New to South Beach. Would love feedback on a soup recipe

GiGi Lafoo · 01-07-2007, 11:00 AM

Hi all,

I am Rebecca and have had former success on Atkins. Having spent most of my life on the low end of the scale and clothing rack it's been quite an adjustment to be struggling with weight issues. Like I said I had success on Atkins but not with sticking to it. The limitations on veggies is the worst and it never made sense that I could eat a half lb of bacon and sausage for breakfast but I had to carefully count and measure veggies thoughout the day. I am not knocking Atkins because many succeed long term on it but it's just not for me.

A little over a week ago I went for my annual exam and was floored when I weighed 163. I am 5'4 and have a very small frame. In a 4-6 I look fit and healthy. In an 8 I can maintain but am not terribly happy. At present I am in a 10 and feel terrible both physically and emotionally. The weight at my exam was 19 lbs over my highest pregnancy weight and this doctor agreed a 30-40 lb weight gain in 2 yrs is a concern (the last doc snorted and rolled her eyes when I expressed concern about my weight). South Beach was suggested as perhaps a healthier and more doable choice for me and I started last Saturday. By Wednesday I had dropped 7 lbs and am starting to feel a little better. I had my thyroid removed 10 yrs ago and take a synthetic replacement. My labs came back indicating a serious abnormality that would result in a significant gain and my meds have been adjusted accordingly.

I was much happier with the choices in Phase 1. I love soup and am family famous for making good ones. I adapted my favorite veggie soup recipe and traded out the potatoes, carrots and corn for other items. I'd like to post it below for Phase 1 critique and if it's a go I will post it on the recipe board.

Thanks everyone and it is nice to be here!

Roasted Chicken Veggie Soup with Lentils

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large can vegetable juice
4 cans low sodium/fat chicken broth
1 small onion
1 cup lentils, well rinsed
1 30 oz can green beans
1 wedge cabbage
2 ribs celery
seasoning to taste

Wrap lightly seasoned chicken breasts in foil and bake on cookie sheet at 400 for 40 minutes. Simmer onion and lentils in 2 cans chicken broth for 20-30 min. (until lentils are semi-tender). Add remaining chicken broth, green beans, cabbage and celery along with cubed chicken and vegetable juice. Let simmer for another 30 minutes. I also strained the broth from my chicken breasts into the soup. Seasoned with just a touch of garlic salt and pepper during the first stage of cooking and added about 1/4 cup of chopped parsley during the last few minutes. Even my picky 11 yr old loves the soup.

rose1 · 01-07-2007, 11:39 AM

Welcome Rebecca. We're happy to have you with us. Hoping for great success for you on South Beach.

Quote:

I am Rebecca and have had former success on Atkins. Having spent most of my life on the low end of the scale and clothing rack it's been quite an adjustment to be struggling with weight issues. Like I said I had success on Atkins but not with sticking to it. The limitations on veggies is the worst and it never made sense that I could eat a half lb of bacon and sausage for breakfast but I had to carefully count and measure veggies thoughout the day. I am not knocking Atkins because many succeed long term on it but it's just not for me.

I agree with this entirely. And with thyroid issues, you should be eating higher carb. Nonstickpam has wonderful threads about this topic.

Quote:

Roasted Chicken Veggie Soup with Lentils

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large can vegetable juice
4 cans low sodium/fat chicken broth
1 small onion
1 cup lentils, well rinsed
1 30 oz can green beans
1 wedge cabbage
2 ribs celery
seasoning to taste

Wrap lightly seasoned chicken breasts in foil and bake on cookie sheet at 400 for 40 minutes. Simmer onion and lentils in 2 cans chicken broth for 20-30 min. (until lentils are semi-tender). Add remaining chicken broth, green beans, cabbage and celery along with cubed chicken and vegetable juice. Let simmer for another 30 minutes. I also strained the broth from my chicken breasts into the soup. Seasoned with just a touch of garlic salt and pepper during the first stage of cooking and added about 1/4 cup of chopped parsley during the last few minutes. Even my picky 11 yr old loves the soup.

