Muesli with Freeze Dried Banana Chips
Today’s high: 96* . Saturday’s: 100 ! It’s gonna be a scortching weekend, but I’m so thankful to not be cold anymore! I might turn on the AC today – but I’m not going to be at home all day, so we’ll see.
I’m enjoying my last few days of leisurely mornings before next week’s summer school starts, so I decided to end with 2 more inverse workout days.
Today’s breakfast was perfect for the already hot weather we’re having. There was no need to soak the muesli overnight because I just used chilled prepared oatmeal . I need to try the prepared oatmeal with my regular rolled oats as well, but I imagine it would be just as good. I’ll be doing this a lot more come next week –
Banana Crunch Muesli
- 1/2 a serving of prepared steel cut oats (made with a bit of skim milk)
- 1/2 a cup of prepared wheatberries
- 3 strawberries
- 1/2 a very small banana
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt
- Splash vanilla hemp milk
- 1/2 a package of Funky Monkey Banana Chips ! (see below)
Lots of crunch and chew in this bowl!
I received these freeze-dried fruit snacks in the mail this week (two samples in one week!) and when searching in the cabinet for something crunchy to top this muesli, these seemed like the perfect flavor combo. I split the package with the husband and crumbled them on top.
I really liked how they were thick banana chips – and the cinnamon-y touch was great. They really did taste like a banana. They’re all natural (no preservatives or added flavors) and there’s no added sugar too. One package has 110 calories. I’m excited to try the pineapple-lime flavor in yogurt soon!
Agenda
I’m headed to the gym soon and then uptown with Karen to have lunch with the husband. Then I have 2 errands to run, a trip to EarthFare for oats (all out again! ) and home to make dinner and head back uptown to chemistry lab .
RhodeyGirl says
yummmmmm! Does the muesli breakfast keep you as well as the classic oatmeal?
RE: Air conditioning.. I usually suffer in the morning when I get ready and in the evening after work with the windows open and the fans on, but when I go to bed I put the air on a little so I can sleep really well… By having the air on all night my house is nice and cool when I wake up, and by the time it heats up again it is already almost time for bed the next night! maybe you could try that too? I save $200 in AC last year (big condo) doing it that way (and helped the environment…)
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
I have a container of banana chips that I was going to use for granola but they’ve just been sitting on my shelf…. they have some not so good stuff in them so I’m considering just tossing them. Does anybody else use them for anything interesting? If I use them it’s going to be very sparingly…
RhodeyGirl says
Betsy in Pittsburgh:
I have used them crumbled on top of banana or cranberry nut bread as an interesting addition. Then brought it to work for my colleagues!
KBel says
Good Morning ladies (and gents)!
Question!!! Do any of you do this or is it just me? A few hours after i eat dinner I just want something sweet, sometimes its ice cream, sometimes a piece of chocolate, sometimes cereal (you get the point). Anywho, after I have a little something it’s like my stomach says “I’m hungry”. For example, last night I had dinner at around 5:45. I had like 3 cups (huge amount) of spaghetti squash with marinara. Well around 9:30 I decided to have a bag of Barbaras 100 calorie pack Ginger Snaps. That turned into 2 bags. I was still having that hungry feeling so I had some yogurt and then an apple!!! Okay, so I know this isn’t bad foods per se and I could have snacked on a ton of over processed, HFCS filled, junk. The cookies are all natural not loaded in sugar and the yogurt and apple paired together make a great snack but I am concerned I’m not realy hungry but I think I am. Am I the only one that does this? Do any of you feel bad the next day or right after because you were second guessing yourself if you were hungry or not and you at that? What do you do? Just looking for some insight….
Katers says
Hey KBel –
It might sound simple, but when I get in that mode: where I’ve had dinner, and dessert and I still want to snack – I turn off all the lights in the kitchen, tell my boyfriend it’s closed (he knows that means for both of us) and go to bed! Also, since I count calories, I know for a fact when I’ve had enough. Makes it easy to separate cravings from true hunger.
oatmeal says
Ooo crunchy oatmeal! I bet it was really fun to eat 😀
KBel
I’ve had that problem multiple times~I do one of two things when I’m still feeling hungry after eating a lot: 1. distract myself by either baking or prepping food for the next day, or phone someone, or go out 2. Just let myself eat, and resolve to work out two hours later or the next day
Might not be right for everyone, but it works for me. Good luck!
JennC says
KBel, Im the exact same way, except i have a lot of trouble with portion control with dinner too (anyone else) i’ll eat a good breakfast and lunch, then dinner sometimes gets out of control followed by a bag of ultimate butter popcorn. its so hard to do the right thing sometimes!
