brunch help.

opalle
opalle Posts: 234 Member
edited November 19 in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone

I just started on my weight loss . I think I'll be ok with my calories throughout the week but weekends are going to be tough.

I put on a brunch every Sunday and have for years. My kids are older and even the one out of the house will often come and sometimes extended family members too. Its a time we all get together for at meal and I really don't want to stop. But they are very hearty brunches and today I blew most of my daily calories on it. I'm going to have to make some adjustments(including my portions) but I don't want to deprive others of their once a week indulgence just because I need to lose weight. Anyone have any suggestions on how to lighten it up a little?

Replies

  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    Just log it and move on. It's one time. Now you know how to prevent it from happening the next time.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,300 Member
    What are you currently making? And how many calories are you eating? That would give us all a start on helping you out.
  • opalle
    opalle Posts: 234 Member
    Today was sausages hashbrowns eggs and toast, some days I do waffles with whipped cream and fruit (no more whipped cream for me) I've done quiches and eggs benedict. Not at all diet friendly but it's only once a week and I'm hoping I can just control my portions so everyone else can continue to enjoy it.
  • happygolucky721
    happygolucky721 Posts: 26 Member
    if it's a weekly thing, you need to plan around. make the usual plus a couple healthy options (chopped fruit, green salad..). Maybe do more potluck style so you aren't making all the unhealthy food all weekend beforehand.
  • sdraper2014
    sdraper2014 Posts: 81 Member
    Make some lower fat Turkey sausages for yourself, weight watchers toast, 1 slice at 50 calls and ten grams of carbs, only eat one egg and a small portion of potatoes and you are good! Throw in some fruit to lighten it up a bit.

    I like to do a skillet meal when others are over, lots of cooked onion, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, red pepper, a small amount of potato, scrambled eggs and melt some cheese on top under the broiler. The veggies replace most of the potato and I don't eat toast with it.

    Also, nothing wrong with serving boiled eggs, fruit salad, cottage cheese, cheese tray, bacon, smoked salmon, yogurt, toast. Throw in a few pastries for others, but only what you think they would eat, or send them home with others. That is the type of brunch my mother in law serves over Christmas time. She has a huge spread and there are heavier and lighter foods so something for everyone.

  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    Stick to some fresh fruit and eggs. And really, maybe if you spent less time cooking, and making high calorie foods, it would be just as fun. It is about family being together, not you cooking a big meal.

    Buy some muffins, have cereal, maybe do smoothies for a change.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Hit up that smoked salmon.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I'm not sure what your calorie allotment is but many people (myself included) look at their weekly calories and deficit rather than individual days because there is usually at least one meal or day in a week where I need more calories. If it's something I know I'm going to go over for, I often cut 100 cals from each day in the week in order to have 500 extra for a Saturday splurge for example.

    Secondly, when I have gone out for brunch or had big meals like that, I used to fret about it but then I realized that I really wasn't that hungry for the rest of the day because of the one big meal so I skipped lunch and had a small dinner and ended up controlling my calories that way.

    Lastly, this is your family and I bet your kids would be so proud of you for wanting to lose weight and improve your health that if you told them the menu was going to change, that there was going to be more fresh fruit and less whipped cream for the waffles I bet they would be all for it.

    Sounds like a great tradition. Definitely don't give it up! Find a way to make it fit your new lifestyle.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    opalle wrote: »
    Today was sausages hashbrowns eggs and toast, some days I do waffles with whipped cream and fruit (no more whipped cream for me) I've done quiches and eggs benedict. Not at all diet friendly but it's only once a week and I'm hoping I can just control my portions so everyone else can continue to enjoy it.

    You don't have to eat everything that everyone else does. Maybe just have the eggs and hashbrowns, skip the whipped cream on your waffle, plan a vegetable dish you can fill up half your plate with.
    Pre-log the meal and see what fits your day the best.
  • opalle
    opalle Posts: 234 Member
    Thank you for all the suggestions. I will plan ahead for more healthy options. I'm sure if I added some fruit and limited my portions it will work out. Thank you also for pointing out that my kids would be supportive. I guess my own guilt in gaining so much weight makes feel like I'm unjustifiably imposing on them if I make changes but they are great kids and if course would be supportive.
  • sdraper2014
    sdraper2014 Posts: 81 Member
    I totally understand the feeling opalle, there are nights my husband makes himself toast because he hasn't gotten enough carbs. I eat a very low carb diet, and he pretty much lives on them, but he loves me and is supportive and frankly glad he didn't have to cook anything himself!
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Also it sounds like you are a great cook. Take this opportunity to try some new recipes! Breakfast is one of my favorite meals to experiment with.

    Oh and the other thing I was thinking was things everyone can sort of build themselves. Omelettes where yours is filled with veggies and they can still do bacon and cheese if they want. A make your own parfait bar with yogurt, fruit and granola.

    I bet your family will love it!
  • faithyang
    faithyang Posts: 297 Member
    I had a similar problem with my hubby eating full fat and not liking the 'bird' food (in portion and in aesthetic in his opinion) I eat. I solve the problem by making his food and mine, and some days I do join in with him.

    But a key difference is that before I put out the dishes on the table I pre-portion my own food on a smaller plate and put the dishes 'family style' on the table. I don't do seconds. I tend to have a larger vegetable portion than meat, and I use less oils in my food. I also tend to start with a salad, and end it with a slice of fruit, sometimes a mug of low-cal hot chocolate.

    You don't have to miss out, you just have to be aware that while there's nothing wrong with eating the food you make for everyone else, you have to eat less, and if you can, do a swap here and there for healthier alternatives.
    For example, instead of serving up omelettes to yourself, you can do poached eggs, or increase the egg white count in your omelette, and cook it with less butter or with olive oil spray.
  • mistikal13
    mistikal13 Posts: 1,457 Member
    Just try to eat a smaller portion and maybe add a fruit salad to help fill you up.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Lobster scrambled eggs and fruit salad is my favorits brunch, and it's fairly low calorie even with a mimosa.
  • opalle
    opalle Posts: 234 Member
    Well it took a few weeks but I think I got a handle on brunch. Today we had a big one and I was able to enjoy while eating less than half the calories I use to. Posting here in case anyone else can benefit

    Below is what my plate looked like.

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    I cooked a small batch of turkey bacon in addition to regular bacon for the bacon lovers. Used spinach and light swiss cheese for the egg scramble and cooked mime separate to ensure acurate portion and subsitute salsa for ketchup. A fruit salad helped fill me and my plate. What's really awesome is I don't have the laziness I get from a big huge meal.

    Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    edited July 2015
    I make homemade turkey sausages, egg/cheese breakfast braids, and at least one egg bake (my favorite being http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/12/sausage-cheese-and-veggie-egg-bake.html?m=1). If I make eggs Benedict, I do love to take out the meat and instead add steamed asparagus and tomato slices as well as lighten up the sauce and just eat one half. It's so good!
    Oh, and if you swap with center cut bacon, it's just as delicious and not as calorie dense.
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