Top 3 Favorite "Diet" Foods

Hate using the term "diet", but I am buying these because they're low-something, and good in points for WW.

1. South Beach Diet brand 100-cal Pack Wheat Crackers with the Kraft 2% Milk Sharp Cheddar Cheese stick. (cheese n crackers in a controlled amount)

2. Kashi Cereal/Granola bars. High in protein, fiber, not too sweet, very crunchy and nutty.

3. Lean Cuisine's new Paninis. The bread DOES get toasty, and the steak n cheese one is dang good.

Mon. Jan 23, 4:12pm

nabisco 100 calorie packs-Cheese Nips and the grahm crackers

Sugar Free Fat free chocolate pudding

Special K Cereal

Monday, January 23, 2006, 4:27 PM

i was reaching for some of those snack packs (like the 100 cal chex mixy, cheese crakcer one) and noticed they all seem to have partially hyodrogenated oils in them (aka. trans fat) so i won't eat those regularly... i like the new Clif Builder's Bar in chocolate (230 cals i think, it's really a small meal). Very tasty, not chalky like most of those bars. I usually go for a yogurt or an apple with a little cheese or peanut butter...

Monday, January 23, 2006, 4:45 PM

I don't know if these are really "diet" foods but I seem to rely on them a lot as part of a low calorie diet:

1) Morningstar farms veggie sausage links - 80 cals for 2 links and high in protein, low in carbs

2) spinach (makes any dish more filling, great in omelettes)

3) blueberries (why do they have to go out of season???)

Monday, January 23, 2006, 4:48 PM

Edamame - boiled soybeans still in the pod, salted

SF, FF Jello puddings and gelatins

Bagged salad with ff dressing - no reason to not have a big salad every day

Good luck, Everyone!
Trish (Spotlight Paris)

Monday, January 23, 2006, 5:03 PM

1) Appe with peanut butter (all natural)
2) Sugar free JELLO snack packs with fruit (when I'm craving something sweet)
3) Green Tea (helps curb my hunger)

Monday, January 23, 2006, 5:05 PM

carrot sticks an hour before lunch
an apple an hour before I head home
frozen mini charleston chews, for just a bite of chocolate candy

Monday, January 23, 2006, 5:14 PM

Jicama

I'm not sure if many people know what jicama is, but it's a vegatable that I believe is used in Latin foods. It's like a cross between a potato and a water chestnut. It has lots of water in it and is very crunchy, and barely any calories. About a cup of it sliced is 45 calories. I buy it in the produce section in the precut veggie section.

Monday, January 23, 2006, 7:54 PM

Skinny Cow!

The Skinny Cow ice cream bars are FAB! They taste so good, there's variety, and they're 140 cals each.
:)

Monday, January 23, 2006, 7:56 PM

- ryvita crackers with wedge of light laughing cow cheese
- barbara's shredded oats cereal
- air-popped popcorn

Monday, January 23, 2006, 9:21 PM

Great thread!

1. SF, FF white chocolate pudding - I pair 1/2 cup pudding with 3/4 cup mixd berries for a 140 cal snack/dessert that is incredibly satisfying - there's seriously nothing else I'd rather eat.

2. La Tortilla factory Whole Wheat wraps. I am a sandwhich girl and at 80 cals with high fiber these are more satisfying than bread and I can stuff them with veggies, a little chicken and drizzle with LF dressing for a lunch that will really last.

3. Balsamic vinegar - used in a reduction or in place of red cooking wine this lovely sweet stuff helps tenderize meat, add zest to a veggie dish and lighten a sauce without sacrificing taste.

Runners up:

Vegetable stock - I use it for steaming, poaching and making light sauces. It has great flavor!

Skim "Royale", "Trim Delux", etc... - this is the skim milk that 'tastes like 2%' - well it cooks like it too! Thickens like it and helps me make lucious gravy and desserts with signifigantly less fat. I substitute xanthan for sugar, eggbeaters for eggs, and halve the butter. Then you've got something rich and amazing than you can justify eating from time to time.

