What foods feel indulgent but are actually quite healthy?

[annietheking]

i'd have to say greek yogurt (lovely texture), crab (because it's so expensive, i can only have it once in a while), and all sorts of sweet ripe fruits (including avocado!). what about you?

[hkl74]

Dark Chocolate (minimun 70 percent cacao)
Avocados
Miso paste - wonderful for marinades and salad dressings
Brussel Sprouts (sauteed with shallots and pancetta)
Asparagus
Lobster and Crab (not sure if they can be considered "healthy" since they're high in cholestrol, but low in calories)
Fish roe

[ninrn]

Everything everybody else said and:

Steamed or grilled sweet plantains.

>70% cacao dark chocolate

Raw honey

Roasted butternut squash or roasted brussel sprouts or grilled eggplant

Really good miso soup

Fresh corn on the cob

Cold water on a hot day

[dijohn]

Peanut butter balls. We call it healthy candy. Peanut butter, honey, wheat germ, and cocoa powder rolled into balls then rolled into more wheat germ. YUM!!!

[SeaSide Tomato]

dijohn--Sounds yummy! Would you share the proportions? Thanks!

[dijohn]

1/4 cup peanut butter (any variety you prefer, I happen to like Crazy Richard's)
1/4 cup wheat germ
2 tblsp honey
2 tblsp cocoa
more wheatgerm for rolling

This recipe easily adapts to your tastes, adding more or less of any of these ingredients still gives a good result. Hope you enjoy them SeaSide Tomato.

[sueatmo]

You've discovered wheat germ for rolling things in. Yes! When I baked thumbprint cookies, I discovered that rolling them in toasted wheat germ worked as well as rolling them in chopped nuts. And when I made salmon patties (canned red salmon) wheat germ was very good as part of the filler. I may have rolled them in wheat germ as well. I haven't use wheat germ in a long time. Good product.

[SeaSide Tomato]

dijohn--Sorry for my late thanks--I just saw this--sound great!!

[sandylc]

butter and cream.

[alliegator]

For a whole indulgent but healthy meal, I vote for pho. Sure, there's some fat from the beef, but you have to have some fat in your diet. The blend of so many flavors and the richness of the broth make it feel like a very satisfying meal.

[LeoLioness]

"Healthy" is relative and I've never actually done a calorie count on it, but I'm pretty sure my black bean soup is relatively healthy. Or at least, not particularly high in fat/cholesterol but high in fiber and protein.

I add a diced sweet potato and like it almost entirely pureed so it gets a creamy, silky texture and top it with a tiny dollup of low-fat sour cream, cilantro, scallions and lime juice for extra flavor.

[magiesmom]

nut butters, especially almond;dark chocolate, artichokes.

[chef chicklet]

Nuts - Black Walnuts are the favorite at the moment
Avocado
Sprouts of any kind - I'm the only one in the family that eats them, so I do indulge.
Good yogurt - doesn't have to be Greek, just organic and fat free-plain -for me it's like eating a great cheese
Dark Chocolate - or Bitter Sweet/Scharffen Berger
Prawns/Shrimp
Ahi Tuna
Lamb Chops
Hydroponic Butter Lettuce
Honey Crisp Apples
Yukon Gold Potatoes

[laliz]

+100 on honey crisp apples yum!

[MattInNJ]

Whiskey and Bacon! My grandfather swears by it and he is 96 years going strong.

[zooxanthellae]

A lot of my initial responses have already been mentioned, but I don't believe this one has been: mushrooms. Wonderful meaty flavor with no saturated fat, sodium, etc.

[chefJeff18]

Chocolate Mousse it is because we need 30 percent of calories that chocolates have and it would makes us feel good

>>>>Peace is never been an Option<<<<
<a href=http://fujifilmax25014mpdigital-camer... s205 Digital Camera</a>

.

[Passadumkeg]

Beer.

[ninrn]

So, beer-battered onion rings fried in a gallon of lard -- the new superfood? :

http://www.scrumptiousdelicacies.com/...

