good Luck!