"New to me" foods

SparkPoints: (6,609)
Fitness Minutes: (13,650)
Posts: 63
10/16/12 8:57 A

Butternut squash.
I buy it already cubed and just spread it in a baking dish, sprinkle it with cinnamon and bake at 375 until almost soft. No fat, no salt, - just the veggie and cinnamon. Is also good cold mixed in a salad.

current weight: 4.0  over

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Posts: 14,173
10/16/12 7:19 A

Sunflower kernels, roasted in oil.. lightly salted. Low carb, adds fiber, and tastes pretty good.

Crunchy like Rice Krispies..lol

current weight: 242.0

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Posts: 6
10/15/12 11:03 P

Ak Mak crackers! They are delicious, whole grain, have protein, and are low calorie. I absolutely love them! I eat them alone or with cottage cheese or a laughing cow triangle on the occasion. Such a great find!

current weight: 166.8

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SparkPoints: (8,712)
Fitness Minutes: (7,096)
Posts: 259
10/15/12 8:58 P

Re: Butternut squash. Try going 1/2 and 1/2 with Butternut and Hokkaido squash in pumpkin soup. Cube it and "melt" it in the oven with a little sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use in curry... Basically, just spice the h*ll out of it!

current weight: 156.0

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Posts: 171
10/15/12 8:55 P

I have just tried butternut squash. It didn't have a lot of flavor so I'm looking for recipes or a different way of cooking that might make it more appealing.

Pounds lost: 112.0

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Posts: 105
10/15/12 6:57 P

I like hummus and dried tomatos and celery. It is very filling meal/snack and 2 tablespoons of hummus is only 70 calories.

current weight: 218.2

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SparkPoints: (6,609)
Fitness Minutes: (13,650)
Posts: 63
10/15/12 6:04 P

I'm with all of you on the Greek yogurt! Totally addicted to Fage 2% plain. I save their Total full fat for a special treat. My late night snack is now Fage with sliced berries. YUM! .........And the calcium helps me sleep :-)
Lately I've been trying some of that precooked/packaged brown rice by various companies. (Seeds of Change among others)
Quite good and very convenient.

current weight: 4.0  over

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Posts: 216
10/15/12 5:34 P

RUGLADY, I use Optimum Nutrition Natural 100% Whey. The chocolate is pretty good; the vanilla can be used in smoothies and overnight oats. Its really a great product. You can go on bodybuilding.com and click on "store" and look up tons of protein powders that have hundreds of member reviews.

current weight: 224.0

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Posts: 22
10/15/12 4:50 P

Winter Squashes. Spaghetti squash - love it. Butternut Squash - Also love. Acorn squash - undecided. First way I tried it was bland without much flavor.

current weight: 139.6

152 142.75 133.5 124.25

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Posts: 7
10/15/12 2:42 P

What kind of protein powder do most of you use. There are so many out there I have no idea what kind to get.

152 142.75 133.5 124.25

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SparkPoints: (18,862)
Fitness Minutes: (12,101)
Posts: 760
10/15/12 12:50 P

ooh the spaghetti squash with peanut sauce idea is SUCH a great idea!! Can't wait to try that!

current weight: 168.8

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Posts: 448
10/15/12 11:31 A

spaghetti squash with spicy peanut sauce and some chicken, scallions and bell pepper. Really sastisfied my craving for soba noodles and it is really tasty and lo-cal.

Posts: 466
10/15/12 10:31 A

Leeks - love them!

Brussels sprouts - not so much.

Pounds lost: 37.0

0 15.75 31.5 47.25

63

SparkPoints: (813)
Fitness Minutes: (295)
Posts: 46
10/15/12 10:07 A

My new to me item is PB2 - it's a powdered peanut butter subsitute that has 45cals and ony 1.5 grams of fat for 2tbs of this awesome stuff! I add it to my oatmeal, smoothies, and will dip my apples and other goodies in it for extra taste, satiety, and protein!

Also, Goji berries! These little gems are really $$$ though, I bought a bag from my local health food store (Hoover's Market), and it set me back about $13. It lasted me a whole month though, because I only used about 1/8cup when I would put it in my oatmeal or yogurt! Apparently it's one of the highest rated ORACS food choices out there, helps out with free radicals and yada yada (lol).

I'm a super HUUUGE fan of Greek Yogurt as well! I love this stuff, and it's so versatile you can implement it into many of your typical high fat, high calorie dishes for minimal impact on your waistline. I have this stuff at least once a day, I can have it for a snack along with some fruit, and it'll hold me over for 4-6 hours.

