Eating/dieting at cold weather climate

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!