Cooking the way I want to and losing weight
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
United States
February 5, 2012 6:46pm CST
I’m tired of sacrificing taste and texture just to save a few calories. I would rather cook my food so that it tastes wonderful, even if I have to cut the portion down. I like French fries, but I hate baked French fries. My son in law likes them hard… he calls them crispy, but truly they are hard and not worth eating.
Tonight I used oil and weighed out 4 ounces of French fries and cooked them to perfection. They were crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside, but never soggy and never hard.
When I got done with the French Fries, I put my seasoned and breaded chicken fingers in the hot oil and deep fried them. I drained the fries and the chicken and also absorbed much of the surface oil on paper towels.
I had 4 ounces of chicken fingers and 4 ounces of fries, and 4 ounces of cottage cheese for my supper. My son in law doesn’t eat chicken, so I just split what I had with my daughter. I cooked 8 ounces of chicken fingers so we both had 4 ounces.
I also strained the oil after it cooled and put it in the refrigerator. It’s clean so I can use it again for fries again.
I find I am much more satisfied by cooking food the way I know it will taste good. I’ll cook myself a meal, even if everyone else wants a can of ravioli or a can of soup and crackers. I want to eat what I want to eat… so when I went shopping, I cut everything into small servings and if the rest of the family wants to eat it they can, but if they don’t it will keep for me to eat the next day.
I said all of the above to ask you if you would rather cook food in a way that tastes great and has a great texture, or do you cook it a different way to keep the calories down, but lose taste?
I noticed that just about all of the oil was saved and wasn’t sogging into the food, which is a good thing. I didn't even use all the calories that are allotted me. I usually go over, so actually eating food that tastes great satisfies me more than food cooked in a less appetizing way... namely fries! I've lost 7 pounds in one week by eating portion control and eating food cooked the way I want it.
Your thoughts, mylotters?
4 people like this
13 responses
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Feb 12
Well for me, it really depends on what type of foods I am interested in. The biggest problem is when I do find something New that I really enjoy, it seems like someone is always there to overlook my food and ask me if it is Good for me, or maybe I should not eat something because it is high in Sodium, etc. But many times I find if it is something that I enjoy, why can't I enjoy it and watch what happens from here? I find if it is Good to my Blood sugars than it must not be too bad for me.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Feb 12
I find nomatter what I eat, my sugar levels are always the same. Yes, there are times I have slurged and I know mine will be higher then, but it seems like for me what bothers one person does not always affect someone else. One of the diabetics who is always saying something to me, or did there for a while is also one who's last A1c was over 11, and acting like it was something she was not doing, and it is no Big deal and things are better now, but she is always seen drinking a regular Pepsi and then talking about how other foods she should avoid since she is Diabetic or foods I should avoid???
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
12 Feb 12
That’s not good to have someone looking over your shoulder every minute. You are grown, and should be able to monitor your own food intake in moderation. My brother was a bad diabetic but isn’t now. He eats anything he wants in moderation. He no longer takes meds for diabetes because he lost so much weight. He was a type 2 diabetic.
1 person likes this
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
It is pointless to cook any meal if it is going to taste terrible. Food should taste good.
Portion control and moderation is what helps keep weight down. Having something that is not specific to your diet every now and then is okay. It is when people eat extremely fattening and greasy foods daily that is bad and unhealthy.
French fries are great once in a while...we cook them the same way you do. We just don't eat them often. With all the foods out there, spices and cooking styles a delicious meal to satisfy your hunger is great.
If food tastes awful, you are more tempted to reach for the cookie jar or drive to a fast food place just to consume something familiar.
What you did was right...cooked it your way, know it will taste great, portioned it properly and were satisfied with dinner without having to look for something else.
Did you save me some?
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
I use heart healthy oil, so I think that helps too. I was so pleased with myself that I consumed a lot fewer calories yesterday eating what I wanted than on other days when I try to make things in a low fat way.
Kimmie at some of my fries, so i didn't even get all 4 ounces of them... she liked them better. She loves my friend okra better than hers too.. she tries to just put a little oil in the bottom and let the okra all smush together and get crusty.. they are good that way, but I cook them in deeper oil and let them all cook and fall to themselves.. each piece of okra gets fried to a crispy outside and nice and soft on the inside.
Sorry... none left! 
@CookingIsMyPassion (653)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Using an oil that is designated as heart healthy is the way to go. Also as you said taking them out of the oil as soon as they are done to drain will prevent them from being soaked with oil. The oil is just meant to cook and crisp them and you have it down to a science.
Maybe Kimmie should watch your process so she can copy the way you do it since she like that way much better. We all learn new things each day...teaching our kids how to cook doesn't have to stop when they are all grown up. I still get pointers from my Mom on the phone when we chat about food. It is great to learn something new or get a new recipe she just make up.
Can't believe you didn't save me some...well, maybe next time!
