I love food. I love breakfast. I love burgers. I love desserts. But the past few years I’ve been playing in the kitchen a lot more and trying to figure out how do I keep some of my loves in my daily diet without getting crazy.
I’ve found alternatives and that has helped a lot. Below is a photo of a cookie and gelato sundae. The cookie: pumpkin spice complete by Lenny and Larry. It has fiber, low fat AND protein. They’re vegan so they’re pretty friendly for most diets. They come in a ton f flavors and I’m slowly working my way trough them all. Half a cookie is a serving, but they’re as big as my hand so you can understand why half is enough. The gelato: high protein vanilla gelato by Forte. A container is a serving and they’re little cups, so don’t start thinking its a whole pint! That cup has 15g of protein. Topped with fat free whip and sprinkles I have a delicious cookie sundae and I don’t feel left out. 
Pancakes are by far one of the best breakfast foods that has been invented. Sweet and fluffy, but not always pack with nutrients. I buy a few different mixes, but lately I’ve been hooked on Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes. They have 14g of protein and 5g of fiber. It’s also a very basic mix so you can add so much to it. I usually add a scoop of protein powder, an egg white, and vanilla. This adds even more protein and flavor to the mix. Pictured below are birthday cake pancakes usually Cellucor’s cinnamon swirl whey in the mix, then topped with fat free whip and sprinkles.
And these bad boys are made with red velvet protein powder.
I know it can be pricey to get alternatives or some f those fancy health foods, but it doesn’t need to be. I try really hard to find good deals. I shop based on sales and I buy in bulk when possible. I shop local and at farmers markets – which reminds me that I need o be better at carrying cash. Sometimes I coupon a little, but I don’t seek them out.
My standard list consists of:
- Chicken breast
- Ground turkey
- Deli chicken breast
- Yogurt
- Sandwich thins
- Flax and oat pita
- Wholly guacamole
- Salsa
- Brown rice
- Steel cut oats
- Peppers
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Asparagus
- Eggplant
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
From there I added and subtract other items. I always try new brands and new flavors to see how I can spice it up. Many a night has my yogurt turned into dessert once whip cream was added because the flavor was that dessert-like.
Grocery shopping has actually become a lot of fun for me. It’s about what new fun finds can I get my hands on. How can I make my daily diet fun so that eating healthy isn’t a chore?
What do you try to do to keep you meals fun, but on the healthier side?
<3 Cristina