[cocktailhour]

pureed cauliflower. Amazingly rich texture, even without cream.

I love avocado and wish I could get them 4 for a dollar. But they don't fall into my healthy category--since it is not the same for everyone.

[laliz]

Fage 2% yogurt sprinkled w/dark chocolate chips. OMG.

Avocado (hass, no fuerte) on whole wheat toast sprinkled w/just a tad of seasoned salt.

Roasted cauliflower.

Butternut squash soup.

Venti non-fat no-foam latte

[Caitlin McGrath]

"Avocado (hass, no fuerte) on whole wheat toast sprinkled w/just a tad of seasoned salt."

Avocado mashed on whole wheat toast with a sprinkle of (plain, for me) salt is one of my favorite things to eat. I have discovered that I really like it with Dijon mustard spread on the toast before the avocado goes on, too.

[julesrules]

Try your avocado spread on a toasted sesame bagel - the roasted sesame and avocado combo is great (think california rolls). Actually, I am just now wondering if avocado might be nice with dark sesame oil. Hmmmmm.

[Cremon]

I'll have avocado on toast with sardines on top. One of Alton Brown's favorites and listed as a superfood because of what the combination provides.

[Billy33]

Seasoned avocado on toast is elevated with the addition of a few squeezes of lemon juice.

[wonderwoman]

"Fage 2% yogurt sprinkled w/dark chocolate chips..."

and a handful of chopped hazelnuts.

[Wawsanham]

oatmeal, figs (fresh especially), cherries, good sweet peaches, oranges in olive oil on bread, fava beans, pierogies filled with cabbage and mushrooms, honey, crusty bread--not all at once, though.

[annietheking]

haha nice caveat

[dijohn]

Glad you said fresh figs! That is a fruit of the heavens, although sadly we rarely get them here.

[Querencia]

In Chicago markets we see a few in August and September. Fresh figs remind me of bonbons---a little bit of a covering that you bite through and then the inside is all gooshy and sweet.

[Monica]

big fat juicy steak..for extra boost of iron!

[Passadumkeg]

Lard.
http://geniuscook.com/lard-is-healthy/

Mmmm chicharones.

[Wawsanham]

Don't know how very healthy lard is--though I know it's not "as bad" as once thought. I guess lard from time to time. Great with fired onion and apple mixed in on bread--"Schmalzbrot".

[frannieface77]

Have to agree with Greek yogurt! The texture is so amazing that even eating 0% fat I feel like I'm digging into a carton of sour cream! Also, roasted butternut squash- when you roast it long enough it gets so incredibly soft and sweet, just add some cinnamon and savory spices and it feel almost too "rich"! Same with canned pumpkin puree.

Hm, what else...well, I eat at least one apple almost every day, but for some reason a good apple always feels like a treat to me. When I eat a really BIG, sweet-tart, CRISPY apple, slice by thin slice, I love love love it. Mango's smooth texture and super-sweet flavor (plus the color of sunshine!) make it feel indulgent.

[pinehurst]

Figs, and (moderately healthy) carpaccio. I really, really like asparagus, too.

[Cremon]

+1 for asparagus. That is a wealthy man's vegetable but boy is it good. It costs too much to have every day. But the flavor is fantastic.

[mattstolz]

around here, the weathly mans veg is definitely brussel sprouts.

which is really unfortunate because theyre my favorite!

[Cathy]

Trader Joe's is selling stalks of Brussels Sprouts for $2.99. So good.

[mattstolz]

now if i could just get a trader joes IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA...

[sandylc]

$2.99???? They are three-something here!!!!!

[lyri]

I'm joining the avocado crowd, of course.

I'll also have to add sweet potato and winter squash/pumpkin. They are so sweet and almost feel like a dessert but are really good for you.

Some fruits also feel quite indulgent to me, especially really good peaches and pineapples, and some berries.

[iluvcookies]

Sweet potatoes, slow baked in their jackets until super soft and caramelized. Almost a dessert, but doesn't cause a spike in your blood sugar.

