Friday, August 23, 2013

What are your favorite healthy recipes and food?

healthy tuna salad sandwich recipe yogurt
 on Balsamic Tuna Salad Sandwich - Recipe.com
healthy tuna salad sandwich recipe yogurt image



sparklelov


My husband and I are eating healthy and was wanting to know what kind of recipes you have that are delicious that are healthy? Also, what kind of snacks or other healthy ideas do you enjoy? Thank you!!!


Answer
Ways that helped me to a healthy lifestyle way of eating:

Nutritious foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat and sugar (no sugar, if possible).

Substituting sugar and oil (partially, depends on the recipe) by using applesauce and pureed fruits in baked goods.

Eating veggies as the main dish and lean meats (including beans), fish and chicken (very little red meat) as a side dish.

Eating whole wheat rice, pasta and breads is good as a side dish or as part of the main dish, as long as it is not high in fat, but is high in fiber. Lots of times, breads and pasta will say its wheat when it isn't whole wheat; something to watch out for.

Eating 3 meals plus 2 snacks a day is good.

Staying away from fast foods and tv dinners laden with fat and sugar.

Staying away from mayonnaise, in sandwiches or salads especially, use mustard instead. For dips and salads, use non fat to low fat yogurt. Or used tomato based dressing or dip (like salsa)

Use monosaturated fats like olive oil, not polyunsaturated or saturated fats.

Key is finding what kinds of foods you like; going to the American Heart Association website as a guideline.

Then looking at recipes that appeal to you.

I made a binder, with plastic sheet pocket protector page with index pages (salads, meats, side dishes, desserts, etc.). I’d try the recipe, if it’s good, it stays, if not, its tossed.

Tuna cakes
1 can tuna, drained (I like the one packed in water)
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup bread crumbs (I use leftover whole wheat bread and grind it up in the food processor)
1 egg (or 1/4 egg substitute)
onion (optional)

Mix together, using pie plate with crumbs in it (2 inchs thick or more), make 4 to 6 patties, (or one big one if you want a big tuna burger sandwich), cover each one with the crumbs.

Place in preheated, oiled pan.

Brown on one side then flip it, to brown on other side.
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Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
OR
Frozen pepper stir fry, thawed (red, yellow, green pepper slices and onion slices, available in the freezer section at the grocery).

3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg (or egg substitute equivalent to1-1.5 eggs (1/4-3/8 cups))
OR
1 Tbsp. ground flax seed simmered in 3 Tbsp. water Stir together until thick and gelatinous.

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs (maybe in addition, add 1/2 cup cooked brown rice) (possibly use rolled oats instead of bread crumbs)

Note:
How to keep them from falling apart. Rinse the black beans and dry them off before mashing them. Use the food processor for the onion, garlic and pepper mixture and then strain juices through a fine strainer to remove any excess water. Put back in food processor.

Blend everything in the food processor, beginning with onions, peppers, and garlic, bread crumbs, eggs and spices and then the beans last.

Note: Put a little oil on your hands when shaping the patties to prevent sticking.

Divide mixture into four patties. (Made them smaller, ended up with 6 and served them with a "dipping sauce" salsa.)

For Grilling: Freeze patties and grill them frozen.

Directions
For grilling: Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil.. Place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking,

For Oven Baking: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet. Place patties on cookie sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.
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Homemade Chicken or Fish Nuggets
This was originally used for fish but I have also used it for chicken nuggets the same way, I just cook them a little longer:

2 or 3 Tilapia filets
1 egg
about 1/2 c milk
about 1/3 c parmesan cheese (grated)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
about 1 cup bread crumbs

Preheat over to 400. Cut the fish (or chicken) up into bite size pieces. Put the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and parmesan into a ziploc bag. Mix the egg and the milk in a good sized bowl and add the fish (or chicken) nuggets to the bowl.

Take the nuggets out of the milk/egg mixture a few at a time and drop into the bag. Shake around until well coated and then place on baking sheet (you can grease it but I usually just line with foil). Do this until they are all coated and bake about 15-20 minutes depending on the size of your nuggets, slightly longer for chicken. They are good!
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Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies (Low Fat and Moist)

Total Time: 1 hr
Makes: 3 1/2 dozen

Ingredients:
1 1/2cups all purpose flour
1tsp. baking soda
1 1/2tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2tsp. salt
1/4tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2cup Splenda
1/4cup margarine, softened
3/4cup applesauce (unsweetened)
1/4cup egg substitute or 1 egg
2Tbsp. fat-free milk
2tsp. vanilla
3cups quick or old fashioned uncooked oatmeal
1cup diced (can use food processor, much easier) dried mixed fruit or raisins

Preparation:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray or grease lightly with cooking oil.

