Never Eat More Than You Can Lift

I can start today with good news - I tried getting on the scales this morning

and they didn't bang or clang and went immediately to 360. I waited an hour

and tried again. Same results. So that is 20 lbs gone in 3 1/2 weeks.

I am getting ready to go grocery shopping so I am working on my menu for

the next month so I guess now is a good time to talk about portion control.
This was another problem I had identified in my old way of eating or should say the lack of portion control was my problem.

I hate counting calories and all those years of partially low carbing meant all the meat eggs and cheese I wanted. Well guess how many calories in ONE of those frozen hamburger patties that come in a giant box or bag? I am talking 100% beef, no fillers or junk and just ONE!!. 330 to 350 calories EACH!!!! Honey, I would toss at least 3 or 4 in the frying pan and reached a point where I would sometimes have that as an appetizer before I got around to the meal. And let's not forget the mayo (we now know how much is hiding in that stuff) and cheese I topped them with. I could have had a couple of Snickers bars or a box of Dove chocolate truffle Easter eggs (drool, slobber, drool) and been eating better.

I had tried the old Susan Powter idea of cans of soup over bowls of rice in Feb. It fell flat because almost every can of soup I opened was absolutely disgusting and I tried almost everyone of them. I ended up tossing them to the dogs and making something else to eat. The dogs were happy but I was in a snit. So for Mar I decided to try the frozen dinners. Sort of like NutriSystem but frozen. I could get portion control, make extra boiled potatoes, rice or noodles to bulk them up and stay within some reasonable controls on meat and fat portions.

First the only frozen diet foods available at my local grocers are Healthy Choice ($2 to 2.50); Lean Cuisine (mostly $2.98 with a few at 1.98); and Smart Ones ($2 to 2.50 but the $2 ones were on sale for 1.80). I also bought a few things for variety from Michelina (1.00) and Banquet (.88).

Lean Cuisine used to be very tasty. I ate it often for lunches back in the 80's and 90's (before you could buy cups of ramen for .15 each). I only bought a few LC's and was not happy with them. The chicken enchilada went in the trash, even the dogs wouldn't eat it.

Healthy Choice - well they were tolerable but very bland and skimpy. The beef sirloin tips had a few thick cubes of beef and the gravy was bland but good over a couple of extra potatoes. The lemon pepper chicken wasn't great but tolerable if you want to get some fish in your diet but I hate fish. I didn't like their chicken Alfredo, Michelina's was half the price and less calories and just a tiny bit more fat.

Smart Ones were very tasty. I did not realize they were under the Weight Watchers brand but most things they come up with are pretty good. While I plan most of April to be meals from scratch I will be keeping a few frozen things as back up for quick meals and variety.

The SO Sante Fe rice and beans is covered in yummy and ooey gooey cheese. I have cut cheese out for now so this is a way to get it into the diet without going overboard. I also enjoyed their teriyaki chicken and poured it over a cup of boiled rice. The turkey medallions had a nice gravy. I found the ones that said "bistro" had more flavor and weren't far from homemade.

Finally there are a few from Michelina I found not too high in calories or fat and half the price that I will keep on the menu. The pizza rolls and chicken nuggets once every few weeks are nice for a change. I liked the pepper steak and loved the tortellini chicken with broccoli. Didn't care as much for the Tuscan chicken (heavy on the garlic) but passable.

Oh and let us not forget the Lean Pockets. I forgot to mention them at $2 for a box of 2 pockets. I thought I could have one with a bowl of soup and call it a meal. The variety seemed nice - ham & cheese, Philly cheese steak and pizza. These things have 4-5 bites and are 250 to 310 calories each. That is too little food for such a high calorie cost. It doesn't do anything but make me hungry. Also I found them almost tasteless. They are very blah and dry compared to regular Hot Pockets.

OK gotta go work on the menu. Tomorrow we can talk snacks:)

Happy Dieting
Linda B in TN @ 360 :)