Monday, January 23, 2006, 11:25 PM

1. Baby Carrots
2. Lean Cuisine Pizzas (the spinach and mushroom one)
3. Charlesston Chew Bars - technically not a "diet" food, but I cut them into little pieces and keep them in the freezer. One a day keeps me from going crazy!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 8:20 AM

I mentioned mini Charleston Chews - each piece is 15 calories, and then you don't have to cut up the long ones. Just toss the whole box in the freezer. Just a suggestion!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 10:14 AM

Wasa crackers. They are my favorite. High fiber, filling, natural ingredients.

mushrooms/spinach with lemon and red pepper flakes (that I haven't made in a while)

sashimi.

--Elle

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 10:49 AM

Eggs

I love eggs- my new favorite omlet is spinach, broccoli and extra sharp cheese(just a bit for flavor) w/1 slice w.w.bread
I use the frozen spinach and frozen broccoli and just boil it in water the night before. I then reheat it in the microwave in the am w/my eggs
I also recently started adding sandwich meat to my eggs, like Fat free turkey :) Yumm!
I also like yogurt w/granola as a snack :)

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 11:04 AM

Just to let everyone know I looked at my nabisco 100 calorie cheese nips packets and they DO NOT have trans fats. I have no idea what kind of brand does but nabisco does not have any.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 12:04 PM

1. Tea with splenda when I need something sweet and warm. I like vanilla and chocolate hazelnut after dinner.

2. frozen spinach. Tons of vitamins and nutrients and you can eat the whole bag for about 150 calories. I usually cook this with spices and I can't believe it's not butter spray on top.

3. Hardboild eggs - Just the whites. At 17 calories a piece, you can't beat that!

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 1:10 PM

hey, did you check under the ingredients on the nabisco pack? if it says hydrogenated anything (partially or straight) that's trans fat. they just don't have to report any if it's under 1 gram...

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 2:03 PM

South Beach Diet Peanut Butter Cookies- 100 Calories (for 2)
Slim Fast Peanut Butter Snack Bar- 120 Calories (tastes like a Butterfinger)
Jello's Sugar Free Gelitans and Puddings- ranges from 10 to 60 Calories

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 2:50 PM

I've tried the "off brand" (the one not in the frigerated section) of sugar free fat free choco pudding....it was nasty. tasted like *ss.
Is the Jello brand better?

Also, with the South Beach brand 100-cal packs, they have NO trans-fat. But I also don't consider anything under a gram something to worry about, as far as Nabisco is concerned.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 3:00 PM

Wonder Light Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns
FF hot dogs
Girard's Fat Free Caesar Dressing

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 4:24 PM

The sugar free puddings and jello are awesome. On the puddings I can't even taste the difference.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006, 7:46 PM

I love Kashi's products too!

My favorite bars are an Odwalla bar that comes in a box of six. Each has about 110 calories (Berries Go-Mega has Omega-3s, too!).

I love Clif bars, but they have too many calories for a snack for me. Their Luna bars have awesome flavors for 180 calories. Clif just came out with the Z Bar for "kids" - only 120 calories, nutrtionally balanced and planty of added vitamins/mierals.

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 1:34 PM

Cucumbers w/FF ranch dressing (or just plain)
FF/SF Cheesecake pudding
Egg (cooked overhard) and Canadian Bacon on whole wheat English muffin (great lunch or dinner in a pinch) - no mayo or cheese, but with red onion and mustard

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 2:00 PM

After not being able to afford packaged foods and replacing them with natural foods, I have almost completely lost my taste for processed foods. (Except for Luna bars and diet Coke in an emergency :))

So:
1) lowfat cottage cheese on wholegrain toast with freshly ground black pepper
2) air-popped popcorn drizzled with olive oil and sea salt
3) green beans roasted till crispy in salt, pepper, and olive oil. almost like french fries. YUM!

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 4:36 PM

Grab about a cup of chopped up broccoli (the pre-cut ones that come in a big bag.

Rinse
Drain
Toss in a bowl
Nuke for 3 minutes
Voila! A healthy Snack! ;-)

If you feel like you need something more, add some baby carrots, too!

