Here is a total shocker for you - no veggies

[Millenia98]

I am doing this HCG (and all of my other low carb lifestyles) while not liking many veggies. I do have stews and soups with tons of veggies, but they’re all blended via a blender. I know. It’s terrible , but I’m 29 yrs old and never learned to like any good veggies. So, as you can imagine, this HCG (and eating healthy) is substantially harder when making meal choices for myself. Anyway, I have wicked self-control, so I get it done regardless. I know that if I ate the proper veggies on protocol, I’d lose a lot more. Last round, I lost 15lbs in 23 days (which isn’t bad) considering the tweaking of the protocol. This round, I will continue to lose no matter what stands in my way!

My question is – CAN ANYONE relate? Probably not. But, I thought to ask anyway. Doing this long P2 round, I’ll get sick of eating plain corn, avocado (and blended tomatoes). Yes, I know corn & avocado is not allowed on P2, but it’s the *only* side I can have. If I don’t eat that, I’ll just be eating the protein alone, and that’s not filling, nor will it work for me. So, this is how I handle it.

Any recipes or suggestions for me? Forcing myself to eat just lettuce or even a salad is out of the question. If I do, I’ll literally be forcing and it’s not a lasting addition to my diet. So, that is why it is out of the question.

Thanks guys!

[privatediva]

just a suggestion...and only because I have even had miraculous luck with little bitty kids loving this. If you boil a head of cauliflower with salt and several cloves of garlic until it is very soft, then pulverize it in a food processor with as much of the water you cooked it in as you like for consistency, you actually get something not unlike garlic mashed potatoes. A couple of shakes of Molly McButter helps too. It feels starchy in your mouth and tastes terrific. When I first discovered this, my kids were much younger and I couldn't make enough of it...they would lick the food processor bowl.

It feels like "comfort food" to me. I know the cauliflower isn't on Dr. Simeon's list, but it is on my Dr's list of allowed vegetables.

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by privatediva

just a suggestion...and only because I have even had miraculous luck with little bitty kids loving this. If you boil a head of cauliflower with salt and several cloves of garlic until it is very soft, then pulverize it in a food processor with as much of the water you cooked it in as you like for consistency, you actually get something not unlike garlic mashed potatoes. A couple of shakes of Molly McButter helps too. It feels starchy in your mouth and tastes terrific. When I first discovered this, my kids were much younger and I couldn't make enough of it...they would lick the food processor bowl.

It feels like "comfort food" to me. I know the cauliflower isn't on Dr. Simeon's list, but it is on my Dr's list of allowed vegetables.

So many people have urged me to try this cauliflower mash. It is so tempting, but I have been afraid not to like it all this time. Enough of this. Thank you so much!

I will come out of this zone and def. try your method, finally. I really hope I like it! I'll buy the cauliflower tomorrow

[amylou]

I can't relate...(sorry!)...but I have a good friend who's idea of a vegetable is french fries . The thing is...she knew she remembered she didn't like veggies, from years ago. She now has Multiple Sclerosis and is doing a low-carb diet to help her condition. She's found out that there are a lot of veggies that aren't nearly as bad as what she used to remember.

My first advice to you would be to ditch the avocado in P2. If you're going to substitute...dont' do it with something that's higher fat. Second advice would be to just start trying veggies again...but try them in different ways...

Steamed or boiled(yuck) veggies taste different than broiled (yum!) or grilled (double yum!) veggies. There's something to those cooking techniques that bring out such delish flavor. Sprinkle seasonings on them, sprinkle butters spuds or use spray butter for some flavor. Like privatediva suggested, the cauliflower "garlic potatoes" are really not bad at all.

Sometimes you have to get outside the box...and also you have to have your head in the game too...dont' convince yourself you can't stand them until you're tried many different kinds and cooking them different ways.

Good luck!

[paulabob]

Do you like pickles? They are on plan.

There's also a roasted radish dish that is pretty good...smooths out the taste.

I can't relate as I love veggies, but at the end of my first long round I couldn't really stomach them any more...was just so sick of what I'd been eating. Really messed me up with bernice regularity!

Do you like the P2 chili? That gets tomato (as a fruit) and onions (as a veggie) in...

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by amylou

I can't relate...(sorry!)...but I have a good friend who's idea of a vegetable is french fries . The thing is...she knew she remembered she didn't like veggies, from years ago. She now has Multiple Sclerosis and is doing a low-carb diet to help her condition. She's found out that there are a lot of veggies that aren't nearly as bad as what she used to remember.

My first advice to you would be to ditch the avocado in P2. If you're going to substitute...dont' do it with something that's higher fat. Second advice would be to just start trying veggies again...but try them in different ways...

