Ever since I began working in Bariatrics, I have been impressed by the courageous spirit my patients demonstrate as they set out to conquer so many nutritional and habitual mountains in their lives. In motivating patients to fall in love with nutritious food, I in turn became inspired to begin developing recipes and creating cooking education.
In my Bariatric cooking classes, we spend the evening learning, laughing and trying new products and processes in the kitchen. Over time, we’ve made a game out of finding anything to put a protein food on besides bread. That’s when I was inspired to create the concept of “vehicles.”
A vehicle is the mode by which we get protein from our plate to our mouth. In the toxic unhealthy environment in which we live, vehicles are usually high-carbohydrate breads, buns, pastas, rice, deep fried shells and wraps. My idea of vehicles is to use the shells of vegetables instead of starchy breads. The best part is, this is usually where the most fiber, antioxidants and nutrients are…for the lowest amount of calories! Use one of these vehicles to inspire your cooking journey as my patients have inspired mine!
In my Bariatric cooking classes, we spend the evening learning, laughing and trying new products and processes in the kitchen. Over time, we’ve made a game out of finding anything to put a protein food on besides bread. That’s when I was inspired to create the concept of “vehicles.”
A vehicle is the mode by which we get protein from our plate to our mouth. In the toxic unhealthy environment in which we live, vehicles are usually high-carbohydrate breads, buns, pastas, rice, deep fried shells and wraps. My idea of vehicles is to use the shells of vegetables instead of starchy breads. The best part is, this is usually where the most fiber, antioxidants and nutrients are…for the lowest amount of calories! Use one of these vehicles to inspire your cooking journey as my patients have inspired mine!
- Cucumber Rounds: pile on any combo of meats and cheeses! Or use as chips to dip in hummus and salsas. As a breakfast treat, place sliced hardboiled egg on the cucumber round, and a sprinkle of salt on top.
- Celery: use these boats to fill with everything from natural peanut butter to tuna salad or cottage cheese!
- Bell Pepper Cups: stuff with mini meatloaves and bake! Or fill with fresh light chicken salad to be enjoyed on a picnic.
- Purple Cabbage: peel off a cupped leaf and fill with two slices of deli meat and cheese. Dip in mustard for a quick, easy, and healthy lunch!
- Squash Pasta: cut zucchini and yellow squash into spaghetti-resembling strips. Sauté and put ground turkey tomato sauce on top!
- Apple Slices (slice apple horizontally, so you have a flat surface): top with Canadian bacon, low-fat cheddar cheese and some chopped green onion, and you have a delicious treat! Or grill for a great appetizer!
- Tomatoes: stuff with any combo of seasoned lean ground beef. Bake until done!
- Portobello Mushrooms: these big mushroom caps can have an alternative personality as a bun for lean hamburgers! Just grill up and go!
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