Salad questions

[Anonymous]

Soup is a great idea; there are a ton of vegetable-based soups that are low in calories and filling. I love soup. Also, have you tried adding some kind of whole grain to the salad? I have to really watch portions with this, but a little quinoa or farro or bulgur (there are a lot of good ones) really helps make a salad more filling, especially for dinner. Also, you can cook them ahead and just keep them in the fridge. We freeze them sometimes, too.

If you have some ice pop molds, try Greek yogurt ice pops. I just mash up some frozen or fresh berries (you can add a little honey if the berries are super sour) and mix it with the yogurt and freeze. They take a very long time to eat--the yogurt gets very hard. I like the 2% Fage plain, just because it only has a few more calories than 0%, but is way, way more satisfying.

[Anonymous]

I go to a restaurant with a delicious chicken chopped salad- chicken, roasted corn, avocados, tomatoes, Monterey Jack cheese. SO good and ridiculously filling- does he like avocado? A healthy fat like that would make his salads more filling.

[Anonymous]

For leafy veggies like lettuces, wash and spin dry then store in an airtight container with a damp paper towel (wet the towel, wring dry and then put in the bottom of your container). You want the leaves dry and the towel lightly damped. This will lengthen the time the leaves will last by a day or two. After 2-3 days, you'll notice that the paper towel has those brown and reddish stains that usually grow on the leaves. Also, if you can, avoid metal on the leaves. Use a ceramic knife or plastic knife or tear the leaves. The stains are caused by molds that grow on the oxidation on the leaves. Metal on the leaves speeds up the oxidation process, providing more food for the molds to grow on and hence it ages faster.

Legumes and proteins are good fillers. You've done good, but there are some other things that you can add that will add a healthy amount of protein and filler in a healthy way: salmon, tuna, lean sliced beef (get a steak, cook it medium then slice on the diagonal and put about 3-4 oz per salad), other legumes (peas, green beans, lima beans).

Juice pops (orange juice in a pop-maker or just frozen in a bowl), fruit and yogurt smoothies. Start moving towards frozen yogurt and sorbets--in general, they have less fat and sugar per serving than ice cream, but read the label.

[Anonymous]

Is he working out at all? If so, morning or night?

[Anonymous]

Salads: Good fat for the dressing. Make sure there's no sugar in the dressing - that'll just spark cravings for more food.

This is a good homemade dressing. Lots of work, especially the homemade mayo part, but is it ever delicious!
http://www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2011/01/25/tangy-goodness-creamy-italian-dressing/

Dessert: Blueberries with a drizzle of full-fat coconut milk.

[Anonymous]

Unlimited lettuce or baby spinach or kale

Unlimited other veggies: carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, onion, radish, zucchini, mushroom, sprouts, cabbage shreds

1 meat protein: larger plain chicken breast, 1 can tuna in water, 1 serving of lean beef, 6-8 shrimp, 1 serving grilled or baked fish

1 other protein: 1 ounce cheese, 1 egg, 1 serving of tofu, 1/2 cup beans, 1 serving of nuts, 1/2 avocado

1 "fun" extra: 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup couscous or quinoa, seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), pine nuts, croutons (reasonable calories not drenched in butter), crushed baked tortilla chips

Dressing: the lower fat the better. Aim for 150 calories max. Keep in mind flavorful options that are lower calorie like salsa, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar mixed with a smudge of balsamic vinaigrette

[Anonymous]

Frozen bananas in the food processor- totally has the consistency of ice cream.

[Anonymous]

for dessert blend cottage cheese, cocoa and splenda - kinda like chocolate mousse

[Anonymous]

He will definitely need protein/fat to feel full. The lettuce gives you the volume of food you might want for almost no calories, but if you eat nothing but lettuce & veggies, yeah, you'll be hungry. I add chicken, steak, tuna, taco meat, blue cheese, avocado, bacon, egg salad, kidney beans...

He might be able to achieve the same results by just cutting the carbs out of your normal dinner (eg skip the pasta or potato side dish with your protein and vegetables). We've mostly stopped eating them with our meals and I hardly ever miss them anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unlimited lettuce or baby spinach or kale

Unlimited other veggies: carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, onion, radish, zucchini, mushroom, sprouts, cabbage shreds

1 meat protein: larger plain chicken breast, 1 can tuna in water, 1 serving of lean beef, 6-8 shrimp, 1 serving grilled or baked fish

1 other protein: 1 ounce cheese, 1 egg, 1 serving of tofu, 1/2 cup beans, 1 serving of nuts, 1/2 avocado

1 "fun" extra: 1/2 cup pasta, 1/2 cup couscous or quinoa, seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), pine nuts, croutons (reasonable calories not drenched in butter), crushed baked tortilla chips

Dressing: the lower fat the better. Aim for 150 calories max. Keep in mind flavorful options that are lower calorie like salsa, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar mixed with a smudge of balsamic vinaigrette

Why does the chicken breast need to be plain? Actually, one of my favorite salads is to chop up a chicken breast and put hot sauce on it to make it a "buffalo" chicken salad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go to a restaurant with a delicious chicken chopped salad- chicken, roasted corn, avocados, tomatoes, Monterey Jack cheese. SO good and ridiculously filling- does he like avocado? A healthy fat like that would make his salads more filling.

That sounds so good, which restaurant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frozen bananas in the food processor- totally has the consistency of ice cream.

Add a few drops of vanilla extract. Yummy!!

[Anonymous]

I always need a little bit of carbs with my salad to be full. Croutons, piece of toast, some pita, etc. Just keep the portion small and it'll be ok. Be careful adding avocado or nuts b/c they add a lot of fat and calories. Light butter popcorn has a lot of bang for your buck - have some as a snack before dinner, and he'll feel more full. Even better if you pop it yourself w/o any topping and add only the smallest amount of butter or oil.

Our chopped veggies only stay for a few days. When I'm on a healthy kick to lose weight, I have to shop twice a week instead of once.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone! I've been mixing and matching from everyone's suggestions and last night and tonight he actually commented that the salads tasted good. A small victory but a victory nonetheless. I appreciate all the input!