This looks like a good recipe. The basic ingredients are good. I would suggest low sodium vegetable juice, since you are adding other salt, and frozen green beans instead of canned for the same reason, esp. if retaining water is a problem.

beachagain · 01-08-2007, 12:41 AM

Hi Rebecca
Just a quick note to say that your story could be my story! I'm new to this and fairly new to SBD...(October when my 5'4" frame was carrying close to 160). I reached 126 on Atkins in 1999 but couldn't maintain that, but was able to maintain 130-135. A few years, diets and meds later, I gained and gained until last October I was so sick of what I looked and felt like, I tried SBD and lost 13 pounds...quick! Then Christmas came and here I am again...I've gained some, but not all back...but, I'm back in Phase 1 again. I also stopped exercising recently for the first time in years so have had to restart that again! This diet does work...my problem is that I get too comfortable and begin to eat the (forbidden) and end up eventually gaining. Another problem is not having so much to lose that I tend to get too comfortable with myself and sabotage myself...or screw up anyway! Good luck to you...I wish you the best in this!
Cristen

jchris50 · 01-08-2007, 06:23 AM

This soup sounds great but I was wondering if it could be done in the crock pot all day?

akmd65 · 01-08-2007, 06:55 AM

hello and welcome!

mlmagic · 01-08-2007, 08:57 AM

SBD is a good, healthy plan. I also agree with your thoughts on Atkins, I know it works for some, but I felt sick on it all the time, so went to SB...lost 50 lbs. Getting to my goal this year! Good luck!

JoLi · 01-08-2007, 03:43 PM

I lost a bunch of weight on Atkins origianally. When I started "dieting" this last time I just couldn't stand the thought of a high fat diet with the restrictions it had. South Beach has really worked well for me and I'm enjoying the choices much more.

GiGi Lafoo · 01-08-2007, 06:20 PM

I think the soup would be fine in the crockpot but the lentils might need to soak a little before being added. On the other hand they are so small they may well cook just fine along with everyone else.

It seems a lot of us have had the same experience with Atkins vs. South Beach. I can't believe how much better I feel eating this way and having my meds adjusted. My hubby just told me tonight how nice it is to sit beside me on the couch. Normally I would hit it lying down...feeling exhausted and would have a throbbing headache as soon as dinner was over. An upright wife! It made his day

.

If it takes me a little longer to reach my goal on SB, so be it. At least I can happily live on this way of eating.

01-07-2007, 11:00 AM	#1
GiGi Lafoo Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 Gallery: GiGi Lafoo	New to South Beach. Would love feedback on a soup recipe Hi all, I am Rebecca and have had former success on Atkins. Having spent most of my life on the low end of the scale and clothing rack it's been quite an adjustment to be struggling with weight issues. Like I said I had success on Atkins but not with sticking to it. The limitations on veggies is the worst and it never made sense that I could eat a half lb of bacon and sausage for breakfast but I had to carefully count and measure veggies thoughout the day. I am not knocking Atkins because many succeed long term on it but it's just not for me. A little over a week ago I went for my annual exam and was floored when I weighed 163. I am 5'4 and have a very small frame. In a 4-6 I look fit and healthy. In an 8 I can maintain but am not terribly happy. At present I am in a 10 and feel terrible both physically and emotionally. The weight at my exam was 19 lbs over my highest pregnancy weight and this doctor agreed a 30-40 lb weight gain in 2 yrs is a concern (the last doc snorted and rolled her eyes when I expressed concern about my weight). South Beach was suggested as perhaps a healthier and more doable choice for me and I started last Saturday. By Wednesday I had dropped 7 lbs and am starting to feel a little better. I had my thyroid removed 10 yrs ago and take a synthetic replacement. My labs came back indicating a serious abnormality that would result in a significant gain and my meds have been adjusted accordingly. I was much happier with the choices in Phase 1. I love soup and am family famous for making good ones. I adapted my favorite veggie soup recipe and traded out the potatoes, carrots and corn for other items. I'd like to post it below for Phase 1 critique and if it's a go I will post it on the recipe board. Thanks everyone and it is nice to be here! Roasted Chicken Veggie Soup with Lentils 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 large can vegetable juice 4 cans low sodium/fat chicken broth 1 small onion 1 cup lentils, well rinsed 1 30 oz can green beans 1 wedge cabbage 2 ribs celery seasoning to taste Wrap lightly seasoned chicken breasts in foil and bake on cookie sheet at 400 for 40 minutes. Simmer onion and lentils in 2 cans chicken broth for 20-30 min. (until lentils are semi-tender). Add remaining chicken broth, green beans, cabbage and celery along with cubed chicken and vegetable juice. Let simmer for another 30 minutes. I also strained the broth from my chicken breasts into the soup. Seasoned with just a touch of garlic salt and pepper during the first stage of cooking and added about 1/4 cup of chopped parsley during the last few minutes. Even my picky 11 yr old loves the soup.