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Portion control is a BIG part of loosing weight, along with eating healthier. I have found ways to cut down the calories, without losing the flavor of food. There are a lot of secrets to it, and using spices is one. I always loved french fries, however, I can get crispy one without frying them, spray the cookie sheet with non-stick spray, season them and then back at 450, turning them a couple of times; I also love sweet potato fries, by cutting the fresh sweet potato into what ever french fry size you like, toss them in a bowl with seasoning of your choice, I always tell friends, you can eat things you like, portion control! I also cut out sodas, I drink coffee, tea and water. I have lost the equivalent of a whole other person since 2004 and kept it off. Good luck, you know the main secret....portion control
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
I don't like baked fries... I guess if I baked them, it would be fine, but my daughter bakes them until they are hard like wood. Her hubby likes them hard.. he calls them crispy and I hate them that way. I've never liked baked fries. I've eaten them, but never like them.
I just eat what I want with portion control. Since 2001 I've lost 140 pounds... I gained about 70 of that back a few years ago, so I'm losing that and have lost 30 of those gained pounds. Once I lose the other 40 I will then start losing a bit more to get where i want to be.
@nonersays (3335)
• United States
6 Feb 12
The trick to still eating your good tasting non-diet foods is indeed in portions. Keeping track of the calories is the important thing. You can have what you like, but just not as much of it. Even more so if you are working out as well as eating less.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Yes, I keep track of the calories I take in and the calories I expend. SparkPeople has a great program that is free.. it has replaced my Weight Watcher program.
@courtknee525 (3742)
• United States
6 Feb 12
I agree with you, I'd rather my food taste good and how I like it rather than using hardly anything to cook with and having bland food. Sometimes I know that my mom will cook food in a healthier way, but it still tastes good. Last night she made chicken wings for the super bowl and instead of deep frying them, she baked them and they still tasted really good.
I'm definitely not one to try and save calories if it means I have to bland food. I'd rather eat the stuff I like and moderate how much I have of it.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
I know.. I hate bland food. I am so satisfied when I cook the way I like that I won't eat more than I should.. I won't be craving food.
@silventei (8)
• Finland
10 Feb 12
i also hate diest and to loose weight i eat and you must eat. you just need to think what you put in. i eat lots of chicken, salad, pasta and i try to control candies cause i just love candies.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
12 Feb 12
I don’t do so called diets because going on a diet implies you will go off a diet sometimes. I just changed my lifestyle in how I eat. I don’t really restrict anything. If I want a candy bar I get it, but I don’t buy a bunch of candy… I don’t buy a bunch of ice cream, but if I want one I go out and get it.. a single serving. I like the soft ice cream like at Dairy Queen. I get small instead of large. I have changed how I do everything. I have Special K cereal with chocolate bits in it every night. I don’t put milk in it.. I just eat it dry as a snack.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
7 Feb 12
Someone may have already expressed this but I will say it again, I have always held to the idea of reducing the size of what we eat as compared to how we fix it. Frying is not going to make things soggy if you allow the oil to get to proper cooking temperature before adding the food. And take it out as soon as it is done. I love things deep fried in canola oil and pan fried in EVO.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
7 Feb 12
Exactly. Portion control is everything. You are right about cooking with oil. I always let it get to temperature before cooking anything in it.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
6 Feb 12
hi pointlessQuestions thats also the way Diabetes forecat magazine tells us diabetics to eat, to make it taste good while cutting calories and portion size.After all who wants to stick to a diet thats tastes like s.hi.t; as I know I do not , thats for sure.
I think you are doing really well and by having food that tastes good
you will be more inspired to keep losing weight while enjoying your
food. texture also is athing that really does matter. you know you are one amazing person,you are so intelligent and write so wonderfully well its hard to imagine you have trouble speaking. Hope things are all getting better and better for you. the cooks for diabetes forcast have the same philosophy as you have, it has to taste good and have great texture too. wow 7 pounds already go]
going and all while enjoying what you eat thats truly the way
to.who wants to stay on a diet thats bland and tasteless? I know
]I sure do not.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Hi Hatley! I'm doing much better with my speech. It's normal now but gies back to stammering when I'm anxious.
Hatle, I measure all my food. I never eyeball my orations anymore. I use a food scale and measuring cups. I eat the recommended servings or even a bit smaller. Instead of eating a dessert I have Special K Chocolate Delight dry and eat them for my evening snack.
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Sounds to me like you've got the right idea, PQ. Congrats on losing that weight!
I agree that tasteless food is not satisfying at all. I've changed the way I eat and have been eating this way for a few years now. I don't exactly use portion control as I have no patience to weigh things out before preparing them. However, when I am full, I stop eating. Even if there is one more bite left on my plate that's where it stays. I eat slowly so it's easy for my brain to register that my tummy is satisfied and that's the exact moment I put the fork down. I also eat about five small meals a day instead of three large ones. I do not allow myself to get really hungry because that's when people tend to overeat.
I do check labels so I'll choose lower calorie foods whenever possible and always eat fresh over canned or frozen whenever possible. I never eat canned soups anymore (except for tomato soup) because they either have way too much salt in them or they're totally tasteless. I make my own soups and freeze half for later use. I've learned how to adjust seasonings for better health, too. There are many seasonings that can be substituted for salt that don't do any harm to our bodies.