KBel says
So it seems I’m not alone. It’s funny because I’m really trying to listen to my body and stop when I’m full and eat when I’m hungry. At night I really do THINK I’m hungry so I keep eating. I just don’t know if I am. In the moment I’m like “okay, do you really want this, are you hungry for this?” and I am. Then, at some point I do get satisfied. Sometimes it takes more, sometimes less. I still second guess myself and feel guilty. Arrghhhh, so frustrating. It feels so not normal.
JennC says
I totally agree. i dont see how kath, and especially Cristin from Eat Like Me do it! I really really admire the strength.. I hope i have it, because sometimes its terrible and feels like a binge, but not to that extreme.
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
To chime in – I used to have to same problem (cravings at night), but lately my beau’s schedule has changed and he works during the night. Because of this we have “dinner” at lunch, and then eat “lunchy” foods for dinner (sandwiches, fruits, finger foods) on our own. I feel that by loading up on dinner sized portions at lunch and then basically just munching on little things around dinner time has made me have less and less cravings. Not sure why…
Betsy says
whoa-those freeze dried bananas sound crazy good! i want free samples!!
BethT says
Kath, I have to tell you, you don’t make me miss NC summers!! Moving to San Francisco was the best thing I could have ever done, weather wise – I think it’s going to be 60 today 😀 I HATE hot humid weather!!!
Justy2003 says
As far as night cravings go, my boyfriend and I have recently been taking a little evening walk after dinner and this has definitely helped! Not necessarily the reason we started doing more evening walks, but I’ve noticed that I don’t want to snack at night as much! It gets me out of the apartment (aka away from food!) and the walking kind of suppresses my appetite. And I like getting to spend some time with the boy NOT in front of the TV 🙂
Also, I’d make sure you’re eating enough during the day. If you’re not, that can set you up for that “hungry” feeling at night to make up for it.
Allison says
Kath,
Thanks so much for adding Museli to the recipe list.
Evey says
KBel,
I know you said that you had a “huge” amount of spaghetti squash for dinner, but it could be that it isn’t substantial enough. You’re missing out on protein and carbs, and although it’s very voluminous, the calories aren’t that high.
As for the 100-calorie packs, yes they are low in calories, but they are completely empty calories. No redeeming nutritional qualities that would have made you full… IMO, you should have had the apple + yogurt first (carbs + protein). Maybe try a more rounded meal next time?
Hope you find something that works!
caitlinbo says
kbel:
maybe you could push your dinner back a few hours? I try to eat around 7:30. i would be starving by 10 if i ate at 5:45. also, maybe re-think your exercise routine? i really like working out in the AM but i CANT do it because it throws off my ability control my hunger through the day and i end up overloading my calories in the AM and by the PM i’m “out” of calories and go over my daily intake.
hot tea works too.
also, i feel that once a night-time binge starts its really hard to stop it. it’s easier not to begin at all. so… take a shower, go on a walk, etc. 🙂 good luck.
Ange C. says
I too used to snack more than i liked after dinner, but once i started to eat bigger, more balanced meals (especially breakfast!) this craving subsided. I also find a lot of times, after dinner, i truly am not hungry, it’s more the idea of ‘treating’ myself. Once i get busy doing something else (packing the next day’s lunch, chores, getting ready for bed) that craving totally goes away.
Kath- that shrimp and grits combo from last night looks soooo delish! Wow.
Christie says
I have found that sometimes it helps to eat a later snack that way dinner is at 7 or 730 and you dont feel like you have to eat another snack.. also making a smoothie at night is satisfying and filling and helps aviod picking
CourtneyS says
I used to find myself reaching for something after dinner, too, but it’s not an issue anymore. A couple things that help – have an afternoon snack so you’re not famished at dinner; try eating a little later in the evening. We usually sit down to eat around 7:30-8:00 and by the time we’ve eaten, chatted, and cleaned up, I’m ready for bed. (I get up early to run and I’m an early bird anyway. ) In the summer, we also go for a short walk after dinner and it really helps me digest. Sometimes you just have to get out of the house!
Kath, I tried muesli for the first time this week and really enjoyed it. I added vanilla and cinnamon and it reminded me of eating raw cake batter! My next experiment is to try making it with Kefir – has anyone tried that?
Kate says
Betsy – I’m with you! The larger my lunch=the less I crave and snack at night!
Jenn says
It’s very impressive that you get all these free samples! Do companies send them to you because of the large number of readers on your blog, or do you do something in particular to get them?
