Cheese, hummus, and fast food (IR Diet)

Statlady · 04-17-2003, 05:01 PM

Okay, I am starting the IR diet and am really excited to be able to have cheese again! (The Body for Life eating plan I was on didn't really allow it, although I had Mozzerella from time to time). Anyway, I was wondering what kind of low-fat cheese people like. I've tried the pre-shredded lowfat cheddar and don't like it much. Plus, it doesn't melt quite right. I already read the thread about cheese and got some good ideas there--low-fat havarti, light string cheese by Kraft. Buying strong cheese won't work as I need enough of it to get adequet protein. I'm looking for stuff with less than 6 grams of fat per serving and 7 or more grams of protein.

My next question is: What's the deal with hummus? The couple of times I've tried it, I've liked it a lot. I looked on the label of the hummus they sell at Trader Joe's and it says it only as 1 gram of protein! My IR Diet book says hummus is a high-protein food. What gives? Is it just a matter of serving size? I don't want to have to eat a whole cup of hummus to get 7 grams of protein (nor do I want that much fat).

My third question: What about fast food? What do those of you on the IR diet do about that? I was looking at some nutrition tables, and most sandwiches have way too many carbs (over 40). There are a few closer to 30, but usually the "Jr" variety. Does anyone have any tips about what to order when on the run (besides bringing your own "balanced" food with you)?

Thanks!!!

scbegonias · 04-17-2003, 05:22 PM

Statlady, I've got a few quick answers or comments on your questions...

Cheese, glorious cheese. Trader Joe's stocks a low-fat havarti cheese that DH and I love. It's great by itself, with hummus, or in cooked food. The low fat nature has not compromised the texture or taste.

Hummus, I'm confused like you...and had the same question pop into my head while reading the label at Trader Joe's. Anyone know if other hummus had more protein...or is it just a serving size issue?

Fast food. I try not to eat it too much...but it's a treat for DH when we travel. I usually go for the jr or regular size items and skip the fries. Also, most places now have some sort of semi-decent salad with protein (meat and/or cheese). My problem usually is fitting in enough fiber with the meal...so I usually supplement...or give in.

Good luck!

xmelinda · 04-17-2003, 06:19 PM

I think the 2% cheese tastes a LOT better than the lowfat or fat-free cheese, and is still reasonably okay, health-wise.

I have wondered about hummus too, because I love the stuff, but the protein count on store-bought is almost non-existent. We usually make ours at home, but I don't know if that makes it better for protein (it definitely tastes better).

When I have to eat fast food, if I'm out somewhere, I try to find someplace that has a grilled chicken sandwich (most of the big chains do) and I just order it with barbecue sauce instead of mayo and I only eat one piece of the bun. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find something low-carb to eat *with* that, if you're driving in the car (I can't really eat salad and drive!), but I often carry apples with me.

--Melinda

Delila · 04-22-2003, 02:32 PM

I am not sure about the hummus either. I think that it is the fiber and not the actual protein that makes it okay for the IR diet. I think I read somewhere that the fiber somehow counter acts the carbs....but I am not sure.

Tas · 04-22-2003, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Delila
I am not sure about the hummus either. I think that it is the fiber and not the actual protein that makes it okay for the IR diet. I think I read somewhere that the fiber somehow counter acts the carbs....but I am not sure.

Hi Delila,

The fibre makes it a complex carb instead of a simple carb. Complex carbs turn to glucose at a slower rate than the simple carbs, so it doesn't make your blood-glucose levels rise as fast or as high as the simple carbs. Protein is even slower, so if there is protein in the food it is even better for us

Statlady · 04-23-2003, 03:35 PM

That's good to know about the fiber. I'm still confused, though, as to why the IR Diet book calls hummus a "high-protein" food.

Tas · 04-23-2003, 10:24 PM

OK, chickpeas (I think you guys call them garbanzo beans) which are the main ingredient of hummus have 15g protein per cup (cooked) which is about the same as several other beans. Of course, with the other ingredients in hummus, that makes it quite a bit less protein. A cup of chickpeas also has 45g carbs per cup.

So, I'd say with the protein and fibre, hummus is better than some things that you could be snacking on but not as good as some others. It depends how low you want to go with the carbs. If you want to do moderate/slow carbs (or replacing sugars/whites with browns) they'd be really good.

lucie_nc · 06-03-2003, 06:23 PM

Yeah - I ditto what Tas says - the protein in hummus is entirely dependent on the amount of chick peas or garbanzo beans in the hummus. One other main ingredient is tahini - ground sesame seeds. A lot of the hummus you get in the grocery store is mostly tahini and not garbanzos.

You can just make hummus at home with a powerful blender, garlic and parsley, no tahini at all (or just a little olive oil, if you like), and then you'll have higher protein and much less fat.

L

Tas · 06-03-2003, 11:35 PM

A chart I just looked up says that 1 tablespoon of tahini has 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs, whereas 1 cup of chickpeas has 15 grams of protein and 45 grams of carbs. Sounds like the tahini has a better protein-carb ratio than the chickpeas. Plus, the tahini is supposed to be really, really good for you in other ways too (just can't remember which right now

), so don't leave out the tahini.

http://www.ntwrks.com/~mikev/chart3a.htm

MyJourney · 06-04-2003, 07:19 AM

Just to pitch in here...

Tahini is an excellent source of calcium. So for all you ladies that are steering clear of dairy, it's an alternative.

Furthemore, I saw a cooking show the other day where the cook supplemented tahini in hummous with yougurt and some olive oil.

Enjoy,
Oshrat

lucie_nc · 06-04-2003, 10:58 AM

Mea culpa, guys - I had no idea tahini was so nutritious.... thanks Tas and Kuzi...I was just browsing another part of the board, and I found a recipe from Rhon for Turkish hummus:

Turkish hummus

1x400gram can chickpeas
1/2 cup or 130 grams tahini (sesame seed paste)
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup or 80ml lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Drain chickpeas and reserve the liquid
2. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini paste, garlic, lemon juice and seasonings. Process adding enough reserved chickpea liquid to make a smooth consistency.

Makes 2 cups

1/4 cup = 6grams protein, 10grams fat, 4grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fibre, 558 kilojoules or 133 calories.

From new glucose revolution life plan, glycemic index for optimum
health by brand-miler & foster powell, recipes by lintner.

SO - why does this recipe yield 6 g protein in 1/4 cup, and the stuff you buy in the store generally has 1 g protein? If the tahini does not solve the mystery, what does????

L