Starting my new lifestyle....help!

cait0902

I need healthier food in my house! I'm a SAHM with two kids. Not a big fan of cooking, but I can. Lately, we have been eating bagles, biscuits and gravy, pizza, pasta, tuna sandwhiches, egg salad sandwhiches....

I need help! I want to eat better, I want my kids to be healthy, I want to lose weight!!!

SO....I need suggestions on foods/meals. What are some essentials I should pick up next time I go grocery shopping? What are some meals you love? Wanna share your grocery list?? Or the meals you have planned for this week??

Thanks everyone!!! :happy:

jessewessy1990

I have just tried a new quiche and is really really good! Could do it with salads or a bigger portion with new potatoes and veg!

I used 600g of cottage cheese
3 small eggs
I then used mushrooms (may need to fry them first, made it a bit runny)
peppers
ham
tiny bit of cheese
spices

Mix the cottage cheese and eggs together, add veg and top with cheese.
Oven on number 6 for 30-40 mins or until firm.

Very cheap ingredients and so quick. Could add more veg, different meat etc


You'll thank me I promise:laugh:

cyclerjenn

I eat a lot of cottage cheese, I mix it in oatmeal and make fruit parfaits with it. I also eat a lot of stir fry's just need to limit the sauce and oils when you make them. But they are loaded with veggies and lean protein.

Check out skinnytastes.com for some good recipes.

beachlover718

my favorite dinner- grilled chicken, also grilled: cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions, pineapple. over couscous, bulger- whatever grain you like.

I really like eggs so I usually have scrambled egg whites ( with a little yolk) for breakfast, although i LOVE peanut butter so had that on rye bread for breakfast today.

just started air popping popcorn in the microwave, it's not too bad

still working on getting my kids to make better choices.

edited to add: hungry girl.com has some good ideas as well

thetrishwarp

Fried rice:

rice
scrambled egg
corn (or other frozen veggies)
onion
soya sauce

cook the rice and egg separately, combine them with other ingredients in a pan to fry.


you can make a ton at once and then reheat it for subsequent meals, and it's fairly healthy!

SecondChance2012

Welcome to MFP! :flowerforyou:

Some of the things I like to keep around are:

Hummus
Baby Carrots (good with the hummus), radishes and celery, trimmed, washed and ready to eay
40 calorie Wasa Crisps Lite (good with the hummus)
Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Strawberries & lots of Lemons for lemon water (I don't like plain water that much)
Eggs and Egg Whites + fresh & frozen Veggies for snacking or to add to the eggs/egg whites to make veggie omlets which I like to top with Low Cal Chunky Salsa
Skim Milk
Special K
Jolly Time Lite Butter Pop
Brown Rice (cooked and stored in frig)
Onions, elephant garlic
Pam (both butter and olive oil flavors)
Any of Goya's canned beans in Sauce (red label)
Cool Whip Lite
Sugar Free Jello-O
Sugar Free Jell-O Sweet Indulgences
Portion controlled, single serving ice cream cups
Truvia or Stevia in the Raw sweetener
My favorite tea bags

My kids are grown now but from the time they were small, whenever I could afford to, I bought our snacks in single serving size packages to help them get used to what a single serving is like. Now 20 & 22, I am happy to report that both kids automatically practice portion control and do not struggle with yo-yo weight issues like I do. I'd like to think that one little change I made (with portion controlled packaging) helped to create their good habits.

Also, my 20 year old son is living with me, again. He struggles with "liking" veggies so I sautee sliced onion, in olive oil pam, and add them to steamed spinach, broccoli, string beans, carrots, cauliflower...even brussel sprouts, to give the veggies a little flavor blast. Last night I saw that he was having a late night snack of steamed spinach with sauteed onion :-)

Feel free to friend me for moral support if you'd like to. :flowerforyou:

aphillips8180

I recently found johnsonville chicken sausage with cheddar cheese in them, delicious! Also, Freschetta makes a couple of "healthy" pizzas... thin crust with pepperoni, peppers and mushrooms and I know there is one with spinach on it too, they're kinda expensive though. I've recently started making a lot of chicken breast or lean pork chops with either shake n bake or my own bread crumb & seasoning combination. Fresh veggies and fruits are a must! Salad with fat free shredded cheese and fat free or light dressing is always a good side. If you want, add me as a friend... I make lots of easy dinners cause I'm not a huge fan of cooking. My food diary is open so if we're friends, you'll be able to see what I'm eating.

andy2486

If you and your kids enjoy pizza, try making mini pizzas on whole wheat english muffins with light string cheese, turkey pepperoni, and you can make sauce from scratch or find a healthier substitute at the store.
For snacks, I like sensible portions veggie chips and apple straws or 100 cal bags of Jolly Time popcorn is also a great snack. Apples with peanut butter, reduced fat wheat thins and laughing cow light cheese wedges are also a staple in my house.
I second hungrygirl.com. I just purchased her 300 under 300 book and there are TONS of recipes that sound amazing. Good luck!

kwheelock

For breakfast or even lunch I make my own egg and cheese english muffin sandwich. Just one large egg, fat free cheese slice, and 100 calorie english muffin with a side of carrots or strawberries. Pretty simple and easy dinner that I like to make is tilapia. I buy the bag of frozen tilapia, thaw what I want, and sprinkle a small amount of italian bread crumbs and parmesan cheese for flavor and bake for about 12 minutes at 425. I usually have steamed vegetables to go with. Snacks I usually try to have fruit around or caramel rice cakes (satisfies my sweet tooth a bit). Oatmeal with a little bit of brown sugar and bananas is a pretty regular breakfast item for myself as well.

