"New to me" foods

Posts: 7,019
11/15/12 10:34 P

There are not too many foods I've haven't tried.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (9,014)
Fitness Minutes: (4,705)
Posts: 259
11/15/12 8:56 P

There's tofu in my fridge! I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to use it. My favorite Chinese restaurant serves fried tofu as an appetizer. I thought I might try it there first before I take it on here at home.
An old food that's new again- Nutritional yeast on my popcorn. I loved it years ago when I was skinny. Picked it up yesterday at a health food store I went to for the first time.
I visited two "new to me" health food stores yesterday. I saw a lot of the things I read about here on the message boards. I took time to read about several of them.

current weight: 148.0

175 163 151 139

127

Posts: 283
11/13/12 8:34 P

Brussel Sprouts - hated them as a kid, tried them at a friends house last night - she had bought a steamer packet of them and they were delicious!

current weight: 190.0

211 200.75 190.5 180.25

170

SparkPoints: (9,014)
Fitness Minutes: (4,705)
Posts: 259
11/13/12 8:17 P

I am going into the city tomorrow to Christmas shop, and I want to check out a couple of health food stores my neighbor told me about that I have never been to. I saved a recipe for barley and butternut squash tonight in my recipe box. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm going to some new stores, and I'm going to eat some barley. That will definitely be a new food for me.

current weight: 148.0

175 163 151 139

127

Posts: 7,019
11/6/12 11:38 A

Have started using turmeric more often.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (3,900)
Fitness Minutes: (1,346)
Posts: 134
11/6/12 11:22 A

@Arizona33, the store brands of Greek Yogurt are good. It can be expensive and I stick to a budget. It is wonderful that there are store brands now! The plain can be good if you want to add your own flavor and it is only 100 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 15% DV calcium. Yay!

current weight: 156.0

187 177.5 168 158.5

149

Posts: 7,019
11/6/12 10:40 A

Quinoa is now a new to me food but one that I haven't eaten in a very long time.
Made a batch this morning and it was very good.
Just ate it plain with a little salt. Very tasty plain.
Will spice up the leftovers with pumpkin spice and cinnamon.
Sounds like a dessert...

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (60,452)
Fitness Minutes: (29,893)
Posts: 4,018
11/6/12 5:06 A

@ChristKT: rutabaga is great for a stew!! One of my favourites.

Pounds lost: 20.0

0 27.5 55 82.5

110

Posts: 178
11/6/12 12:47 A

Wow--There are so many new foods listed by members on their replies to your post about "new to me foods" that I am getting excited about trying some of these new foods out.

My big discovery is how amazing unprocessed food tastes. Fruits and vegetables come in such a variety and I have found some great combinations to put together for salads that I would have never thought I would like but yummy the flavor, texture and color combinations...my plate is always so colorful and pretty that it almost seems a shame to eat the food.

And, the bonus is that when I make my own meals from scratch; I know exactly what I am eating. Plus, I get the healthiest version of a meal by doing this as it is not loaded with preservatives and fillers like store bought options often are.

The down side of this is I am not a very good cook...the up side of this is that I am learning to make some new recipes and my cooking skills are slowly getting better.

If any of you have some great comfort foods for winter...please send them my way.

P.S. My family will thank you as they are getting tired of eating the few things that I make right now!

P.S.S. And, I am going to have to try some Greek yogurt...but which one do I choose? There are so many choices.

Edited by: ARIZONA33 at: 11/6/2012 (00:49)

current weight: 174.6

182 171.5 161 150.5

140

SparkPoints: (9,444)
Fitness Minutes: (9,809)
Posts: 3
11/5/12 11:46 P

Trying rutabaga for the first time this week, plan to roast in oven with olive oil and salt.

Posts: 419
11/5/12 10:23 P

I tried a fresh almond....

Ya.... uh.... not for me....

