hate diet plans.

[OakLeaf]

Vegetables are actually high in protein, it's just they're so high in water and fiber that most people don't eat enough vegetables to get a significant amount of protein.

I'm guilty too, but I know what I need to do.

[Susan]

Hmmm....I have a question. I know I need to increase my protein. For those who don't eat red meat, and try to not eat much meat at all (I do occasionally eat poultry and have fish 2 times per week probably) - what are good protein sources?

Good other sources of protein are Legumes, Tofu, Eggs, curd...
To get a protein of higher value it's best to combine 2 kinds of protein. A lot of traditional foods show the right combinations of food to achieve this: very often it's a form of very protein-rich food combined with whole grain (beans + rice, egg + bread...).

[shootingstar]

Believe me you might feel abit better just weaning off the rice.

I actually get mini glucose crashes if I eat too much rice now. One of my sisters did lose 50 lbs because of this high glycemic tendency. It was good she controlled it because she would have tipped into gestational diabetes, with her 2nd child.


I still have awhile to go to wean. But I'm certain this rice weaning has helped me more than I realize, weight-wise. But then on the other hand, I still eat abit of dessert.

[nscrbug]

Hmmm....I have a question. I know I need to increase my protein. For those who don't eat red meat, and try to not eat much meat at all (I do occasionally eat poultry and have fish 2 times per week probably) - what are good protein sources?

Quinoa is actually a "complete" protein (and very high in it)...and it's gluten-free too! It can be used in place of rice/pasta in any dish.

[Veronica]

Quinoa is actually a "complete" protein (and very high in it)...and it's gluten-free too! It can be used in place of rice/pasta in any dish.

It's only got 8 grams of protein in a serving. That's not high in my mind. Especially when paired with 39 carbs!

And it still tastes like broccoli.

Veronica

[Susan]

It's high in protein for a grain (well it's not a real grain anyway but you use it alike). If you combine it with another protein source, you get enough high-quality protein. If you don't like quinoa, there are so many alternatives you can use.

[tangentgirl]

Yuck! Tastes like broccoli. If you like broccoli that's okay.


Veronica

So, you don't want my quinoa broccoli casserole recipe?

[Veronica]

So, you don't want my quinoa broccoli casserole recipe?

Thanks, but I think I'll pass. Unless it's loaded with cheese and bacon? Those usually work to cover up unpleasant tastes.

Veronica

[nscrbug]

So, you don't want my quinoa broccoli casserole recipe?

Mmmmm...I'll take it, please!

[Catrin]

So, you don't want my quinoa broccoli casserole recipe?

Ooooh, I will take this as well

[redrhodie]

I really hate being this overweight. I want to be back down at 125 pound when I felt my strongest. I'm 5'4". Is 125 pound realistic for my height and my age?

I hate gaining weight every year. It's slow but after many years, it does add up. My mother was never this heavy. My father was never fat. And my sister still run marathon so now I'm the fattie in my family and I hate it.

So how do you manage to keep yourself motivated on a diet? I love food. Foodie of sort but I don't really have a sweet tooth except for chocolate. What are some of the sensible diet? Besides yes calories in calories out. Portion control just leaves me craving for more and I end up binging on a regular basis... How does one maintain self-control when you feel hungry. Carrot/celery sticks will NOT do.

I think 125 might be realistic, but I don't think that number should be your driving force. Go by how you feel. You might feel great at 135 now. Get too low, and you'll feel weak and tired on your bike.

I think you should never feel starving. That portion control does this to you, makes me think your "diet" portions are too little too late. Eat a good breakfast, then eat a snack 2 hours later, even if you don't feel hungry. If you're not hungry, make the snack fruit, if you are hungry, go for bread with peanut butter or cheese. By lunch, you should be ready to eat, but not starving. Try eating 6 times a day, and see how that feels. Drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Since you love food, try some new recipes. That might help you stay motivated. You don't need to eat carrots and celery. Eat what you love. Ride you bike, too. That's important.

[WindingRoad]

SmilingCat - I think those that are saying that determining your target weight is very subjective are VERY correct. I have been battling with this too trying to figure out what a realistic goal is. After OCDing about it for about 3 weeks now I come full circle back to my original approach of 'what the hell' I feel good. I mean I think I'm in pretty good shape, I can run 5 miles any given day, bike up to 50 - 60 miles, do spin classes back to back and shovel out 3 cars with 5 foot snowdrifts. I have to think of these things when I start comparing myself to what is 'normal'. According to those charts I'm a horse, oh well whatever, i feel good and I look pretty darn good too. I have about 10 lbs I'd like to see go but I'm over freaking out about it. BTW, I use quinoa quite a bit. It's pretty tasty if you cook it with some seasonings, much like rice. Stuffed peppers are awesome made with it. Great with chicken and is feel it is much more satiating than rice. Another thing to keep in mind, drink drink drink. For me that makes such a huge difference. I'm a hardcore coffee drinkers too so I make myself drink extra water on days I drink tons of coffee. I hope this helps. Please don't get down over your weight, you will get there. It's not always a simple recipe to find the right combo for weight loss.

[tangentgirl]

oh dang. now i have to make up a quiona broccoli (with optional cheese and bacon) casserole recipe. i was afraid of that.

[nscrbug]

oh dang. now i have to make up a quiona broccoli (with optional cheese and bacon) casserole recipe. i was afraid of that.

Ha ha...too funny! I'm guessing one could make it just like any other broccoli & rice casserole, only replacing the rice with quinoa.

[emily_in_nc]

For meatless protein, we eat a lot of beans. Black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, any bean will do. With brown rice or quinoa and plenty of veggies, they make a great meal.

Also tempeh or tofu, eggs, and cheese. I like organic yogurt and nuts for snacks. I add a scoop of unsweetened whey protein powder to my cereal.

We do eat poultry and fish but also try to have several meatless meals a week. Better for the planet and for our health, we think.

Oh, and that quinoa/broccoli casserole recipe sounds good. I don't find that quinoa tastes like broccoli at all. To me it tastes like whatever it's cooked with (seasonings, broth, etc.) It's important to give it a GOOD rinsing prior to cooking to get rid of the coating of the individual grains, which can be bitter.