My husband currently works the night shift so I'm on my own for dinner a lot. I love to cook, but don't want to go to all the trouble for just me. These are just some of the simple things I like to throw together. I'm also home with a 4 month old, so quick and easy is my favorite

capnwo85

If you want to eat healthier, buy healthier food. Throw out all the crap and don't buy it anymore. Really the only thing you can do if avoiding it isn't working for you. Don't know what else to say here...

tomomatic

Baja Fresh Bowl at Home:

Take meat (preferably shrimp and beef. Tilapia works nicely, too) and stirfry with corn, onions and green peppers. Pour some smoked hot sauce into it for chipotle flavor. Brown it.

Chop some romaine lettuce and tomatoes and put it into a bowl. Add a touch of cilantro.

Combine everything and give it a good shake. Serve with a squirt of lime and slice some avacados on top.

Everyone will think you know how to cook.

cait0902

If you want to eat healthier, buy healthier food. Throw out all the crap and don't buy it anymore. Really the only thing you can do if avoiding it isn't working for you. Don't know what else to say here...

That's what I'm trying to do, hence the post asking for help with food. I obviously haven't been buying or eating a whole lot of healthy foods and didn't really have to worry about it until now. So I'm looking for ideas on what foods are healthy, but taste good, easy to make, etc. If I go to the grocery store without any ideas on what to buy, then I'll most likely end up buying the same crap I always do....

And thank you, to everyone else who actually helped and gave me some great ideas!

capnwo85

everything in moderation + exercise. Don't limit your self to "healthy" foods. Do this and you'll be good to go.

queenbeejulie

I have three kids and I like to keep things that are easy for them (and me!) to grab for snacks:

*sugar snap peas
*baby carrots
*sliced apples with 1 tblsp of peanut butter to dip
*wasa crisps
*mandarin oranges
*mini rice cakes
*yogurt (one of the less sugary ones)
*del monte real fruit popsicles
*bananas

For dinner they like ground turkey burgers with spinach and feta, brown rice, roasted veggies, grilled chicken breast, cedar plank salmon, turkey chili, what they call "baja bowls" with shredded chicken or pulled pork, black beans, brown rice, fresh salsa and some cheese sprinkled over, stuff like that!

It can be tough to eat healthy when you are trying to please picky kids that is for sure! Good luck, and feel free to add me for support if you would like

wiregrrl

For snacks, we like baby carrots, mini peppers, wasa crackers w/ natural peanut butter, grapes, pistachios, & sunflower seeds. I've replaced regular bread with wraps & fold-it flatbread.

EmilyMarieMo

I pin things all the time on Pinterest that are food recipes for both adults and kid ideas!!! It you want to follow: http://pinterest.com/emilymoreno/food/

mbajrami

Breakfast:

Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Tortilla (small)
Over-easy egg
sprinkle a little feta
1 Tbsp picante sauce
diced avocado

Fresh, delicious and 2 of these babies is only about 470 calories.

Julie_9

Welcome and good luck. I make a lot of dinners with chicken breasts. One of my simple and quick meals is Mexican Chicken. Chicken breasts covered in salsa and sprinkle with cheddar cheese, cover with foil and bake at 400 for about 20-25 mins depending on how think the chicken is. Goes great with rice.

JamesonsMommy

Chicken and other lean meats are a good start
lots and lots of fresh veggies
chickpeas- there are several recipes online for roasting them. My 3 year old asks for these
quinoa-plain is yummy but mixing it with some egg and low fat cheese and baking in muffin cups is even better
get a tub of greek yogurt and mix a ranch packet with it.. High protein veggie dip
I could go on forever but i won't.. Join pinterest if you aren't already a member. YOu will find a ton of healthy fun ideas

j1wright

For easy things
buy a bag of grilled chicken breast strips and pita pockets add lettuce and string cheese and hummus for a sandwich
pb and j for a sandwich in moderation
make a pizza on a pita pocket or on english muffins
Buy a bag of stir fry with the chicken and veggies already in it
Make a big salad
Buy different types of soups to go with sandwiches
Buy lite popcorn for munchies
veggies with lite ranch to dip
apples strawberries and banana's
yogurt, with a bit of cereal for crunch and fresh strawberries
sugar free pudding

I have a 6 year old and all the above works for her and for me.

