What I Ate Wednesday

Many of my friends, family and acquaintances have been very interested in what I eat.  I am pretty sure it's not because i'm extremely fascinating,  but because I am a dietitian and people are constantly trying to figure out what the healthiest foods are for them to chow down on themselves. My meals have frequently been called “rabbit food”  (I am a vegetarian 95% of the time—I do eat turkey on Thanksgiving and the occasional locally-sourced meat) and I often hear exclamations such as “YOU are eating a cookie!” when I indulge. For myself, and for the patients that I work with, I encourage finding a balance amongst all types of food. I like to think of my calories as having a monetary value. I spend my “money” on food I need for my health like edibles full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fat and lean protein and then I splurge once or twice daily on my favorites (usually anything chocolate or red wine). Do I want to spend my calories on a rich, chocolaty mocha cupcake from a local bakery? Yup! Do I want to spend my calories on a basic sheet cake from a grocery store? Not so much. I pick and choose, savor my foods, and make choices that I know will nourish me physically and mentally. Food is highly emotional for many of us and I feel like I spend a lot of my day as a therapist as well as a dietitian. I encourage my patients to find their balance and make mindful choices. While there are certain foods and additives I choose not to eat, there is not a single food that I will tell you not to. I tell my patients, if you make a less than nutritous food choice at lunch, don't beat yourself up, but focus on whipping up a healthy dinner!

I have decided to kick-off a series called “What I Eat Wednesdays” to serve as a source of healthy meal and snack inspiration (and to keep myself on track too!). I will try to take some photos and I apologize ahead of time for my lack of photography skills! 

Today my meal plan was as follows:

·        Breakfast: Original Shredded Wheat drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I added soy milk and blueberries; black coffee once at the office.

·        Morning Snack: Cashews and an apple; water

·        Lunch: Brown rice, salmon and broccoli topped with a bit of Annie's Goddess dressing and a tablespoon of Goat Lady goat cheese (packed from home); water

·        Afternoon snack: Plain fat-free Greek yogurt topped with my favorite granola (locally-made Gorilla Grains); water

·        Afternoon snack 2 (I'm often starving by dinner!): a few pita chips dipped in edamame hummus

·        Dinner: I tried out the Lentil Quinoa bowl with veggies and an egg at Panera (+ half of the baguette piece); seltzer water. A little salty and not overly filling--would have enjoyed on a big bed of greens! This meal was followed by a glass of red vino and a bit of dark chocolate.