Oatmeal Pancake with Banana, Walnus and Flax
It was an easy decision to skip my workout this morning:
1) It was 3:50 a.m. when my alarm went off (well, not really but you know what I mean with daylight savings and all)
2) I stayed up 30 minutes later than usual studying for Physio. Put daylight savings on top of that!
3) Our programmable thermostat did not know what time it was and therefore there was no heat.
4) The husband announced the second the alarm went off he wasn’t going. Another reason for me to stay in bed.
Easy decision, right!?
I will probably get some walking in this afternoon because it’s going to be a gorgeous day.
Breakfast
Made an oatmeal pancake! I used a real egg because we are all out of egg whites. This makes the pancake heavier and denser (obviously from the yolk) and although it may keep me full longer, I prefer the texture of pancakes made with just whites. I used rolled oats and let the egg/oats soak for about 30 minutes before cooking.
Topped with walnuts, banana and flax:
Hard Decision
My pancake would have been better with some maple syrup but I already went overboard with the sugar. As I was thinking about my coffee/spelnda dilemma yesterday I realized that I could just add some real sugar. No big deal, right? Well when I added what I thought was a good amount I went to see how many calories that was and it was 60 kcal worth of sugar!! Geez – I’m not opposed to sugar in the diet at all, but that’s a little overboard for breakfast. So I gave my cup to the husband and had a half cup (all that was left) with lots of milk and just a sprinkle of sugar. It wasn’t worth it. Perhaps I should JUST have splenda in coffee and give it up for tea, which I drink a lot more?
By the way, I’m not giving up splenda because of Skinny Bitch. I haven’t read the book yet. Splenda is really the only fake, processed food in my diet (that I consume on a regular basis) and frankly that bothers me. How come I can give up all kinds of junk food and not this one? I would rather not consume artificial sweeteners in general, and I’ve been trying on and off for over a year to give them up in my coffee/tea. But so far, I’m still struggling. Every time I have a cup without sweetener I say to myself “This is awful. Will just a little really do any harm?” And I end up adding some and enjoying the beverage 100x more.
Oh, and I had half a pear with cinnamon with breakfast!
All together –
Breakfast was around 425 kcal, 10 grams fiber, 18 grams protein.
Off to shower and study!
Leigh says
For all your morning exercisers who also work what time do you wake up? I tried this morning, accidently turned off my alarm, but still with getting dressed, shower, making breakfast etc, it’s hard to fit it all in!
Leigh says
Full of questions today- one for Kath now 🙂
do the pancakes keep you full as long as the oatmeal. without the milk it looks less satisfying.
Also, since you are so organized is there a reason you don’t cook your oatmeal the night before? I did for the first time last night and it def. does not taste as good, but saves a lot of time.
rhodeygirl says
Good Morning.. Your pancake looks fabulous as always (my oatmeal pancake experiment was a mess).
Anyway, about the Splenda.. Years ago (before splenda) I used to put 2 equals AND milk into my tea… When I decided I no longer wanted either in my tea (although I loved the taste of it) I started lessening the amount I used of each.. verrrry slowly.. After a few months I was down to 1 equal and a splash of milk.. then just 1 equal, then half an equal… Now, a couple of years later, I can’t stand ANYTHING in my tea except my teabag and hot water.. I think you just have to slowly train your body to not want it anymore, and the small improvements over a long stretch of time makes you not even notice the difference until all of a sudden you realize you had your tea (well, your coffee in your case) without anything in it! Hope this helps.
D says
I’ve been trying to curb my Splenda habit as well, but I hate to spend my calories on bits of sugar here and there. So I’ve been using Stevia powder in combination with Splenda — in my coffee, oat bran — and I’m getting used to the taste. Not that I expect Stevia will ever be my one-and-only, but at least I’ve halved my chemical intake. (The Stevia aftertaste is almost undetectable in tart foods, like yogurt.)
Thanks for refreshing your blog so often; I’m making an effort to eat more complete meals, and you’re really helping to inspire me from day to day 🙂
Lisa says
thanks to everyone for answering my question about my legs 🙂
I love the expression ” I popped out of the womb with muscles”…too cute.
I am 101
Lisa says
oops it sent by accident!
I just wanted to finish off by saying that I am VERY thankful/blessed to be able to build muscle easily and I do not want to sound like I take it for granted or ANYTHING like that.
