Salads Question???

[ICanDoThis]

Hubby and I slightly modify the meals on the protein power plan. We usually add a salad to every meal, with an olive oil italian dressing. Maybe 1/2 oz cheese on the salad (lettuce, cucs, tomatoes & grn pprs). I usually check to see where we are at with carbs (usually have green beans) and then just make a plate of salad as well. Am I adding unknown carbs to our meals in exhorbant amounts? I really don't want to have to start measuring our salads.

Also, dressings. I haven't worried too much about having the italian dressing. I make it with italian dressing seasoning packets, balsamic vinegar & olive oil (1/2 of what it calls for though) and water. I don't measure the amount I put on the salad, but the plate isn't dripping with it either.

I read through the whole protein power plan and liked it alot, but was concerned with how little veggies you really eat. So, we have the salads and I feel its a plan we can live with. So far, lost 10 lbs last week, so I guess it is working...

Any thoughts?

[wangeci]

Actually, if you are following PPLP, or PP, the carbs are at 30 a day. If you minus the fiber from the carb count, it is called ECC effective carb count. So, you really can eat lots of vegies a day. If you would like to see what your salad amounts to, you can go to www.fitday.com which is a free website where you can track your nutrition on a daily basis. I think you will be surprised at how many vegies you can eat to reach 30 carbs.

Good luck and enjoy, Fitday is fun to track.
Cindy

[ShaneiceL]

WTG on your 10lbs lost!

My advise is to check the listings in PP for veggies with the lowest amount of carbs first and then you will be able to eat more. broccoli and cauliflower and good ones and lettuce of course (i prefer romaine) tomato, cucumber, zucchini, green beans, all good but in a bit more moderation. So check those first and then I totally agree with going to fit day. It is a great site and easy to use and it will really help put your mind at ease so your not just estimating you carbs and wondering if your eating too many.

Enjoy!

[ICanDoThis]

Thanks for the advice. I did go to fitday and estimate as best I could. I figured out carbs/fiber & protein for 1 head lettce, 1 cucumber, 1 cup chopped tomatoes and 1 cup chopped green pepper. Then I split the final total in 1/4's since I only eat about a 1/4 of all those measurements. I came up with this:

6.28g Effective Carbs (carbs minus fiber content)
3.14 Proteins

That's not half bad huh! We usually only have 1/2 cup green beans with dinner anyway or maybe a small amount of onions cooked on top of the chicken/fish, so that's good. I'm excited. I thought it would be more than that! YAY! :D

[wangeci]

Broccoli is also a great source of Fiber and good Carbs on the PP or any low carb plan. I just take some fresh put in a seran covered bowl in the microwave with for about 4 minutes, walla, done, I had butter, nu-salt and pepper to it, and sometimes I added cheese, or paremesan cheese, it is fabulous. I never liked broccoli before but it grew on me. There are also some great recipes for more vegies in the low carb kitchen forum. You will be amazed what you can do with Cauliflower!!!!!!!!!!

Cindy

[ICanDoThis]

Thanks Cindy,

Sounds yummy. Usually we DO eat a lot of broccoli, just don't have any in the house until next shopping day, so we have been eating beans. I will pick up broccoli next time. We loce it steamed with a bit of butter. Yum... Sounds good right now! :p

[Karen]

Protein Power states that certain things are unlimited. I don't have the book with me, but as I recall salad greens, parsley, spinach, and maybe radishes are in that category.

I was amazed at how many vegetables I was eating and could eat when I first started PP. You will be too!

Karen

[JoAnnAtkin]

Oh No....I have been having Spinach as my salad greens! Please let me know if this is a NO NO?

About Cauliflower..........if you boil is very tender........drain it and mash it like mashed potatos............put little heavy cream and real butter on it. THEN YOU HAVE THE BEST MASHED POTATOES YOU HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!!!! IT IS DELICIOUS!

Jo Ann in TEXAS

[H.R. Valli]

I was thrilled to see that spinach and romaine lettuce (two of my faves) were on the unlimited list in that chart in Protein Power. But I was wondering how people count it when they add up their daily carbs. Do you just put a big ol' 0 next to that entry in your food diary? Or, like with Splenda, is there a miniscule amount of carb that should be considered if I decide to eat a bowl full of spinach leaves?