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01-08-2007, 12:41 AM	#3
beachagain MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,329 Gallery: beachagain Stats: 160/145/135 WOE: Atkins Start Date: re-September 2006	Hi Rebecca Just a quick note to say that your story could be my story! I'm new to this and fairly new to SBD...(October when my 5'4" frame was carrying close to 160). I reached 126 on Atkins in 1999 but couldn't maintain that, but was able to maintain 130-135. A few years, diets and meds later, I gained and gained until last October I was so sick of what I looked and felt like, I tried SBD and lost 13 pounds...quick! Then Christmas came and here I am again...I've gained some, but not all back...but, I'm back in Phase 1 again. I also stopped exercising recently for the first time in years so have had to restart that again! This diet does work...my problem is that I get too comfortable and begin to eat the (forbidden) and end up eventually gaining. Another problem is not having so much to lose that I tend to get too comfortable with myself and sabotage myself...or screw up anyway! Good luck to you...I wish you the best in this! Cristen

01-08-2007, 06:23 AM	#4
jchris50 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 657 Gallery: jchris50 Stats: 156/154.5/145 WOE: Atkins	This soup sounds great but I was wondering if it could be done in the crock pot all day?

01-08-2007, 06:55 AM	#5
akmd65 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South Jersey, but always a Texan Posts: 1,775 Gallery: akmd65 Stats: 4x to 4/6 in three years WOE: south beach - phase one	hello and welcome!

01-08-2007, 08:57 AM	#6
mlmagic Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 391 Gallery: mlmagic Stats: Goal...THIS YEAR! 160...(5'8) WOE: SBD/organic Start Date: 2004/off&on never quit!	SBD is a good, healthy plan. I also agree with your thoughts on Atkins, I know it works for some, but I felt sick on it all the time, so went to SB...lost 50 lbs. Getting to my goal this year! Good luck!

01-08-2007, 03:43 PM	#7
JoLi MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,173 Gallery: JoLi Stats: (253 3/03)209/166/150 5'7" WOE: South Beach/phase 2 Start Date: Restart 1/2/08	I lost a bunch of weight on Atkins origianally. When I started "dieting" this last time I just couldn't stand the thought of a high fat diet with the restrictions it had. South Beach has really worked well for me and I'm enjoying the choices much more.

01-08-2007, 06:20 PM	#8
GiGi Lafoo Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 Gallery: GiGi Lafoo	I think the soup would be fine in the crockpot but the lentils might need to soak a little before being added. On the other hand they are so small they may well cook just fine along with everyone else. It seems a lot of us have had the same experience with Atkins vs. South Beach. I can't believe how much better I feel eating this way and having my meds adjusted. My hubby just told me tonight how nice it is to sit beside me on the couch. Normally I would hit it lying down...feeling exhausted and would have a throbbing headache as soon as dinner was over. An upright wife! It made his day . If it takes me a little longer to reach my goal on SB, so be it. At least I can happily live on this way of eating.