I’m afraid I’m a terrible cook.

To save me time because I have to work, my to go menu was to prepare a stew with ground meat, mostly chicken, and potatoes, ‘cause they’re cheap and fill you up fast. Add water and pepper, cook, done. I try to cook big batches to save time.

A friend gave me a leek, so I added it to my usual mix: now I feel I’m fuller for longer and don’t have to eat that much meat (I usually mix the same amount of meat and potatoes).

Have I been coking wrong the whole time?

What else can I add to my stews to feel full for longer, to not gain weight but to have enough energy to do my job?

Any downsides to eating less meat?

  • Boisterous [he/him]@hexbear.net
    4·
    1 day ago

    Fibre (non digestible plant material) will help you feel fuller and is very healthy, it helps keep your gut microbiome healthy and your digestive tract clean and regular.

    Simply eating less meat, no there’s no downsides. However if you start transitioning towards vegetarianism there are a few things you need to be aware of:

    1. You will have to supplement vitamin B12. Eggs are an ok source but you won’t be able to fulfill your body’s need with eggs alone (you’d have to eat around 8 DAILY). You can take it as a supplement but I personally buy B12 fortified nutritional yeast (read the packaging carefully, not all nutritional yeast is B12 fortified). I add it to my eggs on days when I eat eggs, otherwise I add it to my protein during meal prep (lentils, tofu, etc).
    2. You’ll need to watch your protein intake a bit more. The only complete vegetarian/vegan proteins are soy and quinoa. Anything else and just make sure you eat it alongside a whole grain (wheat, rice, etc). That will round out you protein intake.
    3. You need to mix chia seeds in occasionally. I forget why but I add them to my sweet oatmeal. There’s some sort of minor nutritional need that they fulfill and there is an alternative that I can’t remember off the top of my head.

    You’re still eating meat so I assume veganism isn’t something you’re considering. If you do there’s a lot more planning involved in your meals and I’m not familiar with all of it since I’m only vegetarian.

    My last piece of advice is if you’re keeping meat in your diet, buy organs if you can stomach them (and it is easier in stews). They’re cheaper and more nutrient dense.