Ideas for a healthy dinner
MichelleBelle18
Posts: 10 Member
Hi everyone, I'm looking for any ideas on what I can eat for dinner that is healthy, and quick to prepare after a long day. I have been told to cut out carbs so I'm a little lost to what I can have instead of carbs as part of a meal. I also have a dietary restriction which means I can't have Gluten. TIA.
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Replies
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I use spaghetti squash. I cook it with some garlic and a little butter and low fat Parmesan. Typically have it with grilled chicken and some sort of green vegetable (broccoli, asparagus, side salad with lemon juice). Its a non carb side that is still very rich.3
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Who told you to cut out carbs? Why? How much have you already learned about yourself, your abilities in the kitchen, your curiosity to learn? While I'm asking, I'll go ahead and ask for your height, weight, age, and activity level. What is the weight loss goal you chose when you created your myfitnesspal userid?0
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I use spaghetti squash. I cook it with some garlic and a little butter and low fat Parmesan. Typically have it with grilled chicken and some sort of green vegetable (broccoli, asparagus, side salad with lemon juice). Its a non carb side that is still very rich.
Squash, summer, all varieties, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt
per USDA, 100 g has 4.31 g carbs, only .91 g protein and .31 g fat. How is that a non carb?0 -
Cab you prepare it ahead of time and then just heat up a serving at dinner time? Check out skinnytaste.com. Here is one of my favorite Gluten free recipes:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/zucchini-lasagna/
I make this on the weekend and it's dinner for 6 nights (I don't share). She has all her Gluten free recipes labeled as such and you can do a search.
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Thank you all for your replies
I went to see my Dr and while I was there I mentioned I wanted to lose weight, I was told by the Dr to cut out carbs and exercise etc. My height is 6ft and at the moment I weight 8st 8lbs. I'm looking at losing 50lbs and when I've done that then see how much more I need to lose. 0 -
MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Thank you all for your replies I went to see my Dr and while I was there I mentioned I wanted to lose weight, I was told by the Dr to cut out carbs and exercise etc. My height is 6ft and at the moment I weight 8st 8lbs. I'm looking at losing 50lbs and when I've done that then see how much more I need to lose.
Is the bolded part correct?1 -
Maybe get a second opinion about cutting out carbs unless there was a clear medical reason for it? I understand from your post you can't have gluten due to a medical (?) dietary restriction, but there is no reason got cut out other carbs (unless you want to!) for weight loss as long as you eat in a caloric deficit.0
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MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Thank you all for your replies I went to see my Dr and while I was there I mentioned I wanted to lose weight, I was told by the Dr to cut out carbs and exercise etc. My height is 6ft and at the moment I weight 8st 8lbs. I'm looking at losing 50lbs and when I've done that then see how much more I need to lose.
Is the bolded part correct?
This was my question too... I'm guessing/hoping typo...
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Oh doctors...could you ask for a referral to a dietician? they can more accurately assess your dietary needs than a GP can.0
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we have been making our own stir fry bags. they are super quick and easy. let me explain
we get the big bag of frozen veggies from like Birds eye then whatever meat you want (we got chicken & beef)
we got quart size bags and gallon size bags we separate out the meat in the quart size bag seperate the veggies in the gallon size bags and put them together then when i go to take out the meat to thaw i can keep the veggies in the freezer. literally it has taken me 15-20 minutes to cook dinner which is super easy and healthy1 -
MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Thank you all for your replies I went to see my Dr and while I was there I mentioned I wanted to lose weight, I was told by the Dr to cut out carbs and exercise etc. My height is 6ft and at the moment I weight 8st 8lbs. I'm looking at losing 50lbs and when I've done that then see how much more I need to lose.
You are 120 lbs and want to lose 50lbs?????0 -
MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Hi everyone, I'm looking for any ideas on what I can eat for dinner that is healthy, and quick to prepare after a long day. I have been told to cut out carbs so I'm a little lost to what I can have instead of carbs as part of a meal. I also have a dietary restriction which means I can't have Gluten. TIA.
To lose weight you have to reduce your calories. You do not have to eliminate carbs. You can eat what you already do just reduce portion sizes.
Vegetables are carbs btw. A no carb diet would be limited to things like meat, eggs, oil, butter, water. Not super healthy or sustainable for most people.
