Most mornings I just don't have enough time (or coffee) to figure out what to eat for a healthy breakfast. So I love ideas that allow me to be lazy and lay in bed a little longer, yet still eat healthy. Here are my 3 favorites.
#1: Trader Joe's Chocolate Whey Protein shake. I mix 2 scoops of the protein to a small glass of milk. It tastes very good. It does not have any artificial sweetener, but does have 9 grams of sugar. I will also have a piece of whole wheat toast to start the day with a complex carb. I've lost a few pounds since I am not hungry after I drink a shake, and there are not that many calories per serving (about 200).
The consensus seems to be that it is better to buy the whey protein rather than the soy protein. I have not tried the hemp protein, only because it is more expensive. Apparently there are many reasons soy is not preferred; but the biggest for me is that whey tastes better.
Unfortunately I could not find an exact substitute protein at GNC for when I can't get to Trader Joe's. GNC sells the Pro Performance, a product recommended by my friend's doctor after gastric bypass surgery. I like the Pro Perf. unflavored whey protein, but not as much as TJ chocolate. The unflavored Pro Perf. has no sugar and no artificial sweetener, so I add it to fruit smoothies and oatmeal. There is no taste, but it does make your food really thick. If you have a hard time adjusting to the texture, try it at least two more times and you will find you get used to it quickly.
#2: Speaking of smoothies. Just pick up the cheapest large non-flavored yogurt container (best price is at the super Wal-Mart for $1.79) and add frozen strawberries and frozen blueberries in a blender.
The strawberries should be organic, since of all the different fruits, they have the most pesticides. One study showed 36 different pesticides! But I couldn't tell if it was an organic farm that sponsored the study. You just can't win, I know. That means back to Trader Joe's, since they have the best price on organic frozen strawberries.
#3: For oatmeal, try the Trader Joe Instant Organic Blueberry Oatmeal. Just add water and microwave for one minute. Then add the unflavored protein. This is yummy and fast. If you can't get to a TJ, make a huge pot of oatmeal from scratch and just microwave a bowl the next few mornings. Don't add dried fruit though. Too many carbs. Throw in frozen blueberries instead.
My goal for the past year is to increase the amount of protein per meal. I want to eat 25 g of protein per meal. Then I am too full to snack on the dreaded addictive simple carbs.
These are just a few ideas to eating healthy and keeping the weight down. Check back since I will be adding more tips soon. I especially welcome any ideas that you are willing to share.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
So interesting that you wrote about his topic Colleen, since it's something I"ve been really working on for the last year. I am recovering from PTSD and depression and read the book Potatoes not Prozac and while I have always loved to eat healthy, I didn't always get the protein that my brain needed. It's been a key component to my recovery eating 42 g. of protein at each meal, along with a complex carb. (whole grain) and fruits and veggies. Any sugar that I eat needs to be with a meal to keep blood sugar stabilized. Also, I have a potatoe three hours after my evening meal and that helps the tryptophan cross the blood/brain barrier to give me a nice boost of serotonin in the factory. I have to eat more protein, I"m at the upper end because I weigh more, but people that are not over weight from the 25g. - 35 g. range is great. This does give you fuel for getting through even a very hectic day and takes away the urge to go for sugars! I have not given up dark chocolate, but rarely touch sugary treats not except homemade apple desserts and very very good stuff. I feel so much more even keeled and have healed so much in one year. I have cut my antidepressant down by a third. Today I saw the doctor and have finally started dropping some weight after a long journey of recovery....over two years. Almost 2 years of being on sleep meds, and over two years of a higher dose of Lexapro. It feels so good to do it the natural way1
CONGRATULATIONS, C1! That is absolutely wonderful to hear all your successes.
I just finished reading the "Potatoes, not Prozac" book by Kathleen DesMaisons (www.radiantrecovery.com). I should have mentioned this great book in the post. Thank you for your excellent explanations about tryptophan, etc. I tried the potato each night for two weeks, and it kept me up. Possibly because I don't usually eat after 7PM. Otherwise I try to follow the rest of the book, as you can tell.
Did you know that 85% cocoa has only ~ 5 g sugar per serving? Bitter, but satisfying.
I am very excited for you.
Yes, I only eat dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa content. The endangered species brand is on sale at the coop right now and I actually bought a case! 10% discount, and it's not tempting to eat even a whole bar at a time because it's so dark. Ok, I woke up after five hours and have been having a hard time getting back to sleep so I'm going for a small bowl of cereal to get rid of growling belly, reading on the couch and going back to bed. So, it's not all perfect yet, but it's getting better. The second half of my cycle is harder as I get more hyper and want to accomplish more in life and maybe try to do too much??? I am going to explore some herbs. This perimenopause is a hard thing to lick along with PTSD and anxiety, depression. Glad you liked the book Potatoes, not Prozac.
Post a Comment