[mcf]

Causes a spike in mine, so I'm down to 1/4 a small one. Sure is lusciuous though. :-)

[iluvcookies]

Really? My grandpa is diabetic and this is one of the "sweets" he can eat, according to his doctor.

[Cathy]

Every person is different and food that causes spikes for some is fine for others (my husband's glucose reading goes up 20 points when we eat plain watermelon; I go up 50 points after two thin slices...however, I can eat all the cantaloupe I want and my reading only goes up 20 points) When you are first diagnosed, the main thing to do is test, test, test and figure out the foods to which you are sensitive .

[mcf]

That's how I know sweet potato is a spike food for me. I choose to eat in way that doesn't raise me 20 points, except on holidays or splurges... but it's not for everyone.
I was responding to the comment that as written applied to all: "...doesn't cause a spike in your blood sugar."

I've been directing newbies to Jennifer's advice for a decade or so... "test, test, test..."
Only with the proviso that some of the numbers are out of date.

[mattstolz]

as a (soon to be) eyedoc that will be seeing A LOT of diabetic issues, it is really good to see people on food boards talking about being careful to control their BG and testing often!! good job yall!

[cocktailhour]

I agree that everyone is different. as a type 1, I find that timing of insulin to food has a huge effect on preventing "spikes." but I can go up and down by 20+ points just by breathing. it is an insignificant swing, for me.

[mcf]

Yes, very different diseases, type 1 and type 2.

[Val]

@cathy...or @mcf...what if you ate watermelon WITH cottage cheese...or a handful of nuts? Would that change your glucose readings, do you know? I've read about GI vs. GL and find it interesting, though am not diabetic. thanks!

[mcf]

I don't need it, so I don't look for ways to eat fruits that are not friendly to my bg, I stick to eating the way that has reversed my kidney and nerve damage and kept me in normal numbers for over a decade.

I eat boatloads of non starchy veggies, though. GI and GL just no longer apply in a predictable way to folks who already have broken carb metabolism, folks using meters find. Results vary hugely between individuals.

Typically, adding protein to any meal will improve post meal glucose, since protein causes a strong insulin response that occurs over hours while it's slowly metabolized rather than the kind of hyperinsulinemia that carbs induce. That's why protein doesn't raise bg in type 2 DMs. Slow conversion, sustained insulin response.

[Val]

ok, thanks mcf!

[Cathy]

For me, the carbs in low fat cottage cheese (or low fat yogurt) just add to my readings. Full fat versions have less carbs and are better for me. Almonds (or other protein or a lot of vegetables) do not 'negate' or 'water down' any readings. I have had to learn to avoid or eat/taste very little of certain foods. Paying attention to glycemic index helped, but is not 100% accurate for my body. As they say, YMMV.

I was only diagnosed this year, by chance (my readings 9 months prior were normal and I had no 'signs' of being diabetic other than extreme sleepiness after eating) so I am fortunate in that I have the ability to prevent damage early and that I am not feeling particularly deprived nor am I having to 'learn' to eat any 'new' foods.

The term "healthy" in the title of this post is undefined. Watermelon would seem to be 'healthy' and not even decadent. Crispy chicken skin is not considered healthy, is considered decadent and will not cause a spike or blip on my glucometer.

[mcf]

Absolutely agree about LF dairy; lactose is such a fast digesting sugar that it can be used in place of OJ for hypoglycemia. And full fat tastes so much better! Only Fage Greek yogurt is still yummy when I buy 2% and doesn't spike me.

I developed severe insulin resistance and related health problems years ago while eating the alleged healthy diet... It took years of modifications and monitoring results to reach the diet I do so well on now.

[Querencia]

Unless of course you bust them open and fill them with butter and nice dark brown sugar and it gets all melty.

[iluvcookies]

Mmm... yes they are quite tasty that way:) Real maple syrup works well too.

[rusty_s]

In-season strawberries. As I eat them, I can't make myself believe that they could be healthy. They are too delicious. I am waiting for the study that finds that all berries are bad for you and will take 30 years off your life.