LOVE THESE FOODS!

current weight: 259.0

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Posts: 810
10/15/12 9:51 A

protein powder - i struggled in the past with meeting my protein range every day, and now i have a smoothie with some frozen fruit, some spinach, and a scoop of protein powder every day

current weight: 217.0

311 278.25 245.5 212.75

180

SparkPoints: (14,955)
Fitness Minutes: (25,416)
Posts: 564
10/15/12 9:20 A

Steel cut oats. Never tried them before. I found a recipe to make them in the crockpot over night - easy. and we had it this a.m. for the first time? Very good!

current weight: 110.8

113 112.25 111.5 110.75

110

SparkPoints: (23,499)
Fitness Minutes: (13,575)
Posts: 628
10/15/12 8:42 A

Greek yogurt

Posts: 1,999
10/15/12 8:14 A

Rice paper wraps. Sort of like eating a plastic bag with your lunch in it, but they're actually good! My son introduced me to them. Different but fun.

current weight: 149.0

152 149.75 147.5 145.25

143

SparkPoints: (567)
Fitness Minutes: (145)
Posts: 12
10/15/12 8:01 A

Leeks! Split pea soup with leeks, rosemary, a bit of bacon = delicious! It's soup weather here in Chicago and I'm making soup every weekend, some for now, some for the freezer. Great to have a healthy meal ready to go when I don't want to cook.

Jan

Pounds lost: 3.7

0 2.75 5.5 8.25

11

Posts: 2,720
10/15/12 6:58 A

Greek yogurt and roasted vegetables.

current weight: 3.0  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

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Posts: 142
10/15/12 5:57 A

I have tried parsnips but enjoy them baked in the oven with other vegetables. Very tasty!

Total SparkPoints: 89,870

	80,000 84,999 89,999 94,999	99,999
SparkPoints Level 19

SparkPoints: (3)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 1
10/15/12 5:03 A

Assuming your choices are better than they actually are.
Being confused about carbs.
Eating too much.
Not eating enough -- or often enough.
Taking too many supplements.
Excluding exercise.
Believing everything you read about nutrition and weight loss.
Diet & Nutrition FAQs

You read all the books; buy all the right vitamins; you know the buzzwords to look for on food labels. By all standards, you're certain your nutrition report card should be filled with straight A's.

But before you start pasting gold stars onto your refrigerator door, take heed: Nutrition experts say most of us think we are eating a lot better than we actually are.

"It's easy to buy into some pretty popular nutrition misconceptions -- myths and half-truths that ultimately find us making far fewer healthier food choices than we realize," says New York University nutritionist Samantha Heller, MS, RD.


thanks


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SparkPoints: (17,114)
Fitness Minutes: (3,445)
Posts: 2,329
10/15/12 2:45 A

WATERMELON. It was a special treat when I was a kid and I loved it. For some unknown reason I never thought about it after I grew up and I hadn't eaten it for years. Finally bought a cute round seedless watermelon and cut a nice juicy slice. Heavenly smell--such nostalgia--and so delicious! Like eating candy but so low in calories. I eat my "special treat" every day now... ahhh, the perks of being a grown-up and doing my own grocery shopping, haha!




Edited by: SPARKLETHYME at: 10/15/2012 (02:47)

Pounds lost: 32.0

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SparkPoints: (4,921)
Fitness Minutes: (4,040)
Posts: 74
10/14/12 11:48 P

I've always kind of hated brown rice, and avoided white rice because of the high GI and nutritional emptiness, so I had been living a rice-free existence until I discovered black or "forbidden" rice. It's a lot more expensive, but wow! is it tasty. It has a totally distinctive taste that pairs well with a multitude of dishes and it is PACKED with nutrients.

I'm also a greek yogurt convert and use it in sauces all the time. The only time that didn't work well was in a wine sauce...it curdled. Gross-looking, but still tasted ok.

Pounds lost: 20.0

0 11.5 23 34.5

46

SparkPoints: (23,499)
Fitness Minutes: (13,575)
Posts: 628
10/14/12 9:58 P

I just tried kale for the first time and love it.

SparkPoints: (1,969)
Fitness Minutes: (1,408)
Posts: 35
10/14/12 9:57 P

Using quinoa has been new for me. I recently heard that a few of my friends do 1/2 quinoa and 1/2 rice for every recipe that calls for just rice.

Eating avacados is new as well. I eat about 1 per week now. It tastes great with creamy salad dressing, or just with a bit of salt.

I also started making huge salads as part of lunch or dinner. The act of cutting the vegetables and deciding what goes in/which dressing gives me a feeling of variety. Each day it's a different taste.