Steamed or boiled(yuck) veggies taste different than broiled (yum!) or grilled (double yum!) veggies. There's something to those cooking techniques that bring out such delish flavor. Sprinkle seasonings on them, sprinkle butters spuds or use spray butter for some flavor. Like privatediva suggested, the cauliflower "garlic potatoes" are really not bad at all.

Sometimes you have to get outside the box...and also you have to have your head in the game too...dont' convince yourself you can't stand them until you're tried many different kinds and cooking them different ways.

Good luck!

Thanks! I figured most of you can’t relate. Only a crazy person (such as myself) would be on something so limited like HCG, WITHOUT liking the veggies on protocol.

I will limit avocado, and will definitely try the cauli mash. I can’t jump to grilled veggies as of yet. I would 100% not like the taste and wouldn’t be able to force a full serving of it. Maybe a not so strong flavored veggie. I’ll start with the cauli

[privatediva]

I hope it works for you, Millenia. It makes a real big difference for me in terms of feeling "satisfied"...as opposed to just 'not hungry'. Sometimes raw vegetables (most of which, I really do like) make my tummy feel kind of nervous. This mashed cauliflower makes me feel like I've had a "real" meal.

One thing that might help is to try not to focus too much on the difference in the smell of cabbage family veggies (the broccoli and cauliflower, while not as strong smelling as cabbage, do have a lingering aroma that you might not like). The cauliflower flavor is really so mild that it is the garlicky saltiness and creamy texture that are the dominant features. My kids will now say "oh that cauliflower smells so good"...but I don't think that would have been their response in the beginning.

I haven't tried it yet, but I've been toying with the idea of constructing a "gravy" (ish) kind of sauce with beef broth and xanthum gum. I'll let you know if that flies

[HellsBelle]

Sure, I like veggies, but not P2 style! I like yummy chopped salads with shredded cheese, Greek salads, broccoli w/cheese...so I'm having a hard time too. I'm not strict protocol, so I've been eating quite a bit of salsa (check sugar content!)...but I haven't been getting my servings of veggies in everyday either. I'm definitely going to try that mashed cauliflower, it sounds yummy!

[privatediva]

another thing you might try if you feel adventurous and brave:

My son is a chef. He does a lot of very chic catered events. When he lays out a crudite platter, the veggies are never raw, but blanched. Just plunge them into boiling water for a couple of minutes and then immediately plunged them into ice water to stop the cooking. This works magic on asparagus. I do love asparagus anyway, but honestly, blanching it made me see it in a whole new light. If you do whole spears you can use them as dippers...maybe for a Walden Farms dressing or something (I haven't tried WF yet). I just eat them as is.

Also...broccolini, sometimes called "baby broccoli" is really good blanched. The short cooking time takes the bitterness away that raw veggies sometimes have, and allows the natural sugars in the vegetable to activate a bit. But since the time in the heat is very short, they don't have a chance to get to mushy ickiness.

Honestly....I think the best bet for trying new vegetables would probably be to get somebody else to cook them for you. I would do that for you Sometimes just the act of preparing something I don't like (for me, it's seafood) is so odious that I can't be objective about what it actually tastes like.

[Susiecarbojunkie]

I love doing stir-fry type dishes with cabbage. I use either chicken sliced thinly, ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. Then I season the meat, add finely shredded cabbage with some onion and garlic powder, a little water and cook until the cabbage is crisp/tender and thoroughly enjoy.

Some of the combos may not be strictly protocol--but don't tweak it as much as your avacado and corn do. Here are some of my favorite flavor combos:

Asian--I use chicken, garlic and onion powder. I add the cabbage, some chopped celery, and some fat free, sodium free buillion dissolved in a bit of water. When the cabbage is cooked to my liking, I add about a tsp. of low sodium soy sauce

Italian--I usually use ground chicken or turkey--seasoned with some Italian seasoning (I get the cheap 5th Season brand from wally world), add plenty of garlic and onion powder, then the cabbage with some no-sugar added canned tomatoes (I then count the tomato as my fruit). This one I'll cook until the cabbage is more tender--but it doesn't have to be...

Buffalo--uses chicken slices, sauteed with garlic and onion powder, add a little water or buillion, then some chopped celery and the cabbage. When the cabbage is crisp/tender, I put in a few tsp. of Franks hot sauce (be sure you get one without any sugar). I find that if I let this one cool down before I eat it, the flavor is more developed and you don't just sense the spice of the hot sauce...

anyway--you get the idea
cabbage is very versatile and takes on whatever flavor you want it to

my mom--who is not dieting at all--loves these and eats them cold from the fridge!! (when I'm in a hurry, I do too, actually:blush

If you start with the cauli mash idea--you'll get hooked and realize the great flavors and textures you can experience through veggies
just keep your mind, your creativity, and your palate open to the new experiences
good luck!!

