Fries!
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My husband will sometimes cube a potato, parboil it, coat it in a bit of olive oil, and then finish it in the toaster oven with whatever spices strike his fancy.
They aren't fries, but they're very good.
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »Sounds like OP doesn't want to "fit some fries in" and has asked for alternatives. I get that MFP is hardline "eat everything if it fits" but sometimes people want to make different choices some days.
OP I don't even think sweet potato fries would be that much less calorific. Are oven fries better maybe? I bet supermarket freezer ones still have added fats but could you bake up your own potato fries? The hot from the oven and the salt might do the trick.
OP didn't ask for alternatives directly nor is your assumption of them not wanting to fit some in, correct. But keep on inferring.1 -
If they are baked, then you can lessen the calories. But they aren't "unhealthy".Carebear199125 wrote: »So I have been craving French fries like crazy but they have a lot of calories and just not healthy. I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries. Any suggestions?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »People sometimes want to learn and explore for themselves and not jump right to someone else's solution.
Then they wouldn't post asking for suggestions... This makes no sense.5 -
You're right we should just have a bot that answers "eat it if it fits in your calories" and save everyone a lot of time.1
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »You're right we should just have a bot that answers "eat it if it fits in your calories" and save everyone a lot of time.
Yup.4 -
Actually the OP's thought is that they are "unhealthy" which isn't true and why they are possibly looking for an alternative.MelanieCN77 wrote: »Sounds like OP doesn't want to "fit some fries in" and has asked for alternatives. I get that MFP is hardline "eat everything if it fits" but sometimes people want to make different choices some days.
OP I don't even think sweet potato fries would be that much less calorific. Are oven fries better maybe? I bet supermarket freezer ones still have added fats but could you bake up your own potato fries? The hot from the oven and the salt might do the trick.
There are ways to make fries less calorie dense, but I don't think people need to cut out food they like. They just need to figure out how they can sensibly add them in to their current diet regimen.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »You're right we should just have a bot that answers "eat it if it fits in your calories" and save everyone a lot of time.
I was trying to stay out of this, but here's my 2 cents from hard learned dieting experience.
There is a lot of dieting information out there, and I wish I could go back in time and put my 25 year old self where I am now and have access to the kind of information people share on these forums so I wouldn't waste my time believing things about dieting that ultimately wasted my time and thwarted my efforts to form a healthy relationship with food.
Knowledge is power, and the more someone embarking on the path to managing their weight for life finds out how all of this really works? The better. That includes getting input from people who offer suggestions like "eat a smaller portion", "here's what I eat instead", "and here's a handy gadget I use to save calories".
I'm also reminded of the fact that for every OP, there are countless lurkers reading along. They're helped by what they read.
OP, what I do probably wouldn't work for you, because I'm sort of forced to do it due to special circumstances. I only eat fries on vacation because they're the only place I can get good fries that are reliably gluten free. If the fries aren't going to be really good, I don't want to bother wasting calories on them.
During the year, I just eat roasted or baked potatoes when the craving for potatoes hits me. For roasted potatoes, I slice up my potatoes and toss them with a very small amount of olive oil and cook them in a hot oven until they're crispy. They're not fries, but they're tasty.7 -
Check online menus for the calorie content of an order of fries (maybe pick the place with the lowest number), and eat them if they work into your allotted calories. Maybe do a longer workout to make them fit into allotment and have them as a reward. Starchy stuff like that - I tend to crave more when I eat it and lack self control, so buying more than 1 serving (say at a grocery store) wouldn't be an option for me, but might for you.
If you are possibly just craving something salty/crispy, the green bean suggestion above might work.1 -
Thank you for the advice everyone. I love French fries and when I do want them bad I tend to over eat. I have tried fitting them in and I end up feeling guilty. I'm sorry for any issues I caused but the comment about green beans I'll try. I guess I'm just looking for a healthier version of something crunchy and salty.3
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Carebear199125 wrote: »So I have been craving French fries like crazy but they have a lot of calories and just not healthy. I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries. Any suggestions?
I loooove Culver's fries. Every other fast food joint - I can take it or leave it. So I only eat fries from time to time.
