I want something fried

Posts: 236
12/1/12 7:58 A

Maybe fry a small portion at home of something. You can pick healthier fats, and limit the amount of breading. For instance, I once had fried okra out -- they cut the things up into quarter inch bits and lathered them with breading before frying. (I ended up having to dissect the food from inside the bread casing, which was time-intensive and messy -- fortunately I was alone on the road.) (Had to do this with the popcorn shrimp as well -- first and last time I will ever eat at that chain!)

PS, the above was before I went on my diet. They were disgusting that way even then.

Me, if I were to do this at home, I'd keep them whole, de-stemmed, and batter them lightly.

Edited by: ARTEMISTHEGREEK at: 12/1/2012 (07:59)

Pounds lost: 9.0

0 5 10 15

20

Posts: 2,120
12/1/12 7:49 A

great suggestions

baked fakes (well, not really fake food; just a healthier option to fried)

SparkPoints: (2,121)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 28
12/1/12 7:18 A

All great suggestions... you guys are great. I still haven't had fried food since my original post. I almost went for it at Olive Garden last night, but had the Mussels Di Napoli instead.... I might have a small order of fries this weekend or something. Or maybe not... but the baked onion rings sound good... I may have to make some

Posts: 572
11/30/12 6:25 P

I make myself fried plantains or bananas with half olive oil and half butter. it hits my fat and sugar cravings. Try making your own salt and vinegar chips or fries.

I also like grabbing a bag of kettlecorn popcorn, or salt&vingear chips. Just one bag and then I can enjoy it fully.

Edited by: MEG-NATALIA07 at: 11/30/2012 (18:27)

current weight: 130.1

150 142.5 135 127.5

120

SparkPoints: (31,765)
Fitness Minutes: (19,605)
Posts: 1,419
11/30/12 4:16 P

I agree with the statement made earlier - no food should be off limits. Just have something that fits in your diet for fat and calorie limits. Eat an order of fries off the dollar menu. You can drive through to save time and add it to your meal of healthier choices.

SparkPoints: (54,338)
Fitness Minutes: (34,126)
Posts: 3,027
11/30/12 10:29 A

I have another idea. Make the baked chicken or baked onion rings. But set aside 1 piece and fry just that one. You can get a small portion of fried food that way while still cooking a big batch of healthier food.

current weight: 173.8

235 218.75 202.5 186.25

170

Posts: 790
11/30/12 10:28 A

I crave fried foods when I've been eating in the lower range for fats for several days. I stepped outside my building and smelled fryer oil from the Artic Circle down the hill and it made me hungry. You know you're hard up when fryer grease smells good. :)

If I can't resist, I indulge in a small portion, but it helps to remind myself those cravings mean it's working. It's a sign of progress. That helps give me the willpower to resist.

current weight: 178.8

283 252.25 221.5 190.75

160

Posts: 11,486
11/30/12 10:17 A

I like Pookies suggestion, baked onion rings are good too. And Nierin's suggestion.

Personally for me cravings don't pass and I will just eat mindlessly trying to satisfy the craving. I end up eating more calories than if I just planned and ate the item in the first place.

For instance a couple years ago, I was craving a bacon cheeseburger. Well nothing else would satisfy. I didn't give in for two weeks. Then finally I ate one. I don't recommend eating them every day or maybe not even every week. Sometimes we can make room for such things in our diet.

Pounds lost: 17.4

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

Posts: 11,780
11/30/12 10:08 A

Here you can get onion rings you bake in the oven as well, much lower in fat.

SparkPoints: (3,144)
Fitness Minutes: (5,730)
Posts: 653
11/30/12 5:30 A

I like SarahD's suggestion.

current weight: 99.0

110 107.25 104.5 101.75

99

SparkPoints: (2,121)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 28
11/29/12 11:08 P

thanks, guys :-) I do get sick if I eat more than just a small portion of fried food, but I am fine doing it on occasion. I appreciate the feedback - my turkey gravy over rice and spinach was yummy after all :-)

Posts: 11,486
11/29/12 9:43 P

I am a fan of moderation and working treats into my calorie range. That is what I would do.

Pounds lost: 17.4

0 8.75 17.5 26.25

35

Posts: 186
11/29/12 8:43 P

Be very careful if you haven't had fried foods in a while. I get very sick now if I have a meal of fried goodies. Last week I wanted to crawl in a corner and cry after eating chicken tenders and onion rings. Once you start eating healthy, your body will have a difficult time digesting a fried meal. I was nauseous, bloated, sweaty, and had a bad headache from my indulgence. Thinking back, it just was not worth it, and I do believe I learned from that experience. Next time, I may just have a taste of fried foods instead of a whole meal of it. I can't believe that I used to eat this way and didn't notice how disgusting I felt!

Pounds lost: 9.8

0 11.5 23 34.5

46

Posts: 10,789
11/29/12 4:48 P

if you want them, have them. not all at once, but pick one and work it in in the next few days. then work another one a little bit after that. give yourself two to four weeks to work in all five of them. if you get bored with them you can always stop. but this way you get to have what you want and it's not such a burden all at once.

SparkPoints: (2,121)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 28
11/29/12 4:19 P

I've made the oven-fried chicken before - and since I leave work and go straight to school, I have no way to give in (or snack)... I just hate craving stuff. It makes my turkey gravy over rice and side of spinach sound boring... but it's what I have... I guess my "help?" was more of a "what to do to get rid of the craving?"

SparkPoints: (12,132)
Fitness Minutes: (120)
Posts: 1,980
11/29/12 4:15 P

What about making your own oven fried chicken? It's easy, you just need flour, egg, breadcrumbs (Panko work best, or you can even use corn flakes), whatever seasonings you want, and chicken of course.

Mix your seasonings with the flour, you only need a few tbsp if you're just doing 1 piece of chicken. Take your egg and beat it a little bit and put it on a small plate. Then dredge your chicken in flour, then dip it in the egg and let the excess drip off, then dredge it in the breadcrumbs. Put a cooling rack on a cookie sheet, and then put the chicken on the rack. Bake in the oven at like 400 for maybe 20 min or until it's done. If you want it extra crispy you can put it under the broiler for a few minutes to get the breadcrumbs extra crispy.

This also works for stuff like pork chops and fish, just modify the cooking times.

current weight: 139.5

188 175.875 163.75 151.625

139.5

SparkPoints: (29,401)
Fitness Minutes: (38,782)
Posts: 295
11/29/12 4:05 P

Ahhh, the power of advertising. It worked!
My advice: go do something that captures your attention, and doesn't involve eating. That will take your mind off of it. If you are hungry right now, have a healthy snack or meal, too. Hunger pangs only make those junk food cravings worse.

current weight: 3.0  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (2,121)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 28
11/29/12 3:58 P

I was reading a restaurant review, and it included a shrimp po boy, fried green tomatoes and fried okra. Then I started thinking that these, plus fried scallops and fried pickles sounded ah-ma-zing. Don't get me wrong, I love these things prepared other, way healthier ways, but I think I'm just craving that crunch and slight saltiness. Help?