I was just looking for some advice on how to tone/slim/de-bulk a tad for a more proportioned me!
thanks again for all your help.
such lovely ladies.
have such a stunning week ahead.
Maritza says
Kath, I understand your predicament. The day I found out I was pregnant with my first child I realized splenda had to go out. I grabbed the big pound bag and the little packets and dumped it all in the trash (as well as my diet coke). If it is not in the house it is much easier to stop eating it. I wish you lots of luck.
Kath says
Leigh,
Our alarm goes off at 4:50 a.m. (the husband has to leave around 7:25 for work, so that gives us about an hour at the gym). It’s quite early, but if you get in bed early enough it works. Workouts are a priority in our house! I offer some tips for early morning exercise on the FAQ page.
The pancakes keep me full, but I don’t think any breakfast keeps me as full as my Kath Classic Oatmeal combo of walnuts, flax, milk, oats and banana.
Lastly, you said it yourself – nothing tastes as good as oats hot off the stovetop. Sometimes when I know we’re going to be rushed I’ll make steel cut oats in advance, but our morning oats don’t take too long and now that I’ve got a little more time being a student I don’t mind cleaning the extra pot in the AM.
Maritza ,
Well I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before with splenda because that IS my strategy for all kinds of junk food: “If it’s not in the house you can’t eat it!” The problem is the husband uses it and he bought two HUGE bags at Costco! Guess i have to rely on willpower – and the support of you all! – for now 🙂
Kath
Katie says
What a great way to start the week. Those pears look DELICIOUS! 🙂
Tina says
I’m on the fence about Splenda too. I use Stevia every now and then, but Splenda just tastes better. I pretty much only use Splenda in my coffee (and in Fage sometimes), but I at least have 1 packet every day (sometimes more). One of my bridesmaids, who has a PhD in Chemistry, says Splenda’s chemical make-up is safe, but it’s hard to know what the long-term affects will be… especially when it comes to a lifetime of use.
Kelly L. says
Hi Kath- Last night I cut up a big apple and sprinkled it with cinnamon it’s my new favorite! Yum!
Also, have you or anyone else ever woken up in the middle of the night with you belly rumbling? This happened to me last night at 1 a.m. I could NOT sleep so I got up and read for an hour and had an apple and some yogurt. Would you say it’s best to eat something or not? I just don’t think I could go back to sleep with my belly growling. Am I the only one who as experienced this?
arimcg says
Kath, why don’t you just try using plain sugar and then slowly decreasing the amount? I used to use splenda, and that’s what I did. I don’t even want sweetener in my coffee anymore. The extra couple calories won’t kill you, especially because you’ll be weaned off the sugar totally in a couple of weeks.
Also, I think splenda (or any artificial sweeteners) actually make me feel hungrier, so maybe you’ll eat less and balance it out.
Romina says
Sometimes I think it’s better to eat real sugar than splenda. Stevia seems to be a good substitute because it’s not chemicals.
Courtney says
I’ve never put sugar in my coffee or tea, so I’m not sure how helpful this suggestion is. I grind my own coffee beans in the morning so they’re super fresh, but also so I can control how strong the coffee is. If you make it a little milder, the bitterness isn’t so pronouced so you need less (or no) sugar. Just a thought – I’m not sure how you guys do your coffee.
Good luck on your exam today!
CKMeg says
So, I’ve honestly never eaten a fresh pear. Ridiculous…I know.
At the store, I see lots of types, and I’m just not sure which one(s) I should try! Any recommendations?
mel says
Kelly, I used to always wake up in the middle of the night hungry- so i would eat a small snack bc I can’t sleep hungry! Now, I eat a small snack right before bed (unless I ate a really late dinner for some reason) and it helps a lot!
kath- I skipped my workout this morning too. For one it its my birthday and 2 I am tired! I also use one (maybe two) splenda’s daily, depending on how many cups of coffee I have (usually two) and I enjoy it. Since the ingredients are safe, I don’t see the harm in using one packet a day in my coffee bc I love it and don’t want to give up everything I like! Have a great day
Cara says
Coffee with creamer is the only thing i can’t give up. I wish I could, but I can’t. Oh well.
Good luck with all your work today!
DaisyMAY says
Do any of you ladies know a healthy recipe for spicy sweet potato fries? I want to make them for tonight and can’t find it. Thank you!!!!