But more often I make my own "oven fries." I like using different seasonings + salt, that way I make them my own. Weber Veggie Grill seasoning is fab!2 -
Portion control is the biggest part for me. I have not cut anything out at all. I eat what I want but eat portions that work within my calories allotment for the day. I have days where I mess up but then the next day I work harder to be under to help. have the fries but weigh then out so that you are just having a portion and then bake them or as others have said try to get an air fryer, I am hoping that I might be able to get once soon so that I can have my favorite fried food that I really like to have like fries and fried green beans1
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Carebear199125 wrote: »Thank you for the advice everyone. I love French fries and when I do want them bad I tend to over eat. I have tried fitting them in and I end up feeling guilty. I'm sorry for any issues I caused but the comment about green beans I'll try. I guess I'm just looking for a healthier version of something crunchy and salty.
why feel guilty for eating something that you enjoy if it fits into your calorie goals for the day? as a society, we have been so educated on certain foods being good or bad for us that its causes disordered relationships with food4 -
Carebear199125 wrote: »Thank you for the advice everyone. I love French fries and when I do want them bad I tend to over eat. I have tried fitting them in and I end up feeling guilty. I'm sorry for any issues I caused but the comment about green beans I'll try. I guess I'm just looking for a healthier version of something crunchy and salty.
This is disordered thinking. Food shouldn't make you feel guilty especially when you can fit it into your calorie goals.
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Carebear199125 wrote: »Thank you for the advice everyone. I love French fries and when I do want them bad I tend to over eat. I have tried fitting them in and I end up feeling guilty. I'm sorry for any issues I caused but the comment about green beans I'll try. I guess I'm just looking for a healthier version of something crunchy and salty.
You didn't cause any issues, OP - don't apologize.
There is no reason to feel guilty for occasionally fitting a food that you like into your diet. If you're otherwise under your calorie goal and including a wide variety of foods in your diet, there is nothing inherently wrong with French fries (or any other food for that matter). Learning to have a good relationship with food so that you don't feel guilt for eating it is so important for long term success. You will most likely not go your whole life without eating another French fry, so finding a way to incorporate them into a sustainable diet is a great idea!6 -
MelanieCN77 wrote: »People sometimes want to learn and explore for themselves and not jump right to someone else's solution.
But if that person asks for other people's help and/or opinions on a message board, then it only seems logical that the posters will offer their help and/or opinions. Everyone's experience will be a bit different, which is the beauty of a board like this one with input from many different people.
Posting a comment that implies that others are not being helpful when they are genuinely trying to be helpful is, well...not helpful.
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Garlic and Parm Baked fries-
mix a clove of minced garlic, 1 T of Parmesan, chopped parsley and set aside.
cut a russet potato into thin strips while preheating oven to 425 with a sheet tray in the oven.
toss potato in or mist with oil, arrange in a single layer on the hot tray
toss halfway through baking, around 18-25 minutes until golden and crispy
sprinkle garlic Parm mix over fries when they come out of the oven
Also try -
Broccoli or Cauliflower Tots
Toasted Chickpeas
Breaded asparagus or cauliflower
Not the same as the coveted French Fry, but they're pretty tasty and may help you put off the craving.1 -
I may have misinterpreted the OP, but I thought she meant she feels guilty b/c when she tries to fit them in she ends up overeating them, so can't stick to her calorie goal.Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »Carebear199125 wrote: »Thank you for the advice everyone. I love French fries and when I do want them bad I tend to over eat. I have tried fitting them in and I end up feeling guilty. I'm sorry for any issues I caused but the comment about green beans I'll try. I guess I'm just looking for a healthier version of something crunchy and salty.
You didn't cause any issues, OP - don't apologize.
Agreed.
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »People sometimes want to learn and explore for themselves and not jump right to someone else's solution.
The beautiful thing about a forum like this is that one can be provided with a variety of solutions...also, for shame that people who've had a lot of success with this whole thing are offering up their ideas whether they are alternatives or not...many of us have learned that sometimes it's better to just have a little rather than go off the rails at some point because you just can't take it anymore...yeah, none of us have ever been there or done that...none.
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Alot of times I make my own fries, it has the same effect except it's not as much salt1
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