[ScrappingForever]

This makeover will transform parts of your kitchen that you can't see right away. Like you've always heard, it's what's inside that counts. In this case, it's what's inside your drawers, cabinets, freezer, fridge and pantry. Following these simple strategies, you can bring life and luster back to what should be the healthiest room in the house.

In with the Good, Out with the Bad
Food substitution and sifting is the name of the kitchen makeover game. Your kids will have fun sifting through the cupboards--have a contest with who can find the most foods. (Remember, you can donate unopened non-perishable items; empty and clean opened containers and jars for recycling.)

Throw out: Thick dressings, creamers, chips, dips, soda, pudding and just say no to Twinkies!

Keep: Vinaigrettes, spinach, nuts, tomatoes, oatmeal, carrots, salsa, yogurt, natural applesauce.

Take a close look at the calories on your condiment shelf. Mustard can be a low-calorie, tasty alternative to mayonnaise; barbecue is a nice substitute for sweet and sour; soy and teriyaki sauces are loaded with sodium--an oyster sauce or some spicy mustards may be a better choice; hot sauces are usually low in calories and can spice up just about anything.

Pay particular attention to complex and simple carbohydrates. Whenever you see refined products like white rice, white pasta, white potatoes, plain bagels or white bread, replace them with more natural choices, like whole grain (brown) rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, or whole grain bread.

Load up your kitchen with as many Super Foods as you possibly can. These are nutrient-packed powerhouses! (See link below to learn more.)

Have a can of fat-free cooking spray on hand. Use instead of higher calorie oils or butter.

Load up on fresh produce. Canned and frozen varieties can keep well and be nearly as nutritious as fresh, if not packed in syrup or added sodium. Anytime you eat fresh, you know you're doing well.

[J9Buckles]

So for me, I would basically have empty cupboards at the end. Sounds like fun!

[ScrappingForever]

LOL Janine! What a great way to lose weight!

[ChristinaP]

Me too Janine! Chips, dips and soda are my problem!!

[J9Buckles]

Chips, dips, nachos w/cheese and salsa..............and M&M's.............and don't forget popcorn.

[ScrappingForever]

Find chips that are not too bad for you, salsa's good but make sure that there isn't any added sugar. Get rid of the soda altogether. (I can see I'll need to find some articles on just how terrible all those sodas are! YUCK!) And popcorn is fine, as long as it's natural and light. And keep the portions under control.

[Sheri Johnson]

You can send all those bad foods my way, he he

[SallyA]

My husband and I are both Diet Mountain Dew addicts. I'd love to know about how bad it is for me to maybe give me a push to quit drinking them (or at least cut back). Anything you can share would be welcome.

[SallyA]

I'm not seeing the link you referenced below.

ScrappingForever, on Nov 16 2008, 09:30 AM, said:

This makeover will transform parts of your kitchen that you can't see right away. Like you've always heard, it's what's inside that counts. In this case, it's what's inside your drawers, cabinets, freezer, fridge and pantry. Following these simple strategies, you can bring life and luster back to what should be the healthiest room in the house.

In with the Good, Out with the Bad
Food substitution and sifting is the name of the kitchen makeover game. Your kids will have fun sifting through the cupboards--have a contest with who can find the most foods. (Remember, you can donate unopened non-perishable items; empty and clean opened containers and jars for recycling.)

Throw out: Thick dressings, creamers, chips, dips, soda, pudding and just say no to Twinkies!

Keep: Vinaigrettes, spinach, nuts, tomatoes, oatmeal, carrots, salsa, yogurt, natural applesauce.

Take a close look at the calories on your condiment shelf. Mustard can be a low-calorie, tasty alternative to mayonnaise; barbecue is a nice substitute for sweet and sour; soy and teriyaki sauces are loaded with sodium--an oyster sauce or some spicy mustards may be a better choice; hot sauces are usually low in calories and can spice up just about anything.

Pay particular attention to complex and simple carbohydrates. Whenever you see refined products like white rice, white pasta, white potatoes, plain bagels or white bread, replace them with more natural choices, like whole grain (brown) rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potatoes, or whole grain bread.

Load up your kitchen with as many Super Foods as you possibly can. These are nutrient-packed powerhouses! (See link below to learn more.)

Have a can of fat-free cooking spray on hand. Use instead of higher calorie oils or butter.

Load up on fresh produce. Canned and frozen varieties can keep well and be nearly as nutritious as fresh, if not packed in syrup or added sodium. Anytime you eat fresh, you know you're doing well.

[ScrappingForever]

Sorry 'bout that, Sally. I must have missed the link in my copying and pasting.

I decided to start a new topic listing the super foods and why they're super. I felt they needed their own thread. You can find that here.