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by privatediva

another thing you might try if you feel adventurous and brave:

My son is a chef. He does a lot of very chic catered events. When he lays out a crudite platter, the veggies are never raw, but blanched. Just plunge them into boiling water for a couple of minutes and then immediately plunged them into ice water to stop the cooking. This works magic on asparagus. I do love asparagus anyway, but honestly, blanching it made me see it in a whole new light. If you do whole spears you can use them as dippers...maybe for a Walden Farms dressing or something (I haven't tried WF yet). I just eat them as is.

Also...broccolini, sometimes called "baby broccoli" is really good blanched. The short cooking time takes the bitterness away that raw veggies sometimes have, and allows the natural sugars in the vegetable to activate a bit. But since the time in the heat is very short, they don't have a chance to get to mushy ickiness.

Honestly....I think the best bet for trying new vegetables would probably be to get somebody else to cook them for you. I would do that for you Sometimes just the act of preparing something I don't like (for me, it's seafood) is so odious that I can't be objective about what it actually tastes like.

Thanks so much for these!! I suppose blanching it won't mask the taste too much, BUT I will start with the cauliflower type of cabbage. I haven't re-tried it since I was a kid and I think it's finally time. I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope I like something. It's so discouraging not to like all of these things

[wifey]

I LOVE veggies but I think your pureed soup is a fabulous idea! Just keep doing it!

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by Susiecarbojunkie

I love doing stir-fry type dishes with cabbage. I use either chicken sliced thinly, ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. Then I season the meat, add finely shredded cabbage with some onion and garlic powder, a little water and cook until the cabbage is crisp/tender and thoroughly enjoy.

Some of the combos may not be strictly protocol--but don't tweak it as much as your avacado and corn do. Here are some of my favorite flavor combos:

Asian--I use chicken, garlic and onion powder. I add the cabbage, some chopped celery, and some fat free, sodium free buillion dissolved in a bit of water. When the cabbage is cooked to my liking, I add about a tsp. of low sodium soy sauce

Italian--I usually use ground chicken or turkey--seasoned with some Italian seasoning (I get the cheap 5th Season brand from wally world), add plenty of garlic and onion powder, then the cabbage with some no-sugar added canned tomatoes (I then count the tomato as my fruit). This one I'll cook until the cabbage is more tender--but it doesn't have to be...

Buffalo--uses chicken slices, sauteed with garlic and onion powder, add a little water or buillion, then some chopped celery and the cabbage. When the cabbage is crisp/tender, I put in a few tsp. of Franks hot sauce (be sure you get one without any sugar). I find that if I let this one cool down before I eat it, the flavor is more developed and you don't just sense the spice of the hot sauce...

anyway--you get the idea
cabbage is very versatile and takes on whatever flavor you want it to

my mom--who is not dieting at all--loves these and eats them cold from the fridge!! (when I'm in a hurry, I do too, actually:blush

If you start with the cauli mash idea--you'll get hooked and realize the great flavors and textures you can experience through veggies
just keep your mind, your creativity, and your palate open to the new experiences
good luck!!

Thanks SO much! You know what? Those three dishes actually sound good, and if the cabbage does take on those flavors, I would probably love it.

Let me write these down so that I can pick some more items up tomorrow. I could probably trick myself and have small amounts of this flavored cabbage mixed with my meat or poultry so that I'm not eating it alone. *sigh* I hope I can like some of this

[Susiecarbojunkie]

You might start by using the ground meats and then adding the cabbage just as the meat is done--then making whatever (like the p2 chili). I always sub onion powder instead of onions (a handy carb-saving trick).

You may also start by shredding the cabbage REALLY fine and cooking it down a little more--by the time it's chili, or whatever, you would almost hardly know that there was cabbage there--instead of all meat.

hope it helps

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by Susiecarbojunkie

You might start by using the ground meats and then adding the cabbage just as the meat is done--then making whatever (like the p2 chili). I always sub onion powder instead of onions (a handy carb-saving trick).

You may also start by shredding the cabbage REALLY fine and cooking it down a little more--by the time it's chili, or whatever, you would almost hardly know that there was cabbage there--instead of all meat.

hope it helps

Thank you! That sounds like a trick I could use. I love that all of you are suggesting the more mild flavored veggies for me. awww, thank you guys! Really, I so appreciate this!

I actually made P2 chili last night, and I was like - DAANG, this is plain beef! LOL! I could use some reeeally boiled down cabbage maybe.

How much cabbage would you personally use as a serving for dinner?

[Susiecarbojunkie]

2 cups raw--loosely packed in the cup
It's a good-sized handful to handful and a half--and it cooks down to about a cup (just the cabbage alone)

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by Susiecarbojunkie

2 cups raw--loosely packed in the cup
It's a good-sized handful to handful and a half--and it cooks down to about a cup (just the cabbage alone)

Oh ok! I think I can swing that. And cabbage is filling?