Pounds lost: 19.0

0 5.25 10.5 15.75

21

Posts: 343
11/5/12 9:22 P

Vegetarian hot dogs - I can't believe how amazing they are and taste just like the real thing....especially when topped with sauce, cheese, fried onions etc etc

Also Slim Pasta, which is like zucchini spaghetti but already prepackaged in the supermarket ready to be heated and served. It's a little rubbery in texture but satisfies the carb/pasta cravings I just can't avoid!

current weight: 209.0

233 216 199 182

165

SparkPoints: (13,254)
Fitness Minutes: (6,859)
Posts: 77
11/5/12 8:52 P

I just tried raw almonds today. I've had regular almonds before and wasn't crazy about them, but I can handle them in a recipe (for instance my biscotti recipe I always make a bunch of to give as gifts at Christmas time) as they aren't overpowering or anything.

I had heard of how good raw almonds are for you and never wanted to try them since I don't care for the regular ones. I had to have raw almonds for a recipe I made for dinner tonight, so I bought them when I was at the store last week and figured I would use the rest for something else or roast them and use them at the holidays instead of buying some. As I was cooking, I figured I would try one since I had them on hand (I'm always up for trying new things), and OMG!! I had to stop myself from having more than 1. I didn't want to blow too many calories on nuts. I checked my tracker, and I have plenty of room even after desert later to have a handful if I really want them!

current weight: 159.5

222 202.75 183.5 164.25

145

Posts: 7,019
11/5/12 8:25 P

Never tried roasting jicama with other veggies.
Will try it next week.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (4,841)
Fitness Minutes: (475)
Posts: 80
11/5/12 8:14 P

Jicama is a great sub for fries. Just julienne and toss with a little lime juice. Or leave off the lime juice and dip in peanut butter. I also like it roasted with carrots and onions. Really good!

Pounds lost: 4.0

0 27.25 54.5 81.75

109

SparkPoints: (3,900)
Fitness Minutes: (1,346)
Posts: 134
11/5/12 5:32 P

Greek Yogurt. Lots of protein and a good amount of calcium for the amount of calories.

Butternut Squash Soup. Yum! There's gotta be tons of vitamins in there.

I've never used drinks with artificial sweeteners before, but I tried Ocean Spray on the go powdered thingies are really good. Only 5 cal. per serving and I drink lots of more fluids that way.

current weight: 156.0

187 177.5 168 158.5

149

SparkPoints: (3,371)
Fitness Minutes: (1,453)
Posts: 166
11/5/12 3:00 P

I've been loving the Morningstar Farms vegetable "sausage" patties. They are low in fat, give a healthy shot of protein and are really tasty. I usually have oatmeal for breakfast with fruit, which doesn't have much protein. If I have one of these patties, too, I'm good to go!

Pounds lost: 11.0

0 17.75 35.5 53.25

71

SparkPoints: (35,476)
Fitness Minutes: (21,690)
Posts: 1,414
11/5/12 1:43 P

jicama is a root vegetable. I just discovered quinoa flakes

current weight: 191.0

225 211.25 197.5 183.75

170

SparkPoints: (87,016)
Fitness Minutes: (77,315)
Posts: 3,187
11/5/12 10:36 A

Just got served jicama for the very first time. Not sure what it is, but it's good and doesn't seem like it would have a lot of sugar or sodium.

current weight: 99.0

146 134.25 122.5 110.75

99

SparkPoints: (10,747)
Fitness Minutes: (6,186)
Posts: 141
11/5/12 9:34 A

I am going to try kale chips this week. Also, a friend recommended quinoa! I haven't tried either of these before and I am so excited.

Pounds lost: 16.2

0 19.5 39 58.5

78

SparkPoints: (60,452)
Fitness Minutes: (29,893)
Posts: 4,018
11/5/12 9:26 A

actually I think that Kaki tastes like sugary nothing.. I tried it 2 years ago for a fruit salad for christmas (I wanted to offer at least ONE healthy dish.. lol). It's not that I didn't like it.. but I didn't LIKE it either.. ;)

Pounds lost: 20.0

0 27.5 55 82.5

110

Posts: 90
11/5/12 3:47 A

Was feeling adventurous when strolling around in the produce section and saw they'd just got a shipment of "Kaki" in (which I googled and turned out to be another name for persimmons... something I'd heard of but never tasted before). So I bought two, ate one and juiced the other. Not my new favourite fruit, but not as bad as I'd feared.


