Vegetables - a lot of flavor, few calories!
01-05-2010, 03:43 AM
#1
FitDay Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 24
Vegetables - a lot of flavor, few calories!
One of the things I discovered recently while working on losing weight is how more robust your diet can be by adding veggies to your various meals.
For example, my normal lunch sandwich would be 1 - 2 oz of meat slapped between some bread and spicy mustard. Pretty boring, but it gets the job done.
This past year, I've taken to adding a slice of tomato and baby spinach leaves (or romaine lettuce) to my sandwiches. It gives the entire sandwich a little more "oomf" to it. It adds flavor and heartiness to the lunch, but very little calories. One slice of tomato, for example, is only 4 calories! Some lettuce or spinach is even less.
Another thing I've added to my lunches is a ziplock bag of a raw vegetable. Carrots are great, and one serving (about 8 - 10 baby carrots) is only 40 calories. Or you can cut up an entire bell pepper (orange are my favorites) and that would only be another 20 calories or so. You get better nutrion, feel full, and only take in another 20 - 40 calories or so. Good stuff.
Of course, you have to LIKE these things in order to enjoy them. Or force yourself to like them. I wasn't really a raw tomato fan myself, but I can enjoy it in a sandwich.
Meanwhile, while fruit is also good for you (and you should eat it!), all the sugar costs you calories.
For example, my normal lunch sandwich would be 1 - 2 oz of meat slapped between some bread and spicy mustard. Pretty boring, but it gets the job done.
This past year, I've taken to adding a slice of tomato and baby spinach leaves (or romaine lettuce) to my sandwiches. It gives the entire sandwich a little more "oomf" to it. It adds flavor and heartiness to the lunch, but very little calories. One slice of tomato, for example, is only 4 calories! Some lettuce or spinach is even less.
Another thing I've added to my lunches is a ziplock bag of a raw vegetable. Carrots are great, and one serving (about 8 - 10 baby carrots) is only 40 calories. Or you can cut up an entire bell pepper (orange are my favorites) and that would only be another 20 calories or so. You get better nutrion, feel full, and only take in another 20 - 40 calories or so. Good stuff.
Of course, you have to LIKE these things in order to enjoy them. Or force yourself to like them. I wasn't really a raw tomato fan myself, but I can enjoy it in a sandwich.
Meanwhile, while fruit is also good for you (and you should eat it!), all the sugar costs you calories.
01-06-2010, 08:16 AM
#2
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 74
Just like your post on the other thread, I agree! I'm combating the cutbacks on portions at meals with adding veggies and I love it! I'm not big on spending the money for vitamins, so I strive everyday to fill those needs with fresh fruits and veggies. I love the flavor, its boosts my feelings of self confidence and worth because I know I'm doing a good thing for my body, and they fill my tummy! Now, if only I could get my boyfriend to eat more of them! He doesn't need to lose weight, but he could stand to get on the healthy bandwagon, I'd like to keep him around for a while! 
Good post, let's spread the veggie love!
Good post, let's spread the veggie love!
01-08-2010, 04:52 PM
#3
FitDay Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 5
nice sandwich
Put those green peppers on the sandwich, sprouts are good too. If at home try grilling the same sandwich on a George Forman Grill, you don't need to butter the bread. A slice of low fat cheese before grilling really makes it really special. One of my favorites it turkey, sprouts, tomatoes, low fat swiss cheese and dijon mustard grilled on the George Forman. Yummy.