I tried switching to whole grain foods instead of the regular things like spaghetti, bread, etc. but simply cannot tolerate them. Blech! That would be when I simply eat less, like you're doing. I'll make half a sandwich with white bread instead of a whole sandwich. I add a bit of whole wheat spaghetti to the pot instead of the entire meal being with refined wheat spaghetti. Whenever I do add a bit of whole wheat, that's when I add extra seasonings for taste.
Still, you have it right. We, as a country, eat too much. If everyone would just watch what they eat instead of just chowing down on whatever is in front of them, we'd be a much healthier country.
You know what else helps? Smaller plates. If you put the same amount of food on a smaller plate, your brain can be tricked into thinking you're eating more and tell you that you're full much sooner than if you use a large plate. 
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Hi Mentalward
I measure everything now. Since I had the gastric bypass in 2001 I have to be careful about how much food I eat. I don't get the same full feeling like before. My full feeling is almost pain. If I measure I will feel satisfied.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Oh I forgot to mention I can eat whole wheat spaghetti but my family hates it so I just buy white. T like whole wheat bread but no one else does so I rarely buy it. I like my portion control routine. It allows me to eat what I want and still lose weight. I also eat two snacks a day. I also use a calorie and activity counter. It tells me how many calories I need to burn and keeps track of what I burn. I was using weight watchers but can't afford the monthly charge anymore so now I use Spark People. It's great.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
6 Feb 12
Sister, you know I and hubby both have diabetes, we have been advised not to eat rice and avoid oils too, but food cooked with minimum quantity of oil tastes flat, we both are habituated to tasty food, so i cook using sunflower oil and use less oil and less spices, on Sundays we eat fried rice, vegetables added lol.
Best of luck.
Happy posting, cheers.
Kalyani
Best of luck.
Happy posting, cheers.
Kalyani
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Hi Kalyni,
You know.. being on Weight Watchers I have learned there are no foods off limits. My brother was a bad diabetic. He took 2 different types of insulin 2 to 4 times daily. He had horrible ulcers... He eats whatever he wants but less of it and exercises by walking 5 miles a day now... he no longer is diabetic and his ulcers are nothing but scars anymore.. they are healed. I'm so proud of him. He is my inspiration.
I feel you must enjoy your food, if food is important in your life. I want food to taste good. I'm fine with less food as long as it tastes great.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
6 Feb 12
I absolutely would rather taste like you. I would much rather enjoy my food even if it is not as much of it. What's the point of eating if you don't enjoy what your putting in your mouth? That is the way I see it.
I think smaller portions is better.
Congrats on losing some weight! I am doing Taebo now and I am hoping it gets me in better shape too. =)
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Hi Loving,
Exactly. I find I crave more when I don't enjoy my food.. I start looking for things I know I shouldn't eat much of. To me, there is no bad food, the only bad food is spoiled and food that tastes flat and disgusting.
For tonight I'm making hamburger steaks, rice, gravy made with cream of potato soup in the drippings, broccoli and cheese sauce, and diet jello with bananas in it. Wish I had some cool whip. Maybe I will pick up some while out today.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
11 Feb 12
thats really a super success. I would love to eat this way too, smaller portions but stuff I truly enjoy. But I am diabetic so I got to cut out the quick working carbs and that does not only mean ordinary sugar.
I got to put myself on these restrictions but my tastebuds have changed over the years I am diabetic and I managed to find lots of items I like now or even better than the things I ate before being diagnosed.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
11 Feb 12
ooops am only halfway awake yet so I forgot a suggestion for you. I dont know whether you have this lovely stuff in the US but we have frozen mini pizzas here. One mini pizza is the size of the palm of my hand so if you can find this awesome snack you will also be on the safe side.....
1 person likes this
@Sarcastique (17)
• Canada
6 Feb 12
Congratulations on the 7 lbs loss! That's fantastic!!!
I agree that eating foods we enjoy, cooked so that they taste good, is the way to go. So many "diet" foods are full of salt and additives to give them taste, and that only makes them more unhealthy. Worst of all, we'll eat more and more of them, trying to get our palettes satisfied.
My method of weight loss is lowering my carbohydrates. It's easier to do than I once thought, to eliminate the high starchy foods such as potatoes and rice. The pasta and bread was a bit more challenging, but totally worth it. I feel so much better and more satisfied by eating proper whole foods such as veggies, salads, real cheese, and as much meat as I want.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Welcome to Mylot Sarcastique. My daughter has lost 40 pounds by lowering her carbs.. she doesn't eliminate but she doesn't eat bread much. She just doesn't get hungry much anymore.
I can't do low carb .. I end up getting very sick when the glycogen starts getting used up in my liver and my muscles start getting digested when I go into ketosis.. I don't feel well. I'm sure i burn fat too but the feeling I get isn't worth depriving myself. Being on low carb made me crave the things I wanted.
I do eat real cheese, but I do eat at least one or two slices of toast in a day and I eat portion control. I limit my carbs but I don't eliminate them. I'm doing much better this way and don't feel deprived. On low carb I can't get past a week anymore because of muscle pain.
