I keep giving up because I don't know what to eat for dinner
nicolanicola
Posts: 23
I am a very fussy eater and find it difficult to find foods I like. I don't like fish except for tuna or from the fish and chip shop! Same with broccolli, cauliflower, and a myriad of other things.
I have been trying to limit my calorie intake to 1200 a day. I am ok with breakfast and lunch but I fail with dinner. I had been having a jacket potato, salad and a chicken garlic kiev or escalope for about 2 weeks. However I am bored of that meal now so I have just been eating lasagne and pizzas etc, stuff thats really not less than my 600 cals I'm allowed for dinner!
So can anyone give me any advice? It needs to be simple too as my and my partner work full time. Often I come in and I am aboslutely starving and want to make something right there and then, but don't know what to make!
I also shoudl add, I am not one for cooking, I can do a chilli, bolognaise and a roast dinner and that's about it.
Can anyone give me any advice?
I have been trying to limit my calorie intake to 1200 a day. I am ok with breakfast and lunch but I fail with dinner. I had been having a jacket potato, salad and a chicken garlic kiev or escalope for about 2 weeks. However I am bored of that meal now so I have just been eating lasagne and pizzas etc, stuff thats really not less than my 600 cals I'm allowed for dinner!
So can anyone give me any advice? It needs to be simple too as my and my partner work full time. Often I come in and I am aboslutely starving and want to make something right there and then, but don't know what to make!
I also shoudl add, I am not one for cooking, I can do a chilli, bolognaise and a roast dinner and that's about it.
Can anyone give me any advice?
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Replies
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Think you must be me! Your diet, cooking abilities and lifestyle are identical to mine
Not ideal when dieting, eh?0 -
Haha that's great I am not alone!! I know it's hard. How have you managed to lose weight so far?0
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600 calories for an evening meal should be pretty simple. I get that a lot of people are very busy and dont have time to slave over a hot stove for hours on end. From a dieting point of view and sticking to calories the weight watchers ready meals are quick and mostly under 500 calories. I would rather personally have fresh however if you have to have ready meals i would try them in order to stick to your calories. Maybe the range will inspire you to try a few new things and cook something different!!!0
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If you want to look in my diary, you can get some ideas. I usually keep my dinner to 300-400 calories.
How about a big salad with chicken or hard-boiled eggs? Scrambled eggs/egg whites, fruit, and toast? Soups and sandwiches?0 -
Not really sure what to say since I am not sure what you do like. With your busy schedule though maybe you can cook for the week at one time and freeze the dinners? then just pop them in the microwave so you don't eat junk when you come home tired and starving. Also are you breaking up your meals so you are having snacks? It really helps from ever reaching the point where you feel like you are really starving. I know if I reach that point I don't care what I eat
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Not really sure what to say since I am not sure what you do like. With your busy schedule though maybe you can cook for the week at one time and freeze the dinners? then just pop them in the microwave so you don't eat junk when you come home tired and starving. Also are you breaking up your meals so you are having snacks? It really helps from ever reaching the point where you feel like you are really starving. I know if I reach that point I don't care what I eat
Yeah I could do that. But what do I make?
Snacks...well I am not sure what to have for snacks, I have fruit as a snack, but that doesn't fill me up at all. Although I have been finding these brilliant 80 calories crisps which I love, trouble is they are dead crispy and I work in a really quiet office so I don't like to eat them!0 -
You may think i'm really sad and/or anal but i have written out a 5 week menu plan for dinners. I know exactly what i'm going to eat for dinner every day for 5 weeks! I have done this because i get so stressed out if i have to decide at dinner time what i'm supposed to be cooking for dinner, rather than knowing in advance what I'm going to be cooking! It also means that i can shop according to my menu planner and not buy stuff that wont get eaten!
I have got meal ideas / recipes from my old WW cookbooks and also have grabbed some meal ideas / recipes from the SW website. Most of the recipes I have made are under 300 calories and they are all pretty fool proof too. Last night i made garlicky cheesey courgette spaghetti in about 20 minutes and it was FAB!
