What Can I Eat? (Snack ideas and more)

challenge workoutsQuestion: Please let me know the next 21 Day Diet Challenge window since this one was completely passed by due to an insane schedule that barely allowed me to catch my breath.

Answer: You can jump on board the 21 Day Diet Challenge at anytime. You don’t have to wait for Monday or a certain date. People are starting at different times and it all works.

You’ll see folks starting, in the middle or finishing the challenge on the private page, but the good thing is that everyone is cheering everyone else on and providing advice and encouragement.

I hope you decide to join us!

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Question:  I am a meat and potato guy who never acquired a taste for vegetables other than potatoes, green beans, and maybe a carrot at times and can’t stand the taste of fish.  Are there any healthy recipes out there that you can recommend to a person like me????  Pasta and beef, or beef and potatoes are staples of mine.  Lean pork and chicken are good also.  But what I liked about your 21 Day Diet Challenge and workout plan was that you have all those great recipes for people (other than me).  People like me need your help too.  I am not so far out of shape, but good use a better diet, but a diet I will enjoy eating.

Answer: I wish I had a better answer for you :/ meat and potatoes

I think if I had an answer or diet that was super yummy with pasta and potatoes and could promise weight loss, I’d be the fat loss savior.

I honestly don’t think it’s possible and if anyone tries to tell you or sell you on a pasta and potatoes diet without any veggies, they’re probably full of it.

I hated veggies as a kid. At the age of 18 I decided that I wanted to be healthy and eat responsibly. So I kind of forced myself to try new things (veggies) and I developed a taste for them.

That’s my best advice. Try veggies cooked in various ways, try different salads and interesting combinations.

Yes, my answer may be lame, but it’s the truth, sorry I just can’t try to sell you a bunch of bologna (altho maybe you’d eat bologna? 😉

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Question: I love to eat tuna on whole grain cracker for lunch.  What is your suggestion for an alternative to crackers?

Answer: The tuna part of your lunch is great, the crackers, not so much. I’d choose a lettuce leaf over a cracker if possible. If that won’t work, you could try the Wasa crackers (not sure if they have them in your area), but they’re as low carb and low calories as you’ll get.

Most crackers are (sadly) very unhealthy.

I love this resource. It really helped me learn about fat burning foods, what’s healthy and what’s hype. Check it out here.

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Question: I love to snack but it seems all snack options are not very good for me, any advice?

Answer: I’m an advocate for eating often. It helps to keep blood sugar levels steady and energy levels up. I know that it may seem difficult to find delicious snack options that are healthy and quick. Here are some ideas:

real healthy recips pic

  • Handful of nuts      
  • Vegetable sticks like celery and carrot with healthy hummus or tzatziki (recipe follows)
  • Protein powder and a bottle of water ready to mix (keep this with you ALWAYS)
  • Small cans of tuna
  •  Protein and low carb muffins
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Apple and natural nut butter
  • Small tub of cottage cheese with fruit or veggies chopped through
  • Small bowl of natural Greek yogurt with berries and cinnamon

For more great ideas, go here

Try this fabulously tasty and healthy recipe for hummus with a twist from Diana at Real Healthy Recipes

Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Hummus

  • 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans/chickpeas
  • 2 Tablespoons tahini (feel free to leave this out if you’re on a strict low-fat diet)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon waterhummus Snacks on the Run
  • 2 garlic cloves, mashed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 4-6 sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves
  1. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and combine until smooth. For a thinner consistency add water, 2 Tablespoons at a time.

12 servings

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals:  72 calories, 2g fat, 100mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, and 3g protein

Make it easy for yourself and take a little time on the weekend to plan for the week ahead.    These ideas and many more can be found at Family Friendly Fat Burning Meals

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bday dinner NYC 2014Speaking of food, I have a confession…I went to NYC to visit the one and only Kate Vidulich for my birthday. We ended up at the Strip House on Friday night.

Now, don’t get all excited here, the Strip House is a steak house in the village 😉 (What were you thinking?)

Man oh man was it a great meal: filet mignon, Brussel sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, also someone ordered potatoes fried in some kind of delicious-ness and a few may have accidentally fallen down my throat.

Of course along with the food, the company was spectacular, we alwbday dinner Kate and me nyc 2014ays have a great time together. In a way, Kate and I live parallel lives. We both do online coaching, we both run a Fit Body Boot camp, and we both have a love of….cheesecake…

I figured I’ll only turn 51 once in a lifetime so we dug in….It was about the size of my head, so there was plenty for the four of us. Possibly the best cheesecake I’ve ever had.

NOT on the recommended ‘get lean’ snack list, but it sure was yummy. Sorry if my ‘Strip House’ confession disappointed you…were you expecting something else? 😉