[mattstolz]

this one is especially true when theyre dipped in a really nice balsamic

[Querencia]

I used to think of chili as junk food but it's more like health food. If you make it at home, you can control the fat and salt. The beans are good carb, loaded with fiber. Kidney beans, the juice that cooks out of them, tomatoes, and tomato paste are excellent sources of potassium. And of course the meat is protein. I happen to like chili with a pile of shredded cheddar cheese on top so that adds protein. If you are really worried about fat use the lowest fat ground beef then after you brown it put it in a colander and run hot water over it to remove as much fat as possible.

[mcf]

I make my chili with Eden black soybeans, which are pretty much entirely protein, fat and fiber... and some red kidney beans, too. I don't worry about fat in my diet, it's really improved my health, but I don't like greasy chili so I make it with 95% lean beef and use all the cheese, sour cream or gaucamole I want on the side.

[babette feasts]

Fruit crisp. I was going to say pie, but crisp will have more fiber from the oats, and probably less butter.

[ErnieD]

Definitely echo sashimi, although that can be fairly indulgent from a price perspective. Popcorn, for me, although the health on that might be arguable. I do pop it without oil (in a presto popper) then toss it with a little EVOO, dried Italian seasoning, and garlic salt (and okay, maybe occasionally butter and sriracha instead. But mostly the olive oil). So it's a whole grain and good fats, and I would eat it over pretty much any chip on the market. Pomegranates are another, and really any roasted vegetable with just a little olive oil and seasonings of choice tastes very rich and satisfying to me.

[annietheking]

ooh yes! roasted vegetables are wonderful. i especially like butternut squash for the luxurious texture

[Firegoat]

Scallops
Steak

[plf515]

Sashimi
Lobster
Salmon roe
Mussels - can be very healthy, depending on how they are cooked.
Oysters

[hungryabbey]

second all your favs.

[Tripeler]

Artichoke hearts.

[pinehurst]

Yeah, in a similar vein, I was going to say hearts of palm. Totally agree with you on the artichokes.

[Tripeler]

Actually, I was also going to say "hearts of palm" but I rarely have it, and it is invariably canned.

[Querencia]

Not invariably. I believe that the hearts of palm on the salad bar at Fogo de Chao are fresh. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. They are different from the canned ones.

[Rella]

I can't imagine how wonderful they might taste, as I love even the jarred hearts of palm. The last jar I had tasted sort of nasty and threw it out, the first time ever, I hope it isn't a sign of things to come.

[babette feasts]

When I worked in San Francisco in 2006 or so, we'd have fresh hearts of palm shipped in from Hawaii. They are available to places willing to pay for them.

http://waileaag.com/

[Rella]

I lived in Hawaii for about 4 years in the 80's, hitting the local markets, and not ever noticed them. I'll bet I didn't even know what they were - or knew how good they were. DARN!

[subal]

Chocolate
Whip Cream
Ice cream
Apple pie
Creme brulee
Fudge
Chocolate chip cookies
Milk shakes
and the list is endless!!!

[ski_gpsy]

....and these are healthy how?

[Rella]

They've always been healthy and will continue to be so ... heheheh hahahah.

[mattstolz]

good for the soul?

[linguafood]

What? You didn't see that news report? Whipped cream, creme brulee & fudge are the number one sources of healthy.........hmmmm.

Wha'?

[Chowrin]

This only works if you hike 20 miles in a day. good calcium that.

[linguafood]

If I hiked 20 miles a day I would neither have the time nor energy to eat all that stuff.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I see dairy, fruits, and grains covered in that list. =)

[Rella]

Cheese, but my doctor "heartedly" disagrees with it as being healthy. I feel it is indulgent and quite healthy. Could I be so wrong?

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Avocados are pretty inexpensive right now (4-6 for $1), so not that indulgent. Bought 52 last weekend, and sold all but 12 to coworkers. The last dozen are mine.

Hmmm, always love good chocolate.