Ange C. says
kbel- to echo the above advice, try eating a little later (7ish) and pairing that spaghetti squash with a protein– chicken sausage, grilled chicken, shrimp, or adding some cheese….those things will leave you more satisfied.
Richelle says
I LOVE banana chips! I have literally finished a whole bag before (and didn’t feel so great afterwards…) but bchips + oatmeal? i’ve gotta try that!
Chelsea says
Imagine that! Out of oats!
KBel says
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Sounds like some of you have done the same thing before.
Evey- Yes, I know the ginger snaps had empty calories but I wanted something sweet and I wanted a cookie so that’s what I had. I allow myself some empty calories when I am craving them as long as I eat balanced healthy meals most of the time. Also, that’s the reason I didn’t go back for a third bag or the cookies or something else with no nutritional value because I knew this. I went for the yogurt and apple instead. I’m not always going to choose an apple and yogurt over a cookie. Life’s too short!! 🙂
VeggieGirl says
It’s hot here today as well – stay cool!!
I wrote a product review on the Funky Monkey snacks, for GoDairyFree.org – they’re okay, but NOTHING beats fresh or dried fruit.
Enjoy your Thursday!!
Sarah says
KBel—I think what Evey was pointing at wasn’t so much that empty calories are necessarily a “bad” thing. Its just that it left you feeling hungry still, and after having spaghetti squash with marinara (mainly veggies there!) anybody would be hungry not too long after.
Next time, try pairing it with either some chicken (chicken parmesan?) or have a side salad with some beans and viniagrette for healthy fat on the side. Also, drinking a glass of milk with your supper can also help as well, by bumping the amount of protein you take in.
If you feel genuinely hungry, it means you need some food in you! As important as it is to listen to your body when it says “I’m full”, it’s equally important to listen to it when its telling you its hungry as well.
For those times when you’re not REALLY hungry, but just feel like nibbling, 100-cal packs of anything is always nice to have around, in my experience. I especially like the 100-cal kettle corn popcorn bags when I’m wanting something sweet and voluminous. 🙂
Best of luck!
Kelly T says
im totally making your dinner frm last night, tonight.
this may be a stupid question but are grits and polenta the same thing? cause i have packaged grits, and was going to use those. i dont care if its exactly the same, but i just had no idea it was the same stuff. if it is. im rambling.
Kiala says
kbel-
Sometimes I have that problem after breakfast even when I eat almost 400 calories of oatmeal and banana and peanut butter. Like an hour later I will be starving!
Usually it’s because I’m hungover, though.
arielle says
I cannot buy banana chips. I have a dried fruit problem. I lose all self-control.
Tina says
I always want something sweet after dinner too… and I almost always end up having something. What works for me is “planning” dessert into my dinner. I’ll cut my dinner back by a few calories to make up for the sweet snack that I plan to eat later. Or if dinner is really yummy, and I don’t want to cut back, I make sure I have a good work out in the morning just to balance out the extra calories.
Leah says
I made the scones! They turned out great! I didn’t do them in the same pie-shape that you did, but I made them into balls and put them on a cookie sheet. So yummy! My boyfriend has already eaten 3 out of the 12 that I made and they’ve only been on the counter for an hour haha.
Kelly L. says
Help….on the road dinner…
I am heading out of town and rather than waste time eating at my house and then leaving I want to eat while I drive. Here is the tricky part. I want something portable where I can still get my veggies in. Any ideas? I’m thinking maybe a couple of wraps with chicken, salsa, peppers, and cheese. I could always throw them in the oven to keep hot and take then out as I’m leaving. I haven’t had any veggies today so dinner is my only time for them. Sadly, I even thought about just scrambling a couple of eggs, throwing in a bunch of veggies and salsa and eating it while I drive (is that safe? ha ha). Hmmm…
Lauren says
The whole “eat a later dinner” might work for some of yall, but even when I eat my bfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner around 7:30…I still want sweets and usually another snack before bed time. I used to get into the habit of binge eating late at night so I am almost scared to start snacking a whole lot…but I think it was because I was burning more calories during the day and in my workouts than I realized and the restricting was causing it. I now try to aim for 2500 on average total and just accept the fact that sometimes I will be more snackier at night and hungry and maybe it’s because I need it. If I crave stuff thats more carby or substantial then I feel like I am as hungry as I really feel…if it’s just candy bars then I know its just my sweet tooth.
