how to eat heart healthy and stay on a budget?

[dvcgirl]

You can also use ground turkey in place of ground beef in recipes. I've done this for about 2 years now. We also eat turkey burgers on whole wheat bread. Much healthier than red meat.

Same here......I make a three bean turkey chili that is wonderful make-ahead/freeze meal.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for the pizza recipie! We have a bread machine, have to start using it! Can you make ahead your pizza and freeze it? Seems we order pizza in as a convenience--or now that our finances are reduced I was buying frozen pizza to have on hand as a snack (no more!)

I don't see why not. YOu do need to make the dough that morning or the day before, as it needs to sit in the fridge for at least four or five hours--24 is better.

Anne

 

[vhoffman]

Wow, we got a big ice storm here too but not that bad! I hope things thaw out for you soon! I've had luck spraying the saute pan with non-stick spray and then adding a drizzle of spray butter (we use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray). That has worked pretty well for me.

Actually I grew up in Michigan, so I thought I knew what winter weather is all about. Believe me, this would challenge you guys up North! Seldom do I remember it being that bad up there! Its not so much the temperatures 20's to 30's, that's typical for Michigan at this time of year, but the freezing rains along with it. My kids are fascinated by the ice and snow. They built a snow man, but its more like an ice man!

 

[Motherofboys]

LOL You moved from Michigan to Texas and got worse weather?? Ouch. I'll take snow and cold over ice any day! There's nothing quite like losing power for days at a time when the average tempature is under 20. Luckily, we only got one night of it so the kids only had one snow day. With the three day weekend turned into a four day weekend, my husband (SAHD) was going crazy! If you guys do move I hope you at least find good weather!

 

[Maybelle]

The suggestion to eat a salad a the beginning of a meal to fill you up faster is a good one. Also, eat slower and you will automatically eat less, because you can feel yourself getting full.

Also if you drink an 8 ounce glass of water before each meal, you will fill up faster and eat less, thereby needing to buy and cook less food overall!

As for cooking. Try using a tablespoon of olive oil instead of the spread you are now eating. The spreads are great, but you are right, they do break down into water, so they are really not good for cooking or baking with. I also don't like them on toast, because I find that it makes the toast soggy, but that's just me...I prefer real butter in small quantities. Another great alternative to oily spreads is no added sugar jams, or apple butter, although they can get pricey unless you buy them on sale or from a discounter.

Olive oil really is a healthy thing to eat in your diet, and adds a great flavor to foods. If you find you start using it more often, it is much cheaper to buy a large container, but don't buy a larg one unless you're sure you will use it. If you can find it in a discount grocery or someplace like a "job lot" type store it is much cheaper!

Good luck.

 

[MommaPooh]

You have been given many wonderful suggestions. I just wanted to add that in 2004 I was admitted to the hospital with tri's over 5000 - yes 5000. I had several docs coming in telling me I was lucky to be alive, they had never seen #s that high, in combination with relatively normal other health issues (good cholestrol etc...) What it all came down to for me was genetics. I got the bad genes. After some research and going to a nutritionist, I immediately cut out all meat with the exception of fish/seafood. I was put on a series of medications until we found a combination that I did not adversly react to.(I have allergic reactions to many meds) I am now on tri-cor and prescription fish oils called omnicor. For the first time my levels are below 700. Now that is by no means where it should be but my doc is pleased that we are moving in the right direction and is confident we will get closer to normal range. Although she did say I will never have a normal triglyceride level.
I can tell you from experience that the sugars do make a diffence. Avoiding sugar drinks, white breads, white rice and substituting whole wheats has helped. Salmon and almonds are good. Another thing that has helped me is doing more cooking from scratch. It is cheaper and you can control what is in your food. Oh yes, exercise is huge. Even a few minutes of walking a day makes a difference.
Again, everyone has given you some great advice (with the exception of NY Disney fan). Good luck on getting your numbers down - I am sure you can do it.

 

[crazelion]

Also if you drink an 8 ounce glass of water before each meal, you will fill up faster and eat less, thereby needing to buy and cook less food overall!

Just make sure near bathroom if drink a lot water. I tend go a lot when drink the require 8 glass a day.

 

[ducklite]

If the food is sticking even with a non-stick spray, try a lower heat. I only use the spray on the grill, and use non-stick Calphalon One for eggs and just regular Cal One for everything else. I use a silicone spatula when making scarmbled eggs to keep it all moving around and not sticking.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Just make sure near bathroom if drink a lot water. I tend go a lot when drink the require 8 glass a day.

THink of the excercise you are getting!

Anne

 

[NotUrsula]

FYI: Olive oil can't take really high heat without breaking down and starting to absorb too quickly into the food. True frying really doesn't work well with olive oil. It works well for a saute, but you are not going to easily create crispiness with it. (Not that you are going to really want crispy fried food under the circumstances, but it is good to know that certain oils don't work for that.)

Cooking spray in the right quantity should work with just about any kind of cookware. If it isn't working for you, you are probably using too high a heat.

 

[ducklite]

FYI: Olive oil can't take really high heat without breaking down and starting to absorb too quickly into the food.

Very true. On the exremely rare occasions that I fry anything, I use Canola oil. I also use canola in place of corn or vegetable oil in all my cooking and baking. Tee only oils in my house are sesame (used sparingly in the bottom of my wok for stir-fry), olive, and canola.

Anne

 

[vhoffman]

so what do you think of Enova oil? I understand its a relatively new brand, supposedly not absorbed as much by the body. Wonder how that compares to olive, canola, and corn oil? What abut Mazola oil?

The salad idea is great. Actually I've been serving a salad with almost every dinner, just to stretch the meal and something healthy. Got to watch the salad dressings, though! The regular ones are high in fat, the diet or lite ones have a high sugar content. What to do?

Best to make my own. Olive oil, vinegar, those packaged seasoning mixes, that way you can control the amount and type of fat without all the added sugars. I read somewhere to use a spray bottle for the dressing, just a light mist, rather than a glop, the same flavor. I do put nuts, like almonds, walnuts, in my salads, along with some cheese chunks.

When the weather breaks (hopefully tomorrow), I'm stocking up on olive oil, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, salad greens, sweet potatoes, beans, etc.

 

[ducklite]

so what do you think of Enova oil? I understand its a relatively new brand, supposedly not absorbed as much by the body. Wonder how that compares to olive, canola, and corn oil? What abut Mazola oil?

Mazola is corn oil I think--bad.

The salad idea is great. Actually I've been serving a salad with almost every dinner, just to stretch the meal and something healthy. Got to watch the salad dressings, though! The regular ones are high in fat, the diet or lite ones have a high sugar content. What to do?

Try Walden Farms--you'll find them in the produce section, they are great and no fat, no sugar. The balsamic vinagrette is my favorite.

Best to make my own. Olive oil, vinegar, those packaged seasoning mixes, that way you can control the amount and type of fat without all the added sugars. I read somewhere to use a spray bottle for the dressing, just a light mist, rather than a glop, the same flavor. I do put nuts, like almonds, walnuts, in my salads, along with some cheese chunks.

Or use my shake method, which coats everything, not just the top leaves. Watch the cheese, it's high in fat.

Anne

 

[vhoffman]

Very true. On the exremely rare occasions that I fry anything, I use Canola oil. I also use canola in place of corn or vegetable oil in all my cooking and baking. Tee only oils in my house are sesame (used sparingly in the bottom of my wok for stir-fry), olive, and canola.

Anne

Well I've just never had any luck frying with no stick spray. Perhaps its the high heat, or maybe I need a better pan? I've had good luck sauting in chicken broth, beef or vegetable broth. I freeze it in ice cubes then put about 4 cubes in a baggie. That's just about right for sauting veggies, onions, etc.

Scrambled eggs (ok, Egg Beaters) just never seem to work with non stick spray. Hence, the margarine. I said in my original post that I threw away about 4 pounds of it. I've had good luck replacing margarine with Smart Balance. The regular spread says it can be used for cooking and baking. The lite spread has too much water for cooking, just as a spread.

 

[vhoffman]

Corn oil is bad? I thought corn oil was ok! It doesn't have cholesterol, only foods of animal origin have cholesterol, but we're concerned with things other than just cholesterol. So, throw away the corn oil! (actually, just have a small amount left, but it goes!)

 

[Maybelle]

FYI: Olive oil can't take really high heat without breaking down and starting to absorb too quickly into the food. True frying really doesn't work well with olive oil. It works well for a saute, but you are not going to easily create crispiness with it. (Not that you are going to really want crispy fried food under the circumstances, but it is good to know that certain oils don't work for that.)

Cooking spray in the right quantity should work with just about any kind of cookware. If it isn't working for you, you are probably using too high a heat.

I did post about the olive oil earlier. But this poster is correct about it absorbing.

Another oil that can tolerate a higher heat is grapeseed oil, but again, it can be a little pricey, and since the post was about eating bettor on a budget I refrained from mentioning it before. Good to keep in mind though.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

I haven't read everything, but do you drink regular soda alot? That right there has a lot of sugar, switch to diet, water, or flavored drinks like crystal light. Good luck.

 

[vhoffman]

You have been given many wonderful suggestions. I just wanted to add that in 2004 I was admitted to the hospital with tri's over 5000 - yes 5000. I had several docs coming in telling me I was lucky to be alive, they had never seen #s that high, in combination with relatively normal other health issues (good cholestrol etc...) What it all came down to for me was genetics. I got the bad genes. After some research and going to a nutritionist, I immediately cut out all meat with the exception of fish/seafood. I was put on a series of medications until we found a combination that I did not adversly react to.(I have allergic reactions to many meds) I am now on tri-cor and prescription fish oils called omnicor. For the first time my levels are below 700. Now that is by no means where it should be but my doc is pleased that we are moving in the right direction and is confident we will get closer to normal range. Although she did say I will never have a normal triglyceride level.
I can tell you from experience that the sugars do make a diffence. Avoiding sugar drinks, white breads, white rice and substituting whole wheats has helped. Salmon and almonds are good. Another thing that has helped me is doing more cooking from scratch. It is cheaper and you can control what is in your food. Oh yes, exercise is huge. Even a few minutes of walking a day makes a difference.
Again, everyone has given you some great advice (with the exception of NY Disney fan). Good luck on getting your numbers down - I am sure you can do it.

Oh, heavens! TG of 5000????? You are lucky to be alive! What is it now?

I've been taking Tri Cor for about a week. I see my doctor again mid Feb, will have blood work done a few days before, hopefully I'm on the right track. The Omnicor sounds interesting. I'll ask about it. I've always been hesitant to use fish oil capsules because you're not sure what's in them. I suppose if its a prescription there's quality control. Thanks for the tip!

 

[vhoffman]

I haven't read everything, but do you drink regular soda alot? That right there has a lot of sugar, switch to diet, water, or flavored drinks like crystal light. Good luck.

nope, I hardly touch soda or sweetened drinks. I love bottled water!

 

[ducklite]

Corn oil is bad? I thought corn oil was ok! It doesn't have cholesterol, only foods of animal origin have cholesterol, but we're concerned with things other than just cholesterol. So, throw away the corn oil! (actually, just have a small amount left, but it goes!)

I can't remember what isn't good about corn oil--maybe that it's just a major allergen for a lot of people. Everything I hear is that for a general all purpose oil, canola is the best choice.

Anne