 Ossie-Sharon 8 years ago | Hi, Sparklekd55. What do you mean by a food not on the menu – do you mean when using the swap function? If so, note that not all foods – even in the same food group – have the same nutritional value. For example, walnuts have a higher nutritional value because of their omega-3 content. Pistachios are still a great choice, and 88% is still a great score. |
 Sparklekd55 8 years ago | hi I am new here. When I am changing my meal plan, if I pick a food NOT listed on the menu the meter goes from 100% to 88% nutrition? Why would making another choice that I assume is supposed to be a substitute drop the nutrition? ie: from walnuts to pistachio etc. (I am allergic to walnuts). |
| Ossie-Sharon 8 years ago | Hi, GeraldandFay. Downloads are now under “My Purchases” in the toolbar near the top of the page. |
 Fay 8 years ago | Hi , I’m new and would like to use the express 14 day meal plan. I’m supposed to go to ‘My downloads’, but can’t find ‘my downloads’ on the top of the home page … hope this is the right place to ask this question… |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Hi, Andrea. Popcorn will be in the next round of changes. I suggest to swap it out for another carb exchange – 2.5-3 cups “natural” popcorn is equivalent to a slice of bread. |
 AndreaMartin 12 years ago | Ossie, I understand the choices, but as I mentioned in my post about the popcorn, where is that choice listed. I did not not see it when I used the Menu Planner. Thanks! |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Hi, Andrea. The Menu Planner selections are intentionally limited primarily to healthy items, though there are a few “white” foods for flexibility.
What foods are you missing? |
| AndreaMartin 12 years ago | My refrigerator and pantry are stocked after my shopping trip today, and I am ready to go! One question…I saw a post about popcorn. I don’t remember popcorn being one of my choices when I completed the Menu Planner. Are there more choices aside from what I saw on Menu Planner? I hope so, as I am a little worried that the choices on the planner were limited. I am sure that I am just missing something. |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Hi, Sannalady1. Next to your daily/weekly menu, there is a button labeled “Change recipe & food variety” with a covered pot icon – click on that, and you will see these selections again. |
 Sannalady1 12 years ago | Ossie, when I did my first menu I checked something about variety rather than two other options, same every day, and something between that and variety. I’d like to change that option now but it doesn’t seem to come up any more. Or am I missing something? |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Hi, Seeh. Absolutely – you can definitely use the same foods each day. Regarding appetite – yes, it can mean your metabolism is picking up. I’m hoping “appetite” does not mean too much hunger. If it does, please re-post, and we’ll work through it.
Regarding quick choices for snacks, we generally recommend whole foods such as nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, etc., or others such as fiber-rich crackers and fresh make-ahead spreads from beans, nuts, vegetables, and/or good oils. For other make-ahead ideas, see the Snacks section among the collection (“Recipes” link above).
Are you using the Menu Planner to plan out your major meals and snacks, or another method? |
 Seeh 12 years ago | Is there any way that I can use the same foods each day? Food is pretty expensive right now and I have a hard time getting SWG or most of the options that I see listed. I seem to have quite an appetite now and I wanted to know if that means my metabolism is working? If so, then I definitely need some quick choices for snacks, etc. |
 LadyTundra 12 years ago | Hi Ossie, thank you very much for your great recommendations. I will give them a try. Wow, I didn’t realize that I could do 3 cups of popcorn. I thought about 2 cups would be my limit for plain popcorn. Good to know. Thank you for your help. |
| Ossie-Sharon 12 years ago | Hi, LadyTundra – yes, popcorn can indeed fill that need! About 3 cups equal about half a cup of rice. We do recommend the natural type without additives, and organic (most regular corn has undergone modifications that may work against your goals here).
As for the recipes, we definitely have some that meet your tastes: in the search box in the recipes section, type in the name of the main item or type of item (i.e. salmon, tilapia, roast vegetables, stir-fry, classic, simple), and among the recipes that pop up, some are definitely the more classic types you and your family might prefer. You can always adjust the seasonings as you wish.
I think it is absolutely wonderful that you are including your family in the mix. If portion control is challenging, see if you can prepare only enough for single portions for everyone, or serve the single portions and freeze the rest, so fresh leftovers are not staring at you from the center of the table. |
| LadyTundra 12 years ago | Hi Ossie, thanks. LOL, I had some popcorn later for a snack. I guess that fills the carbs? I like quick, simple, tasty meals that my adult daughter and my husband will also enjoy with me. He is a diabetes 2, so that is why I chose the living with diabetes menus. I like things like grilled meats, grilled or broiled vegetables, stir fried meals, etc. I don’t do a lot of sauces but when I do, I make tomato based on the Italian side with fresh garden herbs. I love spicy foods like Mexican or Schezwan, but I need more diet friendly recipes, since I can only make the ones I have on rare occasions. I love salmon and shrimp for my fish intake. Once in a great while I fix Tilapia. I don’t normally eat large lunches but I do like a nice salad with some kind of meat like chicken or fish on it. Or, I just make a sandwich with some meat, lettuce and jalapenos, and add maybe a fruit to go with it. Do you have any recommendations? Sometimes I get a taste for chocolate…dark chocolate. I love chocolate but I have been staying away from it to try to lose some weight. My husband is a junk food addict so it makes trying to eat healthy a real challenge. I do well staying away from it but I do crave something sweet from time to time….like chocolate, LOL. |