Please clarify your weight. If you really are 120 lbs and 6' losing weight is not appropriate.3 -
Sorry I made a mistake on my last post I was meant to put 18st 8lbs2
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That makes more sense.
My thought would be that your doctor meant that you should cut down on carbs, not cut them out entirely. Carbs are usually a quick area to cut and often when people say to cut them, they are referring to things that are traditionally thought of as "junk" foods and which tend to be carb-y (but also often are higher in fat.) My thought is that your doctor was pretty much saying to eat less junk food but went about it in a really roundabout way.
Anyway, set your MFP profile to lose a pound a week and then eat the number of calories it gives you. If you exercise, log the calories and eat a constant % of them (100%, 50%, etc.) for four weeks. Then evaluate your progress. Losing too quickly? Eat more. Too slowly? Eat less. Just right? Stay the course.
As for the macro (protein/carb/fat) breakdown of your food, I am a fan of finding protein and fat minimums and aiming to eat at least those. Calories left above and beyond those minimums can either be carbs or more fat or more protein. Over time you will find what works best for you as far as those remaining calories go. I would calculate the protein and fat this way:
Top of healthy weight range for a 6 foot person is 191 per the "tall BMI" calculator.
191 x .4 = 76.4 ~ 80 grams of fat minimum per day
191 x .8 = 152.8 ~ 155 grams of protein minimum per day1 -
The Dr said to cut them out ENTIRELY!
And no there is no medical reason, that is what I was told to do. I did ask if it was possible to see a dietician but the answer was no! 
And I'm Gluten Free because I was diagnosed as a Coeliac 5 years ago. Thank you all for your ideas and replies - much appreciated. 0 -
MichelleBelle18 wrote: »The Dr said to cut them out ENTIRELY! And no there is no medical reason, that is what I was told to do. I did ask if it was possible to see a dietician but the answer was no! And I'm Gluten Free because I was diagnosed as a Coeliac 5 years ago. Thank you all for your ideas and replies - much appreciated.
Let's see... a doctor that discourages you from seeking a second opinion from a specialist trained in that particular area, and doesn't provide explanations to support their recommendation. That doesn't raise any red flags for you, or suggest that you might want to look into a new doctor?
ETA - just to be clear. By suggesting that you cut out all carbs entirely, your doctor is advising you to cut out all fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains and basically consume a diet of nothing but meat and various fats (butter, oils, etc). Does that sound like a healthy approach, even with your coeliac disease?2 -
I would seek a 2nd opinion. While your doctor might have his/her reasons for recommending this type of diet, I would want to make sure the health choices you are making are the best for your lifestyle, long term.1
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A zero carb diet is a meat only diet. No vegetables or anything. Are you sure you didn't have a communication issue?1
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MichelleBelle18 wrote: »The Dr said to cut them out ENTIRELY! And no there is no medical reason, that is what I was told to do. I did ask if it was possible to see a dietician but the answer was no! And I'm Gluten Free because I was diagnosed as a Coeliac 5 years ago. Thank you all for your ideas and replies - much appreciated.
You don't need your doctor's permission to see a registered dietitian. Contact one directly.
Also, regardless of what your doctor says as far as carbs go, you are overweight and need to lose, right? So while you're getting the whole carb thing straightened out, start cutting calories now. No need to wait.2 -
When I asked to see a dietician and the answer was no I was very disappointed! It made me feel a bit on my own with this! I'm guessing its cut backs and it saves them money?? They seem to be cutting back on a lot now. Think I might see another Dr and ask again to see a dietician.0
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If there's no medical reason to cut carbs, you don't need to - and you'd have a really, really difficult time cutting them out ENTIRELY because carbs are found in so many foods, including non-starchy vegetables.
Your doctor not allowing you to see a registered dietician is bull *kitten*, especially if you have Celiac's.
Potatoes, quinoa, corn, beans/pulses, rice . . . usually GF and can be part of a nutritious diet that includes weight reduction. Unless it's something you can stick with long-term or medically necessary, you can definitely enjoy some carb-containing food and lose weight.