Amanda says
I skipped my workout this morning too. My husband called me at 1am from California (he is on business there) and I accidently turned off the alarm clock when the phone rang. Ugh.
I plan to hit the treadmill hard tonight though.
Stacy says
I cut my sweet potatoes into “chip” shaped slices and then toss them with a little olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Then I bake them at 425 for 30 minutes flipping after 15 minutes. It makes them fairly crispy. I’ve also experiments with other spices like chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon.
Another Kelly says
I can understand not wanting to spend 60 cal. on sugar. However, it it makes your coffee drinking experience that much more enjoyable I think it’s worth it expecially since you can try to gradually lessen it over time. Given the fact you don’t seem to eat dessert or processed foods often it seems like your diet can handle it. I think drinking a lot of tea helps as well. I’ve found when I spend a little more on tea that I don’t usually need to add sugar because the flavor is strong enough on it’s own.
JennK. says
I personally add about a tbsp. of fat-free French Vanilla Coffeemate to my coffee. It’s about 25 calories and although the ingredient list does say it has partially hydrogenated oil, my thinking is that for such a small amount of creamer, the effects of this are minimal. I feel it adds the creaminess of milk but also a little bit of flavor and sweetness with the vanilla, so it’s all I need. There are plenty of other flavors too — you should definitely try them out.
Also with that, I like the liquid creamer that you refrigerate over the dry powder. Hope this helps!
DaisyMAY says
Do you think if i were to just toss them in olive oil with different seasonings i should be ok?
GreenTea says
Kath or anyone else who has an opinion… 🙂
I work out hard (at least 1.5 hours w/ a HR over 110) 5+ days a week. I do this in the evenings (between 4:30 and 7:30), but I find that if I eat before my workout I get an upset stomach…but if I have no snack my energy is DOWN. Then I’m starving by the time I get home and still have to fix dinner (even if it’s ready and I just have to heat it up, it’s a 30 min. drive from my gym).
I may have found a solution, but I was wondering what you all thought of this…
It’s propel invigorating water. It has only 50 calories per bottle and incorporates a small amount of caffeine (50 mg) and some B vitamins (0% of the B6, Niacin and Pantothenic Acid, and 10% of B12). Do you think this is okay for me to drink during a workout??
BethEllis says
Leigh – I have to be at work at 8:30 so I head to the gym at 6:15 and have time to get ready and have a quick breakfast. It’s VERY hard for me to get up in the morning, but I did it for an entire week straight and have never felt better physically and mentally. It’s definitely empowering to push yourself in the morning – you feel so much more productive and confident. Hope you can find the time to make it to the gym in the morning – you’ll feel great if you do – I promise! I’ve never regretted pulling myself out of bed but always regret sleeping in later that afternoon.
Tara says
Hi Kath!
I have a few questions for you
(1) When you use 1/2 a pear, what happens to the other half (Matt-consumed?)? Does it store well? I tend not to eat those hard fruits (pears, apples, etc) because they brown after cutting. What’s your take?
(2) Do you have a tough time cleaning your pan after making oatmeal?
I made Kath Oatmeal yesterday for the first time and it was DE-LICIOUS. I did toasted slivered almonds, which was super tasty. Although I find that I can’t eat the 1/2 cup portion, so I cut it down to 1/3 and it was PERFECT.
Oh, and (3) do you have any tips on how to eat whole foods when the hubbie wants fast food??? Taco Bell conquered last night )-: I like to eat the same foods as him, but I just don’t know how to get him on whole foods (or even close to that).
Happy Monday!
mel says
Jenn K, I love that creamer! The hazelnut is my favorite!!
Justy2003 says
Leigh-
I’m a morning exerciser and I get up at 5 am during the week. I’m able to get my workout in (an hour), eat breakfast, shower, and be out the door on my way to work by 7:30. There’s definitely not much time to dawdle around, but I love my morning routine and it’s my “me” time for the day, so I enjoy it! Just keep trying it out and see if it might work for you. I love getting to work and knowing that I’ve already accomplished a lot for the day! Plus, I’m awake and ready to go! 🙂
Bridget says
Leigh-
I have been getting up at 5 for about a month now to workout. I’m at the gym by 5:30 and work out for an hour. It is a lot to fit in before work (especially since I am blessed with hair that will NOT cooperate unless it is blow-dried and flat-ironed every morning), but I have never felt better! I also used to have the problem Green Tea described with either no energy after work or an upset stomach and this really solved it.
