French Toast & Pancakes & Waffles Oh My

surlydave · June 2010

I recently had family visit me from out of town, which ensured there were be a lot of dining out. In reviewing breakfast options, it always seemed like things like pancakes, belgian waffles, and even french toast were (according to the food database) some of the best options out there, both in terms of nutritional value and just plain being filling. I mean that's assuming you are not overly concerned with the carbs, and also that you are not drowning them in butter, syrup, or whatever.

Along the lines of "if something is too good to be true, it probably isn't" am I missing something here? I just don't see these food options in a lot of people's food diaries.

dansdeb · June 2010

I'll eat the french toast, pancakes etc... BUT use only sugar free syrup and no butter. I think they are good as long as you don't overload on the syrup and stuff - that is what makes it deadly. also, I try to order or make with whole wheat flour.

TenaciousTAZ · June 2010

I recently had family visit me from out of town, which ensured there were be a lot of dining out. In reviewing breakfast options, it always seemed like things like pancakes, belgian waffles, and even french toast were (according to the food database) some of the best options out there, both in terms of nutritional value and just plain being filling. I mean that's assuming you are not overly concerned with the carbs, and also that you are not drowning them in butter, syrup, or whatever.

Along the lines of "if something is too good to be true, it probably isn't" am I missing something here? I just don't see these food options in a lot of people's food diaries.

OMG! All those foods are not good breakfast choices!! The pancakes and waffles are really not a balanced meal.....healthy fat and protein are needed. The French toast at least has the egg. I'm not sure how much you weigh or your goals, but a 2-3 egg omelette with some spinach, zuchinni, avocado would be a better bet. I make almond flour pancakes with protein powder and fruit which is better than the high insulin spiking grains. Breakfast is my fav. meal to eat out since its usually made to order. If you need grains 2/3 c of oatmeal with protein powder and some nuts would be a better choice. I lost 80 lbs. eating breakfasts like that. HOpe that gives you some alternatives.

lilchino4af · June 2010

I make oatmeal pancakes (search the recipe section of the forum for them) with turkey bacon and an egg. Awesome, low-cal meal! I just don't eat it often because I don't have time on work days. That, and I like leaving breakfasts like that for the weekends because it gives me something to look forward too! :bigsmile:

Families_R_Forever · June 2010

TenaciousTAZ...Great post and just what I was thinking. Lots of better things out there...and before I started MFP I was eat pancakes EVERY day. And they were with no butter and a tiny amount a syrup...I was definently NOT losing weight

SO I stay away from carbs like that. I want the good carbs....

I make almond folur everything, but can't get my pancakes down right...Would you be willing to send me your recipe?

surlydave · June 2010

I recently had family visit me from out of town, which ensured there were be a lot of dining out. In reviewing breakfast options, it always seemed like things like pancakes, belgian waffles, and even french toast were (according to the food database) some of the best options out there, both in terms of nutritional value and just plain being filling. I mean that's assuming you are not overly concerned with the carbs, and also that you are not drowning them in butter, syrup, or whatever.

Along the lines of "if something is too good to be true, it probably isn't" am I missing something here? I just don't see these food options in a lot of people's food diaries.

OMG! All those foods are not good breakfast choices!! The pancakes and waffles are really not a balanced meal.....healthy fat and protein are needed. The French toast at least has the egg. I'm not sure how much you weigh or your goals, but a 2-3 egg omelette with some spinach, zuchinni, avocado would be a better bet. I make almond flour pancakes with protein powder and fruit which is better than the high insulin spiking grains. Breakfast is my fav. meal to eat out since its usually made to order. If you need grains 2/3 c of oatmeal with protein powder and some nuts would be a better choice. I lost 80 lbs. eating breakfasts like that. HOpe that gives you some alternatives.