But if you want GF and really low carb:
Sauteed salmon and veggies
Stir-fry on cauliflower "rice"
Buffalo chicken tender lettuce wraps
Pork chops and red cabbage
Cottage cheese or yogurt
omelettes
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Just to confirm yes the Dr did say to cut out carbs ENTIRELY. And advised me to eat fish, meat, vegetables, fruit instead. This is why I asked on here what to have for dinner that's healthy and no carbs as I was stuck for ideas.0
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MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Just to confirm yes the Dr did say to cut out carbs ENTIRELY. And advised me to eat fish, meat, vegetables, fruit instead. This is why I asked on here what to have for dinner that's healthy and no carbs as I was stuck for ideas.
Then you are confusing "carbs" with something else. Carbohydrates are a macronutrient found in many foods including vegetables, fruits, and dairy.
Did your doctor mean to cut out grains? Starchy foods? You need to clarify this otherwise it will be difficult to offer helpful advice.2 -
MichelleBelle18 wrote: »Just to confirm yes the Dr did say to cut out carbs ENTIRELY. And advised me to eat fish, meat, vegetables, fruit instead. This is why I asked on here what to have for dinner that's healthy and no carbs as I was stuck for ideas.
OK. This right here proves that your doctor has no clue what he's talking about. At your earliest convenience, I'd recommend going to a different doctor.
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I would suggest to the OP that if you can't get the kind of guidance you need from your health care provider, go outside the system, and/or do some research on your own. There are plenty of reputable sources of information available online, if you can weed out the salesmen and scam artists. Just pay attention to the sources. And don't forget that good old-fashioned research tool we used to call a "library".
There are any number of effective "diets" out there. They all work to one extent or another. Pick one. Some are more extreme, while others emphasize a balance and variety of foods to keep us healthy while we lose. They're pretty easy to distinguish. A plan that calls for nothing but grapefruit juice for 10 days is probably not a good idea if you're not being medically supervised, whereas a plan that includes lots of veggies, complex carbs, and lean protein will most likely keep you healthy while you shed pounds.
The bottom line, in a broad sense, is that you will need to determine your current Total Daily Energy Expenditure, and eat at a caloric deficit to lose weight. The balance of macronutrients (Carbs/Fats/Proteins) will determine how well you lose fat and retain or build muscle, and the balance of micronutrients, from the amount of vegetables and fruits you eat, will determine how healthy you stay overall.
Good Luck!1 -
I just don't understand it myself! When I was diagnosed as a Coeliac 5 years ago I was referred to a dietician (which was great). Roll on years later and I would like to see one regarding my weight and I get a NO! Anyway i'm really considering going back and seeing a different Dr and ask again.0
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Green beans, rice, black beans, spaghetti squash, and any variety of meats (IDK cuz I'm vegetarian) thrown together with spices shouldn't take too long. I often will cook or microwave something very easy, like a veggie burger, veggie meatballs, seasoned green beans, diced potatos, etc and simply put them on top of a big bed of lettuce with a vinegar or savory sauce -> dinner in 5 minutes.0
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Mary_Anastasia wrote: »Green beans, rice, black beans, spaghetti squash, and any variety of meats (IDK cuz I'm vegetarian) thrown together with spices shouldn't take too long. I often will cook or microwave something very easy, like a veggie burger, veggie meatballs, seasoned green beans, diced potatos, etc and simply put them on top of a big bed of lettuce with a vinegar or savory sauce -> dinner in 5 minutes.
Many of the things you suggested have carbs in them. Not saying they aren't good suggestions, they sound tasty and healthy, but OP's doctor suggested she cut out all carbs.
OP this is why you need to get clarification from your doctor and a second opinion. Either you misunderstood the doctor or he/she provided confusing (accidentally or intentionally) information and is discouraging you from getting additional guidance from a specialist.
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lynn_glenmont wrote: »I use spaghetti squash. I cook it with some garlic and a little butter and low fat Parmesan. Typically have it with grilled chicken and some sort of green vegetable (broccoli, asparagus, side salad with lemon juice). Its a non carb side that is still very rich.
Squash, summer, all varieties, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt
per USDA, 100 g has 4.31 g carbs, only .91 g protein and .31 g fat. How is that a non carb?
Sorry. Low Carb. I didn't realized it had less than 5 grams.
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No I did not misunderstand the Dr. I even wrote it all down what she told me to do.0
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