I can do this... but am I starving myself?

[Glory87]

I think this is site is a great resource for healthy eating. There have been some fabulous threads, one was called something like 100 ways to cook chicken and I got several good recipes from it.

The internet is a great resource. Just type "healthy x recipe" into the search bar and you will be amazed what comes up (x being whatever you are interested in, like chicken or salmon or eggplant or whatever).

If you could tell some things you like, I bet I could produce a couple of healthy recipes on the spot for you

One thing that REALLY helps me is planning. I know what I'm going to make every night loooong before dinner time. I sit down on Sunday and menu plan for the entire week - all meals. I make a list, go to the store and get what I need. Then, I try to do as much pre-work as possible so everything is easy.

I like to make meals which are good for more than 1 night, I don't MIND cooking, but reheating is much easier For example, on Tuesday, I made a great marinara with healthy, low fat beef meatballs. (I served it with whole wheat butterfly pasta, I measured my portion and bulked mine up with extra spinach. My boyfriend got a few extra meatballs and he's not wild about wilty spinach which I adore). Tonight, we're going to have leftovers but I'm changing it up by making meatball subs on toasted whole wheat hot dog buns. Boyfriend is going to have waffle fries, but with the meatball, marinara and bun, I'm out of calories. I will probably steal a few waffle fries

[Here we go again]

I have been planning my meals all week and totally forgot that I wouldn't have a chance to go home before my meeting. I have an hour commute and it's not possible. I guess I have to eat out but have no idea what I can get. All week I've been eating raw veggies, chicken or fish, and a little bit of rice, cottage cheese.... and not sure if I should go to a fast food place or go to the grocery store and get something.

[mandalinn82]

If you have a grocery store, you have options! If you have a breakroom at work with a microwave, you have even MORE options.

No microwave - Get a bag of greens, some more assorted veggies (think broccoli florettes, carrots, a few cherry tomatoes, whole snowpeas, etc). Go to the packaged deli meats, get carved chicken breast strips. Buy a bottle of low-cal dressing (you can take home what's left) and maybe some laughing cow wedges (you can take those leftovers home too). Assemble a salad with the chicken, veggies, a crumbled wedge of the laughing cow, and dressing. Done! A restaurant or grocery with a good salad bar could make this a lot easier. Just stick to low-cal items and lean protein and a salad bar can be your best friend.

A microwave will open a whole world of options to you - Frozen meals, either conventional brands like Healthy Choice/Lean Cuisine or all natural brands like Amy's, can make calorie counting SIMPLE. Pick one with around 300 calories, then add some raw veggies or a salad on the side.

If you do need to go out, here's a great guide on making healthier choices at fast food restaurants:

http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm

[Glory87]

Ah, I gotcha. Do you have a Whole Foods near you? They have the most AMAZING salad bars, you don't feel like you're "dieting" when you see the splendor of a Whole Foods salad bar. Most regular grocery stores have salad bars that are just fine as well!

Some of my other favorite options:

Sushi - I stick to sashimi, miso soup and seaweed salad (which I love), cucumber salad is also good
Teriyaki place - I ask for chicken or salmon teriyaki, extra vegetables, and half the amount of rice
Chipotle - I looove the chicken bol so much, it should really be illegal it's so yummy. I skip the beans, get half the rice and really load up on lettuce and pico de gallo. If I have the calories to spare, I get a side order of guac and eat half. Mmmm yummy and healthy.
Subway - a classic but still a big diet winner. 6" inch sub, plenty of veggies, skip the cheese and the mayo.