When trying to lose weight, coming up with healthy meal ideas can be difficult. However, you can make healthy, low-calorie meals that taste great. When planning your menu, follow a few simple rules that will help you stay full, preventing binges on high calorie food. This will help you lose weight. Make sure to include protein every time you eat starch foods. Ensure your starches provide added nutritional benefits. For example, choose whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice over white, and sweet potatoes over regular potatoes. Also, when you eat lunch and dinner, cover half of your plate with vegetables, one-quarter with protein and one-quarter with starch, like whole grains or potatoes.
Breakfast
A wonderful and nutritious breakfast idea is an omelet with mixed vegetables. You can use only the egg whites if you are looking to lose weight more quickly. This reduces the fat and calories in the dish. All vegetables taste great in omelets, so choose your favorite. Use just a small amount of olive oil to cook your eggs, as too much can add a lot of calories. Another breakfast idea that will help you lose weight is steel cut oatmeal with blueberries. Don't skip breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast helps you feel full so you can start your day and not become so hungry that you indulge in unhealthy items at lunch.
Lunch
Often times, last night's dinner leftovers can be a healthy lunch with minimal preparation time---simply re-heat and serve. However, if you have no leftovers, try a healthy salad or a sandwich wrap. Mixed greens with grilled chicken, fish or steak over them can be filling and enjoyable. Watch your portion size of salad dressing, as dressings are often very high in fat and calories. Limit your serving size of dressings to 2 tbsp. If you are choosing a wrap or sandwich, aim for whole wheat breads. Choose a lean protein to fill your wrap, such as chicken or turkey. Add lettuce and tomato or other veggies to complete your sandwich. You may also have some reduced fat cheese. Avoid tuna or chicken salads that contain a mayonnaise base, as it is too high in fat.
Dinner
Your dinner should consist of lean meat, vegetables and optional starch or whole grains. You don't need to eat starches unless you are very hungry. Skipping these at dinner time will help to speed your weight loss since you will be consuming fewer calories. Enjoy lean meat such as chicken, steak, pork, turkey or fish. You should consume plenty of vegetables with dinner. If you decide to have a starch, choose a healthy option, like brown rice or a sweet potato. A wonderful meal while dieting is broiled fish with steamed vegetables and brown rice. You can also have grilled steak with a sweet potato and broccoli.
Snacks
When trying to lose weight, the best snacks are fruits and vegetables. These items are lower in calories and can help you feel full. Fruits allow you to indulge your sweet tooth. However, any snack is okay as long as you can eat it in moderation. Some examples of foods you may have in moderation include nuts, dark chocolate or an alcoholic beverage such as a light beer or a glass of wine. Avoid processed and refined foods that are full of sugar.
Member Comments