Help with Food

Re: Help with Food

• lc07 member

  

  July 2014

  TK never lets me post paragraphs anymore. Sorry.

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• jnrsgirl member

  

  July 2014

  Oatmeal, grits, carrots, broccoli, and pomegranates are my favorite go to snacks for a filling but not too fattening treat. I love pretty much any raw fruits or veggies. You can also try drinking tea. It is a natural appetite suppressant.

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• lc07 member

  

  July 2014

  Thank you, @jnrsgirl I did hear recently that broccoli is awesome because it actually takes more calories to digest it than there are in the food. 

  
  

  I think you're right that I need to focus on eating more vegetables. I'm just in this weird "comfort food" stage which might mean that I'm not really balanced with my medication, because I want to eat all the bad stuff.

  
  

  I guess I need to just start being more disciplined. Thank you.

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• mysticl member

  

  July 2014

  Some of the medications they use can suppress your satiety center.  So it takes a while for the message to get from your stomach to your brain that you are full. I used to work in a facility for children with mental health/behavioral issues and some of the kids would have huge weight increases after starting certain meds.  

  
  

  My suggestion is buy fruit and veggies and then cut them up and put them in the fridge.  If they are already cut you are more likely to grab them when you need a snack.  Rice cakes with peanut butter is also a good one.  

  

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• kat1114 member

  

  July 2014

  I'm about your height. I do pretty well with maintaining my weight by sticking to shopping on the aisles on the outside of the grocery store- produce, meat, dairy. I feel like focusing on eating real foods has helped me maintain my weight more than calorie counting.

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• lc07 member

  

  July 2014

  @mysticl Thanks. My doctor did say that a lot of people gain weight on the medication that I'm on. But then she put me on another one that was supposed to help counter balance that out and I don't feel like it is. I appreciate you normalizing my experience, though. That means a lot to me. I like your idea of having healthy food items ready to go. I think part of the problem is I don't eat until I'm starving and then it's a mess. Thank you again, I'm really glad you posted.

  
  

  @kat1114 my problem is that I want to eat the whole brick of brie. I've never felt that way before. Or a ton of mashed potatoes. Basically comfort foods. And I still feel hungry after having eaten normal portions. It's really a strange feeling for me. I agree with not buying processed food. I'm good about that already. I guess it's more about portions and satiety. 

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• suorange member

  

  July 2014

  I went through the same thing. I'm short and have always had a fast metabolism. Until I started a medication that made me gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time. I found that when I went off of it, I did lose about 10 lbs and am now working to get rid of the remaining weight. I snack on TONS of fruit throughout the day. Whole grains and yogurt for breakfast--don't skip breakfast--and lean proteins like salmon or lentils for lunch and dinner. Oh yeah, and those damn veggies..ugh..Stay away from frozen meals as they contain a lot of sodium (bloating and water retention).

  I'm not sure if I fully believe this, but I have read that sometimes depression is the body's response to inflammation (sounds like possible bull, but I try whatever I can) so sticking with natural anti-inflammatories like pineapple and onions could help your mood. Good luck!

  

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• larrygaga member

  

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  I love making a big bag of prewashed-precut bulky veggies so I can munch when I have the munchies. I also don't keep chips in the house.

  
  

  It's amazing after like the 3rd piece of celery that I don't really feel like munching anymore! Whereas I can down a bag of chips in 20 seconds.

  
  

  My sister is on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety and she eats a lot and gained weight. 

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• ElcaB member

  

  July 2014

  Protein, girl. It fills you up. 

  
  

  I try to be creative with veggies a lot. Veggie noodles instead of pasta are delicious. Also, I make a killer cauliflower "couscous." Toss some cauliflower in a food processor until it crumbles and becomes rice-like. Toss it with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, dried cranberries, red onion, cilantro, and almond slivers & and enjoy. 

  
  

  I'm pretty big on "salads" like the cauliflower couscous. The South Beach Diet cookbook has great snack and appetizer recipes, too. 

  

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• beachyone15 member

  

  July 2014

  My favorite is spaghetti squash with pasta sauce. You can throw in veggies and/or turkey meatballs. It's one of my favorite meals because it feels like you're eating comfort food but it's healthy! I really don't miss pasta now that I have this.
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• kat1114 member

  

  July 2014 edited July 2014

  I agree with @ElcaB about protein. It definitely helps keep me full and satisfied. And although it sounds counter-intuitive for weight loss, I have found that upping my fat intake also helps keep me full, and as a result, I eat less. And by fats, I don't mean greasy fried food, but good fats like avocados, olive oil, raw nuts, etc. Trader Joe's sells almonds in pre-portioned snack bags, which are great for helping minimize the problem of gorging yourself.

  
  

  Oh, and I also love Justin's Almond Butter squeeze packs w/ a banana as a great filling snack!

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• lc07 member

  

  July 2014

  Thank you guys. This is all really helpful. I think part of the problem is I'm so numbed down by these meds and lacking energy and motivation to cook. You guys are inspiring me. 

  
  

  @Suorange inflammatory foods do make my anxiety worse. So I avoid them. I should be avoiding alcohol, too. That one's harder.

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• theartistformerlyknownas member

  

  July 2014

  Try modifying your comfort foods. Mashed cauliflower instead of (or mixed with) your mashed potatoes. Lots of beans in spaghetti sauce. Pureed sweet potatoes in mac and cheese. Zucchini chocolate cupcakes. They'll add a lot of fiber to keep you fill but you still get the warm fuzzies of your favorite food.

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• lc07 member

  

  July 2014

  @lolo883 will you please come over and cook for me?

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• theartistformerlyknownas member

  

  July 2014

  lc07 said:

  @lolo883 will you please come over and cook for me?

  As long as I get to share the cupcakes!

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• CrazyCatLady3 member

  

  July 2014

  If you are on an SSRI or SNRI for the anxiety/depression (paxil, lexapro, celexa, effexor etc. etc.), it will screw with the brain chemistry related to food cravings and make you crave sweets even if you're not hungry.  I would try to always have fruit on hand as a snack to help you taste sweet without making you go for ice cream or brownies.

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