Perhaps you could look up some recipes that you know are easy to cook and that you will like? As i said, some are from the Slimming World website and they have quite a few on there - maybe that's somewhere you could start?
Good luck!0 -
600 calories for an evening meal should be pretty simple. I get that a lot of people are very busy and dont have time to slave over a hot stove for hours on end. From a dieting point of view and sticking to calories the weight watchers ready meals are quick and mostly under 500 calories. I would rather personally have fresh however if you have to have ready meals i would try them in order to stick to your calories. Maybe the range will inspire you to try a few new things and cook something different!!!
Thanks for your reply. I don't like the look of those weight watchers meals, or any pre-packed meals with meat in it, to be honest.
May I do need to cook
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Search online for weightloss recipes, check your library, and any recipe books you may already have. There are 4 ingredient cookbooks available for easy meals, If you look you'll find heaps out there. Bon Apetit!0
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The other day I made pizza using a weight watchrs wrap (100 cal wrap)
add tomoto puree, low fat cheese, yellow + red peppers, mushrooms, a little pepperoni and bake in the oven.
you get a thin crust pizza that is low in cal then have with a ton of rocket leaves, cucumber and cherry tomotoes?
Not sure if you like any of that stuff - but hopefully u can do trial and error - goofd luck0 -
I use this site a lot
http://www.greatlittleideas.com/theme/161/winter-warmers/?gclid=CP_nyvzX5KgCFQEKfAod5gw_Ew0 -
You may think i'm really sad and/or anal but i have written out a 5 week menu plan for dinners. I know exactly what i'm going to eat for dinner every day for 5 weeks! I have done this because i get so stressed out if i have to decide at dinner time what i'm supposed to be cooking for dinner, rather than knowing in advance what I'm going to be cooking! It also means that i can shop according to my menu planner and not buy stuff that wont get eaten!
I have got meal ideas / recipes from my old WW cookbooks and also have grabbed some meal ideas / recipes from the SW website. Most of the recipes I have made are under 300 calories and they are all pretty fool proof too. Last night i made garlicky cheesey courgette spaghetti in about 20 minutes and it was FAB!
Perhaps you could look up some recipes that you know are easy to cook and that you will like? As i said, some are from the Slimming World website and they have quite a few on there - maybe that's somewhere you could start?
Good luck!
That's a great idea, thanks. I also get very stressed not knowing what to cook, and sometimes I have gone to bed without eating because I just don't know what to make!
Organisation and planning are the key to sucess I think!0 -
You may think i'm really sad and/or anal but i have written out a 5 week menu plan for dinners. I know exactly what i'm going to eat for dinner every day for 5 weeks! I have done this because i get so stressed out if i have to decide at dinner time what i'm supposed to be cooking for dinner, rather than knowing in advance what I'm going to be cooking! It also means that i can shop according to my menu planner and not buy stuff that wont get eaten!
I have got meal ideas / recipes from my old WW cookbooks and also have grabbed some meal ideas / recipes from the SW website. Most of the recipes I have made are under 300 calories and they are all pretty fool proof too. Last night i made garlicky cheesey courgette spaghetti in about 20 minutes and it was FAB!
Perhaps you could look up some recipes that you know are easy to cook and that you will like? As i said, some are from the Slimming World website and they have quite a few on there - maybe that's somewhere you could start?
Good luck!
