Tired of salad and need variety

I like to break it up by using what I would have on a salad as a sandwich. Toasted two slices of Arnold NuttyHealth 10 grain bread. One side got a wedge of Laughing Cow Fresco with Chipotle cheese, the other got a 100 calorie pack of Wholly Guacamole. In between lettuce, spinach, sliced tomato, cucumber. De-licsh!

I like to "hide" the veggies in stuff. I'll add frozen spinach to the ricotta in lasagna or to the filling for enchiladas. Sometimes I'll add peas to macaroni and cheese (whole wheat, and yes, I know that peas aren't really a veggie!). Put carrots in tomato sauce-- even though they're a starchy veg, when you blend the sauce, you can't really tell. You can also add frozen spinach to meat loaf or meatballs. Since Fall is beginning soon, you can make veggie soups that have lots of protein and beans, and even whole wheat noodles, which will dilute the veggies in every bite. Hope this helps!

I have found a 60 calorie Flax and Oatmeal pita pocket at Walmart. I put some sliced deli turkey (about 20 calories a slice) in the pita pocket, Sometimes I eat it plain like that,sometimes with a squirt of Ranch dressing or low fat mayo, then fill it with veggies, like onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, cole slaw mix, anything I want. The pita and turkey keep me filling full longer; I get my veggies; and it fills me up.

I, also, eat a lot of brown rice. I make a big skillet full on Sunday.....cut up onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic and cook with it. When it's done, add a can of tomatoes (and a can of tomato sauce depending upon how much I make and how tomatoey you like it). I take a cup of that to work with me...heat it up...eat with some crackers and veggies. If you don't like veggies in it, just make it plain and keep it around for when you need something to eat....add some soy sauce or a dab of Ranch dressing or mustard...you can eat anything on top of rice. Oh, and I loveeeeeee to put blackeyed peas on it!! Peas and rice and a salad..been one of my staples!!

I love cottage cheese.....especially with fruit...canned peaches, strawberies, canteloupe.....whatever fruit is around!!! Or, chopped up onion and pepper.......some people put tuna on top of it..but I've not tried it.

I, also, don't make salad with lettuce. I can eat lettuce but it's not my preference. I cut up cucumber, radishes, onions (gotta have my onions) and tomatoes....eat with Ranch dressing (yes, it's one of the few food luxuries I allow myself because I can't handle the fat free stuff) and eat with some crackers...great salad without lettuce of any kind!!! Or just a cut up cucumer with Ranch along with your meal.

I used to love steamed vegetables...but right now I'm on the raw kick (maybe it's the fresh garden stuff).....

I have tried all those Lean Cuisine and WW and diet frozen dinners....and I have yet to find one that I thought was edible. Ughhh....I have a few in my freezer so if I"m in a real bind but ...they've been there a long time now!!!



Good luck finding something that works for you and you an enjoy!

How about hummus with some carrot sticks or crackers? I'm not a big fan of the original hummus that I've tried, but I love Sabre's spicy flavored hummus to use either as a dip or spread on Arnold whole wheat sandwich thins.

Definitely don't feel like you're restricted with salads. Branch out, or look up healthy salad recipes online. I love cooking chicken in different spices to add flavor to my salads (ancho chili powder+cumin+garlic salt is DIVINE) or trying different healthy dressings or fruits on top. Experiment a little!

My diary is open and you are welcome to check it out. I almost never eat salad, but I do love most veggies. When you cook veggies how do you normally cook them? If you don't like them steamed, try sauteing or roasting them. Try different spices and mix them with other ingredients. There are really too many vegetables and ways to cook them for anyone to dislike them all. Just get creative. Or, if all else fails, put cheese on them!

Try cooking the veggies with a very flavorful cheese. Though eating lots of cheese isn't too good for you some (feta, goat cheese, parmesan) pack such a large punch that you need very little to mask the flavor of any veggies you don't like. Usually you can do one serving of cheese for every two servings of vegetables, but it tastes so good, you don't realize that it is also really good for you.

I like chunks of raw veggies more than actual salad. Mushroom slices, broccoli or cauliflower florets, carrots, celery, raw green beans, pea pods, jicama sticks, green or red peppers, etc. Eat them with a little salt, with lemon pepper, with some balsamic vinegar or lime juice, or with chili and garlic.