2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg; mix well. In large bowl, beat sugars and margarine until well blended. Add applesauce, egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir in flour mixture' mix well. Stir in oats and dried fruit; mix well. (Dough will be moist.)

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookies sheets.

4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store in tightly cover container.

Notes:
These cookies are moist and chewy; low in fat and low in sugar. I like them better the next day when they are moister and even more flavorful.

Plan on try making these with powdered flaxseed (good source of omega-3 fatty acids).

What is a good diet for someone trying to stay healthy?




Vickey


I want to go on a diet to be healthy, but I don't want it to have to be too hard. I work out a lot, and am very fit, but I feel that I am not making the healthiest choices when it comes to eating. What should I do when it comes to disciplining my food choices?


Answer
Thats great that your active and want to eat healthy :)
Go for natural, organic foods. Eat smaller portions more often rather than big portions less often. Avoid things like soda, diet soda or any diet drinks, artificial colors or sweeteners, too much sugar, overly processed foods. Remember to drink plenty of water. Green tea is great to =) As well as water with lemon which is cleansing, good for your skin, digestive system.

You can also try out healthier alternatives with food.
Examples:

- Replace fast food french fries with homemade sweet potato or regular fries (made with a touch of olive oil, salt)

- For chips, you could try natural sweet potato chips, pita chips, fat free popcorn, pop chips or a natural potato chip brand like Kettle. You can also make your own chips by thinly slicing potatoes or sweet potatoes, glazing with olive oil, sprinkling with salt (pepper, basil if you'd like - cinnamon goes well with sweet potatoes) & baking them.

- Replace candy with things like frozen grapes or banana slices, dried mango strips, dried blueberries/cranberries/cherries/papaya, raisins, etc.

- Try a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, topped with some things you like.

- If you want soda, try cold sparkling water with lemon or mixed with 100 % organic fruit juice instead

- Replace white pasta with whole grain in pasta dishes + add veggies (for example adding baby spinach to pasta, grilled vegetables to lasagna, broccoli/grated carrot/spinach/kale to pasta salad, etc.

- For a creamy pasta sauce try tomato sauce with goat cheese mixed in, for a healthier dish

- Enjoy pizza, try it on thin multigrain crust topped with fresh veggies.

- For healthier treat options try things like: frozen yogurt, vanilla greek yogurt with berries & grated dark chocolate, whole grain baked goods, etc. Desserts are fine in moderation :)


Here is a list with some healthy food ideas :)

~ Greek yogurt or yogurt (nonfat) - Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt
~ Eggs, cheese, cottage cheese (2% is fine), goat cheese, skim milk or goat milk, etc.
~ Vegetables
~ Fruit & Berries
~ Beans (chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, mixed beans, etc.) - full of fiber and protein :)
~ Veggie burgers (Amy's makes great veggie burgers)
~ Whole grain breads: multigrain bread, ezekiel bread, rye bread, whole wheat pitas, whole grain tortillas or bagels, etc.
~ Whole grain pasta or brown rice pasta, brown/wild rice, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.
~ Sweet potatoes or potatoes
~ Hummus
~ Oatmeal - great source of fiber, you can add toppings like: almond butter or peanut butter, nuts, fresh berries/fruit, raisins, dried fruit like cherries/cranberries/blueberries, cinnamon, skim milk or non-dairy milk, nonfat greek yogurt, jam, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, etc.
~ Healthy cereals (Kashi, Nature's Path Organic, etc..high in fiber like raisin bran)
~ Nuts, seeds, almond butter, peanut butter
~ Non-dairy milks like soy, almond or rice milk
~ Ground flax seed to add into a smoothie, top yogurt, etc.
~ Olive oil, good healthy fat, great for stir frys with lots of veggies.
~ Salmon & Tuna
~ Tofu & Tempeh - are great in sandwiches, wraps, on salads, etc.
~ Whole grain crackers
~ Whole grain waffles or pancakes
~ Dark chocolate


Website with great nutrition information, healthy recipes, meal ideas, snack ideas, etc
Building blocks for good nutrition:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/values/building-blocks.php
Four pillars of healthy eating:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/healthstartshere/fourpillars.php


I hope this helps :)




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