Ok, so here's another post.
I like this section of the forum and some of the postings I've read so I figured I would get enough responses here.
I really, really, really don't like vegetables. I am making my blocks with mostly fruits and some black/red beans and that's it. I can't stand vegetables (I think I said that). Is there something wrong with not eating them? Can I essentially use only low GI fruits and still get the same results? Is there a supplement that I should be taking mineral/vitamin wise? The only vegetables I like are sweet peas and corn and those were not on the "good" list!
Thanks for the help!
phx07

As for the same results, no. As for being able to be in the Zone, it depends on how sensitive you are to carbohydrate. The majority of people will not be able to keep their insulin in the Zone when consuming only fruit for carb, while a small number of people might be able to. Salsa and spaghetti sauce might be a place to start re getting more veggies into your meals. I use Dr. Sears Zone Micronutrient Support and Sea Health Plus; both are excellent products.

I used to be a veggie hater too (I wouldn't even eat salad dressing!) and I love veggies now!

Lesli,

Just keep your mind open about the veggies. Most veggie haters are those who have had overcooked mushy veggies stuffed down their throats.

As for starters, think outside of the box for your veggies. You are already eating beans, so that is a start. Salsa can be considered a veggie, and you could eat beans and salsa together.

If you like sweet peas, how about snow peas?

Some things like water chestnuts can be considered a veggie, and they mix into things pretty easily.

Try committing yourself to trying a new veggie each week. Maybe you can try cooking them a different way, or seasoning them differently. Or, maybe you would prefer them raw instead of cooked.

Again, just keep your mind open and be willing to try some new things. I was never a veggie lover, but I have found that I like veggies cooked in ways that my mom never did, and so I eat a larger variety now than I had when I was younger.

If you aren't eating veggies, you are missing out on a lot of the nutrients they provide. As far as getting a supplement to at least help get you those nutrients since you aren't eating them, you might want to look at biotest's "superfood" which is basically freeze dried fruits and vegetables with the water removed, then ground up into a powder that you can either add to water by itself or add to a post workout drink.

Thanks for the advice. I really don't like them - raw, cooked - I've tried it all. I suppose I'll make sure to get the beans and consider some other peas. I just wish I like them, even a little! I do like salad, so I suppose spinich will be the other veggie for me. Either way, it beats eating the way I have been before with lots of drivethrough and no veggies/fruits for long periods of time. Thanks again!

Just start slowly with the veggies over time you will like them trust me.

What else do you put on your salads? Anything?

Salad is a get start to enjoy veggies... I found it very interesting, try by grated veggies (raw) over your salad, like carrots, or zucchinni, beetroot... and if you want use zone friendly dressing to cover them on the beggining, essay and you will find them easy to eat. In no time you will be having veggies on your food and enjoying.
Give it a try !!, but before any try, please open your mind, do not catalog your self as veggie hater!, since you do, you will be... but if you change your approach and your thinking... you will be in the zone with delicious veggies very soon.... you wont regret to give veggies a chance...

Thanks again! I actually ate green beans yesterday. I'm just afraid that eating all of these foods that I don't enjoy could be my downfall in this. I'm just trying to be realistic - but optomistic that it will get better! I did have salad also - and no, didn't have any veggies on that - but that was because I didn't have time to get them ready. I don't mind peppers, cucumbers and carrots so I think I will set the time aside to prepare them so I can just throw them together. The most difficult thing so far (and I'm now on day 3 of keeping with the Zone) is having the time to get the food ready. I'm getting better at thinking ahead. I'm just used to having protein shakes and bars/healthy snacks all day that all of this fresh food is a little overwhelming! But, I think I'm getting it and I KNOW it's a much healthier lifestyle

Green beans? Peppers? Cukes? Carrots? Sounds like a great start!

I keep a few little food bins full of chopped veggies. Kind of like my very own salad bar right in my fridge. So, when it comes time to throw a salad together, all I have to do is reach in and grab what I need.

Nice work on your part!

Lesli, a couple suggestions regarding fresh veggies. I cut mine up when unpacking the groceries so that they are ready when I need them in a hurry. Another idea is to buy them at the salad bar at the grocery store already cut up or, quite often, you can buy them pre-packaged already cut up. Like CC said, you have a good start on your veggies.

Thanks!
I do think preparation is the key. I still think the quantity is what is just craziness! But yesterday I ate my green beans and salad again and I think what was amusing is that it took SO LONG for me to eat (like 15 minutes) because there was so much of it and I actually had to chew everything...which I KNOW is good. I'm just used to eating and being done in a few minutes with bars and quick foods!!! I had to laugh at that...


Oh, I had to add this...I teach piano lessons throughout the day so that is why quick is better. But it now takes me about 45-55 minutes to eat a 4 block meal while teaching - since I obviously need to teach at the same time. Is there anything bad to stretching the food out for that length?

Not really, I think it is fine to stretch out your meal.

Hey! What about vegetable soup? Stuffed peppers? That's a sneaky way to get veggies in. Instead of doing like a dirty rice thing to stuff my peppers, I make dirty barley. lol. I get to have my spicy food, eat my veggies, lean meat (I use ground turkey), and have a not so bad for you grain. I am diabetic, so I only do that like 4 times a year. I have also used the soy crumbles to replace the meat (I don't know if you want to go that far). It's also topped with a well simmered spicy tomato garlic sauce. I can see a veggie hater eating that. Yes? <img src='desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/smile.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Smile' align='absmiddle'>

We ought to form a club! Corn, spinach, artichokes and green beans. The end. I manage to get them down using something sweet as a reward! Go check out Caties' greens, veggies in a bottle more or less, plus other good stuff....you're ahead of me, at least you like fruit!

Lesli, I have had great success using fruit as my carbs; you just have to tweek your portions to find what keeps you in the zone. My favorite way to add veggies is to slice them thin and add to a low-carb roll up with turkey or chicken. You can add chopped veggies to egg white omlets. If you're not used to veggies the huge portions can be daunting to say the least, so use smaller amounts and supplement with the fruit. The nutrition in vegetables definitely makes them worth adding to your diet however you manage it.

I'm ambivalent about veggies. But with warmer weather coming I'm looking forward to grilling peppers and veggie salads. I can take or leave veggies but I really like salad dressings. Probably goes way over zone requirements but I make my own dressings with mayo, jalopeno, onion, tomatoes and whatever else is handy.

kpo

mmm, your dressings sound delish!

Oh, yes! I am dreaming of what my garden will be looking like this summer!