Healthy eating ideas/ meal planning help please.

[Dingle]

Trying to lose some weight but I am useless with meal planning. Started using My Fitness Pal this week and trying to keep an eye on calories too.

Anyone willing to share recipes, advice. etc.

First question; We like using one of those cook in bags with beef, onions, a few veg etc. BUT I was wondering if I could bulk it out a bit with some sort of lentils or pulses....something I haven't really used before. Can anyone recommend what I should use please?

[Dingle]

Thank you BsshBossh I will take a look. Even if we can make a few changes it's something!

[BsshBossh]

Dingle my local Sainsburys and WHSmiths both sell a US magazine called Clean Eating chock full of clean, healthy recipes. Googling "clean eating blogs" also brings up some good sites. I don't actively "clean eat" but it's certainly my goal and something I'm looking into more and more now I've reached my target weight (need a new dietary adventure!).

[somanymiles]

Made lasagne tonight off Tesco website- they give calories on there too. There is also a yummy avocado, mango and beetroot salad on there that I love.

[Dingle]

LOL!

[Mullinsamy]

Argh! Copied/pasted riddle I sent earlier to DP by mistake and not recipe and can't delete! Sorry

[Mullinsamy]

Question 3: If you are being held captive by crazy midgets, and they say, "You can say one sentence. But, if you tell the truth, we will shoot you; if you lie, you will be hung." What can you say that will keep you alive?

[Dingle]

Thank you, will add a few extra to my shopping list!

[SEWannabe]

It's not something i'd ever tried before last month either, as i am actually not a fan of lentils or beans

Here you go:

Vegan Chilli (made six portions)

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 chopped tomatoes or passata
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 fresh chillies, deseeded and chopped
3 small onions, chopped
1 courgette, cut into rounds and then quartered (any veg will do)
2 peppers (any colour), diced (i like carrots instead)
100g frozen sweetcorn
1/2 bag spinach (or some frozen spinach)
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp ground cumin
25g red lentils
1 tbsp dried oregano
juice of 1 lime
a few dashes of soy sauce

Heat a little vegetable oil in a large, deep-sided frying pan and gently fry the onion, peppers and chilli for a few minutes until soft.
Add the courgette (or carrots/peppers/whatever veg you choose to use), continue to cook, and add the garlic for the last minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes, spices and red lentils. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, adding extra water as the lentils absorb it and stirring occasionally. 

Ten minutes before the end of cooking, pop the spinach in a sieve and pour hot water over it to wilt, then add, along with the sweetcorn and kidney beans, to the pan to finish cooking. Right at the end, once the lentils are cooked and vegetables tender, add in the lime juice and soy sauce and season to taste.

It is really lovely!

[Dingle]

It is really not something I have ever tried but would certainly give it a go. Would love the recipe please SEWannabe.

[SEWannabe]

i love Jamie Olivers fish pie, its so yummy, and I use sweet potato mash (Low GI so keeps you fuller for longer) and half fat creme fraiche. Thanks Dingle for the tip about phili instead, hadn't thought of that!

How about vegan chilli? Basically its normal chilli but using beans (kidney, blackeye, butterbeans, any you have to hand really) and red lentils instead of mince. Let me know if you want the recipe.

[Dingle]

I made Jamie Oliver "cheats" fish pie last night, I threw in an extra carrot, and some sliced onion, then substituted the 150g of cheddar + creme fraiche for 150g of Philadelphia Light. It turned out well and although REALLY tempted to eat the whole lot, we put half of it in the fridge and are going to have it tomorrow! I am never sure about whether I can freeze, especially using Phili!

Thank you, will look at those. x

[eslteacher]

Hairy Dieters recipe book and Fat Girl Slim recipe books are both great for healthy, low-cal meal ideas and give the calorie counts for each one. Jamie's 15 Min Meals also gives calorie counts and there are some healthier options in there, but a lot of the recipes can run on the expensive side, money-wise.

[somanymiles]

Not sure about the cook in bag...

TBH I am also keeping an eye on calories and I have really just been eating smaller portions of "normal" foods, but maybe adding more veg eg spag bol but with loads of carrots and courgettes pureed in. Also only eating meat once or twice a week and avoiding cheese, cream etc.

For pulses we often eat chickpea curry.