Help! Need help with dinner!!

Saunders2485
Saunders2485 Posts: 23 Member
edited December 2 in Recipes
Hi all I'm New and just starting out. I would love if ye could share some of your dinner recipes. I'm feeling completely lost.
Any help would be great.
Elaine

Replies

  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I pretty much eat the same foods I always did just in appropriate portion sizes for my goal. I find pre-logging helpful.
    Use the recipe builder to enter recipes and log your homemade foods.
    This is how I typically eat and spread out my calories:
    Breakfast- Greek yogurt, granola bars, cereal with milk, sandwich, dinner leftovers, fruit (about 200-300 calories)
    Lunch- sandwich, salad, or dinner leftovers (about 300-500 calories)
    Dinner- something different every night of the month. (about 500-600 calories) I have soup once a week usually.
    Snacks- things like fruit, chips, popcorn, pretzels, chocolate, cookies, granola bar, carrots, celery, broccoli, trail mix, deviled eggs, pickles, cottage cheese (about 100-300 calories)
    I post recipes and my monthly meal plan on my blog. https://lounmoun.wordpress.com/

    I find food ideas on Pinterest a lot.
    Some other good sources for recipes:
    http://www.budgetbytes.com
    http://www.skinnytaste.com
    http://www.allrecipes.com
    http://www.ohsheglows.com
    http://www.kalynskitchen.com/
  • vivmom2014
    vivmom2014 Posts: 1,649 Member
    Don't let dinner be overwhelming. Sometimes I must say to myself, "Calm down. It's one meal."
    Eat foods that you love. Do you have a set of core recipes that you feel comfortable with? Stick with those. Watch your portion sizes (use a food scale.)

    Broad lines for easy meals ---> crock pot dishes, mac & cheese w/ a protein (meat or meat analog, or beans tossed in), individual naan pizzas topped with a little olive oil, salt, mozzarella, vegetables and nuts; pasta dishes - can be very simple if you sauté some fresh vegetables and dress the pasta with jarred sauce or a little olive oil and salt; tacos (I prefer crunchy shells) filled with everything from meat to beans to fish; breakfast for dinner (mmm, blueberry pancakes w/ a side of vegan sausage); chilis and soups are filling.

  • CattOfTheGarage
    CattOfTheGarage Posts: 2,745 Member
    I'd honestly start by tracking some of your usual dinners to see how far they are from your goals. You might find they just need the portions adjusted, or you might be able to get some ideas on how to adapt them. Don't try to change everything at once.
  • kaylouyou
    kaylouyou Posts: 10 Member
    Stuffed mushrooms are my new healthy favourite. Make up about half size portions of your favourite rice/cous cous/risotto recipes, stuff some big portobello mushrooms and bake them in the oven brushed with olive oil. The mushrooms are filling but only about 25 calories each. I usually have two stuffed mushrooms per person with some side salad. Here's a Nigella recipe i found but you can basically stuff them with anything
    https://www.nigella.com/recipes/members/stoupatarts-mushrooms-stuffed-with-pine-nut-risotto
  • upoffthemat
    upoffthemat Posts: 679 Member
    I pretty much go with soups, whatever meat is on sale at the grocery store, or chicken breasts ( I always try to stay stocked up on them when they go on sale) Just avoid a lot of high calorie add ons, cream sauces, pasta, oils, breadm etc should all be used in moderation when you use them.
    Green vegetables and tomatoes can really stretch a meal without adding a lot of calories.
  • cassy_cake
    cassy_cake Posts: 20 Member
    I love steamed mixed veggies & beans with a tomato sauce and some hot sauce, my other go to is steamed veggies with tinned tomatoes or tomato puree and curry powders/paste :) I am boring but I never get tired of these!
  • RanaSimon
    RanaSimon Posts: 73 Member
    One of my favorite quick and easy but low cal dinners is to make one-pan quinoa bowls.
    Cook one pound of lean meat (ground turkey, chicken breast, etc. - you don't have to do meat either, I'm just a carnivore by nature lol).
    Add at least twice that amount of veggies (you can make it Mexican, Italian, even Greek depending on the veggies and seasonings you put in - I usually have at least 1 cup of each veggie) and some dried seasonings (go easy on these! One teaspoon per dried seasoning and just a pinch of salt will be enough).
    Add 1 cup light broth (or just water is fine) and bring to a simmer, then and 1 cup quinoa. Mix and simmer for 20 minutes and BAM! 4-6 servings of delicious, quick dinner. It's such a versatile option, I do it at least once a week.
  • RanaSimon
    RanaSimon Posts: 73 Member
    makingmark wrote: »
    I pretty much go with soups, whatever meat is on sale at the grocery store, or chicken breasts ( I always try to stay stocked up on them when they go on sale) Just avoid a lot of high calorie add ons, cream sauces, pasta, oils, breadm etc should all be used in moderation when you use them.
    Green vegetables and tomatoes can really stretch a meal without adding a lot of calories.

    Very true, soup is another great option, and usually again is only one pot needed. I made a pretty good Zuppa Tuscana copycat recipe I love to use on a lazy day. (If you've ever been to Olive Garden, you'll love this one, haha!)
  • Christina2o
    Christina2o Posts: 6 Member
    Don't be hard on your self but at the same time, don't give up, use a scale and track everything you eat. Eat what you love, in moderation. If you fail today, start over tomorrow. U got this :-)
  • Saunders2485
    Saunders2485 Posts: 23 Member
    Thank you all for your help and advice. I think my main problem was portion control. I bought a food scale and have found it great.
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