Counting calories! My magic daily number is 1559. If I want to keep losing weight, I have to track my calories in/calories out pretty carefully. When I first started logging my food, I quickly realized that the extras like wine, cheese, fried foods, mayo and sugar had a huge calorie punch but little nutritional value. Small changes add up though, and by reducing these foods, I can still eat what I like without too much calorie obsession.
My lunch is usually homemade soup and salad with lean protein, like chicken or fish. But when I want the occasional noon treat, my first choice is always a BLT. It’s the combo of cool crisp veggies, creamy mayonnaise and salty bacon, cut into toasted white bread halves. YUM! Swap out the mayo, regular bacon, iceberg lettuce and white bread, swap in avocado, turkey bacon, green leaf lettuce and whole grain bread – and you’ve got a healthier take on a classic sandwich.
Smoked Turkey and Avocado BLT (serves 1)
- 1 oz avocado (1/5 of a medium fruit)
- 1/2 lime
- dash of hot sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- two slices whole grain sprouted bread (suggested: Trader Joes Sprouted Flourless)
- 2 oz of smoked turkey breast (suggested: Applegate Farms)
- 1 leaf green lettuce
- 1/4 tomato, roughly two slices
- 1 slice cooked turkey bacon (oven roasted, not cooked in oil)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
Use fork to combine avocado, lime juice, hot sauce and salt/pepper to taste. Spread avocado mixture onto one slice of bread. Pile smoked turkey breast, lettuce, tomato slices and turkey bacon over avocado. Spread mustard on other slice of bread and top sandwich. 322 calories.
My version has more protein and better quality grains than the original BLT for less calories. Adding the avocado provides 3 grams of monounsaturated “good” fat and nearly 20 vitamins, mineral and phytonutrients. I’d make it a staple in the Biggest Loser kitchen!
Question is: will it impress Biggest Loser nutritionist Cheryl Forberg? Guess I’ll ask her tonight! She’ll be answering our food and diet questions tonight on Twitter from 8-9 p.m. EST, courtesy of Avocados from Mexico – and I’m delighted to be working with them! You’ll have a chance to win a copy of Cheryl’s latest book: “The Biggest Loser: 6 Weeks to A Healthier You.”
It’s easy to participate. Start following Cheryl (@CherylForbergRD), Avocados from Mexico (@AmazingAvocado) and me (@biggestloserlvr) on Twitter. Then during the live Q&A, tweet your health and nutrition questions directly to @CherylForbergRD using the hashtag #BLAvocado.
When’s the last time you got to talk to the woman who knows EXACTLY what the Black and Blue Teams are eating? See you there!