Nuts are more expensive than back in CA , so that would be a good one for me. I still can't bring myself to pay $6 a pound for pistachios though =( Walnuts used to be free from some friends of the family, so I had sticker shock when I saw $4 a pound in the store. What ya gonna do though when you need them for the oatmeal choco chip cookies? Yea, I'd definitely have to go with nuts.

[mattstolz]

does this mean that a chocolate-avocado mousse would be a super-member of this indulgent but healthy list?

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Maybe chocolate covered avocado slices. Dark chocolate is supposed to be heart healthy.

The Florida avocados - the shiny 2 pound ones - have less fat, and calories than the Hass. One FL avocado will make a quart of guacamole. They are running $2.50 each here.

[mateo21]

Where on Earth do you live that you can get 4-6 avocados for a $1? At my local grocery store avocados are almost always $2-3 PER avocado...

[HillJ]

My family lives in CA and they pay a quarter for avocados while I'm in NJ and pay 1.25 each.

[Rella]

Here in VA - cheapest I see is $2 ea. They advertise! 2 for $4. Big deal!

I see them at Costco, but I have stopped buying them there, so I haven't priced them lately.

[Violatp]

I live in SF and I can't find any under a dollar! And even those are the small ones in the Mexican markets!

[HillJ]

Doesn't it make you crazy! I could visit family & friends in Ojai and pick them off the tree for free! NJ prices are horrible....nearly the whole year.

[Veggo]

"chico" haas avocados at my latin grocer in metro Dallas, La Michoacana, are 3 for a buck, and are "para hoy", for today. I'm getting my guac groove back, with chicharron delgado and agave nectar holding the rim salt on my 'ritas.

[HillJ]

Now I'm jealous.

[Cremon]

At our local international farmers market I can get Mexican Haas avocados 2 for $1.50. And the mexican ones are much bigger than the ones grown here in the US.

[coastie]

reality check - avocados in my neck of the woods are running about 4 bucks a pop. If they were that cheap here I would be an avocado ( as in, u are what u eat)
( alaska)

[Violatp]

I still remember a party many, many years ago during a snowy, cold Chicago February. Avocados were running just about that and the hostess provided a seemingly bottomless giant mixing bowl of guacamole. I think every bite was a dollar's worth of avocado!

To this day, no other extravagance has ever impressed me quite as much!

[babette feasts]

Oysters.

[ctl98]

second this for sure!

[Njchicaa]

Ceviche

[VBeatso]

Salmon, and in the fresh fruit category i think mango and raspberries are the most indulgent.

[happybaker]

Fudgesicles! They are so satisfying but at not that high in fat or calories.

[happybaker]

Oh, and shrimp har gow!

Yes, they are in rice noodles, but as they are shrimp and not fried they are pretty low in fat - and they make you feel so happy and naughty, when actually, I think you've been pretty decent. Especially if you've remembered to eat some veggies as well : )

[ski_gpsy]

Forcing myself to stick with the OP's parameter of "feels indulgent but is healthy" I'd have to say a big, fresh, just steamed artichoke with garlic aioli to dip. Healthy, but feels indulgent.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Avocados and nut butters feel indulgent to me, though I eat them often enough, especially nut butters. I think it's due to their texture (creamy and rich thanks to all the fats). And I'd definitely have to agree with Veggo regarding duck.

[sueatmo]

Blue Diamond almond butter is most indulgent! So indulgent--and with a little sweetener--I don't buy it for fear of losing control. But almonds in general are good for you. I keep a pouch of Blue Diamond almonds in the house most of the time.

[mattstolz]

i really well made (non cream based) soup!

ice cream based on frozen bananas in the food pro. mmm

[Kitchen Imp]

mattstolz, can you say more about your ice cream recipe? That sounds fantastic, and I have no fewer than 8 bananas in the freezer right now - designated for banana pound cake, but ice cream sounds even better!

[mattstolz]

the ease to deliciousness factor of this is about as good as you can ever get.

