How to be on SB when you hate to cook?

[susanka]

I'm going to start SB, I've read the book, but I don't think I can (or want to) follow the menus or do the recipes. I start work at 5 a.m. and there's no time to do all this breakfast cooking before that; and besides that, I just don't like to do much cooking.

Has anybody tried just choosing foods from the acceptable foods list on SB for Phase I and forget all these recipes? I also dislike the taste of "I can't believe it's not butter" and low-fat cheese, and wonder if anybody is successful on SB using some butter and regular or 2% cheese.

Thanks for any hints you can give me. I'm switching to SB because my neurologist says Atkins is too low-carb for my health conditdions.

[VickiR]

I make up a whole pan of the veggie-egg quiche things, and divide them up to individual servings, put them in zip locks in the freezer.

about 2 minutes in the microwave - that, and a can of V8 does the job!

(and I use 2% cheese in them, too, plus any other veggies that look like they'd be good - made it once with a bit of oregano and LF feta cheese - yum!)

[VickiR]

Oh, and after Phase I, you can start making up muesli the night before, with dry oatmeal and a pinch of cinnamon and water - you just let it set overnight to soak. In the morning, if you want it hot, you can microwave it, but it's good cold, too.

[pstar]

Most people don't use the menus and meal plans from the book. From the day I started I used the meal plans as a guide. In order to be successful I new I would have to eat meals that I enjoyed. We use the foods allowed lists, the Good Fats and Good Carbs Guide, and the glysemic index to build our own menus. If you read through these posts and check out the journals of people who post here you will find a lot of examples of this. The key is to not make this hard...it doesn't have to be. Eat what you like from the allowed foods in moderation.

As far as cheese goes, I don't care for LF cheese...I've used regular cheese in moderation throughout my time on SBD.

And GOOD LUCK!

[vbrowne]

I batch cook on Sundays, nothing complicated. I don't have the patience with complicated recipes. Like VickiR, I make a pan of the breakfast quiche and freeze. If you don't have a microwave at work, take it out of the freezer the night before and eat cold, it's good that way too. Again, salad, laughing cow cheese, some lf cold cuts are easy. I grill a bunch of chicken breast on Sundays too to make up chicken salad, or just cut into strips with salad. I find planning ahead makes any program doable.

Vikki

[Glenda]

I never followed the menus at all. I, too, just do whatever is good for me. Lots of chicken. I do as low fat as possible, although I have always used butter, and sometimes I use full fat cheese, just depends what is available and on sale. Using full fat has never bothered me, except when I overindulge. Just do what works for you.

Glenda

[TX Stacy]

Most people don't use the menus and meal plans from the book. From the day I started I used the meal plans as a guide. In order to be successful I new I would have to eat meals that I enjoyed. We use the foods allowed lists, the Good Fats and Good Carbs Guide, and the glysemic index to build our own menus.

I have always done the same thing:)

~Works Great For Me~

It becomes a lot eaiser to plan once you're off induction and can add complex carbs back to your menu..

I have tons of easy recipes that you may enjoy since you don't enjoy cooking..

Just let me know if yer interested;)

[elijaeger]

Make up your own recipes... throw some chicken and veggies in a pan. cook for 5 minutes. done.

[Judynyc]

I don't cook much at all and I have only used one recipe from them and its fro the ricotta creme dessert.

I got one of the indoor grills like the george forman but mine is from Hamilton Beach. When I do cook, I use the grill as its fast and easy to clean up. I hate cleanup!! I use the grill for fish filets, turkey or chicken and steaks. Sometimes I grill veggies too. I also sautee veggies on the stove too as I can add more into the mix for more intense flavors like garlic and onions. yummmy!!

I really like to plan my own meals and try out new things but I'm not a cook in general. I like eating fresh foods on this plan and cooking fresh is the healthiest way to eat. I use the guide as reference but eat what I feel like at the time.

Planning ahead and making sure I have the right foods in the house is becoming a way of life for me. :D