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Thread: Diet/foods question

  1. #1
    Kaylinn
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    Default Diet/foods question

    I am going to start eating healthier this year, and I have a few questions I hope someone can answer?

    I don't really like whole wheat bread. Is the whole wheat white acceptable, or can anyone recommend a good tasting whole wheat bread?

    I want to eliminate dairy. Thats not to much of an issue, I already drink soy milk, however, I LOVE cheese. Does the dairy free cheese taste ok? Can you cook with it? What is the healthiest cheese to buy?

    I'm trying to eliminate all white flour/sugar from my diet.

    If you take away white sugar, what do you use? What do I put on my cereal in the morning?

    Using Zuccini as a "noodle" for spaghetti, does it taste good? I want to add more veggies in my diet, but I am a really picky eater. I thought this might be a good way to sneak in more healthy stuff.

    Thanks for your help

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Flax bread, or Ezekiel bread might taste more appealing. Seeds, nuts, grains, EFA's, antioxidants, etc... If I were you, I would go to your local health store and consult with a book/person on veganism, or on substitution diets. I have honestly never heard of dairy free cheese- I just get tofu! Try tofutti ice cream for a treat- it's great!!!

    The sugar problem- either splenda- or better yet, stevia- healthier and plant derived- also found at a health store, very sweet and a natural antioxidant.

    and yes, zucchini can be turned into pasta, although i know pumpkin and butternut squash have been more popular. congrats and good luck on your healthy journey. i do suggest you get a vegan cookbook and some guidelines. this is a large and very admirable undertaking! way to go!

  3. #3
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    This is gonna be pretty difficult, because, I am a vegitarian. I have alwasy been. Never liked the taste of meat. But. Im very very picky. I dont like veggies either. My diet is all carbs. potatoes, pizza, mac n cheese, french fries, I have a very unhealthy diet.

    I do like eggs, and oatmeal, apples,carrots, Im trying to think of things I like that are healthy to, and there isnt to many things.

    Im thinking like, a breakfast of oatmeal or egg whites, lunch of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich with whole wheat bread and lowfat cheese
    and a dinner of whole wheat pasta with maranara sauce

    snacks like apples, string cheese and lots of protien shakes

    Gonna try experimenting with different veggies. I like asparagus, but I havent found a way to cook it right yet. I always screw it up.

    And about tofu. Im scared of it. I always wanted to try it, I need better protein in my diet. But Tofu scares me. What the hell do you do with it? Does it actually taste good?

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    I am going to start eating healthier this year, and I have a few questions I hope someone can answer?

    I don't really like whole wheat bread. Is the whole wheat white acceptable, or can anyone recommend a good tasting whole wheat bread?

    I want to eliminate dairy. Thats not to much of an issue, I already drink soy milk, however, I LOVE cheese. Does the dairy free cheese taste ok? Can you cook with it? What is the healthiest cheese to buy?

    I'm trying to eliminate all white flour/sugar from my diet.

    If you take away white sugar, what do you use? What do I put on my cereal in the morning?

    Using Zuccini as a "noodle" for spaghetti, does it taste good? I want to add more veggies in my diet, but I am a really picky eater. I thought this might be a good way to sneak in more healthy stuff.

    Thanks for your help
    - I don't see what's wrong with whole wheat white, from a calorie perspective anyway. From a fibre perspective, if you really hate wholemeal, you might try mixed grain or rye breads.

    - Dairy free cheese tastes fine if it's melted (like on toast with tomato, for example). On its own it tastes like plastic.

    - Fruit is nice on cereal (fresh or dried).

    - I love almost all vegies, so can't really be of much help there. I will say, however, that in my experience zucchini tastes awesome in almost all situations.

    P.S.- Tofu. Tofu on its own is essentially nearly flavourless. It works well in things like stir-fries, or you can buy flavoured marinated tofu, which can be tossed into savoury dishes such as salads, sandwiches, mock burgers and soups. I've been known to eat it on its own. You can also get tofu-based mock fishfingers and yummy tofu desserts. I've always loved healthy things, so there wasn't really much of a period of adjustment for me when I went vegan (and had to replace pretty much all of my dietary staples with alternatives), but there might well be one for you, given how fussy you are. I can only recommend patience with yourself, a commitment to at least try these things once (if not more) and possibly taking dietary change in incremental steps. It's possible that an overnight transition might not suit someone with so many food dislikes, so perhaps gradually replacing the unhealthy elements of your diet with alternatives (like baked potato with salsa insted of chips) and slowly introducing new foods might well be the way to go. I'm a compulsive all-or-nothing type of person, so big overhauls work best for me, but they certainly don't suit everyone.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post

