would love to hear your favorite low-cal foods

[Mbart]

Hi, I'm new to the Healthy Living Board, and have enjoyed reading your comments, tips, etc.

I'm a 37 yr. old mom, and for the first time in my life, found myself needing to lose weight. I've had some success over the past several weeks, but am now moving from the "losing weight is a challenging novelty" phase to the "losing weight is starting to lose its appeal compared to that ice-cream in my freezer" phase. So I was hoping some of you might help me stay motivated by telling me of your favorite low cal treats/snacks/meals.

For example, I have been eating Boca Burgers and Gardenburger Chik/n Grill soy fillets for lunches and LOVE them. Also, a can of stewed tomatoes heated up in the micro for a tasty mid-afternoon snack - just like chunky tomato soup and delicious at just 120 cal. In addition, someone on this board, or perhaps the food board, is a big bean fan and I must say you've motivated me to eat more beans. Very filling! I've also been branching out in the fruits and vegetables category and have been enjoying them more and more. In the dessert category (my true weakness and most likely the reason I needed to lose weight) I've found Blue Bunny Lite fudgesicles are just 35 calories, have good chocolaty flavor and take awhile to eat.

I would love to hear of your "craving-buster" desserts/snacks, your favorite low-cal stand-bys for lunch, dinner, etc. I think I'm going to need some more variety in order to get rid of these last few pounds. Please forgive me if this has been discussed before...just point me in the direction of an old thread. Thanks!

[kwormann]

I love beans...I have been trying to follow WW, and they are so filling for so few calories!

Kim

[emilycat]

Another plug here for oatmeal! I love it; when I travel and don't have at least a bowl a day, I go into withdrawal http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif -- I usually use about 1/3 cup of Quaker Oats and 3/4 c. water, add Equal and cinnamon. Very filling, and only 100 calories. (of course, if you're aversed to artificial sweeteners, you could always sub a couple teaspoons of honey or sugar).

Sometimes, also, I'll roast a sliced pear -- they start to caramelize and are utterly delicious.

If I feel like munching and know I don't need to eat anything (like late at night), I'll thinly slice some cabbage and add a fat free mayo/Equal/vinegar combo. Okay, I'm a big fan of Equal and fat free mayo, so I would guess that a lot of you are going, ewwww. I like it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Anyway, welcome to the board, and good luck with your weight loss!

Emily

[KValley]

I am so with emilycat and m4star- oatmeal is manna from heaven. One of my favorite late afternoon pick-me-up or pre workout snacks is a small bowl with nuts and craisins. THe natural foods section of your grocery store will have a great selection of "instant" oatmeal containers that you can take to work- just fill up with water and microwave. Yes, oatmeal is higher in kcal, but you get so much bang for your buck and you won't be so ravenous at dinner (or lunch).

My weakness is cheese! My favorite low cal snack solution is a small corn tortilla with a slice or two of soy cheese (110-150 kcal), pop that in the microwave for 10 seconds and you have a creamy, warm, satisfying snack with protein and fiber.

A slice of wheat bread and a TBL of peanut butter (190 kcal) also makes a frequent appearance. Loads of protein, whole fiber, high on the satisfaction quotient.

[JulieM]

You guys are going to think I'm nuts, but nothing satisfies my hunger and my sweet tooth better when I'm counting calories than Slimfast Chocolate Royale (the powder in the can) made in the blender with soy milk and lots of ice. It makes a huge milkshake, takes a long time to drink, has a nice chocolate taste and fills me right up, and for only about 220 calories. My DH likes the French Vanilla with fruit, like banana or frozen berries.

[aggie94]

Microwave popcorn always gets me through the afternoon when I start craving something sweet and fattening -- plus, it helps me get in my 8 glasses of water! For lunch or a light dinner (or for a before- or after-workout snack), I LOVE the CL banana-mango smoothie, except that I substitute frozen berries (mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries) for the mango. Add a scoop of protein powder, blend until it's thick and whippy, and I'm good to go for hours.

[m4star]

Welcome MBart!

I'm an sweet potato freak (could eat them anytime, anywhere). So I'll bake up a bunch of smaller ones and keep them on hand for snacks or as part of a low-fat at work lunch. I'll re-heat them in the microwave and then just eat them with a fork and knife (but some people add a dash or cinnamon and a splash of OJ or even a little bit of butter). They are around 120-140 calories and pack a punch of several important vitamins.

