Well…spring has sprung and it’s almost summer…and nothing says summer more than cookouts…burgers, hot dogs, salads – like potato salad, coleslaw & 3 bean salad. However, this food can sometime make you feel like you are eating something “you shouldn’t” if you are trying to eat healthy. It doesn’t have to, though! I’m going to make you RETHNK the way you look at a burger and a hot dog. You CAN eat them WAY more clean…AS a SALAD.
It’s really quite simple. I got the idea from seeing restaurants offer their hamburger patty ON a salad. Sometime they offer “no bun” and wrap it in lettuce. Either way, I got to thinking, why not do this at home? Better yet, WHY stop with a burger…why not do it with a hot dog wiener, too? SO….I started doing this a few years ago…and it’s helped me eliminate my craving for bread! As long as I get the TASTE of a burger or hot dog, I am happy, and NOT getting the carbs makes me even MORE happy!
Here’s my ideas in the photos below…you can see the simplicity…it’s not rocket science! Just put the hamburger or hot dog – plus your favorite other toppings & condiments you’d normally put on them – ON a bed of greens…and THAT’S it! Easy-peasy!
I keep healthier versions of certain things on hand to help me be prepared…Oscar Mayer lean, lower sodium, no-nitrites added, uncured hot dogs, very learn ground beef or buffalo meat, Heinz lower sugar catsup and other healthy salad dressings to mix things up. Pictured below are a few ideas of several items I use regularly, too. Point is, READ LABELS to watch for sodium & sugar.
TIP: I use greek yogurt and apple cider vinegar to “thin out” dressings, which helps lower fat, sodium, sugar and add some protein! You can do this as a base for potato salads and other cold summer salads…really a way to sneak in some healthy! Would you like to see a video about that?
Oh, and another TIP – I also add tri-color cabbage slaw mix to ALL my salads, for extra crunch…like what’s used for coleslaw – buy it bagged in the produce section – or if you prefer to just make a batch of coleslaw, be sure to use that Skinny Girl Poppyseed dressing! Yummy & guilt free!
I’ve ben eating this way since about 2009, so I’ve eaten my burger “without a bun” while dining out, ALL the time, too…and if you’re in Texas, that means WHATABURGER! You can even get creative add your faves, like grilled fajita veggies (a Whataburger signature item). Here’s how I roll at WB…
So, what do you think? Totally doable, RIGHT?? I tell you what…once you start getting that flavor of the burger or hot dog, mixed with the condiments and other toppings, YOU WON’T EVEN MISS THE BUN! What are some low carb ideas and tips you have to share? Do you have a hard time eating less carbs?
Lowering sodium, cutting back on carbs and limiting sugar will give you more energy, better sleep, less pain in your joints, and overall promote some weight loss, for sure. It’s why I read food labels…so I can stay “in check”…every now and then I indulge, but for the most part, I don’t deny myself anything, either. I just watch portions very closely, trading off this for that if I know I’ve eaten some sugar.
I don’t follow one particular diet. I simply am very aware of what I am eating and in tune with how particular foods make me feel LATER, not in the moment. I use that as my guide. A bite won’t kill me and it satisfies the taste, the immediate gratification part. I have to think about how my body will respond while sleeping or the next day…and that usually is enough to make me stop after a bite or two…not always…LoL…but if I slip up, there’s a price to pay, and I tend to do better the next time!
If you have never tried to lower sugar and sodium, I suggest you just give it a try…just cut back by half, to start…when you start to feel less bloat, swelling, puffiness, less aches…you’ll really understand. So many foods are cause inflammation, and I know I still eat some that are. This is just a way I give myself some relief…and it works for me
It’s hard to try something new. I deal with this all the time coaching new clients with hooping. I’m here to help encourage you to STEP OUT of your comfort zone…and that also includes what your eating. So many ladies come to me wanting to get healthier, and while MOVING is SO important, WHAT we are feeding our bodies also has a huge impact on our levels of success.
Now I challenge you to go on, dip your toe in to a Burger or Hot Dog Salad! Well, ok…that sounded a pretty gross…LoL…but do give it a try and let me know how it went! Also let me know if you’re trying to limit your carbs, sugar and sodium. Post a comment, or head over to my Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest and leave me a comment! I love putting a face with a name!
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