Apr
Chicken AGAIN?
How often have you started a diet with the best of intentions only to wind up totally bored with the menu? I mean, seriously, how many nights a week can you eat fish, chicken breast or salad before you just can’t stand the thought of them anymore?
It’s no wonder so many of us wind up giving up on our diets. You know you’re in trouble as soon as you start thinking that even cardboard sounds more appealing than what’s on the menu.
If you’re like me, food is all about the flavor. Bland diet food just doesn’t cut it and doesn’t really motivate you to want to stick with it…especially not when there is soooo much tasty food out there in the world to enjoy.
Here’s the good news…
Diets don’t have to be boring. Even the most restrictive diet can be spiced up a bit to give you more variety in your food and keep you from feeling so bored and deprived.
Spices, seasonings, marinades and low-calorie extras are your friend. They can turn a boring dish into an exciting one. They can allow you eat chicken 5 nights in a row and have a different tasting meal every night.
Just because you are on a diet doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of taste. Here are some suggestions for things you can try to add some excitement to your food.
Tomato-based Sauces
Spagetti sauce, pizza sauce and salsa are all really low in calories and can work wonders when added to the right dish. Try putting a chicken breast in a dish, pouring salsa over it and baking it. Or bake chicken with spagetti sauce and sprinkle lightly with garlic salt and a touch of parmesan cheese. Although cheese can be high fat, parmesan is a good choice because you don’t have to use a lot to get a lot of flavor.
Salsa is even great on salads as a low calorie, fat free alternative to salad dressing. You still get tons of flavor but don’t get all the extra calories.
Marinades
There are a ton of different commercial marinades on the market that you can try or you can make your own. They give meat awesome flavor and can completely change the taste without adding a ton of calories. Try using store bought marinades or opt for something like fruit vinegrette salad dressing for an unusual kick.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is full of flavor and won’t jack up your calorie count. Choose low sodium soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce to keep the sodium levels under control. Try steamed vegetables, brown rice and chicken flavored with soy sauce for an excellent healthy dish.
Spices
Spices are a dieter’s best friend. Read some recipes online and then hit the spice store at the grocery store and stock up. Lemon pepper for fish, rosemary or sage for chicken, curry, oregano, basil or saffron for rice…use your imagination. Even the pre-mixed seasoning blends like Mrs. Dash or Lowry’s Seasoning Salt can be great for adding flavor to your food.
Add Some Fruit
Adding fruit to a salad can really sweeten the deal. Mandarin oranges and spinach are a terrific combination. Or, try a fruit vinegrette for your salad dressing. Raspberry vinagrette is one of my personal favorites. Play around and see what tastes good to you.
Remember that fruit can be great when cooked with meat as well. Check out some online recipes for ideas.
Help for Rice
Brown rice is packed with nutrients, low calorie and is a staple of many diet plans. But let’s face it…it can be a bit bland. Saute some mushrooms and onions and toss them in with your rice. Use spices to jazz it up. Boil the rice in apple juice instead of water (this is especially tasty if you are eating your rice with pork). The great thing about rice is that it is like a blank canvas. You can season it or spice it up just about any way you can imagine and it will still taste great.
These are just a few of the ways that you can add some excitement to your food so that your diet doesn’t become boring.
Use your imagination and brainstorm some other low calorie, high flavor options that you could try and before you know it healthy eating will be fun instead of a chore!
