August 10, 2009
With the fast pace of a summer day, sometimes you don't have much time to think about your meals, and instead must simply throw something together as quickly as possible. Rather than keeping your fingers crossed that you'll open the refrigerator and perhaps produce something healthy enough for fat loss or weight control, why not just try any of the following five strange but quick summer fat loss recipes?
All of these tried and true recipes happen to be my “fall-back” meals when I need a quick bite to eat. Some may sound strange, but are surprisingly tasty and healthy.
High-Protein Chocolate Iced Coffee (50-100 calories)
I use a “Bialetti” Italian coffee maker for this one, but a home counter-top espresso machine would work, or even just a normal coffee maker. Fill a tall glass full of ice, and put one scoop of chocolate protein powder on top of the ice (I've been using the cocoa flavored Mt. Capra double bonded protein). Pour one to two shots of espresso or about half a cup of brewed coffee over the ice and stir. It actually works better if the coffee is hot, because it dissolves the protein powder, but the large cup of ice still cools everything nicely.
Spiced Watermelon (100-200 calories)
Take one to two wedges of watermelon (which, despite being sweet, is not very high in calories) and sprinkle lightly with cayenne pepper and sea salt.
Dipped Bananas (100-200 calories)
Throw your overripened bananas in a ziplock bag the freezer (make sure you peel them first, Einstein). When you need a quick snack, grab half a frozen banana and dip it into a jar of almond butter or organic peanut butter.
Cucumber-Infused Water (10-20 calories)
Get a bottle of lemon or lime flavored sparkling water (I personally use Pellegrino or Perrier), and shove in about a 1/4 cucumber, cut into wedges. Chill for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator and enjoy.
Kale Chips (pictured above, 50-150 calories)
A bit more preparation time, but a fantastic treat and a healthy alternative to potato chips and popcorn.
1. Wash kale (that dark leafy green you can get in the produce section of any grocery store) and cut into pieces.
2. Spray with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
3. Bake in oven at 350 for 20- 40 minutes or until crunchy like chips.
Do you have your own strange but quick summer fat loss recipes? Just post them as a comment!
Hello Ben,
I seem to have the same problem as everybody else, that is losing fat without losing muscle. Every time I lose weight, my strength declines. This seems to happen even if I continue to do weights and interval training.
Are you eating enough protein? Take a look at this <a href="http:// -http://www.fasebj.org/content/27/9/3837″ target=”_blank”> <a href="http://-http://www.fasebj.org/content/27/9/3837” target=”_blank”>-http://www.fasebj.org/content/27/9/3837 "In summary, we determined that consuming dietary protein at levels exceeding the RDA may protect fat-free mass during short-term weight loss."
Yes Ben, I am well aware bread and pasta are the worst carbs for me. Playing 2-4 3hour tennis matches on low carb diet. I try to eat rice and or sweet Potatoes and the night before but for breakfast I struggle to find anything to give me energy. You have said protein shakes are no no. someone else said no to eggs. I am sick if fruit and it does not seem to provide enough energy. Please tell me what you eat before a event or long training sesson.
Jerry, take a look at my Superhuman Food Pyramid https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/01/why-t…. If that doesn't help then perhaps you should book a one-on-one consultation with me. We can this figured out together! http://pacificfit.net/items/one-on-one-consultati…
I’m 5-8 and weighed 193 lbs. despite playing 15 tennis a week and lifting 2 hrs a week. I could lose wt. I went on no-carb diet lost 13 lbs but had no energy. I started cycling 10-20 mikes per day and I am stuck at 180. Did I mention I added a small amount of carbs for energy. Maybe 1 slice of bread or a small amount of pasta! Last week I was playing a competitive tennis match and by half way through the 1st set I was crashing. I felt as though my blood sugar had plummeted. What can I say but Help!
Bread and Pasta are the WORST carbs to be adding in. Go for a nice clean source: sweet potato, yam, white rice, quinoa, even a banana but stay away from wheat.
These were originally designed as "protein bites" to use during training but I showed my daughter how to make them as an after school snack…we use Nutella (you can use peanut butter too), a scoop of protein powder, ground up banana chips, and a little bit of powdered milk (for texture). Spoon little balls onto wax paper and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. They're little no-bake cookies!
Love the kale chips… Because nutritional yeast makes EVEREYTHING taste better, I had to add it to the recipe!!
I found a great recipe when detoxing with frozen bananas!
Blend a frozen banana with cinnamin, and a bit of water – and you've got what tastes like banana shake. It's amazing.
When I read "make sure you peel them first, Einstein" – I didn't know to do that the first time I did that recipe a few years ago. So when I read you write that, I thought "He's talking to you moron." DUH! lol
make sure you cut the middle vein out of the kale. Kale chips are one of my favorite snacks!
Great idea on the iced coffee Ben. Never thought to add protien. Sometimes before a weekend morning (long workout) I’ll do the same but instead of protient I’ll add 2 Chocolate GU’s, ice, 1/2 cup of milk, and espresso in a blender to make a iced mocha.
Ben, you’re a genius, I got to try the kale chips. I’ve seen something similar to this at Whole Foods, but don’t want to pay $9.99 for 3oz.