Frying meat and veggies

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  • I have heard conflicting stories and want to get the scoop from all of you... Are we allowed to fry hamburger and veggies in olive oil? I heard that frying can cause some things to change their makeup so to speak and then not be ok for us??

    Hope everyone is having a great day!

    I started a new job and I'm having a heck of a time finding time to fit in my food...have to get better. Had awful weigh in last week...crossing my fingers all is on track this week for a better loss
  • Yes. The concern is with frying onions, which caramelize.
  • My coach told me not to use olive oil to fry anything. She said to use grapeseed oil or coconut oil. I've been using grapeseed oil and can't really tell a difference.
  • I've always sauteed everything in olive oil...my coach hasn't mentioned anything about not doing that except as noted with the onions. Thank goodness green onions are allowed to be cooked!

    I believe I have some grapeseed oil too and would change it if thats better for my weight loss. What is the rationale for not using olive oil?
  • EVOO can become carcinogenic if heated too high, but it is fine to saute (med heat) and even recommended. We are not supposed to 'FRY' (high heat) any foods during Phase 1....so really, oil should not matter, EVOO is fine, but no frying allowed

    But yes as the others stated, no cooked (fried) onions as they will carmelize and produce sugar
  • When i'm using a frying pan I always add water so my food will cook without browning.
  • Aww bummer I was hoping to make a well I don't know what to call it with hamburger, green onion, mushrooms, and maybe green pepper. My fiance is on the diet also still in phase 1 at a 50lb weight loss and just made this the other night for himself and I thought I better ask before he starts loving it too much :/
  • You can fry in pan just don't "deep" fry it. I always cook up hamburger and chicken and just use olive oil flavored Pam spray
  • Quote: Aww bummer I was hoping to make a well I don't know what to call it with hamburger, green onion, mushrooms, and maybe green pepper. My fiance is on the diet also still in phase 1 at a 50lb weight loss and just made this the other night for himself and I thought I better ask before he starts loving it too much :/
    Hamburger in a fry pan on med heat, you 'can' add oil, no issue, but even lean ground beef does not even need oil, it will produce enough on its own. You can easily make your 'dont know what to call it' on plan...oil or no oil, in a fry pan, go for it...

    Not sure where the confusion is...Dont confuse a frying pan with frying...
  • Quote: Aww bummer I was hoping to make a well I don't know what to call it with hamburger, green onion, mushrooms, and maybe green pepper. My fiance is on the diet also still in phase 1 at a 50lb weight loss and just made this the other night for himself and I thought I better ask before he starts loving it too much :/
    On days that I am really hungry, I make something similar to what I think you are trying to describe. I throw the appropriate amount of ground meat, turkey or chicken in a small pot and brown it. Then I throw a cup of bell peppers (all colors) for a bit (I want them warmed up, but still crispy) then add a container of sliced baby bella mushrooms (fresh not canned). The mushrooms give off enough moisture to keep everything moist. Once the mushrooms are cooked, I add some Mrs. Dash and some pepper then dump the entire thing over a big bowl of romaine. If the pot seems to have too much 'juice', I use a slotted spoon to get all the meat/veg out.

    I don't use any oil to cook the meat (non stick pot). I don't use the leanest ground meat either so there is some fat from the meat. This fills me up, helps things "move along" and is tasty. I never have it in the 2 days before WI though.

    Don't give up on fiance's meal - just try cooking with little or no oil - even a lower heat with help use less/no oil.

    I think the word 'frying' threw others off. Good luck!
  • I am glad someone asked the question, because that is what I was wondering. I am only on day 3, so very new. So pan "frying" is okay just dont deep fry? I pan fried my turkey patty with 1 tsp olive oil but would be just as happy using flavored Pam. So this is okay, right?
  • Quote: I am glad someone asked the question, because that is what I was wondering. I am only on day 3, so very new. So pan "frying" is okay just dont deep fry? I pan fried my turkey patty with 1 tsp olive oil but would be just as happy using flavored Pam. So this is okay, right?
    That is fine - it is easier to think of it as cooking meat in a pan with a little spray/oil than frying.
  • Yes...its fine...

    Filling a pan with oil, boiling that oil, then 'deep frying' not okay lol...

    With EVOO you should not be above med-high heat ever...most people to saute, use med heat...

    HUGE difference between saute and deep fry, or referred to on our sheet as 'frying'.

    Pan frying with a bit of oil is how many of us get our oil in everyday, the way you did your turkey patty is just fine...
  • okay sorry i have another question...you will be able to tell
    A. I am new
    B. I AM HUNGRY
    So the 8 0z protien, is that pre cooked weight or ? and the 2 cups veggies, precooked or ?
    I could stand eating just a little bit more
  • Quote: okay sorry i have another question...you will be able to tell
    A. I am new
    B. I AM HUNGRY
    So the 8 0z protien, is that pre cooked weight or ? and the 2 cups veggies, precooked or ?
    I could stand eating just a little bit more
    All meats and veggies are weighed pre-cooked. Not sure how new you are but after the first 3-4 days, you shouldnt be hungry on the plan...