Diet Ideas.

[Kalitrima]

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid yo-yo diets. The grapefruit thing was more of a desperate attempt to get the weight off for a costume. At this point, though, I figure I'm gonna need money before any costume will be an issue. I know it's a stupid reason to lose weight, but it was more of a tipping point than the be-all end-all reason. Either way, though, it was motivation enough.

Whoa! I just checked the scale in the bathroom, and I lost three or four pounds! Of course, the scale's busted (Mom keeps it because it basically says you're a few pounds lighter than you are), so I'll take it all with a grain of salt. Still, it's pretty exciting~ Maybe I should ask for a new scale. . .

. . . My mind said salad, but my heart said eggs. Damn.

[Solumina]

Eggs are fine as long as you have them in moderation. Don't make any foods off limits (it starts the cravings and it makes you less interested in the food that you are allowing yourself to eat), just focus on healthy foods.

Originally Posted by MollyMac

Quinoa is your friend. It's a mega-awesome grain with fiber and protein. Friendly to any diet.

Yes it is, and really forgiving for inexperienced cooks.


My mom was always an excellent cook but a lot of her cooking was done by sight, smell, and feel so it was really hard for me to learn from her (didn't help that I had no interest in cooking until I was about 17). I found that a really easy way to get my own feel for cooking was through improving store bought stuff. Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade gave me a lot of quick, easy meals that I was able to make with almost no kitchen skills, admittedly some of her stuff isn't the most healthy but there are a good many that are.

[Kalitrima]

What about pastas, though? I mean, should they be off-limits, or just rarely eaten? I'm unfortunately in love with pasta. And I can't really think of anything to put pesto over. And pesto is my secret edible lover.

My mom's good at barbecue. It's her way of avoiding cooking for hours. Stick it on a grill and fire it up. Does anyone have any suggestions for healthy grilled foods, or are grills one of those things which should be avoided? I'm not very good at dieting. . .

Also, I've heard that tea is healthy from quite a few people, but I find it to be either too strong or too bitter. What's the best way to cut it? Water, milk, or something else?

[Solumina]

Pasta is a big part of my diet so I think it is fine, just stay away from cream sauces. You could try a whole wheat pasta, which has a slightly different flavor (I think it is extra yummy) and is more nutritious. Pesto also makes a lovely addition to many sandwiches.


Grills are great as long as you grill the right foods. Beef is high in fat and cholesterol, bison is a healthier alternative. Chicken is very grill friendly and without the skin it is very lean. I know it scares a lot of people but grilling veggies is wonderful, it adds a smokey flavor and you don't need to add much in the way of seasoning. My favorite is lettuce wedges. Just cut a full head (I like romaine) into quarters, rinse with water and quickly shake dry (you want it slightly damp), place a flat side on the grill and just give it a quick char, turn it onto the other flat side, give that a quick char, lightly season with salt and pepper. That's it, super simple and super yummy, just attack with fork and knife, no dressing needed. Grilled peaches are also very unexpected but quite good.


Tea is one of those things that you kind of need to try out for yourself, there are tons of different types of tea and they all have different intensities. Try something with a floral note (like a mix of black tea and rose buds) or something with citrus. Red teas are pretty mild, it isn't the same plant as green, yellow, or black tea but it is still quite good for you. There are also an assortment of herbal teas (which again don't have actual tea leaves in them) that have a wide variety of flavors and various health benefits.

[Kalitrima]

Good, good. I only like cheese cream sauces, so it won't be much of a loss to avoid it. Pesto is my favorite by far, so happy times! . . . Wait, what kinds of sammiches? You have my full and undivided attention.

Ooh, I'll have to try grilling veggies. That sounds amazing. Seasoning salt and garlic spring to mind. . .

I just tried some vanilla tea from Yogi Tea. I. . . I'm unexpectedly thrilled. I'm a sucker for vanilla, and Mom just found the box. . . Teraspoon of sugar, tablespoon of milk, amazing. Absolutely. . . nyee~

. . . Oh man, I love my mom. She just pulled out some potato chips, then saw me staring and moved them out of view. I kept staring for a moment (bad habit), and she glanced away, mumbling, "They're dog turds, really. Nasty stuff." And now she's saying 'ew' every time she eats one.

[Apathy's_Child]

Originally Posted by Kalitrima

What about pastas, though? I mean, should they be off-limits, or just rarely eaten? I'm unfortunately in love with pasta. And I can't really think of anything to put pesto over. And pesto is my secret edible lover.

Pasta's fine as long as you're fairly active. Just think less pasta & more veg than you'd have if you weren't dieting, and learn to make your own sauces (it's really simple and only takes a few minutes - a tin of chopped tomatoes with no extra ingredients will do at a push, although you can start adding your own shit like more vegetables, garlic & herbs and so on) - store-bought ones usually come with a lot of salt & sugar.

EDIT: Man, I'm such a girl about food since I learned to cook properly. When I grow up I'm gon' be like those mamas who won't stop trying to feed everyone who sets foot in their house.

[Kalitrima]

I'm so lazy, it's not even funny. I chuck things across my room instead of getting up. Well, okay, that's just yarn, but whatever. Turns out my ankle weights are buried in the garage now, but once I dig them out, I'll be wearing them around so I can get more out of when I do get up. I'd love to start walking, but I don't like sunlight. Hurts my eyes, changes my skin tone, unhealthy stuff if you get too much. And I don't enjoy just walking. I need a destination. I've figured out how I can do that, though. Liberal use of sunscreen (or a parasol/umbrella, if I can find a nice one/one that's not busted), and walking to Walmart to buy more yarn every time I have enough money. And until I start selling scarves, I'm just a jobless loser without money, so Mom's offered to give me a buck every time I adjust her back. And it pops out of place a few times a day, so. . . Really, she just needs to save up sick leave so she can have another surgery.

And I'd be more inclined to add pesto. Oh, pesto. Heehee. Deliciousssss.

. . . It's not a good thing that I take such glee in food, is it?

[Solumina]

We have to eat food every day for the rest of our lives, you may as well enjoy it, just try and take that same glee in healthy foods.

Personally I think that pesto goes best with some lettuce, cheese, and turkey on a hearty multigrain bread, and depending on my mood I'll add some onion and tomato. Experiment on your own and see what you like, after all discovering new flavor combination is really at the root of the joy of cooking

[Kalitrima]

I end up enjoying it to a weird degree, though. To the point where an amazing dinner or dessert makes me giggle like a drunk schoolgirl. It creeps Mom out.

That sounds absolutely amazing. I don't have any turkey now, so the pesto I made last night is gonna have to make do with some ravioli today. Oh well. Good stuff either way, but the sandwich sounds much healthier.

I asked Mom about the grilled veggies thing, and she said it was easier than I thought. Any other veggies you'd suggest grilling, other than peaches or lettuce?

[Saya]

Grilled portebello mushrooms make great burger patties, actually. Red bell peppers are absolutely the best and only require to be coated with olive oil (I use the canola and olive oil mix most of the time, admittedly, I'm cheap) and grilled eggplant sandwiches are amazing.

[Kalitrima]

. . . I'm going to have to avoid this thread for about five hours now. I'm at LCC (Lane Community College, since I tend to use the acronym a lot), stuck until my class at 4:00 and then until 7:00 when I get to go home. And I don't have any money or food with me. ;w;

That sounds delicious, though. I'm not much of a bell pepper person, but I know Mom would probably like that. And I'll have to try grilled eggplant. I wonder if there's a way to make ramen healthy. . .

[gothgrl22]

Eat a bowl of special k cereal for breakfast and lunch thats like 1 cup and for dinner eat a regular meal.