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 6:03 PM

The South Beach Diet Whole Wheat Snack Crackers do not have any partially hyodrogenated oils in them, and they are EXCELLENT!
I eat oatmeal, apples, carrots, and healthy stuff most of the day......and the Whole Wheat crackers are just a 100 cal. reward for being good all day.

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 6:27 PM

I am a raw foodist but these are my favorites, ezekiel cereal its made from sprouted grains and 1/2 cup fills you up fast, i also love raw veggies which most people dont care for and I used to like all those lean cousine meals under 200 calories.

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 6:30 PM

I haven't seen the Ezekial cereal, but the bread isn't too bad if you heat it up a bit and slather on lots of mustard... :-)

In the summer, I love zucchinis sliced & diced and plopped into the microwave with a little salt & pepper-- occasionally, I'll add a smidgen of butter or olive oil :-)

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 6:38 PM

strawberries.
watermelon.
raspberries.

(especially if you puree them, nuke them with a little sugar and arrowroot, and put on top of an oat flour/soy milk crepe.... yum....)

Wednesday, February 1, 2006, 11:33 PM

diet foods

Strawberries are a great treat with hardly any calories. I dip them in fat free cool whip for a low calorie snack instead of reaching for that ice cream.

For lunch I have started eating Lean Pocket Hot Pockets. They have lots of flavors to choose from so I don't get bored.

For my pizza fix I eat one of the South Beach Diet pizzas they are delicous, healthy, and low calorie.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 9:21 AM

WW vanilla yogurt and sliced strawberries (sometimes I add a few grapenuts on top) it taste like a sundae and very filling!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 3:33 PM

strawberries dipped in SF, FF white chocolate pudding take them to whole 'nother level! :-)

i also love mixed berries with SF, FF white chocolate or lemon pudding.

When I need cheese and crackers I go for the light garlic laughing cow - it's really a lot of speadable cheese for few calories. To make it more interesting add some chopped red pepper and maybe a little chopped cucumber, onion or shallot.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 4:17 PM

1. Bananas, under 100 cals, and filling
2. Arnold's low carb multigrain bread, 60 cals/slice, lots of fiber
3. Skinny Cow ice cream w/ lite Cool Whip- dessert for under 200 cals, and so so good!

Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 8:30 AM

Glycemic index and fake sugars -- Splenda, Sweet & Low

Please remember that it is the glycemic value of foods rather than the calories that cause you problems. And, anything with fake fat like trans fats clogs the arteries and makes it harder -- so the 100 calorie packs only have 100 calories but the trans fat causes you more heart and artery problems than the 100 calories.

For example, Splenda, Sweet * Low cause the body to release the same amount of insulin and cortisol which HOLD ONTO FAT that sugar causes.

Sugar in bananas, carrots, and corn causee the same responses as a candy bar. Not fair I know, but true -- so while calories has something to do with it -- a calorie is NOT just a calorie -- the glycemic index and whether it requires your body to release insulin and cortisol are the MORE important factors!

Glycemic Index
What is the Glycemic Index?
The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It compares foods gram for gram of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycemic indexes.
What is the Significance of Glycemic Index?
• Low GI means a smaller rise in blood glucose levels after meals
• Low GI diets can help people lose weight
• Low GI diets can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin
• High GI foods help re-fuel carbohydrate stores after exercise
• Low GI can improve diabetes control
• Low GI foods keep you fuller for longer
• Low GI can prolong physical endurance
What is Glycemic Load?
• Glycemic load builds on the GI to provide a measure of total glycemic response to a food or meal
• Glycemic load = GI (%) x grams of carbohydrate per serving
• One unit of GL ~ glycemic effect of 1 gram glucose
• You can sum the GL of all the foods in a meal, for the whole day or even longer
• A typical diet has ~ 100 GL units per day (range 60 - 180)
• The GI database gives both GI & GL values
How to Switch to a Low GI Diet
• Use breakfast cereals based on oats, barley and bran
• Use "grainy" breads made with whole seeds
• Reduce the amount of potatoes you eat
• Enjoy all types of fruit and vegetables (except potatoes)
• Eat plenty of salad vegetables with vinaigrette dressing