@ANDILH: favourite greens for soups: green bell peppers work a treat and make soups tastier, as do zucchini and broccoli. I tend to leave carrots out of my soups as they make them too sweet, just a heads up. For best tasting soups I start with a veggie flavoured stock in water, cover with a lid and boil my veggies in that on medium heat for 20-30 mins. When they are nice and soft I add low fat natural yoghurt and cayenne pepper to taste before mixing with immersion hand blender thingamajig. Good luck!

Edited by: 82NORTH at: 11/5/2012 (03:56)

current weight: 129.6

143 137 131 125

119

Posts: 7
11/4/12 2:33 P

On Friday I tried spaghetti squash. I cooked it in the microwave and tossed it with sweet peppers, onions, green peppers, garlic, olive oil and shrimp. It tasted good but it was just super watery, idk if I just didn't cook it correctly or what. I will definitely be giving it another try-anyone have any tips to prevent this squash wetness?

This week I also tried an oatmeal smoothie-super filling, delicious and healthy!!!

current weight: 176.2

176.2 164.65 153.1 141.55

130

Posts: 590
11/4/12 1:11 P

I'm trying greens for the first time today. I make soups with kale all the time, but will be adding other greens to it today. Anyone have any favorite greens for soups?

SparkPoints: (20,031)
Fitness Minutes: (16,896)
Posts: 866
11/4/12 10:14 A

Oats everyday. Cereal, hot or cold. But also in meatloaf, muffins, pancakes, handfuls of Cheerios as a snack!

current weight: 193.0

208.5 195.125 181.75 168.375

155

SparkPoints: (4,617)
Fitness Minutes: (3,847)
Posts: 138
11/4/12 7:12 A

Spaghetti Squash in place of spaghetti...yumm

SparkPoints: (6,596)
Fitness Minutes: (1,065)
Posts: 64
11/3/12 4:20 A

We've tried to incorporate a new food each month (even before starting SP) and some of our favorite healthy additions:

-Sweet Potatoes (sliced and baked with some paprika, to die for!)
-Edamame - at least every other day. Great source of fiber!
-Chia Seeds - we buy the ground version and have been adding them to our baked goods
-Shallots - roasting with the sweet potatoes, amazing!!!
-Angel Food cake - such a great (large sized dessert) holds up amazingly well in a cake stand too (10 days and still soft! add 1/2 cup cacao to the mix - kills my chocolate cravings for only 16 extra calories as a normal piece)
-Splenda brown sugar blend - tastes the same!
-Greek yogurt - to thicken, make sauces, so many things!

Some additional great suggestions on here we'll be looking to try soon!

Pounds lost: 17.6

0 15 30 45

60

Posts: 2
11/2/12 8:55 P

chocolate craving? freeze nutella.

SparkPoints: (53,031)
Fitness Minutes: (49,435)
Posts: 587
11/2/12 8:19 P

Turkey meatloaf with organic fat free refried black beans to decrease the fat and increase the fiber.

current weight: 179.0

241 222 203 184

165

Posts: 7,019
11/2/12 8:09 P

Collard greens

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (65,706)
Fitness Minutes: (48,020)
Posts: 4,885
11/2/12 7:46 P

I recently started using coconut creamer for my coffee. I'm getting used to it, but I still really like my half and half.

0 Days until:  Flying Pig Half Marathon

50 37 25 12

0

Posts: 7,019
11/2/12 3:33 P

Yucca


Yuck

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 34
11/2/12 12:48 P

Wow, I will always try any type of food as my husband is from England and they have many different food items that he fixes. But the chocolate yogurt sounds wonderful and I can't wait to try. I am new this week to SP so this is all so interesting AND inspiring. You are all so on your way to goal and healthy living. I can't wait to be part of it. Thanks for sharing.

