Ask:
I am in a bit of a rut. All I seem to eat is pasta, potatoes, cheese and bread, and lately I’ve gained some weight. I’d like some ideas for new healthier things I could make! The trouble is I’m single and usually cooking for one so I dont want to be buying lots of ingredients- things will just go off, especially since I go out a lot and probably only eat at home once in every 3 nights anyway.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Answers (2)
Answer 1:
I’ve been in those ruts too and it’s no fun. Don’t want to scare you, but I hope you are aware that most processed cheese contain rennet which is derived from cows’ stomachs=P I didn’t learn that until I was in University unfortunately.
I think the best way to get out of those ruts is to make sure you’re getting a balanced meal. Try to follow the recommended ratio of carbs, proteins and fats which is 50:35:15. Something I’ve been having lately that tastes excellent and is easy to make, is curry sauce over beans. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to make.
Buy some canned chickpeas, or kidney beans, peas – any type of legume should work (it’s also good on most veggies)
Easy curry sauce:
1 med. onion, chopped roughly
2 cloves garlic (optional)
Saute in 1-2 tbsp of oil (in a pot) until translucent
Mix:
1/4 cup flour
4-5 tsp curry powder
1 tbsp coriander (optional if you don’t have it)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp ginger
Add to sauteed onion.
Add:
2 tsp vinegar (or lemon juice) and
2 cups milk/soy milk (or water)
1 vegetarian chicken or vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled (optional)
2 tbsp Heinz ketchup (optional)
Stir until well mixed, bring to a boil over med. heat and continue to stir and cook for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened.
Heat up some beans or peas in the microwave and spoon the sauce over them. It’s delicious!! This sauce is so easily adaptable, you can change the ingredients to taste. I’ve come to like it without the soy milk and just plain water which is less fattening. You can also reduce the oil, or microwave the chopped onions instead, but some oil/fat is good for you b/c your body needs it to digest carbs and sugars properly. Depending on how generous you are with the sauce, this recipe makes enough for 2 large tins of beans (540 mL) or 1 tin of beans and 1 400 mL tin of peas.
Try to reduce the bad carbs from your diet – potatoes are the worst. It was something that was extremely difficult for me to do – they’re very addictive! Also, if you don’t do it already, try to drink a cup of tea (green is best) with every meal. It seems to help.
Answer 2:
Hi
I am glad you’re vegetarian I can’t imagine how much weight you would gain if you had potatoes, pasta, cheese and bread with meat as well 🙂
I am a very strict vegetarian and lost around 20kg within a year. However you need to still eat healthy. You can do a search and find many vegetarian recipes. Remember to eat salad (it’s fast and easy, especially since your’e single), you can make a very filling Greek salad and add some vegetarian “ham”, tofu or whatever you can find at your local health shop. Skip the greasy salad dressings and opt for soy sauce instead, it really tastes great.Have some wholewheat, or rye bread and you’ve got a completely healthy meal in just a couple of minutes! Remember to take in some protein, I have soy milk in the morning with my cereal and maybe another cup at night with some other protein substance. I.e lentils, chickpeas, tofu, vegetarian meats ,soy sauce etc.
I still basically eat what I used to, but supplement the meat with vegetarian mince, chunks etc when recipes require meat. You can also buy eggsubstitutes at health stores, so you can really still cook anything you want.
Tip: when using dried vegetarian chunks, mince etc, rehydrate with hot water and loads of soy sauce, it makes it taste really good. (my dad couldn’t even taste the difference)
Here are some links to some very helpful sites:
http://www.ivu.org/recipes/
http://www.vegsoc.org/cordonvert/recipes/index.html
http://www.godsdirectcontact.com/vegetarian/cook.html
Good luck and thank you for considering our fellow animals, friends, human beings and rain forests around the world.