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 7.35 14.7 22.05

29.4

SparkPoints: (8,214)
Fitness Minutes: (6,957)
Posts: 145
10/14/12 5:44 P

I just found deep purple sweet potatoes at the farmers market. I cut them in 4ths the long way and roasted them until tender. Amazing! Sweet and satisfying. I love Fage Greek yogurt, 2%, plain. One cup has 23 grams of protein , 170 cals and meets a good portion of my calcium needs. It is great plain, in recipes, or mixed with a little maple syrup and fruit.

current weight: 170.1

170.1 162.575 155.05 147.525

140

SparkPoints: (8,712)
Fitness Minutes: (7,096)
Posts: 259
10/14/12 5:37 P

It's called "Quark", and I learned of its existence here in Germany. It's got the non-fat and low-cal aspect of cottage cheese going for it (I think it's got less than 1% fat), but it has the consistency of Greek yogurt and the tartness of full-fat non-sweet regular farm yogurt. It's my new staple when it comes to mixing dips and salad sauces. I'm so in love with this stuff, I can't even say how much.

I have no idea what it would be in English, though, the closest translation I've found is "curd cheese", which doesn't sound even a smidgen as delicious as the awesomeness that is "Quark".

Maybe it's a product of string theory physics?

current weight: 156.0

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Posts: 148
10/14/12 5:25 P

Kale. Tried it from the natural foods place (last time from the regular grocery store) and its still tough and bitter. BUT have made the choice to grow it this spring. Chard turned out to be really good from the garden when fresh and the leaves small and tender and bet kale is the same way. So Kale will be on the menu from about February on.

current weight: 219.0

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Posts: 645
10/14/12 3:49 P

Biscuits. Never saw the point before (my diet was lacking in carbs & too high in fat & protein). No wonder i was always craving potato chips! Anyway, they take like 5 minutes to mix up & 10 - 15 minutes to bake! Recently, I have been having issues getting to the SP food tracker minimum fat intake for the day. Biscuits give me the nudge of fat that takes me into the ranges that I need to be in.
I spend about 250 to 300 calories on biscuits but they are healthy homemade recipes that satisfy my dietary needs & serve as some comfort food too.

current weight: 182.5

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Posts: 35
10/14/12 11:57 A

sweet potatoes is not silly! and they do taste good and they are so much better for you! i agree. Alexia sells great sweet potato tots and waffle fries. :)

current weight: 164.0

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SparkPoints: (2,245)
Fitness Minutes: (590)
Posts: 159
10/14/12 11:55 A

This is gonna sound silly, but sweet potatoes! I read in someones blog about how they put them in with their roast and potatoes for an extra vitamin punch. I tried it and we loved it!!! I also was recently introduced to sweet potato fries! Bake them, don't fry and they are wonderful slightly sweet and much healthier than regular potatoes! Being raised mostly on meat and potatoes, this was a wonderful find for me! Next I am gonna try baked sweet potatoes.

current weight: 256.0

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SparkPoints: (6,343)
Fitness Minutes: (4,551)
Posts: 341
10/14/12 11:36 A

Quinoa cooked in my black bean burgers then finished Quinoa next day was very surprised ...easy to cook and liked it

SparkPoints: (13,104)
Fitness Minutes: (7,361)
Posts: 201
10/14/12 11:03 A

My new to me foods are grains like barely, quiona, rye, sorghum. We still eat some gluten around our house but we're experimenting with better more heart friendly things than plain ol' wheat and wheat flour.

Pounds lost: 50.4

0 21.5 43 64.5

86

SparkPoints: (24,079)
Fitness Minutes: (27,899)
Posts: 386
10/14/12 10:37 A

Fat free grrek yogurt. Yum!
Fiber One bread.
Al Fresco Chicken sausage. There are several flavors, so I use them to replace italian pork sausage, keilbasa, gyro meat, and hot dogs. Next, I plan to try replacing chorizo.

current weight: 149.0

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SparkPoints: (15,643)
Fitness Minutes: (7,026)
Posts: 662
10/14/12 9:39 A

Mangoes and Greek yogurt. Not necessarily together but now that I think about it....

N16351D why no dairy?

22 Days until:  Trip to Alaska

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0

Posts: 1,460
10/14/12 8:44 A

Spark People is such a great place to find new ideas for food, isn't it? I was not much for strawberries, but last summer when I realized how many more strawberries I could eat for the calories, I jumped on the strawberry train!

In fact, yesterday I made a little salad with sliced strawberries, blueberries, arugula, slivered almonds, and a vingegarette made by whisking some pure maple syrup into balsamic vinegar.

current weight: 136.0

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Posts: 2,250
10/14/12 6:30 A

Soy products are my new favorite! When the doctor told me to cut dairy out of my diet I wondered how I would ever eat cereal again, or if I could live without ice cream and cheese. Soy milk is great on cereal, and soy delicious frozen desert is good with fresh or frozen berries. (But I don't like soy without something added to it.)