That's absolutley brilliant - i generally plan the night before but maybe i should plan a little more in advance.0 -
i'm terrible at cooking and work about 50 hours a week (getting home by 1pm but up so early, i'm the walking dead by dinner prep time). I have subscribed to cooking light this past year, and they have '30 minute meals' and '5 ingredient meals' as sections in their mag...maybe pick up a cooking mag sometime while at the grocery store or library...or check online for 'quick healthy meals'. i generally have to swap out a certain veg for something i like (well, actaully, i have to swap out for something hubby likes, since i'm a lover of most veg); or switch the protein...pork for chicken or vice versa depending on what looks/sounds good. and i plan a week of dinners so i KNOW what to expect time wise for prep. and sometimes even prep chopped veg, like onions, ahead of time (you could even buy pre-chopped veg as a time saver).
good luck...you can do it, it's not impossible, i swear!! 0 -
If you like, I am happy to email you my recipes (it's a Word doc). Message me with your email address if you're interested. 0
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I go along with what others have said, cook big on your day off and freeze in measured portions - if you like plain chicken steam or griddle a full pack, wrap them in foil and stick them in the freezer - left out in the morning it'll have defrosted for tea and will take a couple of minutes to heat up in the microwave - ditto for bolognese and chilli, by the time you've cooked your rice or pasta the sauce will have heated in the microwave. Cook a huge joint of meat when you're doing a roast and freeze in portions, veg will only take a little while to cook. What about stirfries? Again, shred your defrosted chicken breast into it.
Best advice though? Exercise your way to more calories, even if it means getting up an hour earlier in the morning - you'll change shape more quickly, you'll get better quality sleep, and you'll have more calories to eat so will be able to have a bigger range of food. I don't know if you can read my food diary but please feel free to have a look at it if it's available. I go over my total calories on average a couple of times a week (it's usually the fault of wine, lol!) and have been steadily losing a pound a week.
Shaz
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Thanks for your reply. I don't like the look of those weight watchers meals, or any pre-packed meals with meat in it, to be honest.
May I do need to cook
I think you do! I could help you out with easy, and quick recipes, which are also under 600 cals. 0 -
Stir frys are pretty much my staple - take a piece of chicken, some prawns, beef - whatever protein you do like, chuck it in a pan with whatever veggies and spices you like (or in my case, whatever it lurking in the fridge), and maybe add some rice if you want it - super easy and quick - even I can do it :P0
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What about "Smart Ones" or "Lean Cuisines"? They are quick to heat up and low calorie to stick to your diet. Generally they range from 350-280 calories a meal. In my opinion, they have some yummy choices. Good luck!0
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Another suggestion is to google "once a month cooking" -- my mom helped us do it in college and its an awesome way to have meals simply ready to go!
If you like soups you could also make two or three in bug batches and freeze portions that are easy to heat up!0 -
a few dinner ideas that we use in our house:
spaghetti bolognaise ( lower the cal and fat content by using quorn)
salmon, cous cous and salad
fajitas
tuna pasta bake
season and shake chicken ( you throw your chicken, veg,and everything in a bag and cook in the oven, there ace, they are by shwartz i think0 -
a few dinner ideas that we use in our house:
spaghetti bolognaise ( lower the cal and fat content by using quorn)
salmon, cous cous and salad
fajitas
tuna pasta bake
season and shake chicken ( you throw your chicken, veg,and everything in a bag and cook in the oven, there ace, they are by shwartz i think
That's great, thank you 0 -
Thanks for your reply. I don't like the look of those weight watchers meals, or any pre-packed meals with meat in it, to be honest.
May I do need to cook
I think you do! I could help you out with easy, and quick recipes, which are also under 600 cals.
Yes, that'd be great thank you. I'll msg u my email.0 -
ok, from what I can tell, since you like pizza and lasagna and chili, you like red past a sauce, and noodles. And chicken. how about:
Instead of lasagna, a big and heavy meal, try doing this without the noodles and with eggplant (do you like egglant?) if not, you can substitute any vegetable you do like like zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, cut them in strips and layer them w/the cheese and red sauce.
You like chicken--how about fajitas--instead of making it that one way, wrap it in a tortilla and put guac, and salsa on it.
Eggs--do you like them?? Great for you and you can have them so many ways, and low in calorie.
take any vegetable you do like and make a stir fry--then put that over couscous or some type of multigrain pasta. that's one I do all the time for myself--whatever is in the fridge, put in the pan w/sauteed onion (or not if you don't like it) and olive oil. It's always good. You can add tofu, beef, chicken, whatever you like.
