Can't live without...?

[AndreaU]

Obviously we are all here because we want to find healthy, yet delicious, ways to eat lighter. However, there must be things which we are not willing to give up to light, low-fat or non-fat versions. Time to fess up- what is your indulgence? For me, I can not live without chocolate (M&Ms, Hershey's kisses, etc.). While I don't down a whole bag in one sitting (though I'm pretty sure I could), I like to treat myself once in a while. I don't believe in depriving myself of the good stuff now & again.

[HARRYET]

I just can't give up my gourmet ice creams, there is just no comparison, (hagen daz, starbucks, godiva, ben and jerrys to name a few) But fortunatly I have a lot of self control in the grocery store and pass by these favorite frequently. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Ann

[lindrusso]

I will not do low-fat versions of COOKIES!! Give me the real thing or nothing at all.

I've also given up using reduced-fat cheeses - I use the full-fat versions, but less of it. I'd rather not have it than have that stuff that just won't melt!

As for what I indulge in when I don't care about calories - Cheetos (ack - they are so bad but sooooo good!) and peanut butter M&Ms are two favorites. However, the list of what I LOVE to eat that isn't light could go on forever! I, too, do not completely deprive myself but I do try to limit it to reasonable quantities.

Speaking of which - off to Pizza Hut for a date with my first grader....hey, it's better than McDonald's! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[jjf]

i would have to say that i can't live without chocolate chip cookies - made with all the fat, butter, nuts, etc. that make them soooo good. i have tried low-fat versions several times and none ever seem to compare. so like andreau w/ m&ms and kisses, i don't eat a whole dozen in one sitting, but 2 or 3 doesn't hurt now and then. i always say that chocolate is good for the soul - especially chocolate chip cookies http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

jen

[emilycat]

I'll probably be berated for saying this, but I really don't think there are any indulgence foods I can't live without. I do love chocolate, peanut butter and cheese, but I'd be okay without them. Truthfully, the one thing I would have panic attacks without is fruit. I absolutely love bananas and strawberries; I make separate trips to the grocery store just to buy bananas if I run out!

[MaryB]

I also can not do without my cookies. I have found a few low-fat recipes I like for cookies (okay only 1). I blame my mother who makes fantastic cookies and always had some around. I also only buy full fat cheeses. I try to use it sparingly but to me low-fat cheeses just don't taste good!

[MrsReber]

Lindrusso- once again we have a common interest- Pizza Hut!! I used to go there ALL the time. The pan pizza is so very good. Now I want some! And also those cheetos. Why are they so good? I buy the Wise reduced fat. My husband actually likes them better than the full fat. How odd.

Full fat cheese, except for cream cheese. Fat free cookies are too spongy and weird. I make most of our desserts, though, so they are usually pretty healthy. The one thing that came to mind immediately was ice cream. The reduced fat and non fat yogurt is just not the same. (Sherbert is good, though, and much lower in fat and calories). And of course, every so often, my husband and I have to go to the ice cream place and get sundaes. I love soft vanilla ice cream.

[greta]

i LOVE soft serve frozen yogurt...you may say, "well, that's not too bad for you"--but, i always have to indulge in a LARGE. and, that's not always enough!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

i also love cookie dough...when i make cookies, i have to make them in bar form or else the dough would be gone. my mom always saves some extra dough for me when she makes cookies...moms are the best!

[Laura]

I think I am with emilycat here. I really can't think of things I can't live without. I am trying to think of things in my pantry that if I was only buying for me, I would always have to have in stock. I seem to go in waves, recently it was tostito chips, salsa and sour cream. Before that it was Tillamook special reserve extra sharp cheddar cheese and triscuits. I like chocolate but can live without it (especially since I think I have developed an allergy to it since I get headaches almost immediately after eating it) When I lived in So. California I lusted over In-N-Out Double Doubles (double cheeseburgers) with grilled onions. They are absolutely the best in the world but because they are so high fat I limited myself to one a month. Now I get about 3-4 a year.

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 11-03-2000).]

[Wendy w]

Laura,
Those double-doubles are the greatest!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
I have about 5 per year! I must have full fat cheese but use less. I'm with you Mrs. R on the cream cheese-sometimes I just use yogurt cheese instead.

[Ohioan]

Emilycat, you and I are on the same wavelength again! I'm a fruitoholic, too, and far prefer fresh fruit (or even canned, in a pinch) to rich desserts. Don't get me wrong, though: I do like some rich desserts, but only once in a while, or else I feel as though I've been swallowing sugared sludge (the only way I know how to describe the sensation of too much rich food). http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif

But my real panic attacks come when I run out of greens! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif I can't imagine a "real" meal without some kind of green vegetable, preferably two or more varieties. Thank goodness there's someone else who's the same way. Sometimes I start feeling like a freak.

Cheers, Phoebe

[valeriek]

I never really buy low-fat cheese (except ricotta and cream cheese). I also couldn't live without saltine crackers. I buy the kind with unsalted tops, and they can't really be all that bad for me, but I eat one whole container in one sitting, and that can't possibly be good for me either (not the whole box mind you, just one of the four pacages inside!). I also desparately need those little cheddar goldfish and indulge in Sour Cream and Onion potato chips when life gets really stressful!

[venus]

I was reading this topic and realized that I get cravings for ice cream sandwiches. Not the gourmet kind--the all artificial, store bought kind. Since they have less fat than the low fat variety, I never feel bad eating them.

The one thing I truly can't live without is cheese. I am completely obsessed with it--and if I can't eat it daily, I feel deprived. I can do the low fat version, as long as it's mozzarella or feta, but the rest just taste weird, especially low fat cream cheese (sorry CL).

[KimberlyE]

I don't think I could live without chips and salsa and it is so hard to not eat too many at once. The real tortilla chips are way better than baked.

[This message has been edited by KimberlyE (edited 11-03-2000).]

[christinew]

I could not lIVE without a great romaine salad with gorgonzola and red peppers!!!!

Great Thread.