today was bored, and I was thinking about going to Applebee's. I knew they had 550 calorie meals but I also knew that didn't include a salad, the stuff they bring you while you wait (rolls/bread/chip) OR the type of drink I wanted. In reality I probably would of had 800 calories at least..

so we went to the kitchen and I aimed to make a 550 calorie dinner. it turned into ALOT of food and really hammered it home that this is not hard at all. who can feel deprived ?!

I was going to post a pic but I can't yet. so here's what's on my plate.

6oz grilled very lean sirloin steak (240)
1 small grilled corn cob (80)
15 small asparagus spears - steamed, Pam salt n pepper(60)
1c (before cooking) sautéed button mushrooms - Pam salt pepper oregeno garlic (20)
1 tsp A1(10)
1/4th piece of grilled bread (45)
medium salad w/ iceburg lettuce pickle n tomato (I don't count the cals on this type of salad)
1 TBPS wishbone Italian dressing (40)
1.5c homemade sweet tea (23)
a "bite" of pinto beans - less than a tablespoon (30)

ALL for 548 (let's just round up to 550)! I wanted to feel like is gone out to eat. usually I keep my dinner to 450-500 and have much less food than this. I was so full, and everything was tasty n I even have sweet tea.

Good job! Isn't it nice when your food turns out like that?

Barb

I know! Sometimes I cook and when I'm done, I eat so much I'm about to bust. But when I tally up what I ate (cuz I measure before I eat), sometimes I'm still short on calories! I know my stomach has shrunk since I started, but it really still is a huge amount of food.

oh yeah I got myself a scale and measure everything at least once. usually I can eyeball it after.

I ate veggies before but not as much as I do now. I feel much better. I felt like I've gone through a detox these past 2 weeks!

Good for you! Vegetables are the key aren't they to bulk up meals and make things colourful and nutritious.

Very encouraging post - thank you!

Lee