Finding South Beach Meals

IF I eat a frozen meal, I will look at either the WW, the Lean Cusine or the South beach and depending on what I want will make my decision for me.  WW has some really low carb meals, so if I've had my good carbs at breakfast and plan to have some at dinner, the WW salisbury steak with asparagus might be my option of choice.  I found that the big things you have to watch for are the sugars.

Personally, I have found the serving sizes of the Lean Cusine and the WW to be much smaller than the South Beach, and since I hate to waste food, this keeps my portions more in control.

I agree that the carbs in the South Beach are most times good carbs, but often they add soy protein to the bready stuff to increase the protein count.  My issue with the soy protein is that the jury is still out on its real benefits.  In fact, I recently read a study that this type of soy additive may increase, or keep your chances the same, in developing breast cancer.  Coming from a family with it pre-disposed, I try to limit my intake of soy protein.

I think in the past year, I have relied on a frozed entrees maybe twice.  It's easier, cheaper, and just as convient for me to make something.  If it looks like I'm going to have a busy workweek, I will do all of my cooking on Sunday.  In fact, last sunday I made a big pan of egg beaters with turkey sausage and a big pot of cooked oatmeal for breakfast for me and the fam this week.  it's worked great - everyone helps themselves and just puts it in the microwave.  I often do the same when cooking a big meal (which I do on Sundays).

I'll even make a big bowl of tuna salad and take that with some whole grain crackers to avoid a frozen entree.

AAAALLLLLLLLL very helpful!!!!  Thanks for taking the time to write and explain your thoughts, I sincerely appreciate it.  It gives me stuff to ponder.  :)

Dawn

No prob...check out Foodnetwork.com.  You can adapt ANY recipe.  We like a lot of the Rachel Ray recipes....

OH!!!

Marinade flank steak in salsa for the day.  Grill and serve with a salad - OMG!!!!

Hi Dawn,

I don't know that many stores here in Richmond necessarily carry a larger supply of the South Beach Diet meals. It is basically trial and error. Walmarts, Kroger's and sometimes the Food Lion's and Ukrop's stores carry a selection. I personally do NOT eat frozen dinners/meals. I find them very high in carbs and salt and they are in my opinion not something I incorporate into my eating plan.

All best!

Thanks Kat!  :)  Agreed with not making them a staple.  But, may I ask a side question then?  Do you have a good resource for recipes?  I guess I'm not as inventive as I wish I was and I get bored with my food and tend to get over-carbed.  :)  SB meals are a good way to keep me focused.  Any resources or tips you could provide would be awesome!  :))

thanks!
Dawn

I also will not eat these prepared meals because of the sodium and high carb count as I keep both of these low. Here are some website I use for recipes......

 

www.gingersgourmet.com (fantastic tamalie pie!)

 

www.chefdave.org

 
www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

 

http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/trouble2/Recipes.htm

 

http://www.barixclinicsstore.com/recipe_main.html

Hope they help.......

Jackie

 

You're welcome Dawn! I supposed I should put together some recipes and post them in the near future. For me, I love to cook and tweak recipes to cater to my needs post-op. My buggas (2 daughters) don't notice the difference because I've always cooked this way for the both of them. Kayla was 2 when I had surgery and Nora was born after my surgery. I have a few "old time" cook books from my Nanny & Dad and I tweak them according to my needs. Here are a few recipes I absolutely love that I can think of right now.

Chili

1 package of Morning Star Meat
1 can of seasoned tomatoes (I like the chili type)
1 can of either pinto beans or black beans (sometimes together)
1 package of McCormick chili powder
1 can of corn (to add color really)

*I do not drain ANY water from the beans or corn. I pour the entire contents in.

I put all these in the crockpot and let them cook ALL day and in the pm's we've got chili! I have also heated these up on the stove as well in one big pot.

Hamburgers

1 package of 93% lean ground beef
McCormick's Grill Mates Hamburger seasoning (several shakes based on your tastes for spices)

Mix the ground beef and seasoning into a bowl and make patties the size of say the palm of your hand. Cook them on low heat or more often I bake them in the oven until brown/done. I'll add cheese and whatever condiments we might like.

Soup (crockpot)
*I personally like to cut up my potatoes and carrots fresh

1 can of corn
1 can of peas
1 can of potatoes
1 can of carrots
1 can of chicken or beef broth
1 small onion sliced well
Salt/pepper to taste (not a salt fan)
*Any other items you'd like to have in yours.

I let these cook in the crockpot ALL day as well!

I will take some time to add some more either later in the weekend or next week.

Dawn, there is a woman named Eggface (California?) who submitts great recipes all the time, everything from mini quiches to protein ice cream. I have tried some of her recipes and she's really is talented. I like to take existing recipes and adjusting them to lower fat, carb and sugar or sugar free like she does or make up my own. Search for Eggface on this site and you will be amazed at the great recipes she submits!! The's of Tam's are nice too. I will print them and give them a try as well!
McLean

Wops, I ment Sporty Jill's recipes below, I think I said Tam's!!!
McLean

Hey Dawn, as someone who does not cook frequently (pre or post op) I do use freezer meals 1-2 times per week.  I was a bit surprised by everyone's response, because you were asking advice on where to find the meals, not why you should not eat the meals.  Personally, I think all of us are different so I hope that you will use the advice given objectively and not see if as an attack.  All of the ladies *****sponded are our seasoned veterans and are trying to teach us the best way to get our protein, healthy carbs and low sugars in.

With that said, I mainly eat WW brand only because I'm the plainest eater in the world and only like a few freezer meals overall (turkey medallions, pot roast, salisbury steak).  I do enjoy the Stouffers vegetable lasagna but it is killer on carbs and fat.  I wish I could find a lower calorie/count variety of that!  I have yet to try SB meals.  I'll have to check them out.  Slowly and surely we are moving away from eating freezer meals (the hubby and I used to eat them everyday prior to surgery...sigh...) to only when we don't have a planned meal.

Slowly I'm getting used to making a meal and veggie side dish in the evening.  But it's a struggle for me since I don't enjoy cooking.  I definatley don't have the betty crocker gene.  LOL

I just thought you would like to hear from another point of view on the freezer meal subject.  :)