It may seem strange, but I enjoy winter. Don’t get me wrong, summer by the beach is lovely but there is something special about a moody winter day where you can rug up with a good book and a hearty soup or slow cooked stew. Quite often winter meals are hearty, warming and can be high in energy or kilojoules. However, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Here are my tips for enjoying some favourite winter meals while sticking to your goals.
Hot Breakfasts
Getting going on a cold morning can be easier with a hot breakfast. Try some creamy porridge topped with stewed fruit and for a little something extra, top with a few crunchy roasted nuts. If you’re short on time, try the Jenny Craig Roasted Hazelnut & Cinnamon Porridge instead.
Curries
Hot, creamy and a little spicy are qualities of a tasty curry that will warm you from the inside out making them the perfect winter meal. However, some curries can be high in salt and kilojoules. Instead of a creamy Massaman or korma try curries with less kilojoules like a Rogan Josh or tandoori, serve with plenty of steamed greens on the side and stick to only ½ cup of rice. If you can’t go past a butter chicken, the Jenny Craig Butter Chicken is one of my favourite Jenny Craig meals and will hit the spot.
Pasta Bake
Pasta bakes can be a great hiding place for vegetables if you have a fussy eater in your midst and as they are easy to make can be a good midweek winter meal. Start by only adding the amount of pasta you need, so ½ – 1 cup cooked pasta per person. Then get experimental with vegetable combinations for your sauce. You can add roasted or grilled veggies or try adding veggies to a tomato sauce and blend to really keep them hidden. Also add a little parmesan to the cheese mixture, it’s stronger in flavor so you’ll need less cheese overall.
Puddings
You can still have puddings when you’re trying to lose weight, the trick is to watch your portion size and serve with berry coulis (pureed berry sauce) instead of ice cream. If your diet is low in energy, saturated fat and sugar, then a small portion of pudding can be enjoyed occasionally. The Jenny Craig Sticky Date Pudding is just the right size and makes the perfect ending to any winter meal.
If you’re a Jenny Craig member, speak to your Coach about how you can incorporate this recipe into your personal menu plan.
