Hi everybody,
I hope you have tried one or more of my first batch of 5 foods for the new year. I not only listed them but I gave you the ways I like to consume them just to rev up your creative juices!
I recently had a bagel (or a 1/2 of a scooped out one) at a friend’s house. I haven’t had a bagel (4 pieces of white bread) in quite a while so it was a treat. What made it even better was the cream cheese and slice of tomato on top. I have to admit that I never had tomato on cream cheese – let alone have it on a bagel! This lead to my first new discovery.
1. Tofutti – Better Than Cream Cheese
It is! The taste is outrageous and it’s non-dairy for all of you vegans or those with lactose sensitivities. I substituted a thin bagel, I happened to use the Smart Bagel Whole Wheat, added 60 calories for 2 tablespoons of my new favorite cream cheese and a delicious slice of tomato. For a mere 175 calories I was loving breakfast! You can use 1/2 bagel with toppings for a snack as well.
2. Wholly Guacamole Minis
If you are a non-cook, for the most part, like I am or just don’t like to spend much time in the kitchen this is for you. Avocado is an exceptional “fruit”. It is high in potassium (good to lower blood pressure), tasty, filling, high in monounsaturated fat (the best type) and tastes great as a dip for vegetables (not just chips). The minis are single-serve 100 calorie snack cups that are adequate to satisfy that dipping need. I use carrots, mini red, yellow or orange peppers, sliced mushrooms, celery, or any vegetable I like and dip. When I am done dipping, I am also done with the snack.
3. Marzetti Simply Dressed Light – Red Wine Italian
This is my favorite salad dressing to use besides just olive and vinegar or lemon juice or plain balsamic white or red vinegar. It is sold in the produce refrigerated department and has only 40 calories for 2 tablespoons. Compare that to 1 tablespoon of olive or any oil for 120 calories or most other dressings, even low-fat, for 70 calories and more. It has a wonderful taste and can be used more liberally on a bigger salad!
4. Panko Crumbs
This is a lighter type of bread crumb (reminds me of tempura batter). It comes flavored (more sodium) or plain (you can add Mrs. Dash or other spices yourself). I use it to bake fry many items and I love it! I think you will too! I take a bowl and pour some egg substitutes in it (of course you can use eggs and whip them up as well). I take anything from cauliflower, sliced mushroom, onion rings, zucchini sticks or fish or scallops/shrimp or chicken and dip it in the egg to cover well. Then I use the non-stick tin foil or a cookie sheet and use a non-stick butter spray and put the items on top. Finally, I sprinkle the Panko crumbs on top and bake on 350 or 450 degrees. If it’s only veggies I will put the temperature up, for protein I will bake on a lower temperature. You are saving fat calories and still enjoying that fried taste. It encourages the non-vegetable-eaters to actually eat vegetables!
5. Pure Protein Bar or Shake
Being prepared is critical when you are on the go – or not. You never know when you will be hungry and not have any access to food besides fast food restaurants. I carry a Pure Protein Bar. It is a mixture of food groups: protein (20 grams), carbs (16 grams) and fat (6 grams). With 200 calories, it is a filling food and will satisfy your appetite and provide enough energy for 2-3 hours. The various flavors taste great also. There are 7 grams of protein in an ounce so if you divide 20 grams by 7 you get about 3 ounces of protein in this bar. That is about 3 pieces of cheese or the size of a deck of cards worth of protein. There are 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving – like one piece of bread or fruit – this bar has 16 grams. The sugar is very low and so is the sugar alcohol.
Enjoy these tips and come back for more!
Marci