Recently I met with Melissa—one of our amazing Cityline weight loss challengers. Melissa feels great, has lost 28 pounds since January 1st and loves the program. However, Melissa also told me she was feeling a little food bored from time to time and wanted to switch it up.
When I first put a client on my program, I typically recommend repetitious eating for the first few weeks. This makes the program easier to follow (especially if you have a busy lifestyle) and, ensures your blood sugar is in proper control and prime for weight loss. With that said, there is also a time when you may feel a little food bored and need to shake it up a bit. If you are feeling like you are in a nutritional rut – here are a few options to tempt your palate and make you love mealtime again.
Try a new recipe each week – Life is busy and realistically, we cannot make a new recipe each night. However, we can commit to making one new recipe per week. Along with the recipes I create and post on instagrm (@drjoeyshulman) –I love following food bloggers. Other instagram accounts I follow with great recipe ideas include:
- Deliciously Ella
- The minimalist baker
- Yumandyummer (this is also a great new cookbook by Cityline expert Greta Podleski)
- Iquitsugar
Switch up your fruits and veggies – If you are sick and tired of your fruits and vegetables – switch it up! There is a world out there to explore when it comes to fresh produce. If you are having a smoothie for your morning meal – try a variety of frozen fruit blends that are now available (i.e. Europe’s Best has a wonderful selection). As far as vegetables go, if time is of the essence, you can purchase your vegetables pre-chopped making them easier to eat or to pop into omelets or stir-fries. President’s Choice now even offers diced cauliflower that you can purchase for making cauliflower rice (see recipe below).
Top it up – Food feeling blah? What about topping up your meals with some low calorie options such as salsa on eggs, low fat mozzarella on a tuna melt, or low fat ranch dressing with carrot sticks. Wasabi, guacamole, hot sauce, ketchup, mustard, relish and a small amount of pesto are also great options.
Switch up your protein sources – I get it….who wants to eat chicken every single night? Try different types of proteins such as fish (salmon, tilapia, grouper), vegetarian protein options (soy, hemp), eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, turkey and the occasional selection of red meat if desired. There is nothing wrong with having eggs for dinner or the occasional quick smoothie if in a rush.
Look at more meal plans! If you would like some more ideas, take a look at some of the meal plans I have created from previous years. Click here to review.
I have been in the nutritional world for over 15 years and I am still constantly learning and experimenting with food. So….have fun with it and don’t forget to share your recipes with us on the Cityline Weight Loss Facebook group.
I have been in the nutritional world for over 15 years and I am still constantly learning and experimenting with food. So….have fun with it and don’t forget to share your recipes with us on the Cityline Weight Loss Facebook group.
Dr. Joey’s Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, diced fine
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 5 scallions, diced, whites and greens separated
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
Directions
- Cut cauliflower into small pieces and place in food processor. Pulse until texture of rice. Do not over pulse as it can get mushy. Set aside. You can also buy pre-pulsed cauliflower in most grocery stores if time is of the essence.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and spray with olive oil.
- Add onions, scallions, peas and carrots and cook until softened – 3-4 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower “rice” to the pan along with soy sauce. Mix, cover and cook approximately 5 minutes, stirring often.