For this die-hard dairy lover, soy products have become very important to me.

current weight: 112.4

121 118.85 116.7 114.55

112.4

Posts: 35
10/14/12 1:47 A

Blueberries added to spinach leaf salad is good too. I lost several pounds at first by eating spinach leaf salads with low fat turkey, blueberries, veggie slices cheese, tofu, and/or hard boiled eggs. Mix and match these, do not eat all the protein items at once. Also, I find the best meals contain a grain, protein, and vegetable or fruit. I started eating gluten free too. There is also a book I now live by called "Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type."

current weight: 164.0

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SparkPoints: (2,710)
Fitness Minutes: (1,070)
Posts: 140
10/13/12 11:30 P

Beets, I love them in salads and in sautés.

Pounds lost: 18.0

0 7 14 21

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Posts: 983
10/13/12 10:20 P

Tzatziki Sauce, great low calorie dip for veggies

Pounds lost: 14.2

0 13.25 26.5 39.75

53

SparkPoints: (25,630)
Fitness Minutes: (17,716)
Posts: 355
10/13/12 9:29 P

Blueberries, I never used to like them and now and I love them :)

Pounds lost: 63.0

0 27.75 55.5 83.25

111

Posts: 1,488
10/13/12 9:15 P

I recently tried breadfruit while on vacation in Jamaica. I loved it. There aren't many things that I won't try at least once

current weight: 167.4

180 172.5 165 157.5

150

SparkPoints: (2,521)
Fitness Minutes: (1,110)
Posts: 290
10/13/12 2:40 P

I only discovered spaghetti squash this Fall. Where have I been?? I love squash and sweet potatoes, etc. but never heard of the spaghetti squash. I love it plain. Love it misted with EVOO and sprinkled with a touch of shaved Parmesan. Love it with marinara and Parmesan.

current weight: 128.0

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128

SparkPoints: (30,581)
Fitness Minutes: (13,128)
Posts: 715
10/13/12 2:28 P

I try to find a new produce or whole food each week.. this week, i was introduced to jelly fruit at our farmer's market. these are yellow spiny melon type balls, which have a jell like consistency inside. taste like a combo of banana and kiwi. Not a winner, a little too weird for me.

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Posts: 2,282
10/13/12 1:29 P

Glad you are finding a love for new foods!
There are so many options out there..Keep on trying new things!
A healthy lifestyle is much easier when you aren't bored to death and thinking you have to eat dry salads and boiled chicken all the time!
Good for you!!

Posts: 140
10/13/12 12:00 P

Yes greek yogurt makes creamy sauces and creamy soups!! We even use it in place of oil in muffins and pancakes...most anything. I use the full fat/ reduced versions for sauces instead of the 0%

SparkPoints: (9,038)
Fitness Minutes: (4,705)
Posts: 259
10/13/12 11:23 A

I like cottage cheese. I had never thought of mixing it with my oatmeal. I do cook my oatmeal in milk (Old Fashioned Quaker Oats). Oatmeal...that's another kind of new food for me. I was not a cereal eater. I wanted eggs for breakfast or at least peanut butter toast. I started making myself eat oatmeal for breakfast shortly after I joined Spark. After a couple of weeks I started waking up hungry for oatmeal, fruit and milk. Amazing. I still have an egg on Satuday mornings, but oatmeal is my chilly weather go to breakfast.

current weight: 148.0

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SparkPoints: (15,517)
Fitness Minutes: (15,578)
Posts: 892
10/13/12 11:05 A

Sounds like we're in the same boat! I've recently fallen in love with greek yogurt as well, and have been using the sandwhich thins since I'm single and can't go through a whole loaf of bread before it goes bad.

low fat Cottage cheese mixed with oatmeal is another good one. Sounds crazy, but it adds protein and makes it nice and creamy and much more filling. I'll have to check out the thai chili sauce, I love spicy food.

current weight: 7.4  over

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-10

SparkPoints: (9,038)
Fitness Minutes: (4,705)
Posts: 259
10/13/12 10:45 A

Greek yogurt! What a find. It has replaced sour cream in this house. I haven't tried to make any of my old sour cream sauces with it yet. Will that work? We we are dip eaters. Thanks to Greek yogurt, we still are. We're dipping veggies instead of chips now.
Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins. These are a new find just this week, thanks to Chef Meg's Beef and Blue sandwich recipe. I was surprised our small town had this grocery item.
Thai Chili Sauce. Once again, surprised I could find it here in town. I had never heard of it. 1 tablespoon really gives Chef Meg's Beef Vegetable Soup a kick. I think it is my favorite recipe so far.
I wouldn't have tried any of these foods if it hadn't been for Spark People. I learned about the Greek yogurt from reading so many member posts about it. The other finds were from Chef Meg's recipes that were featured in the last week or so.

current weight: 148.0

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