Pounds lost: 3.0

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

Posts: 7
11/2/12 11:51 A

Black carrots? What do they taste like? Need to check this out.

current weight: 176.2

176.2 164.65 153.1 141.55

130

Posts: 7
11/2/12 11:48 A

Thanks SUNSHINE102466, I just found a spark recipe for Italian tomatoes and herb cheese that uses cottage cheese and the pic looks delicious plus I love tomatoes. Will be giving it another try in the following week. Wish me luck! :)

current weight: 176.2

176.2 164.65 153.1 141.55

130

Posts: 7,019
11/2/12 10:16 A

Seitan

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (11,715)
Fitness Minutes: (6,575)
Posts: 214
11/2/12 9:15 A

sweet potatoes

I know these are common but I think they are an acquired taste. Still working on acquiring.

Posts: 786
11/2/12 3:40 A

black carrots

current weight: 150.0

154 148 142 136

130

SparkPoints: (1,071)
Fitness Minutes: (279)
Posts: 4
11/1/12 9:25 P

Egg Whites. ick. I know people who live by them but I can't stand them.

Posts: 7,019
11/1/12 3:51 P

Tofu sausage

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 166
11/1/12 3:12 P

Chia seeds...what a super food. Going to start adding it to my morning juice or protein shake.

current weight: 202.8

249 233 217 201

185

Posts: 4,988
10/31/12 9:33 P

rainbow baby carrots....lovely. And micro salad greens - delicious in any salad. Also tomaraisins - sort of dried like raisins tomatoes. They taste different than sun dried ones and are wonderful sprinkled over a salad or meal....

Pounds lost: 44.0

0 11.5 23 34.5

46

Posts: 808
10/31/12 9:08 P

Fall Greens

Pounds lost: 31.0

0 19.5 39 58.5

78

SparkPoints: (8,648)
Fitness Minutes: (7,096)
Posts: 258
10/31/12 7:39 P

@Jenae: You might not find those but I had a blast eating my way through all the different kinds of mushrooms I could find lately. There's a golden one that looks like a sponge which you cut in slices and then fry in a little olive/sesame oil. Then there's some that grow in a cluster and smell of roses (really!), that you slowly fry on low heat without any added oil. There's one that's called an "elephant ear"...

I also had my very first home-grown bonsai pomegranate... it tasted just like regular pomegranate except the seeds/fruit are smaller. Going to try and use it as decoration in a patisserie project next.

current weight: 156.0

174 163.5 153 142.5

132

Posts: 7,019
10/31/12 6:04 P

Can't think of any new to me foods.
Any ideas?
Please let me know.
Thanks

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 5
10/31/12 5:59 P

Thanks for the great suggestion! I purchased some plain Greek yogurt at Trader Joe's after reading about it as a sour cream substitute (my beloved sour cream, oh how I miss you!!) but...blegh. No. I actually LIKE sour, but this is not a good sour cream substitute.

But this chocolate idea is right up my alley.

Thanks.

Posts: 151
10/31/12 3:44 P

Baby Bok Choy
Almond Milk
Roma Tomatoes!! Not really "new", but I've never really liked raw tomatoes. For some reason this year I can't get enough roma tomatoes, I eat probably 10 a week at least!!

Pounds lost: 6.0

0 12.25 24.5 36.75

49

Posts: 3,343
10/31/12 11:58 A

kale

current weight: 141.1

153 146 139 132

125

SparkPoints: (5,889)
Fitness Minutes: (4,759)
Posts: 22
10/31/12 10:13 A

I've started to have Dannon Vanilla Greek yogurt with Bear Naked granola for breakfast. I've tried several different Greek yogurts to find one that I enjoy. For an afternoon snack, I have found Oikos Caramel on the bottom Greek yogurt to be a delicious dip for apple slices!

Pounds lost: 65.4

0 20 40 60

80

Posts: 505
10/31/12 9:17 A

Whey Cool Chocolate Protein Shake from Designs for Health It's organic using only grass-fed cow's milk. I add a tbl of Chia seeds and 2 tbl of ground flax seeds along with 8oz of unsweetened almond or coconut milk, mix in a blender bottle. Delicious! Sorry, I just realized I sent this previously. Oh well, it's that good.

Edited by: HAPPLYEVERAFTER at: 10/31/2012 (09:20)

current weight: 137.0

197 176.5 156 135.5

115

Posts: 38
10/31/12 8:40 A

We tried Swiss Chard this year and now it is a family favourite. It will depend on the season since sometimes a very small bunch is pricey. Good value right now.