    I don't really like whole wheat bread. Is the whole wheat white acceptable, or can anyone recommend a good tasting whole wheat bread?
    I like 7 grain whole wheat bread. The thing with bread is that try to get it with less than 100 cal per slice and at least 2 gm of fiber.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    I want to eliminate dairy. Thats not to much of an issue, I already drink soy milk, however, I LOVE cheese. Does the dairy free cheese taste ok? Can you cook with it? What is the healthiest cheese to buy?
    My vegan friend eats vegetarian cheese. Shes a hard core vegan and she says it tastes good. Most of that can be found at a co-op or other healthy food store.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    If you take away white sugar, what do you use? What do I put on my cereal in the morning?
    I use Splenda. Havent used stevia b/c its sorta exspensive to me. Also another great option is using raw sugar instead - like for coffee.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    Using Zuccini as a "noodle" for spaghetti, does it taste good? I want to add more veggies in my diet, but I am a really picky eater. I thought this might be a good way to sneak in more healthy stuff.
    About vegetables you have to try things and some of them you may or may not like. I love butternut sqaush as a spagetti substitute. Trying new recipes with veggies in them helps alot too.
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Gnocchi is not pasta its potatoes!! (I'm most of you have not seen that show, so don't get the joke.)

    For tofu, I'd recommend something, anything to do with it. Soysauce is the most basic companion. I like it with plum sauce. Also you can slice it and stir fry it with some soysauce, green onions, and sesame oil. My wife will usually mix up the soysauce, spring onions, and chili together, then while frying the tofu add the sauce. Not sure on the health aspect though. You can also 'batter' it in flour and egg (not sure on healthiness there but it is yum.)


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  7. #7
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Ohhh...I LOVE gnocci.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Don't forget about honey as a sugar alternative. I loooove a good bowl of plain oatmeal (or steel cut oats) with a few spoonfuls of honey and a couple of shakes of cinnamon.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Don't know much about the cheese, but as far as whole wheat bread, I've never been much for it either, but I LOOVEEE Sara Lee's whole wheat. It's yummy and soft. For more veggies, if you wanna make spaghetti minus the pasta, try spaghetti squash. You just bake it, then scrape out the insides with a fork, which makes little 'noodles'. Cover in sauce, and wah lah! One of my favs. Almonds are good for protein as well. Good luck
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Quote Originally Posted by Kaylinn View Post
    This is gonna be pretty difficult, because, I am a vegitarian. I have alwasy been. Never liked the taste of meat. But. Im very very picky. I dont like veggies either. My diet is all carbs. potatoes, pizza, mac n cheese, french fries, I have a very unhealthy diet.
    You don't have to giveup pasta. Try Dreamfield's pasta. It is coated with an extra protein, so it doesn't spike your blood sugar (and doesn't convert right to glucose in your system).

    Your portions are smaller with this and you can't refrigerate it either, as it changes the glycemic properties of it.

    Lastly, it is REAL pasta. Not some of that gross whole wheat stuff or, yuk, the soy ones. A little pricey (over 2.00 per box), but you can stock up when it's on sale and yes, you can get it at your regular supermarket.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Eat pumpernickle or rye bread. I don't eat breakfast but coffee and tea. I don't use white sugar. Get Sugar on the Raw. Anything that is dark---sugar or bread is better than white for you.
    Good luck with your new diet. I don't diet. I just don't eat...



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    Veteran Member Allice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Quote Originally Posted by DylanAngel View Post
    Lastly, it is REAL pasta. Not some of that gross whole wheat stuff...
    I absolutely LUVVV the taste of whole wheat pasta! But if OP dosen't like whole wheat bread, guess it wouldn't be for her! Myself- can't stand white bread, sticks to the roof of your mouth.

    Honey isn't any more healthful than sugar, they both are the same to your body. I'd recommend slowly phasing out sugar as an additive (like on cereal, oatmeal) and see how you like things unsweetened. You might hate it, but it's worth a try, and you might surprise yourself.

    Definately look into seasonings. Steamed veggies turn delish when seasoned right. I smell mine first, if it "smells" like it'd go good with whatever I cooked, usually it tastes good. Watch your sodium intake, seasonings are good for adding lots of flavor without extra salt or fat.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    If you can afford to eat organic then do it. Whole Foods is a wonderful place, just as special as shopping for clothes.
    Do not eat breads and pastas with bleacked flour, that will make you fat. Trust me I watch everything I eat even down to my NYC slices which I let myself have once or maybe twice a month.
    Shop Whole Foods....



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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Quote Originally Posted by Allice View Post
    Honey isn't any more healthful than sugar, they both are the same to your body. I'd recommend slowly phasing out sugar as an additive (like on cereal, oatmeal) and see how you like things unsweetened. You might hate it, but it's worth a try, and you might surprise yourself.
    This was why I loved the induction phase to Atkins (some people like South Beach, etc). You couldn't have sugar at all for those two weeks.

    After that phase was over, I couldn't even go back to it. Everything with sugar tastes waaaay too sweet now. I mistakenly took a sip of regular Coke one day and it made my tongue actually feel hairy. Yuk.

  15. #15
    Kaylinn
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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Thank you guys soo much!! You have been a huge help.

    Just to clear something up, Im not tryignthis as a "diet" more of a lifestyle change. It not something I hope to do to lose a few lbs, but rather, just to make my life healthier. I am a pretty healthy weight as it is( 123lbs, 5"7"), I just need to tone up, but Im working on that as well.

