Can I Eat A Sandwich?
Somewhere along the way, sandwiches got a bad rap. We’re not sure how this happened but new clients who come to us looking to get lean think sandwiches are the ultimate “no-no”. Maybe it’s because they’ve tried eating sandwiches in the past to feel satisfied while dieting, but did it all wrong and it backfired. Maybe they had the best intentions—ate a daily tuna sandwich—or a turkey and cheese sandwich—or they grabbed a seemingly innocent chicken aioli sandwich on skinny- looking bread from the local bistro in hopes of losing body fat. Then, when their waists didn’t shrink as they thought they would, they blamed the bread. Little did they know, the bread wasn’t to blame.
Sandwiches can be one of the most satisfying, most waist- friendly lunch options, as long as you know how to fix them. Surprisingly, the same delicious sandwich can cost you 300 calories when done right, or 800 calories plus, done wrong. Here’s how you make a satisfying, slimming sandwich.
1. Start with two slices of whole grain bread. This will give you long-lasting energy and fiber to keep you satisfied so you don’t end up craving a candy bar an hour or so later.
2. Then, add your lean protein to keep you feeling full. Fresh sliced turkey, chicken, fish, tofu, or eggs are ideal.
- This means forget about salty ham, fatty bologna or any fried meat or tofu.
- Peanut butter is OK, but limit to 1-1/2 flat tablespoons to keep portions in check. One level tablespoon of peanut butter is 100 calories. If you’re not cautious you’ll easily slab on 300 or more calories of peanut butter before you even count the bread.
3. Condiments—Now here’s the conundrum. It’s where most sandwich lovers go wrong.
- Kiss spreads like mayonnaise, regular cheese, sandwich dressings or aioli good bye. Several dabs of these will cost you more calories than the entire sandwich.
- Instead go for fat free cheeses, flavored vinegars and non-fat spreads and condiments. Try nonfat yogurt, fat-free mayo, lemon, vinegar or dijonnaise in your tuna; sugar-free jelly on peanut butter.
- Example: Make a tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread with nonfat mayo and dijonnaise or with nonfat yogurt and lemon; your sandwich won’t even hit 300 calories. Make that tuna sandwich with regular mayo and there you have a 700-calorie sandwich.
- One of the best creamy and delicious sandwich toppers? Avocado. It has the “good” mono-unsaturated fats,contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals and only 50 calories per 1 oz (3 slices) serving.
For avocado recipes go to theamazingavocado.com/bighit and you can vote on your favorite recipe and submit your own for a chance to win a prize courtesy of Avocados from Mexico.
4. Veggies—lettuce, tomato, onions, peppers. You name the veggie, add it to your sandwich and it will help fill you, add nutrients and provide very few calories.
And there you have your answer—you can eat a sandwich! And we’ve given you tips for the ultimate, healthy and waist-line friendly sandwiches!
Smiling Green Nutrition Experts
The Nutrition Twins work as media spokespeople for a variety of clients, including Avocados from Mexico.
Image Credits:
http://myinwood.net/farmers-market/
http://healthnews.ediets.com/2009/04/fat-burning-foods-lean-turkey.html
http://www.simplyshredded.com/a-beginners-shopping-list-quality-food-for-the-best-results.html
http://www.crumblycookie.net/page/17/
http://www.thatsfit.ca/2009/06/01/healthy-avocados-pack-a-nutrition-punch/
