Healthy Meals for a slim tummy

ntrujilloc41719 started this discussion · 9/22/2014

Hey everyone - does anyone have any recipes they would like to share that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to feed a family of 4? My worst downfall is diet. I've heard the saying that a flat tummy doesn't start in the gym, but in the kitchen! My goal is more definition in my abs and I just honestly don't have any great meal ideas that are "healthy". I'm lucky I am naturally thin, but still not getting the look in my abs that I want, so thought I would come to you all and see if anyone has any recipes they would like to share?? Thanks friends!

3 replies

Rachel Osborne · 9/22/2014
My go to rule for getting lean is double the protein, halve the carbs and quadruple the veg. Cut the sodas, sugars and refined carbs completely. Drink water like crazy. Family friendly healthy meals: Roast a chicken, shred it, roast peppers and onions and tomatoes, roughly blend them, mash an avocado with lemon and Greek yogurt and pinch of herbs, stuff fajitas with big green salad with the above. Ground lamb or beef mince made into patties with an egg yolk and chopped dried apricots, half a cup cooked diced onion, pinch coriander and served with steamed green veg and roast sweet potatoes and yogurt mint dip. Salmon or other fish fillets (you can buy frozen economy bags) spread with pesto and squeeze lemon, baked in foil, with roast garlic root veg and spinach salad. Big Spanish omelette with shredded ham, bacon, leftover veg and grated cheese, big salad, spicy sweet potato wedges made by putting chopped up sweet potato in plastic bag with olive oil and teaspoon paprika and oregano, shaking them to coat then roasting on baking tray. Chicken thighs baked with sherry, onions and tin of tomatoes with green beans in garlic butter.
missym357 · 9/22/2014
Tropicalpole's advice is very good! More definition in the tummy is a matter of bodyfat level- and you are right, shedding bodyfat comes down to diet. Ideally you want to eat at a slight (nothing crazy) caloric deficit in order to lose some bodyfat- that means a little less than what you would need eat to maintain your weight. Upping the protein is important because, with resistance training, it helps you hold on to lean body weight (muscle) and it helps you stay full. For me, I make sure to get plenty of protein at every meal- at least around 25 grams per meal + protein rich snacks. I bet even focusing on that would really help. So meals that have lean meats would be a great start- for example, tonight I grilled chicken breast marinated in terryaki sauce and served it with rice and steamed veggies. I never cover the plates in rice- there is always a litle rice covered with a lot of chicken and veggies. Roasted chicken from the store is great for convenience- you can dice up the breast and serve it over a salad (I like the shredded cabbage with an asian dressing- I don't use a lot of dressing). I'll even throw some diced roasted chicken breast into my scrambled eggs for breakfast. In the morning I scramble 1 large egg with 2 egg whites...with a little chicken, it's a protein rich meal with toast and some fruit. I make a lot of tacos- sauteed chicken breast that has been seasoned with: fajita seasoning from Penzey's, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and a little olive oil), tons of pico and pinto beans. For fish- grilled is my favorite, but I always have packets of tuna in the pantry for convenience- I eat it straight with some crackers. Chobani lowfat greek yogurt is a nice protein-rich snack. These are just some ideas.
ntrujilloc41719 · 9/22/2014
Ok after reading both of your posts and ideas I'm hungry now! Lol. Thank you ladies sooo much! Love the ideas. When I get to work tomorrow I'm going to print these out and when I go shopping going to use some of these ideas. Thank you both so much!!