My getting out of bed tip: I set my cell phone alarm and put it in the bathroom on top of my workout clothes. When it goes off, i have to jump out of bed and walk into the bathroom – by then I might as well just put on those clothes and get to the gym!
grace says
Yesterday, I made the oatmeal pancakes for my fiance and myself. I was actually not even the least bit hungry for five hours! I ate really light for lunch and dinner, too. It must have been the extra protein from the egg whites. My fiance even liked them and liked how he didn’t get the sick feeling from eating regular pancakes.
RE: Propel Invigorating Water
My opinion is that you work out vigorously for more than 1 hour, you might need a little something more than plain water. If I do this, I drink one bottle and then drink additional plain water (I drink a lot of water before, after, and during my work outs). I personally would avoid a drink with caffeine in the late afternoon, since I’m sensitive to caffeine. I prefer to just add a splash of orange juice and a pinch of salt to my water for hard workouts. Sometimes I might add a pack of Emergen-C. I haven’t completed any scientific experiments on this–this is just based on what works for me!
Tina says
Leigh– I wake up at 5:30 am, start my workout by 5:45, and work out until about 6:45/7. I shower, eat breakfast, and am out the door by 7:45. My commute to work is about an hour, so arrive at my office around 8:45.
Lindsay says
Kath ~ I gave up splenda about 3 months ago and don’t miss it one bit… Your tastebuds grow to appreciate the real flavor of coffee & tea… I drink my coffee with just a little bit of milk and my tea plain and now i don’t know how I drank it with splenda… Just try it and after a while, I’m sure you’ll be hooked… unless you like to give yourself a splurge (however, my diet tends to have more processed food than yours does, which is why I wanted to cut the splenda out)…
huh says
1 teaspoon of sugar contains a mere 15 calories. You require 4 teaspoons of sugar in your coffee? That does not seem right.
Jennifer says
I love this quote from above:
‘If it is not in the house it is much easier to stop eating it. I wish you lots of luck.’
It’s true, I simply don’t BUY splenda anymore and I am not tempted to use it! I actually don’t miss it one bit.
I find it strange that you need 4 tsp. of sugar in one coffee? I find even 2 tsp. is more than enough. I think it is true what they say- splenda is SO sweet it starts desensitizing us to ‘real’ sweetness! I find I can notice just 1 tsp. of suagr in my tea now.
Lauren says
I’d really like to give up Splenda too. I think I have a problem. I really do use it way too much–not just in coffee, but in yogurt, oatmeal, etc. I’m a little concerned about the long-term effects of using artificial sweeteners, and the fact of the matter is, I also don’t love the way they make me feel. I’m finding it hard to give Splenda up, though! I’m really used to the sweetness of certain foods and beverages, and I’m not comfortable with some of the alternatives sweetners (like real sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.). It just seems like a lot of extraneous calories. Maybe I just need to try a little harder to appreciate the natural flavor of these foods/beverages?
Anyway, Kath, I’m really impressed by the lack of processed foods in your diet. You do a great job of eating ‘real’ foods (as your blog title suggests). If you have a hard time cutting Splenda out of your diet completely, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. You’re consuming a very small amount.
Ashley H says
That breakfast looks wonderful! I think if you have tried all the other options and none of them work for you then just have a little splenda and go on with your life. You have a fantastic diet and you are someone I aspire to. One little thing isnt going to ruin it.
(have you looked in your local health store like WF at all the options?)
Simone says
What about trying agave nectar in your coffee/tea?
Thanks for being such an inspirational eater!
Lucy says
On the subject of sweeteners, I recently saw a sweetener at Whole Foods called Sun Crystals. Has anyone tried it yet? On the box it says it is made with raw cane sugar, 4 calories per packet. The ingredients are Erythritol and raw cane sugar. According to the box, Erythritol is an all natural zero calorie sweetener that is fermented from sugars and found naturally in many vegetables and fruits. It sorta sounds too good to be true…
I’m also trying to cut off splenda from my coffee (I use 2 packets of Splenda per 14 ounce cup of coffee, which is equivalent to the sweetness of 4 packs of sugar). It’s a really hard habit to kick! =P I’m working on cutting down down to 1 pack of splenda per cup of coffee, and then switching to real sugar.