    I absolutely LUVVV the taste of whole wheat pasta! But if OP dosen't like whole wheat bread, guess it wouldn't be for her! Myself- can't stand white bread, sticks to the roof of your mouth
    I actually dont mind whole wheat pasta. Its not bad. I just hate whole wheat bread. I LIKE bread to stick to the roof of my mouth. If I make a PBJ sandwich, and the bread aint soft enough, I wont eat it.

    Anyway, Thanks for all the suggestions. I am gonan go shopping tomorrow for new healthy stuff!

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    I cook everything from scratch there are enough recipe books about. i dont eat meat, dairy or wheat. i only buy organic foods and cook mainly stews or chinese food. if your a picky eater just grin and bare it u will adapt. i didn't eat any vegetables at all till i became i vegetarian, then i had no choice but to cook vegetables in such a way i would eat them. i cover everything in chilli or garlic till u get used to it. :-) its all good. i love food and cooking.

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    I make food all the time. I don't eat out in fattening ass NYC. No cheese, wheat, corn or chicken. Listen to your body girl.



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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    Have you tried any of the grain breads? I like those.....I usually end up buying Brownberry breads. They are really soft and fluffy like white bread, but with a nutty-ish flavor. Even their wheat breat is pretty good, but I prefer the taste of their grain bread (I think it's 7 grain).

    As far as tofu goes, I'm pretty afraid of it myself, but I've been recommended to buy a pre-made dish from stores like Wild Oats and Whole Foods. They'll usually have at least one tofu concoction. I personally can't bring myself to try it....yet. Maybe you can be more adventurous than me. I'm afraid of the texture/consistency of it .... I'm very sensitive about that. If something feels gross in my mouth, I'm quick to, uh .....regurgitate it. (trying to put it nicely!) So that's why I'm afraid of tofu, but I've heard so many good things about it!






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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    I've tried to love the Ezekiel bread, oh god I've tried. I really like the idea of a variety of grains and vitamins. But it just tastes awful unless toasted with a bunch of pseudo-butter or cheese on it. I'd rather just have that soft wheat bread and limit the slices....

    Good luck with your eating lifestyle change Kaylinn. I am quitting smoking and about to turn 30 myself, so I'm right there with you in trying to improve eating habits.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    I tried that Ezekial bread and if it's the one I'm thinking of I didn't like it. It seemed too dry to me.

    As far as on your cereal, you could try splenda. I actually will buy light soy milk with vanilla flavor and eat it on plain bran cereal but I don't have to have my cereal too sweet.

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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    To cook asparagus, steam it with about half water and half lemon juice. It will have a nice lemony flavor.

    Tofu is easy to cook with, once you know how. The thing about tofu is, it has almost no flavor on its own, but it will pick up the flavor of anything it comes in contact with. You should get a cook book that will give you a bunch of good recipes. But here is an easy stir-fry you can try:

    Use extra-firm tofu for this.

    Brown some onions and garlic in a little bit of sesame or olive oil. Dice your tofu into 1/2 inch cubes. Put your heat to medium and toss in the tofu, CAREFUL!! The oil is hot and the tofu is watery, so some grease may pop at you. I got a nasty burn from it one time. Now brown your tofu, along with any nuts you want to add to your stir fry. Almonds, cashews, and pine nuts are all tasty, but have lots of calories. Stir your tofu almost constantly. It can burn easily. You want to get it sort of golden-brown on the outside. Once you get it that way, add some soy sauce or tariaki (sp?) sauce, stir it up, and once the sauce is warm, cover that pan and set it aside. Then take whatever veggies you want to use, and then saute then in a little bit of hot oil over high heat. If you have Chinese 5 Spices seasoning, add it to the veggies now. Stir them frequently, and remove them from the heat when they just start to get tender (or whatever texture you like, really). Toss with your tofu-sauce and serve.

    Once you get the hang of this, you can modify the tofu-browning process by changing the seasoning of the oil. For example, if you want to make an Italian dish, you can add some Italian seasoning to your oil as you are heating it, and then your tofu will taste like oregano, rosemary, and thyme. And so on.

    Good luck.

    As for the cheese, can anybody recommend a good brand of soy cheese? I have tried a few, and I can't find one that melts right.
    Last edited by colleen; 01-05-2007 at 08:15 AM. Reason: add info


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    Default Re: Diet/foods question

    I love the multigrain breads (Oatnut is one of my fav's), they are very healthy and taste much better than wheat (though I love whole wheat). Honestly I don't like the dairy free cheese much. It's okay on a veggie sandwich if you cover the taste up with mustard, but that was about the only way I could eat it, and it doesn't usually melt well.

    If you really want to eat healthier, I would get some good olive, grapeseed & sesame oil. These all taste different and are great to drizzle on veggies (squash, mushrooms, peppers, carrotts, celery) seal in aluminum foil then bake. You can mix your veggies to suit your taste, and season with lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning, or whatever you prefer. Serve with brown rice, or a slice of multigrain bread. These also make a good sandwich, with a slice of cheese or tomato. You could also try adding things like artichokes, chick peas, pumpkin seeds and asparagus to your salads, this is a great way of changing them up and adding nutritional value.

    HTH
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