New and terribly confused?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2003
New and terribly confused?
4
Tue, 02-10-2004 - 10:13pm
Hi,

I'm hoping to start the South Beach Diet soon but the more I read about it the more confused I get. One thing first off - I don't have a lot of money (my parents essentially buy the groceries since I live at home and I don't have a lot of extra money to buy stuff NOT on their grocery list). I've looked at a ton of recipes and they all require a lot of things we don't usually have (I'm referring to the specialty cheeses, and a lot of the spices!) I really want to do this diet but I'm getting terribly discouraged already because I have no idea what to eat!

I wish someone could say "eat this, and this and this" - simple things! I see that the breakfast of eggs, Canadian bacon and tomato juice looks simple, but I can't eat that every morning for the rest of my life. I really don't like Quiche's for some reason. I guess I'm a pretty picky eater but now its more due to me being confused than anything else. Does anyone have tips or simple ideas on what to eat (nothing fancy schmancy!) And then all the dinner recipes. I don't know what Snow peas are but I have a feeling you can't get them where I live (I live in a small remote northern BC town where produce is very limited in the winter).

Cheryl :)

Thanks so much!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
Wed, 02-11-2004 - 8:54am
Hi Cheryl,

Like you I didn't have a lot to spend when I started. I do spend more at the grocery store but I'm not eating out either so it weighs out. During my first two weeks I pretty much stuck to the same things to stay on course. Mixed it up some.

For breakfast: I would have an omelet or scrambled eggs with veggies. Pepper, onions, tomatoes, and deli ham or turkey. Also I would have turkey bacon. I have never had quiche until I started SBD. The first time I tried it I put chopped peppers, onions, broccoli, and broke up turkey bacon. I've found that you can pretty much put anything in it. I used reduced fat mozzarella cheese in a lot of things. When I make the quiche I bake then in a cup cake tin, just spray the pan and they come right out.

For lunch and dinner: I love the turkey chili. I would have this for lunch or dinner with RF cheese on top. Also would have it on a bed of lettus and other veggies. It's really easy to make and you can freeze half for the next week if you want. I make a big crock pot full. Also there are some really good chicken breast recipes here. I buy the broccoli cauliflower mix for a vegatable often. Tuna or chicken salad are really good too and not pricey. Mix with a bunch of fresh veggies and you have a filling meal.

Snack I have the no sugar added fudgesicles and the ricotta creme. Also Dannon light and fit creamy yogurts.

Just wanted to give you some ideas. I hope this will help. Feel free to ask any questions.

Good luck!

Jenn

Jenn

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-08-2004
Wed, 02-11-2004 - 9:36am
i'm not sure if i'm repeating, but here are some ideas:

Breakfast

cottage cheese (plain, with chopped veggies, or with cinnamon and splenda)

veggie burger pattie with cheese

Lunch

Salad (topped with deli meat, tuna, chicken)

chili/soup(would make a big pot on sunday)

dinner leftovers

Dinner

Chicken stir-fry (with broccoli, green/red peppers, onion, green beans)

Chicken with diced tomatoes (pour can over chicken in frying pan)

grilled fish

Spaghetti squash with grilled veggies (recipe in book)

You definitely don't have to follow the recipes...as for spices, etc., just buy the basics: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, olive oil.

After the first week or so, it'll get alot easier.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2004
Wed, 02-11-2004 - 3:30pm
Cheryl,

Maybe if you approached your parents with the idea that if they buy the ingredients you need, you'll cook the meal for everyone! That might get their attention.

A really simple recipe:

Boneless skinless chicken breasts

Extra virgin olive oil (2-3 tbsp)

Garlic powder (or garlic salt)

Salt

Pepper

Fry the chicken breast, seasoning with the salt, pepper and garlic to taste. Just keep turning the chicken every once in a while. It will eventually brown, but without any breading.

This is one of our favorite simple recipes. The olive oil give it a great flavor.

Then make a salad with veggies everyone likes. You could add an additional veggie that is on the allowed list. If you can't get fresh, then try frozen.


Look at the recipe section. Some of the recipes are really simple. You might really enjoy the Pizza Burgers.

If you can show your family that there are really good things to eat that are healthy for you, maybe they'll be more willing to buy the healthy ingredients.

Good luck! Don't give up!

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2003
Wed, 02-11-2004 - 4:48pm
Wow, this really simplifies things! I'm going to print all this stuff out and hopefully I'll be able to start tomorrow. Thanks everyone!