Stacy says
I have a baking question for everyone. I’m planning to make molten chocolate cake (I know not healthy) for my husband and I’s anniversary next week. I’m cutting the recipe in half to just make 2 and the recipe calls for 3 eggs (separated). Anyone have any suggestions of whether to go with 1 or 2 eggs? Thanks!
Lauren says
Kath do you ever not eat something because of what your readers might think when you post it? Like does the blog ever make your eating better, healthier, or more restrictive than it would normally be?
Like you really want that extra beer or brownie, but then think back to your pictures and feel guilty and not like a “good example” if you were to eat that extra stuff so you dont?
SarahH says
Stacy,
I have the problem a lot to because I always cook for one or two. I usually crack the eggs into a bowl and take a spoonful out to make it work right. Ive never had any problem with it.
CourtneyS says
Stacy, when that happens to me I usually err on the side of more rather than less. I would try using 2 eggs (but the spoon method sounds good, too!)
Lauren, sometimes a sweet something after dinner is more of a habit than anything else. Kath’s mentioned this before – how she used to save some dinner cals for a treat but now she doesn’t want it as much because she’s broken the habit. Sometimes we’re hungry because our bodies expect us to be (or we think we’re hungry.) It sounds like you’re getting good nutrition throughout the day, so maybe try some herbal tea in the evening and go to bed early? Even if you try it for just one night, it might help.
On the other hand, a snack or treat after dinner isn’t going to hurt once in a while!
Kath says
RhodeyGirl ,
It does keep hunger at bay just as long, but in a different way. I feel fuller longer with hot oats but I’m not hungry for just as long with the yogurt mix. I also have PB/AB with hot oats (usually) and more protein (yogurt) with the cold, so I think they’re about equal in satiety.
KBel ,
I hear ya on the late night hunger. If you’re like me, it’s not really hunger like before dinner but more of a gnawling feeling? For me, that usually means I’m thirsty so I have a big cup of water. If your stomach feels like it’s about to growl, then have a filling whole grains snack with a tad bit of fat or protein – PB on toast or a tiny bowl of cereal. That always works for me.
BethT ,
AND you have WINE COUNTRY!! Maybe I should move there….
Allison ,
Glad you found it! I couldn’t remember who asked me yesterday to write to you.
CourtneyS
Cake batter!!? I don’t normally add vanilla but I will have to try that soon! I haven’t bought kefir in ages, but I bet it would work perfectly.
Jenn,
I’ve been contacted by food companies and PR companies, and I guess the blog spreads by word of mouth between them.
Kelly T,
Have fun with the grits! Alton Brown did a Good Eats episode on them and he says they are basically the same thing (and my bag says “Corn Grits” a.k.a. Polenta. Here’s the Good Eats episode if you want to watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofJ3v_a6UUE
Leah ,
Yay for the scones!! I prefer the round kind too – I’ll have to make them that way next.
Stacy,
Could you just estimate 1.5 eggs? That’s usually what I do and just nuke the leftover and feed it to the husband as a snack.
Lauren,
No, I don’t ever not have something because of the blog (if you search back you’ll find lots of somewhat embarrassing splurges) but the blog does hold me back a little with finger foods because I want to take a photo of them and sometimes just think it’s too much of a hassle to bother. So it’s kept me from just eating straight from a buffet at times. Or perhaps having an extra dessert just so I don’t have to do a post-dinner post. But sometimes I just put late snacks or desserts up the next morning. Good question though.
Kath
Lauren says
This is a different Lauren, just wanted to differentiate =)
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with wanting something sweet at the end of the night. The key is to make reasonable choices (most of the time, anyway). I want something ‘desserty’ every single night, but I only turn to high-fat and high-cal options on special occasions. My favorite post-dinner sweet snack is either a 100-calorie bag of popcorn sweetened with a packet of Splenda and some cinnamon, or a 4 oz. low-sugar yogurt (semi-frozen) mixed with berries. Each of these ~100 calorie options is fairly substantial and nutritionally sound, and thanks to the fiber content, quite satisfying.
pepper says
kBel,
I totally understand your cravings. One of my friends began knitting as a way to keep occupied to prevent night snacking. It was easy for her to “train” her body to not want late night food since she was working on some thing fun. Now she doesn’t even get hungry for sweets.
I tried it, and it works pretty well!
Stacey says
kBel,
I brush my teeth when the cravings hit. Works like a charm!! I lose the food taste in my mouth, adding the minty fresh taste instead, and since I don’t want to brush my teeth again, I don’t eat anymore.
Seriously, it works like a charm.
Kelly T says
thanks for the link, that was sweet.
totally making them tonight. way better than the smothered in butter and cheese kind my mom makes.