The summer has been a hot one for many folks and my day job keeps me busy and running around at a pretty fast pace. Although eating is a necessity, I never really feel like doing so and sometimes I quickly regret it when I do, since I'm so hot and toasty. To keep my body fueled and my stomach from churning I've been turning to one simple combination.
I spend my days working for a fast-paced landscaping and floral design shop in Chicago and when we do grab a moment to eat, it's literally that, just a moment. No one wants to wolf down a burger and even a salad or sandwich can be too much at times, so I've been eating one very simple set up: cottage cheese and tomatoes.
One provides me with freshness, the other with protein. It keeps the carbs low, which although can help fuel a busy lifestyle, aren't enough to leave me with that 3pm slump after having eaten. Plus, it's tomato season y'all, and I just can't get enough.
Although I might change that up with pico and black beans at home, my rule for eating has been simple: if the craving isn't so overwhelming it's taking over my brain, I resort to one of those foods instead.
Not only has it kept my grocery bill down since I've only been purchasing specific items to make meals I've been dreaming about, but it also has kept my waistline down since I'm not just grabbing whatever is at hand so I've eaten.
What is your fall-back food? Do you have one? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Related: Protein Pick Me Up: 10 Ways To Get A Mid-Day Boost
(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)
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loooove cottage cheese.
I've eaten avocado on toast and a cereal bowl full of watermelon for dinner for.. oh, 4 out of the last 6 nights. Avocado on toast (with tomato slices when my tomatoes ripen) and whatever fruit I have around is pretty much my "oh my god, it's too hot to move" meal.
cucumbers, tuna salad, or egg sandwiches (untoasted whole wheat bread, mayo, 2 eggs cooked omelet style and folded) are totally my lazy go-tos.
I used to eat this so much before I was vegan! I second the commenter who mentions avocado toast, I LOVE it and an entire avocado is pretty filling. Greens and beans is a staple lunch or sinner; kale and chickpeas, romaine and black beans, pintos and spinach, whatever.
I've eaten a large salad almost every day for the past 2 weeks for lunch. I use different dressings, and differ my greens when they run out, but I put red peppers and cucumbers on every one. Sometimes chicken, sometimes chickpeas, peas, corn, keeping it very light and chilled keeps me coming back! I dislike cottage cheese and tomatoes so this would never be an option for me. I also like to cut up fruit into small bites and since I'm at a desk all day, I just nibble constantly to ward off the hunger and as a plus I'm not combining fruit with other things that keep it from digesting properly! win-win.
I am lucky enough to live in a town with several authentic middle eastern, armenian and greek grocers so I have access to all manner of homemade hummus, stuffed grape leaves and tons of varieties of olives. I find that hummus on whole grain crackers or with veggies dipped in is a really satisfying hot weather meal. Once you eat the good hummus, you'll never buy the mass market stuff again.
This is probably one of my favorite fresh snacks. I LOVE tomatoes and cottage cheese--I just wish my dang tomatoes would ripen!!
lately, it's been quick sauteed chickpeas with harissa, and pita, yogurt, cucumbers, tomatoes, and whatever herbs I have on hand.
That sounds really good. There's a place near my work where I get a bowl with lettuce, red cabbage, corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes, with beef/lamb kebap and garlic yogurt sauce. Soooo good, and not too heavy.
Watermelon and feta with basil with a bit of olive oil - love it
I too love the watermelon salad with feta and basil, but I also add tomatoes and mint. Reeeally good!!
I eat tomatoes and cottage cheese (with pepper and chives on top) for dinner on a regular basis since I live alone. I also eat eggs a lot for dinner (scrambled with a little cottage cheese and chives stirred in) or zucchini fritters by smitten kitchen. Tonight I was lazy again and had a cheese scone and microwaved a single portion bag of edamame and sprinkled them with sea salt. I really only have a traditional dinner meal once every week or two. It's always an afterthought ha.
If you don't like eating then why are you blogging on a food website?
yogurt, yogurt and more yogurt...spooned over banana, berries and stone fruits
I love avocado & will have to try it on toast. For some reason, my body is rebelling against animal proteins & fats but I can eat vegetables with fat (like avocado or olive oil) just fine.
My favorite food right now is farro. I bought a large bag of it through my buying club & love it! I add it to salads, soups and stews, serve it in place of brown rice, mix it with fava pesto & other fresh goodies I've been making. It's marvelous on a hot day when I don't feel like eating much because the protein and fiber carry me through.
If you want to make your tomatoes and cottage cheese fancier or more substantial, whip up a batch of crepes the night before and use them as a filling. I did this recently and it was so good. Add a few fresh basil leaves if you have them.
Feta and watermelon salads are great this tme of year, as are vegetable fritters. Like others, I do the avocado and toast thing too, except instead of toast I use the light Wasa crackers that are only 20 calories each.
Lately I've been smearing some avocado on a ww pita, some whole grain crackers (usually have finn crisp or ak-maks in the house) or a piece of toast, sprinkling it w/a little salt and calling it a day. The fat and carbs keep me satisfied but yet doesn't weigh me down.
My basic go-to is pita/hummus/spinach with all manners of variations. Ajvar, avocado, sprouts, nuts, tampenade... really, anything will do.