Bored With My gluten-free Training Diet....

[huevo-no-bueno]

I am looking for more variety in my training diet. I am limited by being unable to eat gluten (duh), eggs, and corn in very limited amounts. During training, I also limit simple carbohydrates.

I want food ideas that are quick, because I don't always have time to wait for a potato to bake...

Thanks in advance.

[RiceGuy]

Since it takes less than 10 minutes to microwave a potato, I guess you mean really quick! About the fastest things I know of would be those which can be whipped up in the blender. Like put some green peas in the blender with enough water to cover them, and whip for "instant" pea soup. You could also microwave some potatoes ahead of time, so you'd only have to reheat them. In fact, making whole meals ahead of time would probably be the best way to manage this. It could take more time to eat it than to heat it.

Things like stews and other moist foods heat fairly quickly in the microwave. If you make a pot of stew, you could put it in serving size microwaveable bowls, and store in the freezer. Move one to the fridge a day in advance, so it will heat up faster than it would if it was still frozen.

Fresh fruits are always quick too.

I'm sure other members will have plenty of great ideas for you.

[ShayFL]

I personally have forgotten what "quick" food is......

I keep lunch meat in the fridge (Boar's Head or Applegate Farms) and triple washed lettuce leaves. That way I can have a "quick" meal. Add a handful of plantain chips.....yum!!

I always make my soups in HUGE batches so I have some to freeze for times I need a hurry up dinner.

I dont eat packaged foods. I will bake a sweet potato now and again.

My lazy meal (which is not fast) is to bake a chicken. Season and throw it in the oven. Half way thru I throw in some sweet potatoes wrapped in foil. A pre-made side salad. Super easy. And there is always leftovers.

[huevo-no-bueno]

Thanks for the advice!

[munchkinette]

I've had to cook a lot more in the last several months because I'm more sensitive. I cook a lot, especially in the crock pot and keep everything in tupperware in the fridge, or in the freezer. It's much easier to deal with nutrition in general, and I'm not tempted to eat "quick fixes" which might be risky gluten-wise. If you can, look into the crock pot. You really just put everything into it first thing in the morning, turn it on low, and leave it for 8 hours. It's done at dinner time.

I always have cooked chicken in the fridge, and that's generally what I eat after a workout. My brother does the same. (He's gluten-free AND a trainer.) I'm also a fan of the "can of tuna + 1/2 cup of kidney beans" after a workout.

How do you feel about sweet potatoes? I also like squash this time of year. I saute a bunch of it on the stove or bake it, then I have it in the fridge for a few days. It's good with nuts or seeds mixed in.

I'm also a fan of banana bread. It's good both before and after a workout. It's dense, so I don't feel too full during a run but I get a lot of calories. (That's like the only time I actually want them.) You can make it with white gluten-free flour, rice bran, almond meal, or whatever combination you want for your training needs.

[ArtGirl]

"Fast Food" for me comes from my freezer in individually packaged leftovers and meats.

A meatloaf can be sliced and frozen - has protein and carbs (I don't use egg in mine; just gluten-free, no-CC oats, but you could use bread crumbs or cooked rice.) Or just make up a bunch of pre-cooked hamburger patties.

I have a small electric grill that grills a chicken breast in minutes. Make a few ahead of time, cut in half, and freeze each portion individually wrapped. The grill is good to cook hot dogs or sausages, too.

I slice up turkey Kiabassa (sp?) that I get at Whole Foods (no nitrites). Fry up the slices to get them brown. Then freeze them. I can take out a few or a lot, depending on what I want at the time.

Of course, there's celery sticks (with nut butter) and carrot sticks and other raw veggies with a dip.