1) peel and freeze ripe bananas
2) place in food processor (add a splash of milk to move the process along)
3) add whatever flavorings you want (chocolate, peanut butter, etc)
4) turn on food processor
5) when its the consistency you want, you're done!

you can place it in the freezer to harden up some if you want, but i cant ever wait that long. but its that easy! just blend frozen bananas with a splash of milk and whatever add-ins you want!

[Kitchen Imp]

Thank you!

[SeaSide Tomato]

sounds great--Does this get creamy like icecream??

[RUK]

Dark Chocolate!

[mcf]

YES, and especially, dark chocolate sugar free flourless cake with real unsweetened whipped cream.

[AthenaHM]

Going to have to try that.

[mcf]

google around for recipes for boule de neige, while you're at it. TDF.

[sueatmo]

Agree with the previous posters. I love Greek style yogurt, but have to limit how much I eat because of carbs. However, I would add fresh spring strawberries to the list. For this season, I would add pureed winter squash if I don't eat too much of it. I tried a bright coral squash and its puree, flavored with white balsamic vinegar and a little half and half, felt quite indulgent.

[mcf]

Good news sueatmo: most of the carbs listed on plain yogurt are no longer there in the form of the sugar (lactose) they came from. Fermentation convertes them to lactic acid, hence yogurt's tartness. Most of the carbs are gone after 24 hours of fermentation but the ingredient carbs are still on the label.

Mine are dark chocolate, triple cream brie and ribeye steaks, avocados, nuts and olives.

[sueatmo]

Well, I eat plain Greek style yogurt, and I go by the carbs listed on the carton. You know far more than I about eating low carb! I just have to go by the carbs listed on the package. I'll do a little research on this though.

[mcf]

If you use a glucose meter to test post meal blood glucose at one hour, you can try having only the yogurt and testing the effect an hour later. A cup of 2% has only 8 grams of carb listed, and those are from lactose, which is mostly or all gone IF your brand, like Fage, has no added milk solids (containing excess lacose) and is made just from milk and/or cream. I buy the oldest yogurt I can find and keep it in my fridge for weeks or months beyond the pull date, unopened. I started doing this when I was lactose intolerant and found that fresh Stonyfields cream top plain gave me cramps, but older containers did not. Because Greek yogurt is so much higher in protein, it should produce a much lower glucose response post meal, too.

[sueatmo]

I've thought about getting a glucose meter, even though I am not diabetic. 1 C of 2% Fage has 9 g of carb. I think 1 C of yogurt is way too much though. I would only eat 1/2 C. So, 4 1/2 g of carb per serving vs 3 g of carb per 1/2 C serving for the cottage cheese I get at WF. I would like to add a T of yogurt to smoothies I make several days a week.

[Cremon]

I love greek style yogurt. I ruin any health benefits by mixing mine with lemon juice, finely chopped, peeled cucumber and dill weed. While there is noting wrong with that, it then goes on sliced lamb in a gyro sandwich, hehe. Opah!!!

[AthenaHM]

I want a gyro, now.

[frannieface77]

Just noticed we both brought up squash! I don't even add any cream/dairy at all- just mashing up some roasted butternut squash with flavorings of choice and it's perfect. Gotta agree on the balsamic. Haven't tried white balsamic though, how does to compare to the usual kind?

[sueatmo]

I guess it is sweeter than the regular kind of balsamic. It is very light or golden in color. The dark is mellower. I don't prefer the light in general, but I like a vinaigrette made with it better. I am using it to add sweetness to things because I am not using sugar very much these days. 1 T of the light balsamic has 5 g of carb, 4 of which is sugar. 1T of the dark has 4 T of carb w/ 2 g of sugar. By contrast 1 t of sugar has 4 g of carb, all of which are sugar. I doubt I used as much as a tablespoon of the vinegar, but seeing those counts makes me aware that I shouldn't overdo the vinegar esp with a starchy vegetable.

Adding the half and half made the puree quite silky. If I had been hand mashing instead or pureeing, perhaps I wouldn't have needed the dairy. I think I also added a small bit of butter.