Change up your chili recipe--change bean, change from beef to chicken or vegetable.
You could go to the local bookstore and browse some food magazines or cookbooks for inspiration....it's amazing what a few pictures can do to get your mind pumped to try new things.
Do you like Greek Yogurt? that's my go-to snack and really fills me up. Love it. Also, your crisps sound good and are perfectly fine along with a little cheese --that will fill you up too. Just make sure to measure it so it fits into your goal.
Good luck!! hope this helps a little.....0 -
http://www.skinnytaste.com/ - i love this website0
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Firstly - Yes, you do need to cook - its doesn't need to take more than 30 minutes and personally I find it a great way to relax after work.
Secondly - you need to start with the things you do like and work out rather than just list things you don't like - that leaves us all guessing quite a lot.
Personally I recommend the following:
1) Substitute Quorn or Turkey for minced beef. I use about 100g per person. Now you can make any thing with a meaty red sauce, such as Sheppard's pie, Lasagne, spaghetti bolognese etc where the sauce is just over 100 Cals if you dont fry the onions, or 160 if you use a tablespoon of olive oil to cook with between two.
Add 75g of DRY pasta (270 Cal) or 200g of potato (160 Cal) aand some Salad - Well under 600 calories - even enough room for desert or a bigger portion of 'meat' if you are still hungry.
2) As above but make a stir-fry with Rice or Noodles
3) Try some pre-prepared Puy lentils (Merchant Gormet) instead of tuna with your salad.
4) Tuna pasta bake
5) Get some dry spices for chicken - I like fajitas mix, mild curry and 'garlic and herb' - just rub one onto some chicken breast and wack it in the oven for 15 mins (or until cooked) - It just adds some variety to the 'chicken and jacket potato' staple.0 -
you should see if there is a "My Fit Foods" in your area. They have fresh and healthy meals already prepared for you. You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks. You can buy them in advance because they last 4-5 days in the fridge.
www.myfitfoods.com
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools0 -
Best advice though? Exercise your way to more calories, even if it means getting up an hour earlier in the morning - you'll change shape more quickly, you'll get better quality sleep, and you'll have more calories to eat so will be able to have a bigger range of food.
This! You can work at planning your meals in advance to make sure that you've got something healthy for dinner, or you can plan to exercise so that you can be a bit more flexible when you want to have the pizza, lasagna, etc.! I've found that one way or another, you have to plan something in advance, whether it's food or exercise.
For dinners, I like keeping around some lean protein that's easily cooked (chicken breasts, quorn, or some small fish patties). Pop them in the oven with the baked potato (or a small portion of light fries [chips to you, I think!]), or make up some brown rice. Then, keep lots of the frozen vegetables that you do like on hand for another side dish, since they are generally low-cal but very filling. I like to buy fresh fruit on the weekends and cut it up so I have it on-hand for a side dish or dessert. This stuff is all very quick, fresh and healthy.0 -
3 ideas...
1. Keep frozen dinners and vegetables on hand. The tired/busy person will go for these out of convienience.
2. Keep eating lasagna and pizza. Carefully measure the portion to about 250 calories. Add a 250 calorie portion of brocolli and cheese, or brussels sprouts and butter or something on the side. You still have 100 calories left for a cookie or something.
3. Have breakfast for dinner. A big bowl of oatmeal with fruit is my favorite. It takes a minute and a half to cook it. After you sit down and eat it, you still have 350 calories left and can calmly decide what else to eat. (you even have room for 350 cal. lasagna)
Make sure to eat what you are craving- just limit the portion to 250- 350 cals.0 -
Thanks for all your comments people and advice. I'm going to read through them all and make notes and have a plan. I am going on holiday a week on Monday, so I don't know whether I should wait til I get back to start or not...MInd you, I would like to be a few pounds lighter by then so maybe I'll start this Monday!0
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