Love this blog Kath! Since I am on the west coast, I check out what you are having dinner to get ideas for my dinner… hehe I made your famous oatmeal pancakes for my hubby yesterday and he actually really liked it! The only change I made is with the topping. I pureed some frozen mangos (from trader joes) and spooned some over the pancakes… it’s delish! hehe
Kiala says
I wonder how much of our reliance on sweetened beverages has to do with how we were raised. My mother never put sugar in her iced tea and so I never put sugar in my iced tea. I learned to drink coffee with a little milk and no sugar and that’s how I drink it still.
But black tea I didn’t start drinking until I was an adult and I cannot drink it without sweetening it. Green tea, herbal tea, and decaffeinated teas taste fine to me on their own. It’s just the black tea I have to put stevia in and of course, it my breakfast beverage of choice.
I would just switch to coffee, but it’s hard on my stomach.
But I’ll tell you what, if Kath starts cutiing back, then so will I. I’m almost out of stevia anyway, so why not?
jessica says
As a scientist, I realize that people are afraid of “artificial” sweeteners, but Splenda is just a sugar molecule with a chlorine attached so that our body doesn’t metabolize it. Also, given the HUGE amount of horrible chemicals that are in processed foods we buy every day, in the toothpaste and other products we come into contact with, I think as long as you don’t consume tons of it, there is probably no harm, at least not any more than anything else. A lot of people just are afraid because it doesn’t come from a plant. Also, do you only buy organic vegetables? Because there are probably tons of pesticides on your food and in your fish as well.
Sorry to go on a rant, but for some people, being obese is more of a health risk, and Splenda can help people avoid high calorie sugar products, so they shouldn’t be scared away.
NCCarter says
I can’t drink my coffee without some sort of sweetener, but I find that just about 1 tsp of real sugar (the unrefined kind) is plenty for me. I didn’t think it would be enough, but it’s great. I have about 2 cups in the morning, sometimes 3, so I figure I’m getting 30-45 kcal, which is just not somthing I’m going to worry over.
My parents always put real sugar in their coffee as well…just a moderate amount. As for tea, I can drink hot tea with no sugar, but I do like to add a little honey sometimes. If it’s iced tea, though, it has to be sweet. What can I say? I’m a Southern girl….I think it’s in my DNA. I’ve switched from all sweet to half sweet/half unsweet. I probably only have it once or twice a week, though, so no big deal.
Green Tea – what if you had a small snack about an hour before your workout? I think working out 1.5 hours with no snack would be a bit much, at least for me. Or maybe you could have a late morning snack and then a later lunch?
Jennifer says
I agree that Splenda may be ok consumed in small quantities, but why would you want to risk the chance of effecting your health down the road? I think it is best to wean yourself off of it, like any other possible risk foods (eg, non-organic produce, meats etc).
Also studies have shown that it may actually increase your appetite! I don’t think its worth it to save 10-12 calories per tsp.
Amandamoo says
DaisyMAY –
Kath has a video of sweet potato fries. Check it out!
ashley says
I have a question for Kath and everyone. Do you count or worry about how much of your diet comes from carbs? About 65% of my diet comes from carbs and on calorieking it always says thats too much but it comes from all healthy carbs like fruits, vegs, and whole grains. should I try to cut down my carb intake or does it not matter?
VeggieGirl says
Sounds like an easy decision, indeed – and hey, as you said, you can take a nice walk while you enjoy the sunshine outside! :0)
The oatmeal pancake looks wonderful, as usual; and I LOVE that you sprinkled cinnamon on the pear – yum!! And good call, forgoing the Splenda! That stuff has NEVER touched my lips.
Happy Monday, Kath! :0)
Allie says
I struggled with giving up my Splenda habit, too. But eventually my love for real, naturally occuring substances outweighed my sweet tooth. I hated the idea of confusing my body with calorie-free sugar, so I’ve switched to using a 1/2 tsp of raw sugar (and sometimes a little stevia and/or cinnamon) while upping the amount of skim milk in my coffee. I’ve gotten used to it and still really love my AM cup – especially when I make it with freshly ground, high quality beans!
Nancy says
Hey guys!
I love reading about each morning workout experience…. really gets me in the mood to do it myself! This is pathetic… I’ve been setting my alarm for 5 for the past TWO months and just can’t push myself to work out in the morning… I know I would love it and each day when I get to work I think “I would have felt so good knowing I have a workout under my belt already…” I HAVE to make it happen at least so I can experience it and see what it’s like.
