Question/Answer

Robin posed some good questions. Here are the answers in case you have been wondering too. :)

So I am wondering about a few things. I know that bad fast food is out, but what about restaurants or crappy food at home. For example, grilling hamburgers at home okay, but not as fast food , right? And what about ordering a pizza or making one at home, is that considered fast food? What about a hot dog or slice at Costco/Sams, is that considered fast food?

Anything you buy already made would be considered fast food. So restaurants and Costco would be fast food. And, yes, you can grill hamburgers to have. There are really no restrictions to your meals other than "no sweets" (pancakes with syrup is out), but as for ME, I still try not to fry anything and stay away from mac and cheese. I suppose if I had it though, there would be no point to lose......

And the sweets thing, is that no sugar, because I haven’t been doing desserts or candy, but what about honey on a sandwich or snacking on animal crackers or granola bars, those have sugar, but I don’t consider them sweets. I just want to make sure I am doing the right stuff.

I consider "sweets" anything sugary. Animal crackers and most granola bars are usually pretty sugary and would also fall under "no unhealthy snacks". When in doubt check out the label. How many calories and grams of sugar does it have? You don't have to cut it out completely completely, but make sure it's more health and little sugar. I don't have a problem at all with honey if used in reasonable portions. Honey, Peanut Butter, and sliced bananas on a slice of whole wheat toast is delicious!

healthy snack ideas

*pistachios or almonds
*rice crackers (oriental mix)
*savory thin mini crackers from Trader Joe's
*protein shakes, (sometimes just protein & water)
*string cheese
*apple w/ some peanut butter
*ants on a log (celery, pb, raisins)
*hummus and pitas
*string cheese
*cottage cheese
*try fruit you don't usually buy
*1/4 cup cottage cheese (low fat)
1/4 cup pineapple, diced
1/4 cup grapes
1 teaspoon slivered almonds
*1/4 cup craisins and/or raisins and a small handful of slivered almonds mixed

protein shakes

Peanut Butter/Banana/Chocolate Shake
(I still haven't tried this one, but looks good...)
1/2 c milk
Ice cubes
1/2 med. ripe banana
2 tsp. peanut butter
2 tsp. cocoa powder
10 gr. (1/2 scoop) protein powder
Blend together.

194 cal
15 gr. protein
6 gr. fat
20 gr. carbohydrate
From The Formula cookbook

Blueberry-Banana-Spinach Protein Shake
sooooo good...
1 c. skim milk
1 c. frozen blueberries
1/2 frozen banana [or fresh]
1 tbs. flaxseed [grounded]
1-2 c. fresh spinach *can't even taste it
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
ice if needed
*place in blender and whala! this makes a large serving.

calories: 412
carbs: 53
fat: 8g. [*most of which is good fat from the flaxseed]
protein: 37g.