I need some help

**jsj0305** · March 9, 2006, 07:56 AM

Re: I need some help

Yes, those vitamins are very important. Especially if you are having a hard time getting in those veggies.

I completely understand where you are coming form. I too am on such a tight budget. The things I can recommend are :

They do make green beans in a can w/ out added salt..just green beans and water. Those are good and often cheaper than fresh. Also, if your grocery story has a discounted area, like for the dinged up cans, you can get those often at half price. That's what I have to do.

Also, as far as meat is concerned ( I know you didn't ask, but it helps too) sometimes they will mark down meats before their sell by date and you can get them much cheaper. I tend to get the meat in bulk at BJ's. I can get 10 rib eye steaks, for 11 or 12 bucks and they are great.

I know some stores mark down their veggies when they are getting older, but I have never seen it at any of the stores I go to personally.

Also, try to remember how much money you used to spend on processed boxed foods and things like that. They are very expensive, and I actually spend less now! That helps to soften the blow a bit.

One last thing, cucumbers are very cheap and so is lettuce. If I am really short on cash, I will have a small salad w/ 1 1/2 cups lettuce and 1/2 cup cucumbers, and as a snack later have 1 cup cucumbers...I like to dip them in no carb Italian dressing.

I hope this helps you out. There are a bunch of us who are where you are, and we know how difficult it can be sometimes. Just hand in there and be creative. You'd be suprised at what you come up with.

**chrisie_20** · March 9, 2006, 08:03 AM

Re: I need some help

Thanks, I was just worried not being able to eat the "right" veggies would slow me down. I eat broccoli (love it) alot and the green beans too. and some other things that are on the acceptable list, but I just don't get in much of the salad veggies. And, yeah I do the meat thing to lol.

**Binsk** · March 9, 2006, 08:34 AM

Re: I need some help

Chrisie, I understand about the budget constaints. Sometimes buying a bag of frozen veggies is cheaper in the long run that buying alot of cans (I think that they also taste better than tinned). Frozen cauliflower is great for mashed cauliflower, cheesy cauliflower bake and scalloped cauliflower. Frozen green beans are great, just thaw under running water and saute in butter with garlic

No where does it say that your veggies have to be salad, just get in a variety and spread them throughout the day, like mushrooms in an omelette for breakfast, or cream of cauliflower and cheese soup for lunch, and broccoli with you meat for dinner.

Believe it or not, supplements can actuallly help with your weight loss, so try to fit them in if you can.

Hope this helps.

**slimndown** · March 9, 2006, 09:02 AM

Re: I need some help

Chrisie - I hear you on the tight budget thing. I don't know what your family situation is but I have been able to pear down my grocery budget by streamlining what I have at each meal. For breakfast, I usually have eggs since they are very filling for the cost. For lunch, I usually have chopped romaine lettuce with 1 or 2 oz of cheddar or jack, some olives and dressing, maybe onion and for dinner, choice of on sale meat with on sale veggie to cook. In my area, I have found that I usually get more quantity for the price if I buy fresh as opposed to canned and sometimes even frozen. I go through 1/2 head of lettuce or less per day w/2 adults. This way, I actually spent about $40-$60/wk to feed 2 adults and one child. Now it is just me and the child, so I usually spend $40 or less per week. This week I am at the end of my pay period so I only have $17 for groceries. With that I am planning on getting eggs, 2 heads romaine (healthy and keeps well), about 2 lbs of broccoli or zucchini and around $10 of meat. This will last us all week and create enough leftovers (which I currently have some) so that things aren't monotonous. I'm amazed at how well fed we are for many days on what looks like an empty fridge.

**chrisie_20** · March 9, 2006, 09:48 AM

Re: I need some help

Actually in the Atkins book it does tell you that atleast 2 cups of your veggies should come from "salad" veggies. But, I am glad (okay not glad that y'all are having the same problem, but you know what I mean) I am not the only one out there. Y'all can keep the comment pouring in I am taking ALL of these in. They are helping a lot!

**pearson** · March 9, 2006, 10:08 AM

Re: I need some help

Canned pumpkin with butter and cinnamon is loaded with nutrition and yummy for the cost. Last night we had meatloaf, green beans, and pumpkin for a nice low cost meal. I'm not at induction, so I had a sliced kiwi with it.

**jsj0305** · March 9, 2006, 10:53 AM

Re: I need some help

Originally posted by pearson

Canned pumpkin with butter and cinnamon is loaded with nutrition and yummy for the cost. Last night we had meatloaf, green beans, and pumpkin for a nice low cost meal. I'm not at induction, so I had a sliced kiwi with it.

OMG I am going to the store tonight to try some!!!!!! Great, yummy idea!

**chrisie_20** · March 9, 2006, 10:57 AM

Re: I need some help

I thought you couldn't have pumpkin on induction?
Chrisie 23
Start Date 2/28/06
Goal Date 1/1/07

**jsj0305** · March 9, 2006, 11:07 AM

Re: I need some help

You can only have one cup, so long as your salad veggies do not exceed 2 cups.

**jsj0305** · March 9, 2006, 11:08 AM

Re: I need some help

Vegetables

You can have one cup per day of these veggies if salad does not exceed two cups. If a vegetable, such as spinach or tomato, cooks down significantly, it must be measured raw so as not to underestimate its carb count. The following vegetables are slightly higher in carbohydrate content than the salad vegetables:

Artichoke
Celery Root
Pumpkin
Artichoke Hearts
Rhubarb
Asparagus
Chard
Sauerkraut
Bamboo Shoots

Eggplant
Spinach
Broccoli
Hearts of Palm
String or Wax Beans
Broccoli Rabe
Kale
Brussell Sprouts
Kohlrabi

Tomato
Leeks
Turnips
Cabbage
Okra
Water Chestnuts
Cauliflower
Onion
Zucchini

Collard Greens
Scallions
Dandelion
Snow Peas
Bean Sprouts
Dandelion Greens
Spaghetti Squash
Summer Squash
Beet Greens

**chrisie_20** · March 9, 2006, 12:51 PM

Re: I need some help

oh, I haven't really ever tried it...(well except it pumpkin pie, but I don't think that is what we are talking about here...lol) is it good...is it really low in carbs like green beans and stuff? Or is it more like tomatoes..low but not too low?

**Binsk** · March 9, 2006, 02:46 PM

Re: I need some help

Pumpkin is one of my favourite right now. It's great with chicken broth to make a nice rich soup. Sorry Chrisie, I meant that no where does it say that all of your veggies have to be salad. I know that at this time of year salad veggies can be very expensive and not that great. Things like mushrooms I believe count as salad veggies, I don't have my book in front of me.

**Elizellen** · March 9, 2006, 04:28 PM

Re: I need some help

The 'salad' vegetables on the allowed list are

alfalfa sprouts, daikon, mushrooms, arugula, endive, parsley, bok choy, escarole, peppers, celery, fennel, radicchio, chicory, jicama, radishes, chives, lettuce, romaine lettuce, cucumber, mache, sorrel

**chrisie_20** · March 9, 2006, 09:07 PM

Re: I need some help

Originally posted by Binsk

Pumpkin is one of my favourite right now. It's great with chicken broth to make a nice rich soup. Sorry Chrisie, I meant that no where does it say that all of your veggies have to be salad. I know that at this time of year salad veggies can be very expensive and not that great. Things like mushrooms I believe count as salad veggies, I don't have my book in front of me.

Oh dear please don't take me a being rude. I wasn't! I am sorry if you took it that way. I just didn't know if you knew.

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