Just curious if any one has tried any of the prepackaged food/diets such as nutrisystem or jenny craig. I am having a hard time eating clean. It's not that I don't know how, but that I don't have a lot of time to prepare nutritious meals. My husband is very picky and wants ham or beef with potatoes every night. I am sick of frozen, low fat entrees and salads from fast food restaurants. Any comments or inspiration would be great.
Nutri system
- Thread starter scaryari
- Start date
Well, I can't comment on Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem because I've never done either one, but if you are already sick of frozen low fat entrees I don't think you will be too keen on these programs. They are all packaged foods! And they are NOT clean eating.
You say you don't have time to prepare nutritious meals. Do you prepare meals now? What do you have time for? Nutritious meals don't have to take any more time to prepare than other meals, it's really a matter of choices. I make a great low fat chili (using the crock pot and it takes about 15 minutes to put together) that my husband loves! And he's from Iowa so I understand the meat and potatoes thing. Maybe if we had some idea of what you like to eat that would help. Is your husband open to new eating ideas?
Sorry for rambling, but I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes my husband does the cooking and I simply won't eat some of the stuff he makes, so I make my own. I have put my foot down and he just has to deal. But, that's just me!! Anyway...don't know if I helped...just my 2 cents! I'm sure others will respond!
Nicole
You say you don't have time to prepare nutritious meals. Do you prepare meals now? What do you have time for? Nutritious meals don't have to take any more time to prepare than other meals, it's really a matter of choices. I make a great low fat chili (using the crock pot and it takes about 15 minutes to put together) that my husband loves! And he's from Iowa so I understand the meat and potatoes thing. Maybe if we had some idea of what you like to eat that would help. Is your husband open to new eating ideas?
Sorry for rambling, but I understand where you are coming from. Sometimes my husband does the cooking and I simply won't eat some of the stuff he makes, so I make my own. I have put my foot down and he just has to deal. But, that's just me!! Anyway...don't know if I helped...just my 2 cents! I'm sure others will respond!
Nicole
kathryn
Cathlete
I agree with Nicole that Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem, or even any of the pre-packaged frozen foods you find in the grocery stores, are not "clean eating." They are often highly processed, and can be high in sodium. It's hard to eat clean with pre-prepared foods, because part of clean eating is avoiding processed foods.
I think you can find some cookbooks on amazon.com with healthy recipes that you can make in larger quantities and freeze what you don't eat right away. I've heard of people who do all their main cooking for the week on the weekends (or one day of the week), and then only have to prepare salads and side dishes when mealtime comes. There are some books on that on Amazon.com as well, I think.
I think you can find some cookbooks on amazon.com with healthy recipes that you can make in larger quantities and freeze what you don't eat right away. I've heard of people who do all their main cooking for the week on the weekends (or one day of the week), and then only have to prepare salads and side dishes when mealtime comes. There are some books on that on Amazon.com as well, I think.
amyg
Cathlete
My favorite cookbook for healthy eating is called Cooking Thin with Chef Kathleen. I think I got it from Food Network's website. foodtv.com
It has all kinds of tips for saving time, and it also points out which meals will be best received by the meat and potato crowd. I really like the cookbook, although I do end up adding a little more salt than she calls for.
It has all kinds of tips for saving time, and it also points out which meals will be best received by the meat and potato crowd. I really like the cookbook, although I do end up adding a little more salt than she calls for.
I really can't take credit for the Chili. I've just modified the recipe in the Eating For Life book for the crock pot on those days when we have no time to cook. I'll give you the recipe as is and then tell you that for the crock pot version I just cook up the meat with the onion, garlic, bell pepper, parsley and jalapeno until done and then throw everything in the crock pot on low and let it go. Also, you can substitute ground turkey or even go meatless if you want.
2 lbs ground beef
1 white onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
3 jalapenos, seeded & chopped (I actually the ones in a jar)
1/3 cup red chili powder (more or less to your taste)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 cans reduced sodium beef broth
1/3 cup dry vermouth (optional - I never use it - don't have any!)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) chili beans
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1. In a large pot over medium heat add ground beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, parsley and jalapenos. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
2. Stir in chili powder and cumin and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add beef broth, dry vermouth, tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Reduce heat, cover and summer for 90 minutes.
Serve with cheese on top.
Also, I usually put in more beans...double the chili beans and sub the kidney beans with black beans. But really, it's whatever you like. I just really like beans!
I really couldn't believe my husband liked it. I thought it was excellent, and it was the first chili I ever made (I'm not much of a cook, so easy recipes always get my thumbs up...especially if they are healthy AND delicious!) Now cookies....I can make those no problem!!
I hope you like it!
Nicole
2 lbs ground beef
1 white onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
3 jalapenos, seeded & chopped (I actually the ones in a jar)
1/3 cup red chili powder (more or less to your taste)
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 cans reduced sodium beef broth
1/3 cup dry vermouth (optional - I never use it - don't have any!)
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) chili beans
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1. In a large pot over medium heat add ground beef, onion, garlic, bell pepper, parsley and jalapenos. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
2. Stir in chili powder and cumin and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add beef broth, dry vermouth, tomatoes and beans. Bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Reduce heat, cover and summer for 90 minutes.
Serve with cheese on top.
Also, I usually put in more beans...double the chili beans and sub the kidney beans with black beans. But really, it's whatever you like. I just really like beans!
I really couldn't believe my husband liked it. I thought it was excellent, and it was the first chili I ever made (I'm not much of a cook, so easy recipes always get my thumbs up...especially if they are healthy AND delicious!) Now cookies....I can make those no problem!!
I hope you like it!
Nicole