When cooking, many of us tend to taste the progress as we're adding spices and other ingredients. Those "tastes" can add up to a lot of calories, especially when cooking a big dinner like Thanksgiving! Keep a jar near the stove and every time you catch yourself "tasting", add an equal amount to the jar. You may be surprised at how much your jar adds up!
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I am notorious for eating as I cook, especially during the evening when I am cooking for my family. To keep me from pinching here and tasting there, I chew on sugarless gum to keep my mouth busy. I also chew gum throughout the day to curb my appetite.
These have so little fat that they can dry out during cooking and can be bland in taste. I mix in chopped vegetables (onions, mushrooms, etc) to add moisture and flavor during cooking, or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon healthy oil (olive, canola), plus spices. I sometimes use a 1/4 tsp of toasted sesame oil and Asian or Indian spices for something different from the usual burger.
SparkPeople member AQUAGIRL08 struggled with chronic pain unitl she decided to take control of her health through diet and exercise. She offers her best advice anyone dealing with pain.