[mcf]

Not that it's a big diff, but aged balsamic has 2.7 grams of carb per TBS, 2 of which are sugar (typically rounde up to 3 gms of carb per TBS). Cheaper balsamic often has sugar added and contains more. Or less aged ones, perhaps, where the sugar hasn't fermented as much to acid?

[sueatmo]

I'll have a look at WF at some aged balsamics. The better ones are more expensive so I've only ever used less expensive brands. I wonder if Costco carries a good balsamic? But you are right; a few niggling carbs here and there are probably not going to kill my eating plan. The brand of balsamic I usually buy (Alessi) calls it itself 'aged.'

[Cathy]

Oh, Costco does.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product....

[mcf]

I haven't looked at the Costco balsamic on the shelves, but I do know that some of the cheaper ones have added sugar to compensate for lack of aging or short aging.
Don't forget that vinegar with meals is said to have a glucose lowering effect post meal, too, though you'd need to use a meter at one and two hours post meal to test that. The beauty of using a meter is that it teaches you about *you* not some anonymous study group's collective responses to foods... it's so highly individual.

[sueatmo]

I know, I know. But if I got a meter, I'd have to have someone show me how to use it.

[mcf]

Nah, the instructions are easy and so is its use. And I can tell you that all the diabetics I know change lancets annually, not daily or for each test. The custom is to change it on St. Swithin's day. :-) No one taught me how to use it, and I still would be undiagnosed without it, never having had a diagnostic fasting test.

[divadmas]

check around or google blood glucose meter. you can usually find one for free including 10 test strips. they make their money on the strips. i get the walmart brand rely-on, $50 for 100 strips, its cheaper than my insurance copay.

[mcf]

You replied to me, but I think you meant to reply to sueatmo? I have three free meters, but if I were going to buy one without insurance coverage for strips, I'd get the Relion and its cheap strips.

[Cathy]

Again Costco.com (Health and Beauty section, subsection "Diabetes Management"
http://www.costco.com/Common/Category...

[mcf]

Again, why are you giving me this reference?

[Cathy]

Sorry. Response was to sueatmo.

[goodhealthgourmet]

no added sugar in the Kirkland balsamic.

[mattstolz]

aaaaannnddd thats why i love it.

[mcf]

Is it any good? I buy Fairway's aged balsamic, but Costco's is no doubt cheaper.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it's serviceable for an everyday, won't bowl you over but definitely a cut above standard supermarket brands. i haven't tried the Fairway so i can't do a straight comparison.

[mattstolz]

its my go-to when the balsamic is an ingredient or in a marinade, but i keep nicer ones on hand for finishing balsamics

[mcf]

Thanks to you and GHG... will check it out and price against Fairway aged.

[sueatmo]

I did have a hard look at the golden or white balsamics. Turns out the light balsamics aren't true balsamic vinegars. However none of the balsamics I looked at, light or regular, indicate they have had anything added to them except grape must. The Alessi brand states that it has been aged 4 years in barrels.

[sueatmo]

I wanted to add that tonight I microcooked a Delicata squash (so sweet) and then pureed the pulp. I added Champagne vinegar this time (only 2 g carb per whatever) a little butter, a little low carb milk and a little half and half and pepper and nutmeg. Absolutely heavenly. The vinegar really helps flavor the squash. Nutmeg was fine in this as well. And it definitely felt indulgent as I ate it.

[HillJ]

The only thing I would add to annietheking's list are nuts. When I buy and use fresh good quality nuts I do feel indulgent. The first time I tried Greek yogurt I did feel that sense of being spoiled and a new food love affair was cemeted. Crab, more than lobster actually, but seafood is a precious commodity for me. Any fruit especially pears, like the OP, definately a fresh perfectly ripe avocado. The in-season market buys of Jersey tomato or corn. Going to the mushroom farm. A great pineapple. Yes, it all feels good and indulgent.

