Eating healthier is making me sad

Alexstrasza

Before I started my weight loss journey I was a baking fool. I was in the kitchen baking up something almost every day. I love to bake. It relaxes me and makes me feel like I accomplished something.

However I find I pretty much never bake anymore. Cakes, muffins, cookies, etc aren't exactly healthy.

neverstray

You baked everyday? Wow.

You can still bake, just don't eat. Give it to your neighbors, family, friends.

momtokgo

Then make them healthy. Just because they are cookies/cakes/muffins doesn't mean you can't eat them anymore. A whole wheat muffin made with applesauce is going to be a whole lot healthier then a big white chocolate filled muffin made with oil.

Or make smaller portions, make little bite size cookies and mini muffins, then you can make the same recipe and just eat a little bit of it.

Alexstrasza

You baked everyday? Wow.

You can still bake, just don't eat. Give it to your neighbors, family, friends.

That's a waste of money! Lol. We have a set amount of funds we allow ourselves for food each month so I don't want to use it all and give it away.

And yes I baked everday. Breads, muffins, cookies, cake, etc. Some of them were healthier versions. Like sweet potato cookies or zuchinni muffins. But they are still not the healthiest or carb friendly, haha.

loztredders

There are some lower calorie things that I bake every now and then, like banana muffins and brownies that are butter free so much healthier that traditional brownies.
Also I bake and then freeze or take the goodies into work so I don't eat them all to myself!! Having a healthier lifestyle doesn't mean having to give up a much loved hobby, maybe just bake once a week or something.

Brittany3914

You baked everyday? Wow.

You can still bake, just don't eat. Give it to your neighbors, family, friends.

Exactly! I do the same thing. Co-workers are a good group too, especially if you work with a large number of people! Who doesn't like a little chocolate chip cookie with their coffee in the office?

JesterMFP

If you don't want to give it away, how about baking things that freeze well? I know you'd still have to cut down since you're not eating that stuff as much, but it seems a shame to stop doing it altogether if it's something you really enjoy.

lmelangley

Now's the time to look for recipes to adapt! Almond milk can often substitute for regular milk. try using a mix of white and whole wheat flour to make your goodies just a little better for you. Or, better yet, grind some old fashioned oats in a food mill to make oat flour. Make meringue cookies (around 35 - 55 calories each depending on size). Make homemade granola bars. Use apple sauce instead of oil. Or, mashed banana. Create some recipes and share with us.

coullmom

how about you make a business out of it. Bake them and sell them at farmers markets or flea markets or something.

mrsgokev

Maybe use this as a time to figure out new recipes and ways to make things lower in calories. Bake muffins and freeze the excess so you aren't tempted to dig in to them all the time. I know for me it is hard to have them around because it is just so easy to grab and go. I recently came across a site where the lady blogged about her recipes and used different greek yogurt flavors in her breads/muffins. I made some of the muffins and they were so good and low in calories!

delaney056

You could always bake them and and sell them

Alexstrasza

how about you make a business out of it. Bake them and sell them at farmers markets or flea markets or something.

I actually thought about doing that. I'm a stay at home mom so I have the time to do it. My son loves helping me bake to. He likes to mix the stuff, lol.

bulbadoof

There are plenty of healthy recipes!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/486848-73-calorie-chocolate-cupcakes

Here's one right here!

And you know, even the full-calorie recipes aren't off limits if you watch your portions. I eat 1 or 2 storebought peanut-butter-chocolate-chip cookies every day and they don't throw off my counts.

Kimmer2011

chocolatecoveredkatie.com
400caloriesorless.com
skinnytaste.com

Not always for baking, but great ideas all the time!

FelicityEliza36

Then make them healthy. Just because they are cookies/cakes/muffins doesn't mean you can't eat them anymore. A whole wheat muffin made with applesauce is going to be a whole lot healthier then a big white chocolate filled muffin made with oil.

Or make smaller portions, make little bite size cookies and mini muffins, then you can make the same recipe and just eat a little bit of it.

^^ I agree with her.It'd be a lot of fun if you looked up new, healthier, recipes that give you a substitute of an ingredient that you are not used to using. And you can still eat those things. Just not all the time, or limit yourself to 1-2 cookies etc. Life isnt over hunny Its just about becoming more healthy and portion control.

cramernh

I worked two full time jobs for the longest time - one of which as a Chef.

Let me tell you something - I didnt give up on it, not one bit. I still bake like a madwoman for private orders/requests, great side money - especially with the cost of gas still being rediculous.

I have many food allergies and sensitivities but I dont let that stop me from baking, cooking and prepping anything - period!!!!!!!

Last night we had an unexpected guest come over - a friend of my husband's... I got so damn excited because it meant I was cooking more food (yeah, Im crazy).. and I was so excited about it that I did some baking to have a dessert to offer if they wanted it.

Honestly speaking, I dont miss the baked goods.. I do though bask in the aroma of smelling them as they bake. But I have no desire to ever have them again simply because of how sick I get...

They had "Grasshopper" blonde-brownies: Godiva chocolate and white chocolate, little bit of kahlua in the mix, and a mousse frosting on top that had DeKuyper's dark creme de minthe... You wanna see two grown up men turn into little giggling boys??? LOL!!!!!!!

fteale

I bake when I am trying to avoid doing something else, usually school work or housework. It isn't an accomplishment, it is something we hide behind to feel worthwhile. Find something else that really is worthwhile and it will give you much more of a sense of accomplishment.