Also, I adore oatmeal. I find that a bowl of oatmeal can really fill me up and kill a sweet craving too. A nice sized bowl of oatmeal with a few craisins, raisins or banana slices on top and a splash of milk can be less than 200 calories.

For little snacks, I like organic fruit leather (kinda like fruit-roll ups but without all the chemicals), dry cereal with dried fruit or nuts, frozen juice bars, or hummus and pita wedges.

I'm with you on the sweet cravings. Sweets were always my downfall but I find that the sooner you get through the first 2 weeks without processed white sugar, the better you will be. Now foods that I used to gooble by the handful (like cookies) are so overwhelmingly sweet to me that I can't finish 2!! Seriously, give your tastebuds a chance to live life without the over-powering flavor of processed sugars for a while and you'll be suprised how you can satisfy your sweet tooth so much more easily (like with a nice piece of fresh fruit).

[This message has been edited by m4star (edited 04-09-2001).]

[mandarin2j]

I'm totally addicted to the Oatmeal Raisin and Apple Cinnamon Baker's Breakfast Cookies. They're high fiber, so they're very filling, and very low fat/low cal. Both are just 2 WW points.

I also love light microwave popcorn for a snack.

Dried fruit (no sugar added), while higher in calories, I find as a great way to get in a serving or two a day of fruit. It has more fiber and fewer added sweetners than juice, so I don't feel guilty about indulging.


-Amanda

[SusieO]

I love air-popped or light microwave popcorn. It's a great, filling snack for just a few calories. For sweet cravings, I like Kudos with M&M's. They taste like M&M cookies, and as an added bonus, have 200mg of calcium per bar. Each one is 1.5 WW points.

Welcome to the board Mbart, and congratulations on your weight loss. Keep up the good work!

[CheerLiz]

How about baby carrots and mustard? I used to work at a school where we all would bring in a bag of carrots and different kind of mustard and try to outdo each other with gourmet mustards. My favorite mustard these days is Grey Poupon's Deli mustard. Am I wierd?! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[makedah]

I too, love sweet potatoes. I thought i was the only one that ate them straight, no toppings!

Some others:

Baby carrots with fat-free ranch dip (a Hidden Valley packet in 16-oz fat-free sour cream) -- I don't do this anymore because i just plain ate TOO MUCH of it.

fresh fruit

Nile Soups Black Bean Soup. This is PHENOMENAL. It is a cup-a-soup type thing in the health-food aisle of the grocery store or the soup aisle of a healthfood store. one cup has like 1.5 gm of fat, 14 gm protein and HALF of a day's requirement for fiber.

I find that after almost a year of adopting more healthful habits, I don't snack too much anymore, and I don't have a problem with cravings (other than around that time of the month).

It sounds like you're on the right track. Keep it up! I think that what will help you most is to think of changing your eating habits for the better instead of focusing on low-cal foods. There are some calorie-dense foods out there that are really good for you (like peanut butter and grains). You could eat sugar-free Jello all day, but where would that get you, nutritionally?

Good luck!

[SusanMac]

I've found that fresh pineapple will fill my sweet-tooth cravings. It's one of the sweetest and juiciest fruits and is just now coming into season. Keep a tupperware bowl full of fresh pineapple in your fridge and whenever you want a cookie, have a few slices of this instead. (Cantelope is also good) Canned fruit also works, but isn't as yummy.

Wow -- I'm another sweet potato fan, but haven't tried preheating them and having them on hand. Good idea.

I used to shun peanut butter because I felt guilty eating it. Then I read the CL article last month that the natural stuff is actually good for you. I've found it actually tastes better than the Jif stuff I grew up on.

I also *adore* hummus (which someone recommended) -- but be careful. Most restaurants and packaged stuff is made with oil. CL had a great recipe a few years back that used orange juice instead of oil to create the creamy hummus consistency. I now make it all the time (very easy).

Kvalley -- any good recommendations on soy cheese? I haven't found one yet that tastes good. Cheese is my huge weakness....I'd have it at every meal if I could.

[tbb113]

I'm a chocolate fan, and I find the Quaker Oats Chocolate Crunch Rice Cakes are great. They actually taste GOOD (and are only 60 cals or 1 point in WW)

[Julia1Pin]

First off, good for you. It sounds like you're on the right track.

