222 replies to this topic

[crazzybirde]

live-n-learn: i am so there with you. SOME but not all Lean Cuuzines are bad in soduim. I am like you and about 3 weeks after being on Jenny Food I started going to some other foods. But I stick to the basis of the Jenny, the milks, vegs and fruits, all that, but due to money I had to cut back a little, but I tell you there are a few JC meals I still buy every week! Some of my favs but they are all dinners.
I will go through some of my changes and get the exact calculations and come back with some more tips!
I think this thread is going to be great for a lot of people!
Ann

[sunnyazmom]

BROWNIE SUBSTITUTE: Instead of paying $1.99 or whatever it is for one brownie, I cook up a batch of No Pudge brownies (I think a box is about $3.50) with a small handful of chopped walnuts on top, cool completely, and cut into 12 pieces. Individually wrap and stick in the freezer, then thaw at room temperature when it's time for one. If you use nofat yogurt and cut them into 12 pieces, they are 120 calories each without the nuts, a little more with. Also, they're less than 40 cents each, including the 1 cup of yogurt and nuts!

[sunnyazmom]

Seriously, people, you should try the No Pudge Brownies...I just had one tonight, out of the freezer like I detailed in my last post, and man, it was so good! Chewy and delicious. I'd hate for you to miss out.

[try it again]

You're absolutely right - those No Pudge brownies are fabulous. I like the fudge type brownie. I understand you can change them to a cake type - but why mess with perfection. Actually - I think they have less calories, carbs & fat than JC. Thanks for the tip. I also bought a raspberry brownie variety but haven't had time to fix it yet.

[Alba]

This is a great thread, so I am adding to it in hopes that it will continue.
As a "meat" when you need an extra meat serving, I tried Polly-O String 2% milk Mozarella cheese--prewrapped, so it's easy to take with you.
Calories 70
Total Fat 4g
Sodium 220 mg
Protein 8g
Calcium 15% (important for women)
It's probably really a meat and fat exchange, I'm not sure.
Also, Lean Cuisine has exchange information on their website. The exchanges are probably the same as Jenny Craig, since the exchange concept is based on the American Diabetic Assn's system. In fact their cookbooks can probably be used. I've been looking at some of the ADA and other diabetes websites, and they have good recipes. (I haven't tried them since I don't cook much--yet.)
I am planning to try :
Lean Cuisine
Alfredo Pasta With Chicken and Broccalli
Calories 270
Total Fat 6g
Sodium 690
Carb 38 gram
Protein 17 gram
Calcium 15%
Happy eating, everyone...and successful losing!

[slimgirl]

I found this snack alternative at the Costco today:
"Sensible Portions" 100 calorie pack mini soy crisps 1 bag = 24 grams (www.soycrisps.com)
Cinna-Swirl w/ White Chocolatey Drizzle
calories - 100, from fat 30, Total fat grams - 3 grams, 5%, Trans fat-0 grams, saturated fat - 2.5 grams, Protein - 2 grams, sodium - 120 mg, total carbs - 16 grams, sugars-7 grams, calcium and iron are 2%.

Cookie Dough w/milk chocolatey drizzle:
14% saturated fat 2.5 grams, trans fat 0%, sugars 6 grams), sodium 120 mg. The rest of the information is the same as the first flavor above.
Pretzel Crunch w/milk chocolatey drizzle:
total fat 3.5 grams (5%), 14% saturated fat 2.5 grams, trans fat 0%, sugars 6 grams) the rest of the information is the same as the first flavor above. Sodium 160 mg (6%), total carb 16g (5%), Sugar (5g), protein 3 grams.
I know I missed some info since this was a lot of stuff to type. Visit the website for more details. Happy crunching

[shelleym]

If you like the NoPudge brownies, make them with canned pumpkin (plain, not pumpkin pie filling). It will be around the same calories and fat, but it add alot of fiber and makes a thick chewy brownie. YUM!

[slimgirl]

Shellym: would I use the pumpkin instead of the yogurt?

[LAFBgoing4it]

Great info. everyone! I get Pria bars for an Anytime bar sub. carried at both Costco & Sam's Club, $19.84 for 36 = .55 ea. They have 4 flavors, fr. vanilla, p.butt crunch, double choc. & choc. mint. I read that one JCC said it was a good sub, too! Also found Pop Secret 94% ff, don't remember the cost, but only eat HALF of the bag as it is two servings. (if you like the popcorn as a snack).

[shelleym]

Yes I use just the pumpkin. It takes the place of the yogurt. I eat these instead of JC brownies. So yummy and not expensive!

[slimgirl]

Thanks Shelleym. I gotta give that a try

[emo812]

I found the follow substitutions:
-Pop Secret 100 calorie mini-bags of popcorn (has less calories & fat than JC popcorn)
-100 calorie snacks
-Hormel Turkey Chili w/beans
(not sure if serving size is the same)
These cereals are just like Triple Grain Crisp Cereal:
-Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran
-Barbara's Bakery Puffins cereal
Also, some Lean Cuisines & Smart Ones are very comparable to the JC dinners. I like there pasta dishes a lot better. Their pizzas have a lot of calories so I'm sticking to the JC pizzas.
Any more tips or questions feel free to e-mail me at: emo812@hotmail.com
Hope this helps...the food does get expensive so I'm trying to find as many substitutes as I can.

[Mygoal2007]

Ideas......
Vanilla or Strawberry Kelloge Cereal 3/4 cup
Biscotti Cookie for snacks
100 Calorie snaks
Pria Bars/Special K bars -Snak bars only 110 calories and 3.5 fat
Tyson Chicken salad kits or Tuna salad kit
Healthy C/Lean C
Lite Bread (2) with (1) egg and (1) Tbsp suger free jelly
Suger free oatmeal or Regular oatmeal
Bake fish
1/2cup brown rice
Wheat roll

[LosingInSeattle]

Great idea for a post. I'm still new to this so once I get going more and know what to look for, I am definitely going to post what i find.

[fishcakez]

shelly
does the pumpkin make the brownies taste like pumpkin?
i want a low cal dessert for Thanksgiving and thought of making the no pudge brownies w/ the pumpkin maybe adding in some pumpkin spice?
any suggestions

[dianeb1944]

What a neat thread...I read on one of these boards that LC mnakes a good panini sandwich and S. Beach has good wraps. Are they both high in sodium or are they OK. Anyone tried them and if so, which one do you recommend???

[shelleym]

it really doesn't make the brownies taste any different. It does add alot of fiber, though. That's always a good thing.
Have you looked on Hungrygirl.com for pumpkin recipes? It is my favorite diet site. I get alot of tips from them.

[Vivi73]

Just my two cents in on Amy's Frozen dinners..I have been using them pretty much exclusively, and I've lost almost 5 lbs in three weeks. I am a return client to JC and am following the basic principles, just can't buy the food due to budget.

[Ocala Writer]

My all time fav substitute is for the Anytime bars, get the 110 calorie Pria bars instead, more nutrition and better taste. Now that anytime bars went up in $, it comes out about the same. NOT the grain Pria bars, the actual Pria Powerbars with vitamins and chocolate covered - just make sure they are the 110 calorie ones!!! They have several flavors and I think they are yummmmmmy!

[Nikki209]

Fosted Cheerios also have a similar nutrient content to the JC version and MUCH more cost effective...