Glycemic Index Range
• Low GI = 55 or less
• Medium GI = 56 - 69
• High GI = 70 or more

Measuring the GI
To determine a food's GI rating, measured portions of the food containing 10 - 50 grams of carbohydrate are fed to 10 healthy people after an overnight fast. Finger-prick blood samples are taken at 15-30 minute intervals over the next two hours. These blood samples are used to construct a blood sugar response curve for the two hour period. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated to reflect the total rise in blood glucose levels after eating the test food. The GI rating (%) is calculated by dividing the AUC for the test food by the AUC for the reference food (same amount of glucose) and multiplying by 100 (see Figure 1). The use of a standard food is essential for reducing the confounding influence of differences in the physical characteristics of the subjects. The average of the GI ratings from all ten subjects is published as the GI of that food.
The GI of foods has important implications for the food industry. Some foods on the Australian market already show their GI rating on the nutrition information panel.Terms such as complex carbohydrates and sugars, which commonly appear on food labels, are now recognised as having little nutritional or physiological significance. The WHO/FAO recommend that these terms be removed and replaced with the total carbohydrate content of the food and its GI value. However, the GI rating of a food must be tested physiologically and only a few centres around the world currently provide a legitimate testing service.
Glycemic Index Foods
Food category
Breads
White bread 70
Wholemeal bread 69
Pumpernickel 41
Dark rye 76
Sourdough 57
Heavy mixed grain 30-45

Legumes
Lentils 28
Soybeans 18
Baked beans (canned) 48

Breakfast cereals
Cornflakes 84
Rice Bubbles 82
Cheerios 83
Puffed Wheat 80
All Bran 42
Porridge 46

Snack foods
Mars Bar 65
Jelly beans 80
Chocolate bar 49

Fruits
Apple 38
Orange 44
Peach 42
Banana 55
Watermelon 72

Dairy foods
Milk, full fat 27
Milk, skim 32
Ice cream, full fat 61
Yogurt, low fat, fruit 33

Soft and sports drinks
Fanta 68
Gatorade 78

Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 5:38 PM

I consider the glycemic index a very important development, but let's not go overboard with it. Americans, at least, aren't fat and unhealthy because they eat too many carrots, bananas, and cobs of corn. If a person could eliminate overprocessed foods, sugary foods, dangerous fats, and chemical substitutes for foods from her diet, and still ate a lot of carrots, bananas, and corn, she wouldn't be risking diabetes, obesity, or other diet-related diseases. If she replaced an ice-cream cone with the caloric equivalent in carrots, she's doing something good for her. If she replaced a Mars bar (65 on the index) with a slice of watermelon (72), she's made a healthy change.

Fruits and vegetables are not bad for us. Natural whole foods are what we are designed to eat. The problem is, we eat way too few of them and way too much of the other stuff. If we're eating fast food every day for lunch and having sweets on a daily basis, we've ruined our health long before we eat a bag of carrots.

If I had believed everything I heard about food and health since I became aware there was a connection, I'd be insane and dead from starvation. I think the glycemic index will see quite a few adjustments over the next decade--much as the idea of "healthy fat" has. Remember when butter was worse for you than margarine? And then they discovered that real food was better than chemically-produced food after all...

Fruit may cause the same insulin-response as a candy bar. But the insulin response isn't a disease or malfunction. It's your body doing exactly what it's supposed to do. The problem is that, so often, we make it do it for nothing. We kick it into high gear without giving it anything nutritive in return. And we do it day after day, substituting crap food for wholesome food, keeping that insulin-response on high without offering anything the body can use.

Just from personal experience, I can tell you I don't feel the same after eating a chocolate bar as I do after eating an orange. Junk food, much as I love it, makes me feel cruddy. I get sleepy, I feel run down...When I eat fruits and vegetables instead, physiologically, I feel better.

Friday, June 2, 2006, 10:05 AM

those bars. I usually go for a yogurt or an apple with a little cheese or peanut butter... https://www.yttomp3.org

Monday, October 9, 2006, 8:21 AM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge