What do you consider to be a healthy dinner?

[si-am]

I think processed foods are the most unhealthy you can get, really. We try to shop "around the perimeter" of the supermarket, looking for fresh veggies and meat with no meal helpers.

Last night we had sauteed shrimp with a couscous-like five grain thingie from Trader Joe's on the side, and some roasted asparagus.

On Sunday I made homemade beef and barley soup (old recipe from King Stefan's Banquet Hall before it was CRT!) which I felt pretty good about since it was a small amount of chunked up top round with veggies and beef broth. Served it with 5 grain crusty bread on the side!

 

[Christine]

Okay, I'm going to go a little off topic here but I want to ask a question to those who really do practice healthy eating.

I always used to be a VERY healthy eater. Lots of fruits and veggies. Well, the quality of produce has gotten so bad over, I'd say, the last 5 years, that I hardly eat any now. I know it's bad, I know I should try, but it tastes TERRIBLE. This was the first year that I actually was unable to purchase one mango. They were like rocks all year. There were two weeks out of the year that I purchased asparagus because it was local and delicious. The rest of the stuff is mainly shipped in from Peru and it's bitter (at least to me). I"m so sick of broccoli and cauliflower which are my old reliables, and even the broccoli has lost flavor and starts to rot in my veggie bin within the week. I'm sick of the bagged baby carrots that are now always having a white film on them even when you cook them (they never used to).

Don't even get me started on the fruit. The only safe fruit is bananas.

I'm really at a loss for how to handle this. Growing up on fresh veggies has made it VERY hard for me to eat frozen.

Has anyone noticed the decline in produce. Even at my farmer's market, I'm not impressed. I know that I am being picky because people around me just eat it and never seem to notice the difference.

 

[disneystacy]

Okay, I'm going to go a little off topic here but I want to ask a question to those who really do practice healthy eating.

I always used to be a VERY healthy eater. Lots of fruits and veggies. Well, the quality of produce has gotten so bad over, I'd say, the last 5 years, that I hardly eat any now. I know it's bad, I know I should try, but it tastes TERRIBLE. This was the first year that I actually was unable to purchase one mango. They were like rocks all year. There were two weeks out of the year that I purchased asparagus because it was local and delicious. The rest of the stuff is mainly shipped in from Peru and it's bitter (at least to me). I"m so sick of broccoli and cauliflower which are my old reliables, and even the broccoli has lost flavor and starts to rot in my veggie bin within the week. I'm sick of the bagged baby carrots that are now always having a white film on them even when you cook them (they never used to).

Don't even get me started on the fruit. The only safe fruit is bananas.

I'm really at a loss for how to handle this. Growing up on fresh veggies has made it VERY hard for me to eat frozen.

Has anyone noticed the decline in produce. Even at my farmer's market, I'm not impressed. I know that I am being picky because people around me just eat it and never seem to notice the difference.

We usually can get some good fruits from the farmers market, but for veggies we normally stick to frozen. It lasts much longer than fresh and is usually pretty good if you get a good brand. We never do canned though.

 

[KAMKIM]

well if you ask my mother apparently cupcakes and ice cream at great!

 

[LisaR]

Okay, I'm going to go a little off topic here but I want to ask a question to those who really do practice healthy eating.

I always used to be a VERY healthy eater. Lots of fruits and veggies. Well, the quality of produce has gotten so bad over, I'd say, the last 5 years, that I hardly eat any now. I know it's bad, I know I should try, but it tastes TERRIBLE. This was the first year that I actually was unable to purchase one mango. They were like rocks all year. There were two weeks out of the year that I purchased asparagus because it was local and delicious. The rest of the stuff is mainly shipped in from Peru and it's bitter (at least to me). I"m so sick of broccoli and cauliflower which are my old reliables, and even the broccoli has lost flavor and starts to rot in my veggie bin within the week. I'm sick of the bagged baby carrots that are now always having a white film on them even when you cook them (they never used to).

Don't even get me started on the fruit. The only safe fruit is bananas.

I'm really at a loss for how to handle this. Growing up on fresh veggies has made it VERY hard for me to eat frozen.

Has anyone noticed the decline in produce. Even at my farmer's market, I'm not impressed. I know that I am being picky because people around me just eat it and never seem to notice the difference.

If you have pretty much given up on fruits and veggies, what are you eating? My guess is that you have gotten used to eating other things and that has caused the fruits and veggies to have an off taste.

I find as long as I buy things from the US, most fruits and veggies taste great. The imported watermelon in December? Yeah, that doesn't taste so good. But the local things and even things shipped in from other states are generally fantastic and this applies to when I lived up north and while I am currently living in the south. I also don't have any problem using frozen veggies. If the fresh doesn't taste good to you and you don't like frozen, that doesn't leave you with many options.

 

[Christine]

If you have pretty much given up on fruits and veggies, what are you eating? My guess is that you have gotten used to eating other things and that has caused the fruits and veggies to have an off taste.

I find as long as I buy things from the US, most fruits and veggies taste great. The imported watermelon in December? Yeah, that doesn't taste so good. But the local things and even things shipped in from other states are generally fantastic and this applies to when I lived up north and while I am currently living in the south. I also don't have any problem using frozen veggies. If the fresh doesn't taste good to you and you don't like frozen, that doesn't leave you with many options.

I eat broccoli (fresh), zucchini and summer squash (fresh), fresh green beans, and carrots when I feel like peeling and cutting them up. Sometimes cauliflower although I'm not much in the mood for it. Just last week I bought a few bags of fresh spinach and even that had a bitter taste. Then I remember why I quit cooking it. I'm still eating it, but just no longer enjoying it as much. I definitely shy away from buying fruit or veggies out of season because I know they are coming from around the world and can't be good.

This year I bought a total of 7 watermelons. I cut them and each one was unripe and I threw it out. I guess I should have complained. I was in the store (Wegman's) and I heard some guy with the manager that said "I have bought two watermelons here and neither of them were any good...". The manager gave him a free watermelon, but it was good to know it just wasn't me.

Since I never had much in the way of frozen veggies, I really don't care for them, with the exception of peas and baby brussel sprouts. I know...I'm particular.

Edited to add: I see you mention that you have found things to be "fantastic." You see, I'm just not getting fantastic. Not for a long time.

 

[sunnyday123]

My experience has been that the older folks (age 70ish and older) are some of the worst offenders. They tend to eat the meals full of chicken friend steak, fried chicken and everything is covered in gravy. Every meal usually ends with a dessert. My mother-in-law doesn't think she has eaten a complete meal unless she uses a stick of butter.

Then there is the convenience food generation (I would say they range from teenagers to mid twenties in age). They aren't aware than you can even cook a meal without it being prepackaged.

The people who fall in between these two age groups tend to be the healthier eaters.

I'm not saying that this applies to everyone.

My Grandmother cooked everything with at least one stick of butter. Didn't matter what it was. If she couldn't cover it in butter, it was mayonaise. But boy was it good.

 

[LisaR]

I eat broccoli (fresh), zucchini and summer squash (fresh), fresh green beans, and carrots when I feel like peeling and cutting them up. Sometimes cauliflower although I'm not much in the mood for it. Just last week I bought a few bags of fresh spinach and even that had a bitter taste. Then I remember why I quit cooking it. I'm still eating it, but just no longer enjoying it as much. I definitely shy away from buying fruit or veggies out of season because I know they are coming from around the world and can't be good.

This year I bought a total of 7 watermelons. I cut them and each one was unripe and I threw it out. I guess I should have complained. I was in the store (Wegman's) and I heard some guy with the manager that said "I have bought two watermelons here and neither of them were any good...". The manager gave him a free watermelon, but it was good to know it just wasn't me.

Since I never had much in the way of frozen veggies, I really don't care for them, with the exception of peas and baby brussel sprouts. I know...I'm particular.

Edited to add: I see you mention that you have found things to be "fantastic." You see, I'm just not getting fantastic. Not for a long time.

That is too bad. I wonder what the problem is? Watermelon is my absolute favorite food in the world. We buy at least two a week from May - August from our local fruit market. I do have the guys at the fruit market pick my watermelons for me and cut them open before I take them home. That helps. The only bad one we had was when my husband insisted on buying one from Sam's Club. Yuck!

I also went to Ohio and Michigan this summer and ate watermelons in both places and they were great.

Right now I am eating the sweetest nectarines ever. My daughter and I have eaten 8 in the past two days! Cherries were excellent this year but they seemed to have a shorter season. We had great luck with mangoes and I only buy those from Sam's.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

My Grandmother cooked everything with at least one stick of butter. Didn't matter what it was. If she couldn't cover it in butter, it was mayonaise. But boy was it good.

Was your grandmother named Paula Deen perchance?

OP- suggest "Cook Yourself Thin" to your co worker. There are a lot of healthy alternatives that substitute certain ingredients and styles of cooking for others so you get all the flavor and fewer calories. It's also a tv show if she wants to get a taste of the things that they make.

 

[Feej]

Last week my wife cooked a beautiful meal of fish and a salad. Fish was baked, not fried. I'd consider that to be pretty healthy. (as long as you dont choke on fish bones)

 

[FireDancer]

Okay, I'm going to go a little off topic here but I want to ask a question to those who really do practice healthy eating.

I always used to be a VERY healthy eater. Lots of fruits and veggies. Well, the quality of produce has gotten so bad over, I'd say, the last 5 years, that I hardly eat any now. I know it's bad, I know I should try, but it tastes TERRIBLE. This was the first year that I actually was unable to purchase one mango. They were like rocks all year. There were two weeks out of the year that I purchased asparagus because it was local and delicious. The rest of the stuff is mainly shipped in from Peru and it's bitter (at least to me). I"m so sick of broccoli and cauliflower which are my old reliables, and even the broccoli has lost flavor and starts to rot in my veggie bin within the week. I'm sick of the bagged baby carrots that are now always having a white film on them even when you cook them (they never used to).

Don't even get me started on the fruit. The only safe fruit is bananas.

I'm really at a loss for how to handle this. Growing up on fresh veggies has made it VERY hard for me to eat frozen.

Has anyone noticed the decline in produce. Even at my farmer's market, I'm not impressed. I know that I am being picky because people around me just eat it and never seem to notice the difference.

My first suggestion would be to go to a farmers market and get it straight from the source. If that isn't an option, as it isn't for me year round, you may have to shop the competition for better produce. We have a relatively small grocery chain here called Heinen's which is more expensive than the larger stores but the produce is worth the extra cash. I look at it as a small price to pay for health.

If you are a fan of citrus it can go a long way towards making less than perfect vegetables better. I love adding fresh lime juice to beans and bok choy and either lemon or lime is great on steamed broccoli.

 

[redlight]

Good suggestions. I've been trying to eat one meal that is mainly fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I tend to stick with a smaller portion of lean protein and a veggie for dinner. I lost a decent amount of weight following a reduced starch plan, since then I tend to keep the starches down at night. I find I sleep better if I don't starch it. Okay, I made a chicken & roasted pepper thin crust pizza last night--it's breakfast for this week. Yes I'm one of those crazies that eats non-breakfast food for breakfast.

My great-grandmother was known for frying everything in butter, never eating dairy, and only having fruit if it was in a pie. She lived to be 99, if I ate even remotely like that. I would be dead by now. I could never follow that diet.

 

[C.Ann]

Most anything in moderation is healthy - with "moderation" being the key word.. Eating at McDonald's every day would not be in "moderation"..

However, eating what some people consider "junk food" once a week or so is not going to put anyone in their grave sooner - providing they don't have dietary restrictions for health-related problems (diabetes; heart problems; etc.)..

As long as you incorporate all of the food groups into your diet, there's no need to drive yourself crazy trying to make sure that every single morsel of food you put in your mouth is considered "healthy"..

Moderation - plain and simple..

 

[clutter]

I eat broccoli (fresh), zucchini and summer squash (fresh), fresh green beans, and carrots when I feel like peeling and cutting them up. Sometimes cauliflower although I'm not much in the mood for it. Just last week I bought a few bags of fresh spinach and even that had a bitter taste. Then I remember why I quit cooking it. I'm still eating it, but just no longer enjoying it as much. I definitely shy away from buying fruit or veggies out of season because I know they are coming from around the world and can't be good.

This year I bought a total of 7 watermelons. I cut them and each one was unripe and I threw it out. I guess I should have complained. I was in the store (Wegman's) and I heard some guy with the manager that said "I have bought two watermelons here and neither of them were any good...". The manager gave him a free watermelon, but it was good to know it just wasn't me.

Since I never had much in the way of frozen veggies, I really don't care for them, with the exception of peas and baby brussel sprouts. I know...I'm particular.

Edited to add: I see you mention that you have found things to be "fantastic." You see, I'm just not getting fantastic. Not for a long time.

I get you, kind of.

Spinach - try adding some artichoke. For some reason, that seems to take out the bitterness. (You can get frozen non-marinated ones at Trader Joes. Hope you have one near.) I also like to saute in olive oil and garlic, toss in some shrimp and pasta and basil. Yum.

Green beans. Again, go to Trader Joes. Their frozen beans are the best.

Watermelon - even though it technically costs more, I buy the pre-cut quarters. Better luck with ripeness.

By the way - I tried roasting brussell sprouts the other night. They were OMG good.

Broccoli - I cannot eat frozen (except in my dd's favorite casserole which is like the tuna casserole, not healthy!) I used some the other night to put in chicken alfredo (ok, not healthy, but made fresh) and it was WET. But I can tell by looking at it whether it will taste ok or not.

Asparagus - I grew up on picked 10 minutes before dinner asparagus. Fortunately, it was long enough ago that my taste buds don't remember that well. (Also, my mom always loaded veggies up with sauce or butter, so unseasoned was new to me.) I'm ok with what's available, but my preference is to throw it into some stir fry.

 

[LisaR]

By the way - I tried roasting brussell sprouts the other night. They were OMG good.

Here is another to die for brussel sprout idea.

Try steaming brussel sprouts and marinating them in balsamic vinegar, garlic and a little spicy mustard. The brussel sprouts will soak up the marinade and WOW! They are beyond fabulous.

 

[flying_babyb]

Healthy in this house means it DIDNT come from a can. I guess healthy for me is a tortilla, pizza sauce, peperoni and cheese.

 

[IDoDis]

Wow, this thread is way different than the typical recipe threads here on the CB. Typically those recipes are laden with fats (ie tater tot casserole) and processed foods. Glad to finally see there are some people here that actually eat healthy meals.

A healthy meal for us is grilled chicken (Mrs. Dash and the grill or the George Forman grill in the winter)
grilled zucchini (slice length-wise, spray with olive oil, wrap in foil & throw on the grill
Brown rice (Which actually tastes good now. When I was a kid it was disgusting), and a fruit salad (cut up apples, oranges, watermelon, grapes & bananas).

We eat variations of this 3 times a week. Other than grilled, I'll cook the chicken in the crockpot in salsa or the Healthy Request cream of chicken soup.

Extra-lean hamburger (93% lean) is also good for a quick burger on a whole wheat bun with a spinach salad.

 

[Swimnoid]

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand!

 

[JennaTX]

I am in no way the best "healthy" parent.

But I try and give my kids a balanced meal.

Dinner is usually a protein, two vegetables, and maybe noodles.

I serve fruit with every meal. There is no fruit that my kids don't like, so I know that will work.

Not perfect, but our only fast food meal is Friday night...Friday night is pizza night! (Mom needs a break from cooking!)

My kids eat "okay" as far as vegetables go, they both have different veggies they will or won't eat. I would love any suggestions about hiding veggies in meals!