[wytwngdve]

I'm going grocery shopping today and I am looking for meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks where I don't have to cook too much or at all. Looking for higher protein ideas as well because when I eat too many carbs I find that I really go off track. I just started the WW (at home) this week (shakey start because I haven't planned at all) and really need some ideas!


Thanks!

[boaterswife]

If some cooking is ok, but you don't want to do it daily, these tips may help you out.

1. I purchase bags of frozen veggies and will steam 2 or 3 bags at a time then put them in the fridge. That way all I have to do is microwave them for a bit and they're hot and ready to go.

2. I like to grill several chicken breasts at a time and put them in the fridge also. They're great for on a salad (the added protien keeps me full lots longer) or just on a plate with some of the steamed veggies.

3. Baby carrots, grapes and strawberries make awesome snacks. They're already cleaned and ready to go whenever you need them!

4. A pot of taco soup will feed you for several days, again just microwaving a portion at a time, and the soup takes just minutes to assemble.

[christabell3]

the taco soup sounds great! could I please get the recipe. Thank you

[Treighsie]

Wow! You read my mind! I was going to ask this same question....

Looking forward to reading the responses.

[Raindancer]

I eat lots of "random" stuff. I've found that I snack less if my meals aren't forced. For example, I have a really hard time being on a "diet", so eating salads everyday for me doesn't work, especially since I'm just not a lover of salad.
One of my favorite lunches that keeps me filled up for the afternoon is cottage cheese, a serving of fruit, some veggies (carrots and celery usually) and a half of a pita bread (whole wheat).

I like the hostess 100 cal. cupcakes, they are 1 pt. and fill my sugar craving.

Also when I'm feeling the munchies when I'm fixing dinner, I eat a small handful of almonds, 7-11 for 1 pt. I read this little trick in "You on a diet" and it works like a charm. Staves off the hunger pangs and keeps me happily crunching while I finish cooking. Plus it helps your digestive system get going, so you feel full whne you finish eating your dinner.

[boaterswife]

This recipe is one my DH came up with, and is quick and easy to put together!

Here you go.....

TACO SOUP

1 pound ground beef (I use 93% lean)
1/2 pound pork sausage (I use the leanest I can find, can't remember the brand off hand)
2 cans corn (regular size, approx 14 oz each)
3 cans petite diced tomatoes (again, 14 oz each)
3 cans kidney beans (yep, 14 oz each)
2 cans diced green chilies (the little cans)
1 envelope taco seasoning (we like Taco Bell brand)
1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (light when I can find it)

Brown beef and sausage in large stock pot with salt and pepper to taste, drain well (sometimes I even pat it with paper towels to make sure I got all the grease off). Return meat stock pot. Add envelopes of seasoning and all other ingredients, juice and all! Do not drain those cans, pour the juice in the pot! Stir well, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. It produces a little more liquid as it simmers, so don't skip this step!

I eat it just like this, but the rest of the fam dresses it in their bowls with 2% shredded cheddar, ff sour cream and a few baked tortilla chips. It's just as good either way! Also, I've threatened to add some diced onion while browning the meat, but I haven't done it yet. DH says I shouldn't mess with a good thing!

Now, for the points:

Using 93% lean ground beef, 3 points per cup
Using 85% lean ground beef, 4 points per cup

I don't remember now if it makes 20 or 22 cups, but I make it exactly the same each time and those were the points I figured the first time we made it.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!