It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving and if you’re like me, you’re thinking about what you are going to do about all of those extra calories you consumed over the Holiday.  The average person consumes 5,000 calories on Thanksgiving day.  Thats double the suggested amount!  Well, not to worry, I’ve got some healthy eating ideas for you that will make those extra pounds melt away fast! 

For starters, kick off the week with a very low carb menu.  I suggest egg substitute and veggie bacon for breakfast, I love morning star veggie bacon, just a couple of minutes in the microwave and you’ve got crispy bacon that tastes great without all the fat.  If you need a little kick, add some salsa to those eggs its only 5 calories per serving and adds a lot of flavor.  If you get hungry mid-morning, try a piece of fruit.  Clementines are in season right now, they are tiny oranges that are really soft and sweet.  Apples are good too, if you can find that sugar free caramel sauce you’ve got one great snack!  For lunch, go for a salad or soup.  If you feel like a salad be sure and have some chicken or tofu for protein, its good for your muscles and keeps you full longer.  Load it with vegetables but opt for low fat dressing.  Fat Free is good too, but it can be loaded with lots of sugar so watch out.  If you have to use the real thing, ask for it on the side and dip your bites.  You’ll use less that way.  If you go for a soup, try something low fat and full of veggies.  Panera Bread has a great vegetable soup and black bean soup, both low fat high fiber great tasting soups.  Watch out for the bread on the side, ask for the apple instead.  If you get hungry mid afternoon, much on some raw veggies.  Broccoli, celery, and cauliflower are best.  If not, try a Yoplait light yogurt instead.  Its really yummy and has a few grams of protein to hold you over for dinner.  For dinner, grilled chicken and vegetables are the easiest and best for you, but if you want something different try my low fat, low carb, famous Chicken Enchilada Bake.  It tastes great and its good for the whole family.  They’ll never know they’re eating healthy!  If you’re strapped for time, an easier option is a lean cuisine or healthy choice dinner.  I really like the the asian dinners. 

 Though its hard to eat healthy around the Holidays, eating healthy between feasts helps a great deal.  You’ll feel less guilty about enjoying the things you love and look forward to every year.  Remember to pick your battles, if you come accross something you can’t live without, have a small portion and stop there.   I always remind myself that it tastes the same from bite #1 to #10 so I won’t really miss anything if I stop at #2.  Good luck and have a great week!!  Don’t forget to try my Chicken Enchilade Bake recipe below.  Happy Holidays.

 Lauren

Lauren’s Chicken Enchilada Bake

Ingrediants:

1 pound of chicken diced

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 20 oz can red enchilada sauce

1/2 white onion

1/2 can green chiles

1 small package low carb tortillas

1 small fat free sour cream

1 package 2% milk or fat free mexican blend cheese

Directions:

Cut half the onion into small pieces and cook till clear.  Add in the chicken and brown until done.  Add the green chiles and taco seasoning and let simmer.  If it seems dry add a little water and stir.  In a casserole dish 10″ or 13″, spray with fat free pam butter flavor and line the bottom with tortillas.  You may have to cut them to fit.  Pour your chicken mix over the tortillas.  Pou half the can of enchilada sauce over the chicken, and half the package of cheese.  Top with tortillas, also cut to fit.  Pour the rest of the enchilda sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle the rest of the cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are bubbly.   Let stand 5-10 minutes and serve.  Top with fat free sour cream.  I hope you enjoy it! 

It might take a couple of times to find the right enchilada sauce I really love Las Palmas its thick and spicy.

Another alternative is a sour cream sauce.  Just substitue the red sauce for two cans of 98% fat free cream of chicken and a small fat free sour cream.  Add the three together in a medium sauce pan along with the other green chiles.  Also, save some of the taco seasoning and add that too.

For a vegetarian option, substitue the chicken for tofu, buy veggie cheese and sour cream.