300 Calorie Meals

Hi S.!

I am so glad you asked this question. I have been wondering basically the same thing. You've recieved some great responces and I can't wait to hear more.

Thanks!
A.

Hello S.,
You can ask your physician to refer you to a dietician or nutritionist. They can go over options of things to eat with you based on what you need. Some things come to mind for me about meatless meats are Veggie patties (Morning Star Original and Prime flavors are great). My dietician told me that eating 3 healthy meals plus snacks in between the meals keeps you full and you are less likely to eat empty calories like junk food. They can make it specific to your diet. I only had to adjust a little bit from my regular diet. So, the dieticians know what they are talking about. When I had my third daughter, I had gestational diabetes and I only gained 8 pounds total with the diet. I am continuing with the diet with lesser calories and exercising more to lose the weight from my first and second daughters.

Hi S.,
I don't know about calories but I have been a vegetarian for 12 years now and would never go back. A few of our favorites for small quick meals are:
Chick Pea Salad
Canned Chick Peas (garbanzo beans) rinsed
Mix with chopped fresh tomatoes and chopped cucumber
Add fresh arugula or parsley
Then toss with a small amount of your favorite vinagrette and top with shredded parmesan.
***we eat this on a bed of spinach but alone it is great too.

Black Beans
Sautee some onion with red and green pepper in a small amount of olive oil.
Add a can of black beans (mostly drained) reserve some liquid. 1 chopped tomato, about 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon garlic.
Warm over medium heat, just a few minutes. Then add a splash of white wine vinegar (or whatever you have) and a few splashes of hot sauce (we like Cholula), then salt to taste.
Add more of the bean liquid if it starts to dry out during cooking or else it will turn into a paste.
***We eat this with rice, or more often just with a whole grain pita or tortilla, or tortilla chips. It is just very versatile. I load up on the peppers and tomatoes and it is a more satisfying meal.

Another recommendation I have is to find a high quality frozen ravioli product. Keep a jar of high quality pasta sauce on hand (I like Paul Newman's line as they do not contain corn syrup. Then you can just boil how many ravioli you need and the rest of the sauce also stays good in the glass jar in the fridge.

Take care,
B.

I am at higher risk for pre-natal diabetes... what you are describing sounds like my pregnancy diet! I highly recommend you talk to your doctor about seeing a nutritionist... they had lots of helpful ideas of ways to get protein aside from meat... and keep your intake of fruits and veggies up. it was an easy referral and only cost me a co-pay of $20 as it is considered preventitive medicine.

I'm a big fan of yogurt, and cottage cheese... my fav is to take some of those cherub cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with a little salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar & add some cottage cheese.. yum! I also eat nuts.. a handful of raw cashews or almonds with a 2 oz cheese stick is a great snack. also things like a tablespoon of peanut butter on a slice of whole grain bread goes a long way.

good luck!