Question:
I need help in preparing meals for myself, any ideas?

   — Judy L. (posted on December 7, 2003)

December 6, 2003
My husband and I purchased a FoodSaver a while back to keep food fresh for our pet guinea pigs. (This is not necessarily a plug for FoodSaver.) Well, it has been a great help for meals for me! When I prepare meals for my family, I take the leftovers, measure out my size portions, and vacuum-save them in the freezer. Then when I need something to go or if I don't feel like cooking, I can grab something from the freezer and know that it is just right for me. Even if I just cook for myself, I do the same thing. I'll make an entire "something" and freeze it in vacuum-saved portions. My freezer is full of meals that I like and can take to work for lunch.
   — Rachel T.

December 7, 2003
I make the same kinds of foods I always did but get many meals out of the same quantity. I eat lots of leftovers as I usually go out to eat 2 times a week and each meal gives me 3-4 meals. I eat steamed or boiled shrimp a LOT. It's quick, easy, awesome protein and hasn't affected my cholesterol one bit (138 total, 83 bad and 44 good). Omeletes are good for 3 meals also. So I would just make things you know you like. If it's a really large quantity then freeze. For me I usually get it used up before it goes bad. I also tend to buy premade things. Two of my favorites are made by The Turkey Store - BBQ Shredded Turkey and Broccoli and Chedder Stuffed Turkey Breasts. Not the cheapest way to go but they taste wonderful, loaded with protein very low carbs and fat. The stuffed Turkey breasts are 36 grams of protein per breast. On a good day I can eat a whole one but I do not eat anything else with it. Many times the 2 breasts become 3 meals for me. I am 10 months out though and probably eating more than you are. I'm not sure what stage you are at. Even at 10 months I tend to eat higher portions of protein than most as that's what I feel comfortable with and it's what is working for me. I lived on the BBQ shredded turkey for the first 3-4 months. One container had (10) 1/4 cups portions in it, which is 10 grams of protein, 1-1/2 grams of carbs and 1-3/4 grams of fat. I then would heat it up in the micro with a slice of reduced fat american cheese on it for a total of 14 grams of protein in just a little over 1/4 cup. Convenience for me is important but I do try to make the convenience foods as healthy as possible.
   — zoedogcbr

December 7, 2003
I thought I was high maintenance before WLS (smiles). I think more about what I am going to eat now more than ever. If I do not plan what I am going to eat in advance I make bad food choices. I will boil up about 5 eggs and just keep them in the fridge at work. I like them warm so I only boil them for about 7 minutes and nuke one for 20 seconds when I am ready to eat it. I dip it in salt and usually will have it with a slice of cheese for breakfast. I keep a couple different cheeses, cashews, sunflower kernels, and various meats at work to munch on. For lunch sometimes I even buy the regular frozen dinners (not the Healthy Choice etc.) because I am all about the flavor now. The amount I can eat is so little and I concentrate mostly on the protein in it. The amount of fat the I sbsorb from it is a good thing for my hair and skin. As I have very little fat in my diet. I also whip up sugar free puddding or have a couple sugar free popsicles when I want something sweet. I just discovered a recipe for a white chili that I am going to make. I had it at Tumbleweeds the other night. Go to www.mccormick.com if you are interested. Take care!! Laura/Open Rny/17Jul03/-78lbs.
   — laurab

December 7, 2003
I also agree with Chris D! Going out a couple times a week is always lots of leftovers. They are great to just warm up when you do not feel like cooking.
   — laurab

December 7, 2003
I have a GREAT recipe tht I make when I am getting home late fom work, am hungry and want a quick hot meal - bean and cheese burritos on low carb tortilla - I have even graduated to adding a little shredded chicken in there too - I'd love to do beef, but it no longer agrees with me. I take a tortilla out (I keep them in the freezer), spread refried beans down the center, sprinkle on some shredded cheese, then add a bit of shredded chicken, then more cheese. Roll up the tortilla, nuke for about 1 minute. I can usually only eat half, so then I take the other half for lunch the next day - kills 2 birds with one stone... Hope this helps! ~Kimberly
   — Kimberly M.

December 8, 2003
Making a small pot of chili (turkey/chicken or using ground beef) will last you all week! I've also used the chili mix to stuff peppers too. I've also made LARGE burritos, with refried beans/cheese/shredded chicken or scrambled egg and that makes 3 meals. (If you buy a Chipotle burrito, I make 4 meals out of it!) Cook up a mess of chicken legs or a few chicken breasts and that will make several meals. Just be careful when reheating chicken to ensure you put it in a sauce (tomato, cream soups etc) as dry chicken is not fun for our pouches. I'll have fresh crab legs or lobster, and then make crab or lobster salad with the leftovers. YUM..and like the others said, go out to your fav restaurant and order a normal sized meal-that provides 2 or 3 more meals when you take home the leftovers.
   — Cindy R.

December 8, 2003
I always have leftovers for dinner, so I freeze A LOT of it. Right now, I have Jambalaya with sausage, shrimp and chicken, ham quiche, crab quiche, a taco tortilla soup and meatballs in the freezer. I just pop what I want out the night beofre and whalla! It saves money too. I also LOVE cheese and those Tyson's prepared chicken strips that are not breaded in different flavors.
   — Michele B.