Danielle Hamo Blog

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Unlimited “free” foods to eat on a diet

Free foods to eat when on a diet

When you are on a diet, you never want to constantly feel hungry, because then you are more likely to reach a breaking point and reach for those unhealthy foods. My solution to this is adding low calorie high fiber foods such as non-starchy veggies which will help keep you full while sticking to your diet.

Benefits of none starchy vegetables: 

  • 30 calories per cup
  • Mostly water
  • High in fiber
  • High in vitamins and minerals
  • Natural, and easy to eat
  • Add bulk to your diet

List of none starchy vegetables to enjoy: (source: diabetes.org)

  • Amaranth or Chinese spinach
  • Artichoke
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Asparagus
  • Baby corn
  • Bamboo shoots
  • Beans (green, wax, Italian)
  • Bean sprouts
  • Beets
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage (green, bok choy, Chinese)
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chayote
  • Coleslaw (packaged, no dressing)
  • Cucumber
  • Daikon
  • Eggplant
  • Greens (collard, kale, mustard, turnip)
  • Hearts of palm
  • Jicama
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leeks
  • Mushrooms
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Pea pods
  • Peppers
  • Radishes
  • Rutabaga
  • Salad greens (chicory, endive, escarole, lettuce, romaine, spinach, arugula, radicchio, watercress)
  • Sprouts
  • Squash (cushaw, summer, crookneck, spaghetti, zucchini)
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomato
  • Turnips
  • Water chestnuts

Methods to prepare: 

  • Grilled
  • Raw
  • Steamed
  • Boiled
  • Broiled
  • Baked
  • Roasted
  • You can add lemon, vinegar, salsa, or low calorie dressing but beware of olive oil and dressings because they are over 100 calories per tablespoon

Healthy Valentine Day ideas

healthy v day

This Valentine’s Day you don’t need to reach for the cake and chocolate boxes, there are plenty of healthy choices that can get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit!

1. Chocolate Raspberries – stuff raspberries with your favorite chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white.) Super quick, healthy, and delicious. Fine recipe here.

2. Whole fruit with fun tags – Bag apples with “You are the apple of my eye” and oranges with “Orange you glad we are friends?” Download these adorable tags for free here.

3. Valentine’s healthy breakfast – Make these yummy and healthy fruit kabobs by using a heart shaped cookie cutter with your favorite fruits including melon, watermelon, and strawberries. Garnish with low fat yogurt of your choice. Source.

4. Savory recipes with a Valentine’s day twist- use heart shaped cookie cutters to make this beet salad with walnuts, goat cheese, and spinach. Find recipe here. Lower the calories by putting dressing on the side and dip fork first in the dressing then in the salad.