Yes, I recognize that in and of itself that is not a balanced meal, but that does raise the question of whether having balance in a single meal, in and of itself, is important or is it more the overall daily consumption and balance.

sbilyeu75 · June 2010

I make and eat either pancakes or french toast every Saturday. You can spread peanut butter on them for protein, slice bananas on them. I use 100% pure maple syrup. I use about 1/8 of a cup and that's sufficient.

beckbeck · June 2010

As to the original poster's question of whether it matters if the one meal is balanced or the whole day in general is, you want every meal and snack to have a good balance so it will get you through the next two or three hours (how often you should be eating something). I try to follow the ideas in a book called "The Good Mood Diet." If you eat according to that, you're guaranteed to feel good so you're more likely to stick with it and it becomes a lifestyle change and not just a "diet" to get you to lose a few pounds and then go back to your old ways. I've been eating this way for about three months and I have lost 10+ lb. in that time (my ticker doesn't reflect that because I wasn't really checking in to MFP all of that time).

I used to LOVE pancakes and French toast and all that and it's still okay but you should eat a SMALL serving of them and then add an egg and some fruit or veggies and milk--things that will help you get through to the next small meal (mid-morning) without crashing. I think the best thing I have done for my diet overall was to make SURE I get one egg every morning, no matter what else I eat along with it!

spob · June 2010

Not that it does not show on the scales or in my relative progress to those on a more strict diet but I do have panckaes and waffles occassionally. I eat pretty much what I want. I try to limit portions and I make sure that I burn excess calories. Sometimes I throw wheat germ or other grains into my pancakes, and I make sure that I partner the junk with healthy fruit choices. I always choose whole foods over processed or synthetic when I can. For example I do put cream in my coffee. I don't use low fat anything. As I beleive that there are too many chemicals and fillers. Your body knows real. I would rather have less of something that I enjoy than a substitute that is not quite the same. Same with desserts. They are treats when I treat myself I try not to go crazy but a treat is a treat to me. There are fabulous low fat versions of everything and I sometimes will try these but mostly I allow myself to indulge. So my diaries also include wine and beer. I use moderation. I feel very naughty when I see these very good choices people make especially at the gym and on MFP. I am one of those that love food, I plan all day what I am going to have for dinner, I am sure I could be stricter and have better results but I will never be one of those people satisfied with steamed spinach and poached fish. I celebrate them and admire the discipline but at the end of the day the changes I make must fit my lifestyle and be changes that I will maintain this new slowly emerging body of mine!

I have also discovered that if I eat small planned snacks through the day and speed walk the pounds and the belly jello seems to melt off. For me the cardiovascular stuff is key and generally I feel so ill after running hard the last thing I want to eat is something not so great for me, I am no pillar of athletic or diet genious for sure but my diarties are filled with not so great choices as well as stellar ones! However, my excercise portion is packed as I excercise to eat and I am not ashamed of this! Although I probably should be!

dansdeb · June 2010

I didn't mean that you can eat them everyday - but you can have something like that now and then, the world isn't going to come to an end. Even when I do have them, I use the sugar free syrup and no butter. when you are out with family/friends you can only do the best you can do. I have that most restaurants will have things like sugar free items, you just need to ask.

dansdeb · June 2010

I didn't mean that you can eat them everyday - but you can have something like that now and then, the world isn't going to come to an end. Even when I do have them, I use the sugar free syrup and no butter. when you are out with family/friends you can only do the best you can do. I have that most restaurants will have things like sugar free items, you just need to ask.

oops click twice :grumble:

smuehlbauer · June 2010

Quit being a Diva and eat a Snickers!

aippolito1 · June 2010

I've been missing all these things and wanting to get them back into my diet...but a good alternative. You could always make your own with a wheat flour or just buy the organic frozen ones (I know my Kroger carries them and I may snatch a box today on my routine grocery trip!) and put fruit and maybe a tiny bit of powdered sugar on top. Or sugar-free syrup. I tend to like the regular syrup (yes it's REALLY high calorie) because the sugar-free syrups make my waffles soggy. Ew.

French Toast & Pancakes & Waffles Oh My

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