Dinner Time for People Trying to Lose Weight

Dinner time with friends is a big problem for people who are trying to lose weight. It's hard to control what you eat when your friends are in front of you eating the things you would have probably ordered too if you're not trying to lose weight. It even becomes harder when they start teasing you about how delicious the food they are eating is.

What are your choices when you dine out with them? Well, the first one you'll probably think about is to order salad. Depending on the kind of salad you choose, it can still be both filling and satisfying.

If you have the power to persuade, then persuade them to eat in a Japanese restaurant. Japanese restaurants are good places to eat when you are trying to lose weight. Raw tuna and salmon are my best bets. Miso soup is always part of my choices. When we go to katsu restaurants with unlimited rice, cabbage and soup like YABU and GINZA BAIRIN, I just put the rice away and focus my attention on the cabbage. They have nice sauces anyway.

Chinese restaurants are also good for those on a diet. You can simply order siomai or sharksfin. You'll definitely feel full and at the same time feel satisfied. I like HenLin siomai the most among the common dimsum places.

Restaurants serving Filipino cuisine are the most challenging. Filipino dishes are usually "saucy"or with soup which means it's best eaten with  rice. And food with delicious sauce like adobo and calderata entices you to eat more rice. Many Filipino food are also laden with lots of fats and that's definitely not good for your goal to lose weight.So if you're in a Filipino restaurant, try the grilled stuff. Filipino restaurants also have a lot of that. Grilled Tilapia or Bangus is good. I can actually eat them even without rice.

Since I like pizza, going to a pizza restaurant is also challenging. Fortunately, many  pizza places offer salads too. Get that as your first option. If it is not available or you really must eat pizza then choose the vegetarian variety.

Health Benefits of Cucumber -- Including losing weight

Last week I posted a recipe for making Cucumber - Banana Smoothie. Now let me tell you about the health benefits of Cucumber.

1. Cucumber is mostly water. Some say that it is actually 95 % water. This means that cucumber is good to keep you hydrated. This also means that it helpful in eliminating toxins in your body. If you're trying to lose, you can also eat this during lunch or dinner. The high water content will make you feel full which will prevent you from eating other stuff.

2. Cucumber has high fiber content. This will help you flush out toxins in your body.Those who have digestion problems or those who are frequently constipated will benefit from cucumber.

3. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals. This will help improve your body's immune system. It will also help regulate many of your body processes.

4. It's good for the skin and for the  eyes. I remember seeing ladies putting slices of cucumber over their eyes to relieve puffiness and dark marks. I later learned that cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Cucumber also prevents hangover. If ladies use cucumber slices to remove eye puffiness, guys munch on cucumber slices to reduce drunkenness and prevent hangover. This is probably because cucumber has high water content (as stated above). It replaces lost water due to drinking alcohol. It also replaces lost electrolytes.

6. I heard from one doctor that cucumber is also good for people with high blood pressure caused by high cholesterol levels.

So there you go. Go on and eat cucumber to help you reduce weight and at the same time have these other health benefits.     

Broccoli - Apple Smoothie

Again, since I've been trying to lose weight for almost a month now, I'm making different kinds of smoothies. Last time I shared with you Cucumber Banana Smoothie. I hope you liked it. Now, I'm gonna share with you Broccoli - Apple Smoothie.

Broccoli -Apple Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup broccoli (you can cut the florets into smaller pieces to make "blending" easier)
• 1 cup chopped apples
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• Ice (as needed)

Procedure:

Blend in your blender broccoli, apple, water and apple juice.
Add ice.

Some of you may not like the idea of "drinking" broccoli juice that's why the apples were added. It will give the smoothie a sweeter and "more familiar" taste. You can also substitute the water and apple juice with 1 1/2 cups of low calorie non-fat milk.

Have this smoothie as your afternoon snacks.

Cucumber - Banana Smoothie - for those on a diet :)

I you would recall, I mentioned in a previous post that my doctor asked me to go on a diet to lose weight so I could lower my cholesterol levels and manage my blood pressure. I've since lowered my intake of carbohydrates. Then I increased my intake of fruits and vegetables. Every afternoon, I make fruit shakes/smoothies for my snacks. Sometimes, I even have these shakes for dinner.

Just to share with you, here is one of my favorite smoothies.

Cucumber - Banana Smoothie

Ingredients
2 pieces cucumber
3 pieces banana
1/4 cup apple juice
ice

Procedure
Peel the cucumber and banana.
Mix all the ingredients in a blender. 
Blend until you reach the desired consistency.

It's a very simple recipe so I'm sure you won't have problems doing it.

Enjoy your Cucumber - Banana Smoothie