[Susiecarbojunkie]

Yes--very. plus, it's a "super food" loaded vitamins and minerals; it helps significantly prevent breast, colon, and stomach cancer (cabbage juice is used to treat ulcers).
It is one of those veggies that is better for you cooked (like tomatoes). Too much raw cabbage can affect your thyroid ("goiteogenic" is the term). But cooked, this is not an issue. Also--it doesn't have to be very cooked--in fact, the less cooking--the less cabbage smell
Red cabbage is even better, because of the color--it's an antioxidant.

[LilacBruze]

I am switching to mother mode right now to say, "Please, dear... eat your vegetables."

That's all.

[privatediva]

One other thing I thought of...if you can get real live fresh farmer's market baby cucumbers (instead of those waxy dark green monstrosities they sell at the grocery store) and get them really cold in the refrigerator, I swear to you, they taste more like watermelon than any vegetable you've ever eaten and hated. The grocery store cukes bear no resemblance whatsoever to the real thing

[Buttercup]

Roasting is easy and brings out the sweetness in every veggie. Totally differnt flavor. My favorite is Asaparagus roasted. It taste totally different from when it's steamed or blanched. But, many veggies can be roasted. Granted it's harder when you can't use oil, but a super swift squirt of Pam can help that. Sprinkle with Koser salt, a little pepper, and put under the broiler for 15 min. depending on the veggie. Green beans are good this way too. They taste sweet and nutty. Explore; I live in a house where NOBODY but me likes to eat veggies and I still manage to get them to eat some.

Like everybody said, if you mix leafy ones into your spices they take up the flavor of the spices and you don't really taste it.

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

I am switching to mother mode right now to say, "Please, dear... eat your vegetables."

That's all.

I know I know

[Life4Me]

@Millenia98 I don't do the fruit or veggies on p2. I eat my protein and a minibag of lite popcorn every day. :-)

[Millenia98]

Originally Posted by Life4Me

@Millenia98 I don't do the fruit or veggies on p2. I eat my protein and a minibag of lite popcorn every day. :-)

Is it b/c you don't like the veggies/fruits? So, did you just get by with the small meals and coffee - nothing else?

I wonder if my body would be sensitive to popcorn!

[Dreamchaser]

I find that drinking my veggies (spinach) blended up in the blender with strawberries, and some other things, and sweetened up with stevia, is a REALLY painless way to get in 3 whole cups (or more) of veggies.

Do you think you would be interested in trying that Millenia? I know it sounds awful and I thought about it for a loooooooooooooong time before I finally got brave and tried it. Then I was like, man, I wish I had done this earlier!

The spinach is a very mild tasting veggie and wonderful for a veggie shake! It is very much overpowered by the taste of the fruit and sweetener, seriously!

[desifink]

That spinach smoothie is actually a really good idea and something I do a lot for my daughter. I'll make smoothies with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, vanilla yogurt, and spinach for her. You can't even taste the spinach with all the other goodies in there and she loves them!

[Millenia98]

I’m not sure. I’d be scared to try it and waste it lol. But we’re so limited with the ingredients – I’m not sure there is enough to mask the flavor. I wouldn’t mind trying it.

Do you have the recipe that you use? Thanks so much!

[dawnyama]

I am also one who when I am at the end of a round start to eliminate the veggies. I am not the best or biggest veggie fan to begin with and tire of those on the list very easily. I keep my fruit and grissini for sure, but usually give up the veggies with no problem!! LOL. Remember that Dr Simeon's said "you may eliminate anything you wish".

[dawnyama]

Originally Posted by Millenia98

I’m not sure. I’d be scared to try it and waste it lol. But we’re so limited with the ingredients – I’m not sure there is enough to mask the flavor. I wouldn’t mind trying it.

Do you have the recipe that you use? Thanks so much!

The recipe for the Spinach smoothie says 3 oz of spinach and the strawberries really mask the taste of the greens. I use an extra packet of sweetener in my shake because the 2 is just not enough for my tastes. If you wish you can cut the spinach back to 2 oz--you will surely not taste it then!

[dawnyama]

Here is the recipe I use while on P2:

Phase 2 Smoothie


3 oz raw spinach
5 oz frozen strawberries
3 oz low fat cottage cheese
1 tbsp Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa
2 pkg sweet n low
Water

Total of 150 Calories -
You could make two of these a day and still have room for at least ONE meal!!! This smoothie twice has almost the amount of protein as the recommended amount of chicken (3.5 oz)!!!


She has a youtube video of it too!

YouTube - ‪Getting Down to Bizness - Episode...