I have a question though about FLAX…
First of all, does it taste good? What does it taste like… does it add flavor to oats? I’m also interested in the nutrtional info behind it… calories and whatnot… I would love to add it to foods… I see it put in yogurt and I wonder if it adds a crunch or sweetness? I hope I don’t sound stupid… I’ve just never used it!
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the day… 🙂
~Nancy
matt says
Hey! Do you have any good recommendations for storebought bagels? i have been buying the Thomas brand, but I realized they have HFCS, and I want to stay away from that…
mel says
random q. but, how long are hard boiled eggs good for? I like to hard boil a few eggs sometimes on Saturdays when i have time and I eat them during the week, but I want to make sure they are still ok If I eat them a few days later! Thanks
Katers says
Hey all,
Found this website today: http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Love to hear what everyone thinks!
PS. For those of you who missed it this weekend, I’m up to a 10 lb loss! 🙂 Sorry, had to repeat. 😛
eliza says
Last night by mistake I left the yogurt out on the counter and put tea in the fridge! Must have been tired!
Anyway, is it okay to eat or should I dump it?
JB says
speaking of Skinny Bitch…has anyone else read it? i loved it! i actually just bought the recipe book to go along with it. i can see how some of the ideas and choice words might be offensive to some…but i thought it was great and have now eliminated meat and dairy from my diet.
Melissa (L.A.) says
I used to be guilty of liking those artificial sweeteners in coffee but a couple trips to Europe did the trick for me! You don’t have all the different options of sweeteners there like we do here in the states….Black, with milk and/or sugar…that’s it.
Anyway, I gained a whole new appreciation for coffee, loving it’s distinct flavor. It’s like wine, you have to develop a sense for the intense flavors going on. I prefer coffee black nowadays, but my theory is a little *real* sugar never killed anyone.
Leslie says
you guys should try liquid stevia, it’s expensive but doesn’t have the aftertaste of the stevia powder 🙂
BethEllis says
Nancy,
Try to workout in the morning several days in a row – I think it takes a few days to get over feeling tired and really start loving the way it makes you feel. Don’t give up after day one! If I can do it, you totally can too!
On flax – In my opinion it doesn’t have much of a flavor. Mixed in with cereal or oatmeal you definitely won’t taste anything. I put it on top of my eggs this morning and did notice a flavor, just a different consistency. Hope that helps!
Kath says
KellyL,
I have woken up starving in the middle of the night a few times and remember going downstairs for a cup of cereal. But I believe that time was sparked by being sick so I didn’t eat much that day. If this happens on a regular basis would either try to eat more during the day or have a snack before bed.
CKMeg,
What have you been eating all these years!?!? I really like Bosc pears (the brown rough skinned ones) and the yellow ones (not sure of the type) but I don’t care for green pears. Just make sure you let them ripen enough so they are almost soft to the touch. I hate a crunchy pear!
Mel,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
GreenTea ,
While an energy drink isn’t really a bad choice, I would try experimenting with other foods that don’t give you an upset stomach, especially different food groups. If protein/fiber is too much, try something more carby like a banana. Or just dry toast. Different portions and types might affect your stomach differently. I can not eat eggs or cereal with milk before a workout, but toast/oats don’t bother me at all.
Tara,
Yep, Matt ate the other half. Otherwise I probably would have eaten the whole thing and cut back on banana or something.
We have Circulon pots and they are really easy to clean, so no I never mind.
Re. eating with hubby, if he’s GOT to have Taco Bell, then why don’t you just bring something with you or get something healthy off the menu and supplement with fruit or raw veggies from home? Or maybe you could get his Taco Bell to go and you go to a healthier place and then you can have a picnic somewhere??
Grace,
So glad you liked the pancakes!! Mine today was great.
Huh,
Yeah, I like it sweet. I usually do 2 packets of splenda. I probably would have been fine with 3 tsp of sugar, but I didn’t realize how sweet it was until I had added too much.
Lucy,
I’ve never heard of Sun Crystals, but I guess I will investigate at EarthFare.
Ashley,
I eat 60-65% carbs a lot – I just like whole grains/fiber/fruit/veg more than protein stuff like eggs and meat. I don’t really worry about my percentages – I try to focus more on food groups and getting a good balance of those.
