New Year Diet Resolutions

[Lifestar]

Many people start the New Year resolving to make changes in their diets.

Whether it's loosing weight, eating healthier, lowering fat, increasing fiber, whatever the goal.. We seem to start en mass around January 3rd..

I know I want to drink more water, eat lower fat, lower sugar higher calcium foods. I'm also resolving to take vitamin and mineral supplements.. and I'm putting my entire family on this "diet" with me.

I went food shopping yesterday, and my pantry is beginning to transform itself bit by bit.

I'm hoping that if I do this slowly enough, the family won't even notice that they are eating healthier..


Is anyone else resolving to change their diet?

[Crafty Amanda]

Definitely, have already implemented changes. I am buying brown rice instead of white, whole wheat english muffins, wheat pasta, etc. I am still buying white bread for the kids' lunches and some other things like that, but overall I'm implementing healthier things. I'm not buying junk food, but I do get snacks like pretzels, crackers, cheese, string cheese, sugar free jello and pudding, etc.

[apricot]

Hi! Abear directed me over here and said you were resolving to eat healthier this year. Some friends gave us some cookies and flavored hot chocolate for Christmas. I took the cookies and most of the hot chocolate to work so I wouldn't eat/drink them. I can't do low carb because I get major headaches and feel like I am getting the flu, so am trying to eat healthier carbs and watch portions. I love oatmeal, wheat bread and brown rice. Unfortunately, my DH doesn't like most of those things and buys sodas and chips for himself if I don't. I can pass on the sodas but the corn chips are a little harder at times. He also hates veggies but will eat green salads. The salad produce is not very good here at this time of year but we do eat a lot of green salads in the spring and summer. I also love bananas and they will usually curb my hunger craving but they aren't very good this time of year either. I haven't found good winter alternatives for the bananas and salads yet. Most soups have too much sodium in them for me or I would eat more of those in the winter.

[Abear]

Originally posted by apricot
Most soups have too much sodium in them for me or I would eat more of those in the winter.

Why not make a big pot of homemade chicken or beef veggie soup and freeze it in portions big enough to take to work for your lunch and/or portions for a quick healthy supper?? That is what I do with the leftovers when I make a pot of soup for supper.

I usually make chicken veggie soup with boneless chicken that I have removed the skin and all visible fat from. I use spicy V-8 as the base, add onions, cabbage & the chicken. After it simmers for a few hours, I add frozen mixed veggies and a couple of potatoes that I scrub well and dice without peeling.

[apricot]

Thanks. I like the homemade soup idea.

I tried the spicy V-8 as a drink once and didn't like it but it might be better in chicken vegetable soup. I'm allergic to tomato juice but not V8. I'll get the ingredients for homemade soups next time I get groceries.

[Abear]

Originally posted by Abear
After it simmers for a few hours, I add frozen mixed veggies and a couple of potatoes that I scrub well and dice without peeling.

I forgot about the kidney beans!

When I add the mixed veggies & potatoes, I also add a can of dark red kidney beans that I have drained and rinsed well.



Also, V-8 comes in a lower sodium version!

[Lifestar]

Cindy.. Starting with the Spicy V-8, huh? .. you ole' Cajun you!!

I make an old weight watcher's veggie soup recipe in the winter time.. It was always an "unlimited" food, and I used to get stuck on it.

Sautee any mix of veggies you like in a pan with spray oil... I use some garlic, onions, mushrooms, celery and carrots as a base. To that I add whatever is looking good. Sometimes there is zuchini or parsnips.. sometimes a small turnip.. I stay away from cabbage or broccoli in this soup, because I personally feel it over-powers the soup, but someone else might like it. WW had you stay away from corn, peas and potatoes.. but you don't have to if your not on that plan. You could add a bag of mixed veggies if you like. I add low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth , canned ( or boxed) , and cut up a tomato or two, ( or you could use water and boullion ).. Then this is spiced with thme, basil, salt and pepper.. A bay leaf gives it nice flavor too as it simmers. No Cajun heat to this spice mixture, but it's warming and very low-cal, as well as a fairly low-soduim quick soup. You could add pre-cooked beans or other veggies as you desire,,

Sometimes I eat it like this, sometimes I puree some of the soup in the blender, and stir it back into the batch to thicken it up. I suppose you could add some hot-sauce to it too!