Two words - [B]Pirates's Botty[B].

This stuff tastes just like cheetos, but the whole bag has 4 servings at 120c & 2.5gm fat/serving. There is also fruity booty and veggie booty.

It can be found at Trader Joes, plus other local grocery/health stores, including Whole Foods.

[kwormann]

SusanMac...could you post the recipe for the hummus????

TIA

Kim

[Mbart]

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I saw someone looking for a good soy cheese...I've become hooked on Veggie Slices, mad by Galaxy Foods. They come in different flavors, American, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack (my favorite). I think they melt well, and taste great. My kids'll even eat them. and just 40 calories/2 g.fat and 4g.protein per slice.

I agree with the advice re: eating healthy calorie dense foods, too. I just have to get used to rethinking about the way to lose weight...and keep it off.

[JulieM]

Mbart - right on about the Veggie Slices! They are great. Good color, good texture and good taste.

[KValley]

Yep- SusanMac- Veggie Slices brand are the ones. I like the Cheddar and the Swiss- the Provolone are a little bland. I need to try the Pepper Jack!

I also recommend the Polenta Pudding with Berry Topping from March 01 CL (p 134) I made it again last night- a total comfort food and at 226 kcal fewer calories and more filling/satisfying than a candy bar. Actually, I think it's too sweet and I will cut the sugar in half next time- that cuts the calories.

Leftovers for dessert tonight!

Julie

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 04-11-2001).]

[GayeC]

I crave sweets in the late afternoon and have found that 2 graham crackers and some low-fat milk are fairly satisfying. Bite-sized candy bars also help me get over sugar cravings -- you just have to make sure you only eat one or two!

I am also past the "weight loss is an challenging novelty" phase, but am making slooow progress. I wish you luck.

[makedah]

Hey, we JUST got Pirate's Booty at the Whole Foods a block away. I actually told someone at the display "I heard these were really good!" But she just kinda ignored me. Her loss! I'm trying to stay away from empty calories these days (as the former queen of snack foods) but I may succumb to a bag in the next couple of weeks.

I used to have really bad cravings in the afternoons. I found that eating a good-sized breakfast helped me not be so 'munchy' then.

[SusanMac]

Here's the hummus recipe. I've found it still tastes great even if you don't have every single spice on hand (I don't think I've ever used the tumeric)

Spicy Orange Hummus

1/4 cup parsley leaves
2 Tbl chopped onion
1 garlic clove
1/4 c orange juice
2 Tbl tahini
2 Tbl rice vinegar
2 t soy sauce
1 t dijon mustard
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground ginger
1/4 t ground coriander
1/4 t ground tumeric
1/4 t ground cumin
1/4 t paprika
1 can garbanzo beans, drained

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender. You can serve immediately, but it typically tastes better after being chilled, as the flavors have a chance to blend.

Enjoy!

[Leslie w]

Mbart, I don't have a problem w/ afternoon cravings, just terrible evening cravings, after I eat dinner and workout, all I want to do is sit in front of the tv and snack. Lately I've been satisfied w/ a bowl of cereal, my two current faves are Harmony and Blueberry Morning. I also enjoy CL's Peanut Butter and Honey Muffins which I spread w/ natural peanut butter. A muffin and cup of herb tea and I'm in lala land. When I'm in the mood to crunch I like pretzels and mustard or an apple smeared w/ natural peanut butter. Welcome to this board and keep reading CL. They have a lot of great snack ideas.

[Karen from VA]

Another one for oatmeal--the real stuff--cooked with a combo of water and skimmed milk, and a little salt. I just threw out my box of instant after trying one pack--much too sweet--loaded with sugar and other junk.

Now, this is crazy, but I've found a broccoli salad that I now classify as comfort food. It's on the order of Emilycat's cabbage mixed with light mayo, Splenda and white or wine vinegar. But along with the cabbage, I add a bit of onion, lots of chopped broccoli and a handful of raisins for a little sweet touch. You've probably seen the original recipe which also includes sunflower seeds and bacon, but I leave those out to cut down the calories. It is so good and satisfying to me. It's great for lunch, a side dish for dinner or if I get a craving between meals. And it keeps for several days in the fridge.

P.S. Is it possible to eat TOO much broccoli?

Karen