Nancy,
Check out this great article on Flax from BrandAid:
http://campaign-archive.com/archive.phtml?cid=CdtokXoj7w
Matt,
I have yet to find a store-bought bagel I like. I think you get more bang for your buck with English muffins. Maybe Food for Life will start making bagels? I’d probably like theirs!
Eliza,
Sadly, you must dump the yogurt. The husband left our fridge door ajar once and we had to throw out EVERYTHING because it was practically room temp. inside. I cried. Seriously.
Leslie,
I used to have the liquid stevia. II might want to get that again just for coffee? I did like it a lot more than packets and less waste too.
Re. Splenda,
I’m not that opposed to having it on occasion but I don’t want to be consuming it EVERY day. So that’s why I feel the need to make the change. I think if I’m going to add a bit of real sugar to my coffee we need better sugar. We just have granulated for baking right now and i bet there are other kinds that would be a better blend for coffee. (Sorry CoffeMate fans, I won’t touch that stuff).
Kath
Frannie says
First a question – did your husband really not go to work today? 🙂
Second, I saw that there was another scientist who had commented, but I would like to add my 2 cents. I am a biochemist, and I am familliar with the structure of Splenda. If you look it up (www.chemfinder.com and search sucralose) you will see it is based on regular sugar (search sucrose) with Chlorine atoms to confuse the proteins that cleave up sugars so we can metabolize them. Interestingly, the chlorine atoms do not hinder the molecule being bound by our taste receptors, so we still taste sweet. This works in a way that is similar to most plant starches (aka cellulose, which acts as fiber). Fiber is undigestable in a way that is similar to sucralose. Now that I’ve said this, if you have oppositions to eating foods that are not found in nature, I cannot argue with your decision to give up splenda. I would just like the general public to know that it is unlikely to cause any problems or ill effects down the road. Furthermore, I would not refer to it as a junk food as it really doesn’t act as a food and is just passed through your system unmetabolized. Thanks!
Kelly L. says
Frannie- I think when Kath said the husband wasn’t going she was referring to the gym. 🙂
CKMeg says
Kath,
That’s a good question! To be honest, I was not raised to eat healthy and ate mostly pre-packaged and junk while growing up. Sad! I know!
Now, my usual fruits are berries, apples, oranges, clementines, grapes, bananas, and apples. I’ve just recently discovered I like pineapple. I do NOT like any melons. I thought I should give the peach and pear a try! 🙂
Thanks for the tips on the pears!
Jana says
I feel the urge to chime in on the Splenda issue. I had actually kicked the habit and started using agave nectar. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, and ended up gaining weight because I mindlessly drizzled agave all over the place, basically in the same amount I used to use sweetener. So now – I feel almost like an addict saying this – I have returned to sweetener for coffee and the occasional sweet tea, other than that I use honey or agave sparingly. I keep trying to tell myself it can’t be THAT bad but at the same time, I feel bad because for me too it is the only artificial thing in my diet. *shrug*
Kath says
Frannie and Jessica,
Thanks so much for the Chemist input! I do think Splenda is safe in general, so I will probably continue to use it, but I think my gut is just to cut back on my use. If I keep it to just coffee, that seems to be a good compromise for now. Just curious, what do you think of the chlorine? Does it just pass right through like fiber as you said? I guess that would be my only concern – random detachment and harm. Thanks again!
CKMeg,
I have never loved melons either. They have a funky aftertaste!! Enjoy your pear!
Jana,
Thanks for sharing your story about Agave. I think if I’m going to use something with calories I would just use sugar or honey, so I don’t really think I’d ever switch to it. Glad you found a balance 🙂
K
Laura says
Those oatmeal pancakes look delicious–how exactly do you make them? Also, how do you make this famous oatmeal I’ve been reading about??
Frannie says
While there is a potential for Chlorine to ionize off and cause harm ala’ free radical style damage, sugars are EXTREMELY stable and require enzymes to break them down (which is why they store so beautifully). So, I would say that the chlorine atoms are probably stabilized by being attached to the sugar group. Finally, something to think about: another way to break down sugar is to blowtorch it in high oxygen or hydrogen levels. There is a chemistry experiment called the exploding gummy bear that works on this principal. There is a video at youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g–X3tqw-TQ
you should check it out and appreciate how our bodies do a very controlled, specific breakdown of the sugars in the gummy bear as opposed to the violent reaction you see in the video. Have fun!
Kath says
Frannie,
Thanks so much for the info. I am glad to know sugar is very stable – and that video is awesome!
K