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!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
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.
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.
make sure you cut the middle vein out of the kale. Kale chips are one of my favorite snacks!
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
Love the kale chips… Because nutritional yeast makes EVEREYTHING taste better, I had to add it to the recipe!!