[Val]

Avocado would be my #1 choice to answer this question as others have already said...has SUCH a creamy mouthfeel to it when ripe enough and it DOES have lots of fat but beneficial fat and so much more.... I don't think watermelon has been mentioned yet (mcf might ream me out on this one..((^_^))...but what else in this world is so sweet and refreshing and loaded with lycopene, Vit C and antioxidants?

[goodhealthgourmet]

what else in this world is so sweet and refreshing and loaded with lycopene, Vit C and antioxidants?
~~~~~~~
gazpacho? ok, maybe not the sweet part, but it covers the rest ;)

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Most of the good stuff is in the rind. I want to try juicing, and pickling some.

[Rella]

I may have mentioned this to you previously. But in the movie, "Fat, Sick and Almost Dead," it is all about juicing. The first half does seem silly, but then it gets into some pretty heavy juicing. If you see it, you might just run out and get a juicer. I had tried jucing 10 years earlier but it didn't "take," but now I'm a juicer.

Also, there is a fantastic cooking computer TV channel that comes through on one's TV that shows one woman's pickling. Truly awesome.

[Cremon]

+1. I love avocado. I'll chop up some fresh cilantro leaves, mince a couple of serrano chili peppers and mince a couple of onion slices, a bit of kosher salt and some scoop style corn chips. That's my favorite way to eat them but certainly not the only way. I buy mine from an international farmers market. And I prefer the Haas avocados. I am not a big fan of the Florida ones. They taste watery and diluted (for lack of a better term) to me. The Haas avocados I get are grown in Mexico - for some reason they tend to be the biggest ones.

[JaclynM]

One of my favorite breakfasts is a smoothie made with half an avocado, half a cup of pomegranate juice, and half a cup each of frozen blueberries and strawberries. (I also add in some chia seeds.) It's almost like having sorbet for breakfast - it's so delicious and creamy.

[chef chicklet]

Yes, nuts. Ridiculously expensive (pecans and walnuts) but I buy about 1/4lb at a time to join the many other bags I have in the freezer. I'm stuck on fat free organic plain yogurt topped with walnuts.

[HillJ]

I was just checking by bag of pine nuts because of the Wegman's recall announced this morning. I think the cost of pine nuts has been pretty incredible over the years, most recently a reduction in the crop and now a complete recall.

I love all sorts of nuts too and my wine cooler is typically where I store them.

[Cremon]

I love tree nuts, but I like getting unsalted, roasted pumpkin seeds from a local farmers market too. I will salt mine myself with hand ground (in a mortar and pestle) superfine salt like you'd use for popcorn. I buy them unsalted because I like to be able to give them without salt to our pet hamsters as a treat - they love them as well.

[gator28]

Tzakiki. Hummus. Sashimi.

[roundfigure]

Hummus.

[ceekskat]

Some really nice red wine.

[cbjones1943]

"all natural popchips" San Francisco 20 chips 120 cal Several flavors Addictive Great for children

[Veggo]

"Addictive Great for children"
So that's how California got that way!

[ceekskat]

Love, love the salt & pepper ones. Can't control myself; therefore, don't buy often due to high sodium content.

[Veggo]

Ducks, that's what my heirs tell me.

[BobB]

Don't worry, they love you. Duck fat is actually good for you. http://www.edinformatics.com/math_sci...

"It appears that duck and goose fat is more like olive oil than it is like butter or beef."

[Veggo]

I hope so. I made 40 ozs. of duck liver pate last Sunday, with ample fat!

[mcf]

Actually, beef fat is more than 50% MUFA and PUFA, too. And saturated fats have been proven to have no causal relationship to heart disease anyway.

[ipsedixit]

Define "healthy".

[annietheking]

whatever you define it as! it doesn't have to be the same for everyone =)

[ipsedixit]

Well, ok, then. Here goes.

Ice cream ... lots of calcium, protein and if made with fruit, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Peanut Butter ... healthy fats, protein
Steak ... protein, iron
Rice pudding ... dairy
Steamed Taro ... 'nuff said.