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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,036,872 times
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Hi everyone.
About a month ago, my aunt had a heart attack. One of her arteries was totally blocked (they fixed it) and she had a clot in her lung as well.
Since this "event," she's quit smoking (!!!!!) and is exercising a bit.
Problem: She's a potato chip addict. A big one. She can easily finish off a family-sized bag of chips in a day. They're sometimes even a meal replacement for her. Not cool!
Her kids have tried to get her onto baked ones -- she doesn't like them.
I tried to get her interested in the roasted garbanzo beans that I recently discovered and though she thought the idea was terrific, she hasn't made them yet. Opening a bag of chips is easier, I agree, and besides, the chick peas aren't potatoes!
Do any of you have any great ideas as a replacement snack? She craves the potato itself, likes the saltiness (although she does like "reduced salt" ones, too), and the oily goodness.
I'm going to visit her and would like to bring along some stuff to entice her. I'm looking for already-made things -- items that are in boxes or bags -- that would interest her as much as greasy, salty, potato chips.
It's a tall order -- this is 40+ years of professional chip-eating that I'd have to undo -- so if you know of any yummy delicious products out there that are healthier than potato chips, please let me know.
How about sweet potato chips? They cost more, but at least they've got more nutritional value and more fiber. I think they're delish!
Another idea: Since your aunt has so much difficulty with portion control, maybe try getting a box of single-serving chip bags and telling her to at least cut back by only eating one or two bags a day. After a while, cut back to only one and then maybe she can wean herself off the chips entirely and substitute something more healthfu. Chips are my biggest downfall, and I can't even have them in the house. If there's an open bag around, it's too easy to sit with it on my lap and chow away, not realizing how many I'm really eating. At least if they're in small, individual bags, your aunt might find it a little easier to control how many she eats.
YES! Bingo! I'm definitely going to pick up a couple of bags of those for her! Thank you!
Glad to help! There are also other veggie chips which are delicious. You still need to read the nutrition info on the bags, though, for info re: saturated and trans fats, sodium, fiber content, etc.
Also, does your aunt cook? I've made yummy tater and sweet tater chips myself by thinly slicing the taters, drizzling olive oil on them, salting them to taste, and baking them on a cookie sheet.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,036,872 times
Reputation: 28903
Quote:
Originally Posted by PJ8
Glad to help! There are also other veggie chips which are delicious. You still need to read the nutrition info on the bags, though, for info re: saturated and trans fats, sodium, fiber content, etc.
I've had those veggie chips. I love them; she'll hate them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PJ8
Also, does your aunt cook? I've made yummy tater and sweet tater chips myself by thinly slicing the taters, drizzling olive oil on them, salting them to taste, and baking them on a cookie sheet.
She does cook but when it comes to chips, it's just so much easier to open a bag. She won't put herself through the effort, hence the reason she hasn't even tried the roasted garbanzo beans, which are so easy to do. She needs a quick fix, that's why I want to get a bunch of snacks in bags for her to try and hopefully love.
Be clear on your objective and read labels. According to a CU I just read, "vegatable" chips are little improvement. They may have a "little" more nutrition, but you may find the salt and oil is comparable.
The portion controll point is a VERY good one.
What I've found is that it's the oil and salt that are appealing. And like sweetners of any kind, your pallet adjusts to them. High fat foods like ice cream and croissants are delish because of the fat content is so satisfying. Frankly, I think it's the oil and salt (and crunch) she likes more than the actual "potato".
For me replacing oil and salt, with spices works. Though I know not everyones tastes on seasonings varies. One of my favorites it rice crackers with or without and wasabi peas. though I know the hotness of the peas may peas too much for some people. Rice crackers can be found in bulk at some stores (Winco). They are also easily found in import (Cost Plus and oriental stores.)
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