I just can't seem to stomach this and was hoping someone has an alternative. I made the spaghetti MRC style last night and it called for the cream of tomato (now called tomato soup). I forced about half of it down before my stomach put a halt a to that. I still want to be able to make sauce for spaghetti, chili etc. Thanks.

Hi! I use the Walden Farm's products...which are MRC approved. They have a variety, including spaghetti sauce! I haven't tried it yet, because I like the Tomato Basi, but I hear it is yummy. I have tried their salad dressings, syrup, jams, bbq sauce, etc...and they are all good! They have a website. Good luck!

Tami

Thanks for the info Tami. I will definitely check it out. I called my center today and I asked about an alternative because this was actually making me sick to my stomach. She seemed a little put out that I said that and asked for an alternative. Bad thing for me is this person is my counselor I guess and I don't much think she and I are going to have a good relationship. I just don't feel she is really that into it (or maybe it's just me).

I'm with you-- I hate the tomato supplement. I don't have any suggestions for you other than to use raw tomato just heated up (not really "cooked"). It has a more acidic taste, but it's certainly much better than the supplement. I use that some on chicken breasts.

I think if you are getting a bad vibe from your current counselor, you need a new one. This is an important journey you are on (like all of us ) and you need to feel like you have the support of the one guiding you to the finish line. Are there a variety of counselors at your center? Usually, you can just see whomever is available or whomever you request.

Hang in there....and don't settle. This is your health!!!

Tami

Yea I'm not going to settle. I want to talk to the center manager the next time I go in. I prefer to do things like that face to face. I have a couple other issues to discuss with her too.

Thanks for the understanding.

Well - This is probably a big no no - but one of my counselors says it's ok to use a few times throughout the month. I buy the Hunt's No Salt Added Tomato Sauce. I add a little Basil & Italian Seasonings maybe a little water, depending on how thin I want it and have that. I don't count it as a veggie or anything it's just a sauce that I use on Chicken & Spaghetti Squash.

Yea probably is a big no no but it doesn't seem to slow you down so it goes to prove it's ok (well at least in my book lol)

I'm sure the centers say it's a no-no, but I'm not really sure why. I compared a little can of tomato sauce to the Tomato Basil supplement and the ONLY difference was the protein content. Which was to be expected. The sauce was even a little better in the sodium, fat and carb department. So I'm not going to feel bad about using the sauce. Unless I stop losing of course!

The reason they're against cooked tomatoes is that cooking supposedly concentrates the sugars or something. I personally think it's one of those tiny things that if you do a whole bunch of tiny things wrong, it can slow you down, but if that's all you do, it won't be a big deal. Also, if that makes your food more palatable a few times a month, adds some variety, and helps you stay OP the rest of the time, then it's probably actually helping you in the long run.

This has me thinking about a noodle-less lasagna creation of some sort wtih a big portobello mushroom cap, some ground turkey, cottage and mozzarella cheese, and some of that tomato sauce...yummy sounding lunch. I think I'll give this a try. Of course, this would only work if your center lets you do half meat protein, half cheese, but mine says it's fine.