Ideas for "no white food" diet?
I'm starting a "no white food" diet - eg, no sugar, white rice, white bread, booze, etc- and am looking for tasty ideas and recipes. I can still eat whole grain stuff and any complex carbs, just trying to cut out simple carbs for a few weeks. (You can see more details on my reasoning and plans here.) Thanks!
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16 Comments:
Heh, my only suggestion is to try a more reasonable diet and not a extreme limit one. You'll just end up craving those things hardcore and have a major diet failure. Moderation is the best policy.
feriorrenna at 11:31PM on 02/10/08
Everything in moderation :)
Lilartist at 7:42AM on 02/11/08
Good for you! I think you'll find it's easier than you imagine (except that you can't eat pasta out in restaurants for the most part, and that's sad). I would say, stock up on fresh fruit and veggies, and find some whole-grain products you love (I really like Kashi cereals/oatmeal, Vermont Bread Company breads and Amy's whole-wheat mac and cheese). Also, try not to think of it as a diet -- it's a lifestyle change, and you'll be so much healthier for it. Even if you go back to some white foods (not a bad idea, as I totally agree with the "everything in moderation" folks), you'll have a new awareness, and that's always a good thing. Best of luck!
CookiePie at 8:42AM on 02/11/08
i agree with cookie... it really is a lifestyle... i start with ezekiel bread with almond butter or an egg scrambled with some greens and feta for b/fast; for lunch just have salads, tuna, any meat with no bread, sateed kale. i find the easiest thing for dinners is to buy some chicken or protien ahead of time and separate into individual baggies and freeze, so that portions are easy. for snacks... blue corn chips and salsa, almonds... if you have a sugar craving, get some flavored hot tea and that usually curbs it. if you have an earthfare, greenlife or whole foods near you, i would suggest shopping there bc they typically have foods that are in accordance with the "no white foods" diet.... remember this isnt a "no carbs" diet, its just cleaning your system of processed foods... another good thing to try is switching to soy prodcuts.... good luck and congrats!
divabunny at 11:15AM on 02/11/08
My boss has lost over 80 lbs. on a "no white food" diet. He eats a lot of sashimi, poached fish, egg white omelets, fresh fruit and steamed veggies.
And he swears by dill pickles (snacks) and Tabasco sauce (universal condiment).
Cathy at 12:39PM on 02/11/08
Grains are a tasty and satisfying source of complex carbs and protein. Whenever I have grains for lunch, I have more energy and never seem to crash in the afternoon. Some suggestions: quinoa (stuffed in peppers), farro (either in soups or risotto style), barley (in soups with red kidney beans, in place of rice), whole grain pasta (I like Hodgson Mills pasta with milled flax seed)
Beans and dark greens are always flavorful and filling. Stir-frys are great if you use a little oil, veggies, tofu and brown rice. Skip sweet sauces and opt for rice vinegars and hot sauces to get that Asian flavor.
bitchincamero at 1:21PM on 02/11/08
that's very much how I have eaten for the past 9-10 years.
I eat 100% whole grain breads, brown sugar, whole wheat pastry flour when I bake, brown rice, whole wheat or other grain pastas, use agave nectar, maple syrup or maple sugar. I also erradicated most canned goods and anything with artificial colorants and chemicals.
It's not hard at all when you're cooking for yourself at home, because all you need to do is buy products you know fit your new lifestyle. What's most challenging is when eating out... but if you eat as heatlhily as you can at home... a few oops here and there when eating out will not undo what you're trying to accomplish, IMHO. As someone before said, everything in moderation.
I do stratight substitutions in most recipes I find or already have... visit my blog if you need some added inspiration. Much success in your new lifestyle change!!!
Madelyn.
KarmaFree Cooking
MadelynRodriguez at 2:05PM on 02/11/08
I pretty much grew up eating this way. The rice was brown, the grains were whole. As an adult, I throw in a few white things when I think they'll work better than white. Some people have a really hard time of it making the white to non-white switchover. A couple of things that are helpful are brown basmati rice, which is, well, a little whiter tasting than brown. Also Jerusalem Artichoke pasta, which is a bit smoother and less grainy than whole wheat.
I'll bet you that after a couple weeks off of stuff like supermarket white bread and on to a good whole wheat bread, you really won't want to go back to sqoosh.
If you're going in this direction is not weight-loss related, the simplest and tastiest lunch in the world is peanut butter and banana sandwiches on whole wheat bread. It was my favorite when I was 5 and it's still my favorite at most definitely not 5.
Good Luck!
chisai at 5:32PM on 02/11/08
I rarely eat the things you describe. You can peruse my blog for ideas . . . .
http://www.threepotato.blogspot.com
101cookbooks.com and fatfreevegan.com also use a lot of whole grains in different ways . . . .
KarynMC at 7:24PM on 02/11/08
Beans, greens, veggies. Try the Fat-free Vegan blog for some great ideas.
hereandthe at 11:32AM on 02/12/08
I really enjoy whole grain tortillas from La Tortilla Factory (I find them at the local grocery store, but I think you can also buy them online directly from the company). They used to look like whole grain and not be white, but they changed their recipe so that it looks more white so that it will appeal more to the general public, but they still have a ton of fiber.
Natural Oven breads and cereals. I know that their distribution is limited to a few states, but you can check them out online.
Jelena at 11:47AM on 02/12/08
The first few days are the hardest. My husband and I are on the diethandbook.com program. You can only eat one sandwich every 11 days other than that only protein and veggies, some fruit and nuts. It has become so easy that you don't even want to eat any carbs at all even when you can. You'll be much healthier and feel so much better - Good luck!
Karena
Karena at 3:19PM on 02/12/08
Thanks so so much to everyone for taking the time to make recommendations!! Lots of good fodder to choose from.
So far it's been really interesting and not as hard as I thought. Of course, it's only been 3 days... I'm updating on my experience daily at http://www.offthemeathook.com, it's pretty much anathema for me to challenge myself in this way but I'm enjoying it.
karenita at 7:37PM on 02/12/08
PS to KarynMC, lucky me, Heidi from 101Cookbooks is a very close friend of my boyfriend and sometimes I even get to eat at her house! I should invite myself over soon... she has taught me so much about appreciating healthier and veg foods. Anyone who hasn't been to 101cookbooks.com you should definitely go. Her food photos and recipes are incredible.
karenita at 7:41PM on 02/12/08
My husband and I recently began the 'No White' diet. We do have some questions as far as allowable foods. If anyone knows or has advice on the following foods we would appreciate it! brown sugar, salt, any cheese(cheddar), mayonaise, type of salad dressing(?), bacon bits, beans, fruits, where to eat out and what to get. I know this is alot to ask about, but any advice would be great. thanks!
mohawk at 11:02AM on 01/18/09
I have been on this diet for almost a year and have lost all cravings for sugary items...im a big pizza fan so I get a whole wheat crust,pizza sauce with the least amout of sugar,spinach, mushrooms, and garlic, and i opt for fat free parmesan cheese which i sprinkle on when the pizza is done...thats just one of my favorites!
Jill_Marie at 11:33AM on 02/26/09