Healthy recipes?

[sarahlouisedenton99]

I live in house full of relatively thin people that scoff on biscuits, sweets and crips like it's going out of fashion. I was wondering if anyone had any recipes for nice snacks or healthy meals that I could make for myself, with the little ingredients I have. Thank you!

[hackney1]

I love carrot sticks and they are only 42calories, I take them in my bag to work.

[fibronfedup]

My partner is the same, skinny and can eat what he wants, can make things difficult but is manageable the main food change i made was to eat cous cous instead of pasta or rice you can pick up a bag pretty cheaply and you can season it anyway you want. Snack wise i do have a few naughty low cal treats like the special k crisps only 86 cals per bag so you dont feel like your missing out. For something sweet i have chopped dates and nuts. A really quick simple recipe i use for a healthy dinner is prawns and spring onions in a chilli and garlic sauce with cous cous very tasty and filling. Do a bit of trial and error to find what you enjoy

[alex7ra]

Try some simple swaps like using skimmed milk, quark and zero fat natural yoghurt to replace things like mayonnaise, to use in cheesy sauces etc.

[sueper]

Hi Sarah, I try to keep evening treats below 100 cals each and try to have no more than 150 cals worth in an evening, the lower the cals the more I can have So I'll have a Shapers or Weightwatchers yoghurt - the 60 cals ones. Sugar free jelly - about 10 cals and occasionally add a small squirt of low fat squirty cream, not sure of the cals but I'm guessing less then 50. Weightwatchers orange mini rolls are about 70 - 80 cals and lovely - but small. Apples and tinned fruit are good too. For savoury snacks I might have 2 cheddar biscuits 20 cals each. I occasionally eat crisps and usually have Quavers which are less than 90 cals a bag.

It may not seem it but I am trying to cut out the evening treats as this was one of my many downfalls. I try to just have a yoghurt and maybe an apple but having other bits available that I know aren't going to be too high in calories helps in the weaker moments.

Try replacing some meat in meals with fish or reduce the meat content. I know a lot of people aren't keen on pasta but it is still a staple in this house. Tuna, pasta and passatta is pretty low in calories and you can pep it up with some chilli or paprika.

I hope that helps and good luck!

[Faerygold]

I've found that 0% fat Greek yoghurt with no-cal sweetener and a little bit of lemon essence makes a lovely, thick and creamy yoghurt that's low calorie and has no added sugar. I'll often add raspberries and mash them up in the yoghurt - so good!!

Someone mentioned carrot sticks - I've replaced my mid afternoon snack with these. I also eat pepper and cucumber sticks. Veg is so low calorie and it will fill you up a little bit, guilt free!

I also swapped fizzy water for squash and aim for drinking two litres per day. Since doing that I've noticed a real drop in the frequency of my hunger pangs and my cravings for sweet things.

If you'd still like to be able to eat biscuits then you could try eating rich tea or morning coffees. They're not very interesting but very low cal and low in sugar when compared to other biccies!

Soup is also great if you're looking for low cal meal options. As well as being low in cals, veg based soup is really good for you will keep you full for a while. I'd suggest eating a portion of wholemeal bread with it though, so that you don't miss out on those important carbs!

Hope that gives you a little inspiration! Good luck!