Katbaran

I didn't bake every day but I really did enjoy baking! It relaxed me, gave me a sense of accomplishment by making something beautiful and enjoyable from using my own two hands.

I missed it for a while, but I decided to get creative with other foods. I sort of channeled that energy or thought or whatever you want to call it, into making healthier foods for meals. It took some getting used to, but it worked. I still bake as a special treat for us on a holiday or birthday, and I do still miss it sometimes, but it is so much better for us NOT to consume that many baked goods. We still have some as a rare treat but not all the time.

Alexstrasza

I bake when I am trying to avoid doing something else, usually school work or housework. It isn't an accomplishment, it is something we hide behind to feel worthwhile. Find something else that really is worthwhile and it will give you much more of a sense of accomplishment.

That's a bit of a judgement. Maybe you did it to hide behind, but that's not why I did it.

I truely enjoyed it. I loved creating my own recipes and trying out new things and then having my hubby and family try them and tell me what they thought.
It was just the process of it. Putting all those ingredients together and adjusting them just so to create that perfect level of fluff, or moistness, or sweetness.

cramernh

I loved creating my own recipes and trying out new things and then having my hubby and family try them and tell me what they thought.
It was just the process of it. Putting all those ingredients together and adjusting them just so to create that perfect level of fluff, or moistness, or sweetness.

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ValkyrieFD

Bake and donate to the homeless, the boys & girls clubs, the schools etc! And you should always allow your self a sample every now and then, just don't do it all the time .

And if it makes you feel better, it could be worse. I am on an optimist70 liquid diet I haven't ate solid food in two weeks hehe

rsmblue

Can you work p/t at a bakery?

Maybe you can start your own business?! :happy:

TracySchroeder

I'm a professional baker/cake decorator and understand where you're coming from. I bake ALL the time! I bake so much, though, that I can't stand to eat anything I bake!! LOL When I owned a bakery the thought of donuts, buttercream and cake made me sick to my stomach. BUT, others don't feel that way in my home. They eat and eat when I bake and have leftovers. So, I've changed how I bake. I've learned to make healthier options. And I scale my recipes down to only make one serving per person. This helps with food costs, too!!

elle18287

Girl, I get it. Sometimes you just want to enjoy food and not think about anything else!
Actually, your new diet is a wonderful opportunity for you to discover new recipes, even make new ones up. Start baking with whole grains.... there are so many cool options. Research the healthiest grains. Instead of sugar try Stevia? Instead of chocolate try all types of different fruits, fresh and dried. Look at this as a fun thing and create new fun recipes.
Just because you are dieting doesn't mean your hobby should go out the window. There is nothing wrong with baked goods. Just make healthier ones and eat in moderation.
Good luck!

ktsmom430

Direct your love for baking towards cooking healthy meals for yourself and your family. I too love baking, and cooking too, and that is what I am doing.
I will continue to bake treats at Christmas though. It is a tradition and we give a lot away anyway. I could never stop Christmas Baking. I will just not sample as much.
It is sad
But, getting healthy is worth it.

MissCheese

I never used to bake but since changing my eating habits I find I bake and often. I find heathier recipes of the food that I maybe would have bought occasionally and try those. This stops me from reaching from the pre-prepared rubbish when shopping or out and about. Rather than have a packet of crisps daily like I used to I have a slice of healthy wholemeal banana and walnut bread or a wholemeal Blueberry Muffin. I know exactly what has gone into the food, the calories, fat and fibre content.

I've also discovered that I love to bake and so often bake up a big batch of things and share some of it with my colleagues at work as thank yous or with friends, I notice you said you probably couldn't afford that unfortunatly, they do go down really rather well!

A great website to check out for ideas is www.skinnytaste.com if you are a baker already you could probably adapt at a lot of the recipes you used to bake to be healthier versions just by adjusting a few ingridients.

LisaEileen

I really miss making bread. I used to make 2 loaves at least every 2 days. Now it's just too much of a temptation. There's no way I could make it and not eat more than one slice with a load of butter on it.

kiddoc88

I love baking too, and echo what others have said
-finding healthy subsitutes: applesuace, oats, flax, almond milk/flour etc) I've found its almost a fun challenge to see how much healthier of a version I can make
-freezing
-taking to coworkers
you could even make money from baking by selling baked goods!

spngebobmyhero

I totally feel your pain. I have a fully stocked kitchen for baking, but I can't even eat the baked goods anymore due to a gluten intolerance. Baking was a stress reliever for me and made me so happy (although i never ate too much of it).

I have replaced my baking with cooking. I cook everything I can from scratch and take time to create yummy, healthy meals. I have also started a blog with recipes that fit my new way of eating. Sharing my creations with others, even if its only through pictures and recipes makes me happy

5pmsomewherenow

I just had the most delicious red velvet cupcakes, made with apple-sauce. I also have a friend who make the BEST rolls and breads out of ancient grains and organic flours. How about a batch of whole wheat pizza dough? Perfection in baked goods can be enjoyed as a healthy alternative. Also try some healthy quiches or pies with your homemade pie crust.

Kamikazeflutterby

I bake a loaf of bread every two days, and I'm still losing weight. I use this recipe: http://www.brokeandhealthy.com/homemade-oatmeal-bread

I'm still tweaking substitutions to get the perfect bread for our house and to keep us from getting too bored with eating and baking the same bread. My base recipe is 55 calories per ounce, and most variations keep around those calories. I'm having a lot of fun finding the healthy stuff to bake, and I very occasionally bring out my old cookie recipe. The healthy recipes are out there, and you can keep all of the old pleasure of balancing out your version of a recipe.