Lose the Freshman 15: Meals That Make You Believe You Are Eating More Than You Really Are!

Hey Hercampus and greetings from London! 

The great thing about SELF’s Jumpstart Diet is that you are able to see the calorie content of the foods you love right online instead of having to spend time roaming the isles looking for them at the supermarket. You can construct the perfect grocery list in the comfort of your own home. No more standing in an isle endlessly searching for foods that are within your calorie count. Also, there are tons of meal plans and recipes suggested by Jillian Michaels right on the website that are worth advantage of. I think trying different foods and making new meals keeps dieting fun and interesting.  Plus, preparing meals gives you a break from homework or studying. 

For me, I have to make meals that looks like I’m eating a lot of it. The illusion of having a full plate leaves me feeling more satisfied rather than having something like sandwich which I can gobble down in less than a minute.

Tonight I had one of my favorite meals to make: chicken with rice, spinach, and mushrooms.  Here’s the recipe

1. 5 oz piece of grilled, broiled, or baked chicken. I like to add garlic powder to it to flavor it up. 

2. As much spinach as you want! I buy chopped frozen spinach. Add approximately 1/2 tbsp of oil and flavor it by adding one garlic clove. Pour in the spinach and cook till it has defrosted. 

3. Mushrooms. I love mushrooms. I know people are creeped out that its considered a fungi but I think they are delicious. I also  saute my mushrooms, but remember to be careful of how much oil you are using. It’s high in calories. 

4. 1/3 cup of uncooked rice. 

Another meal that is great and easy to make which achieves the illusion of eating more than you really are is salads! They say it takes 20 minutes for your brain to let your stomach know that you are full, so by eating slowly you give your body a chance to let you know that you are full before you realize you are stuffed! Also, lettuce is low in calories and good for you. I even fill my entire plate with lettuce before adding other ingredients.  Here are the recipes of some of my favorite salads to make!

Greek Salad:

Tomatoes

Red Onion

Cucumber

Dill

Salt & Pepper

1 serving crumbled Feta Cheese (feta is one of the lowest calorie cheeses) 

1/2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or as Rachel Ray calls it EVOO) and vinegar

Tarragon Chicken Salad:

How to Make Tarragon Chicken Salad: Poach 5 oz of chicken breast (cook chicken in boiling water) once its cooked, wait for it to cool down (I sometimes put it in the fridge after to help cool it off). Once chicken is cool add these ingredients, 1 tbsp Lite Mayonnaise, 1 tbsp craisons, 3-4 crushed walnuts, Chopped Celery stick, A few dashes of Balsamic Vinegar and Salt & Pepper for flavor. Mix all together and you have your chicken salad!

1 chopped Tomato

Mozzarella, Tomato, and Avocado Salad: 

Is just that! Wet mozzarella is another cheese that is low in calories compared to the rest. I like to cut the mozzarella, add diced tomato, and 1/5 an avocado. Top it off with some balsamic vinegar and you have a quick, easy, and delicious salad. 

Do you guys have any other meal suggestions? I am always looking for new fast and easy recipes to add to my personal cookbook. If you have any suggestions post on my blog or send them to me on twitter @pamela_shari. Look forward to hearing what foods you make to satisfy your hunger! 

Cheers!

Pam