Pounds lost: 8.5

0 8.25 16.5 24.75

33

SparkPoints: (57,030)
Fitness Minutes: (59,849)
Posts: 4,616
10/31/12 7:59 A

Baby kale-not bitter and so healthy! Great steamed with balsamic vinegar glaze or baked as chips. But eat those baked chips right away as they get tough and limp after a day or two.

Posts: 135
10/31/12 5:34 A

Did you try the plain greek yogurt? That's kind of boring :-) I really enjoy the vanilla flavor. I know there are more carbs and sugar involved but it's worth it to me!

Try mixing in frozen blueberries with the vanilla yogurt. The yogurt actually begins to freeze and it's a great frozen treat!

I also love it over fresh fruit. A bit of protein, a bit of fiber and some carbs...the perfect snack!

May Minutes: 356

0 32.5 65 97.5

130

SparkPoints: (10,348)
Fitness Minutes: (16,964)
Posts: 337
10/30/12 11:28 P

Tried greek yogurt for the first time today. Didn't love it, but I don't hate it

current weight: 294.0

310 298.75 287.5 276.25

265

Posts: 7,019
10/30/12 9:46 P

Baby zucchini

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

SparkPoints: (5,729)
Fitness Minutes: (7,857)
Posts: 91
10/30/12 8:49 P

Aragula
Almond/Coconut milk
Steamed Adamame
Agave Nectar
Purple Cabbage

And if you like chocolate pudding, try this:

One "cup" plain 0% Greek Yogurt (I like Oikos brand)
One tbsp of unsweetened pure cocoa (Hershey's brand is good)
One tbsp of agave nectar.... Mix well and enjoy!!! It is really good

current weight: 171.7

203 190 177 164

151

Posts: 7,019
10/30/12 5:17 P

Multi color organic baby carrots. They are so cute and tasty too.

current weight: 148.8

219 196.75 174.5 152.25

130

Posts: 56
10/30/12 4:36 P

Kiwi! I tried it this year and really love it because of the benefits it gives my body!

Posts: 560
10/30/12 4:31 P

I tried jicama for the first time and find I really like it. Low in calories has a nice crunchy texture and the flavor is fairly neutral so it works well in salads and stirfrys.

current weight: 208.4

279 248 217 186

155

Posts: 1,091
10/30/12 12:10 P

ground flax seed

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 6 12 18

24

SparkPoints: (5,896)
Fitness Minutes: (127)
Posts: 39
10/30/12 11:37 A

Finally tried spaghetti squash last night. Just had it with some jarred bolognese sauce and it was tasty! What a great substitute for pasta. My boyfriend made himself some rigatoni, but had a couple bites of my squash and even he was impressed with the taste and texture. :D

current weight: 168.0

191 181.5 172 162.5

153

Posts: 963
10/30/12 7:11 A

Baby kale! Our grocery store just started carrying it... Has all the benefits of kale, but not as bitter and more tender little leaves. (Sort of like baby spinach). Makes great kale chops!

current weight: 199.8

208 203.5 199 194.5

190

SparkPoints: (11,000)
Fitness Minutes: (7,194)
Posts: 326
10/30/12 5:19 A

Kale and qunoia. Both were quite good.

Pounds lost: 13.0

0 6.75 13.5 20.25

27

SparkPoints: (13,254)
Fitness Minutes: (6,859)
Posts: 77
10/30/12 5:09 A

I agree. I tried it recently too but prefer brown rice or even a wild rice blend.

current weight: 159.5

222 202.75 183.5 164.25

145

SparkPoints: (3,524)
Fitness Minutes: (2,199)
Posts: 33
10/29/12 10:23 P

Starliite1 - instead of fruit with your cottage cheese, try tomatoes or cucumbers. I love cottage cheese but I don't like it with fruit.

Pounds lost: 16.6

0 21.75 43.5 65.25

87

SparkPoints: (21,633)
Fitness Minutes: (14,263)
Posts: 737
10/29/12 8:47 P

I have been making my own greek yogurt and using the whey in my oatmeal -- that's new for me!

current weight: 160.1

176 170.75 165.5 160.25

155