PoetikLuvr

Try things like light string cheese and mixed cheese sticks. They don't have that nasty after taste we all think of when we hear the word light. Also try substituting Almond Milk for milk in your cereal. It makes the cereal sweeter and allows you to skip adding sugar to it. Special K chips are a great substitute for regular chips, and you can eat a boat load for minimal calories. For tasty treats try skinny cow items, like their ice cream bars and candy clusters. They are really good and only about 100 calories a treat.

1234getgoing

My favorite substitute for a hamburger

1 veggie burger (Morning Star makes a tomatoe basil pizza flavor that is deeeelish!)
1 Whole wheat thin bun(toasted)
A couple tablespoons roasted red peppers. (Mezzetti makes them canned in jars)
1 TBSP canola cholestral free Mayo (by Hellmans)
Put it all together and you have a great sanwich for around 250 calories

schenry417

Here is my meal plan for this week. I was actually going to do a new post sharing it, but since you asked for meals...

Monday
Breakfast Apple & 1 string cheese
Snack pack of almonds
Lunch salad w/eggs & feta cheese
Snack trail mix
Dinner Chili Salmon w/Vege steamer w/parm cheese & asparagus & sweet potatoes

Tuesday
Breakfast Veggie/Fruit Smoothie w/flax
Snack 2 String cheese
Lunch quinoa pre-made salad
Snack apple
Dinner chicken pieces in tomato sauce & avocado

Wednesday
B Hard boiled egg, Veggie/Fruit Smoothie w/flax
S apple
L tuna w/egg & balsamic vinaigrette
S almonds
D couscous salad w/sun-dried tomato, cucumber & artichoke hearts

Thursday
Breakfast Veggie frittata
Snack almonds
Lunch Lentil, beet, cucumber, goat cheese salad w/balsamic vinegar & olive oil
Snack pb celery
Dinner Parmesan Quinoa

Friday
Breakfast greek yogurt w/granola
Snack fruit leather
Lunch Cucumber salad
Snack Med Mix
Dinner Quinoa-Edamame Salad w/Sesame-Ginger Dressing

Saturday
Breakfast pb & coconut Apple halves
Snack hb egg
Lunch Chicken & Quinoa Tossed Salad
Snack trail mix
Dinner Turkey Black Bean Soup w/Salsa Fresca, avocado & plain greek yogurt

Sunday
Breakfast Grapefruit & hb egg
Snack 2 String cheese
Lunch Couscous Margherita
Snack string cheese/dried fruit
Dinner seasoned turkey patty lettuce wrap

Recipes:
Lentil, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
In a bowl, top 2 cups salad greens with 2/3 cup boiled lentils, 1/2 cup chopped steamed beets, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, 1 oz crumbled goat cheese. In another bowl, combine 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 tsp olive oil; season with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder; toss with salad. Serve with 8 strawberries.

Cucumber Salad
In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced tomato, 1/4 chopped avocado, 1/8 tsp sea salt, a pinch of black pepper.

Parmesan Quinoa
Top 1/2 cup cooked quinoa with 2 tbsp marinara, 2 tsp grated Parmesan.

PB and Coconut Apple Halves
Halve 1 apple. Top each half with 1/2 tsp peanut butter, 1/2 tsp unsweetened shredded toasted coconut.

Chicken and Quinoa Tossed Salad
In a bowl, toss 2/3 cup cooked quinoa with 1/4 cup baby spinach, 1/4 cup shredded carrots. Top with 3 oz chopped grilled chicken breast, 2 tbsp crumbled blue cheese, 1 tbsp dried cranberries, 1 tbsp chopped walnuts. Drizzle with 1 tsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp olive oil.

Mediterranean Mix
In a bowl, toss 1 cup halved grape tomatoes with 3 tbsp crumbled feta, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar.

Quinoa-Edamame Salad With Sesame-Ginger Dressing
In a bowl, combine 1 cup cooked quinoa, 2/3 cup shelled cooked edamame, 1/4 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup chopped cucumber. In another bowl, combine 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 tsp grated ginger, 1/4 tsp garlic powder; toss with quinoa mixture.

Couscous Margherita
In a medium pan, sauté 1/3 cup chopped onion, 1 chopped garlic clove in 2 tsp olive oil, 2 minutes. Add 1 cup halved grape tomatoes, 1 tbsp water; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Simmer until tomatoes are soft, 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup cooked shelled edamame, 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1/8 tsp salt, a pinch of black pepper; cook 2 minutes. Serve over 1/2 cup cooked couscous; top with 1 tbsp shredded Parmesan.

Chili Salmon With Veggies
In a microwave-safe bowl, nuke 6 asparagus stalks in 1 tbsp water for 1 minute. Heat broiler. Spray a 5-oz wild salmon fillet with olive oil cooking spray; place in a baking pan skin side down. In a bowl, combine 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, 1/8 tsp salt; rub on flesh side of fillet. Brush asparagus with 1/2 tsp olive oil; place on pan beside salmon; broil until fish flakes easily, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with 1 large baked sweet potato topped with 1 tbsp nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

Hope this helps;)