Friday, January 22, 2010

Winter Comfort Eating Recipes (Part 1)

Comfort Eating?  We all do it and all know, especially if we are trying to lose weight or reduce body fat, that it isn't really a good idea!  However, there comes a time...well, when you just gotta! 

I won't go into the psychology of comfort eating (we can save that for another blog) but today I am going to give you a couple of less-damaging comfort foods that are quick and easy to prepare - absolutely vital when it comes to comfort eating!  My clients are always asking me what they should do when the time arises.  Basically, make it, eat it and get over it!   If you deny the urge for too long...it becomes so insistent that instead of just a little...you eat WAAAYYY too much - leading to feelings of guilt, hopelessness and total disappointment.

The next few blogs, I will take some traditional comfort foods and show you how to make them healthy snacks, rather than dietary disasters!

Warm Apple Pie and Ice Cream

Is just reading that making your saliva run? 
Try this instead: Core half an unpeeled apple (use any variety that remains firm when cooked, such as Northern Spy, Rome Beauty or Granny Smith) and fill with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon (can also be chopped into pieces for faster cooking). Place in a microwave-safe bowl and cover.  Microwave for 2 1/2 min, remove from oven and top with 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt. (Can also be done in the oven, wrapped in tin foil) The unpeeled apple gives you added fibre with the yogurt adding protein and calcium.  And best of all, there is no tempting rest-of-the-pie to worry about - as well as saving yourself several hundred calories!  This recipe gives you the same warmth and satisfaction with about 1/4 of the calories of regular pie and ice cream.


Banana Split

If the thought of dipping your spoon into that cold creamy dessert with a hint of chocolate has you doing cartwheels, then try this healthy and low calories alternative!
Try this instead:  It helps if you are prepared in advance for this, but unforzen bananas will also work.  When your bananas are getting too ripe, peel them and chop them into 1 inch segments, sprinkle some lemon juice over top and throw in an airtight container or bag in the freezer.  When the "time" comes, put them in a bowl, drizzle with low calorie or even regular chocolate syrup.  Throw on a dollop of Fat-free Cool Whip (or vanilla yogurt) and sprinkle with chopped nuts.  Potassium, fibre and some healthy fats!

Pizza

For those of you who love nothing better than some hot and savoury pizza... 
Try this instead:  Take a whole wheat English muffin and split it in half (you can also use a brown rice cake).  Spread with canned tomatoe sauce, sprinkle on some herbs and some parmesan cheese.  If you like olives, pineapple etc, put on a few small pieces.  Top with a tablespoon of  skim milk mozarella cheese.  Place in the oven or toaster oven and cook until the cheese melts.  You have to keep your eyes on them though as they cook very quickly!  The taste and texture of pizza with added fibre and a whole lot less calories!
Tomorrow we will look at a few more low calorie comfort foods to help beat those winter comfort cravings!

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