Meatball Anonymous – What’s your food obsession?

Have you ever had a food obsession? You crave that particular food almost every day? You just have to have it? I’ve gone through my share of food obsessions. In my younger and unhealthier years as a teenager it was anything sugary and chocolate. That was obviously a bad obsession and it made me crave more of the bad stuff, leaving me with teenage skin problems, mood swings, weight issues and not a great feeling about myself.

In recent years my cravings have shifted more towards healthy foods (thank God!) I truly believe that the reason for this is that my body needs a particular nutrient. This summer I just couldn’t get enough of kale. I had kale salad for breakfast with my eggs, for lunch with my chicken or fish and for dinner as well. Kale chips as snack and kale in my kale cakes. (Here’s the recipe) I just couldn’t get enough. After about 2- 3 months that craving subsided because I got sick of it. I also had my share of grilled corn Upstate this summer, which is an especially sweet and tender variety. Then, came fall I could have eaten Indian curries every day. Then recently started the meatball addiction. I am seriously thinking about joining MA – Meatball Anonymous. I discovered Trader Joe’s turkey meatballs and I couldn’t be happier. They’re low in carbs, loaded with lean protein and taste amazing, whether baked in the oven or microwaved. They work as lunch and dinner protein options and as snack. Even cold they’re tasty. They taste a lot like my grandma’s who used to make them whenever her and my grandpa would go on a long road trip to visit my family. When they arrived, us kids would get the leftover cold meat balls.

As you know, I love scoping out new foods at Trader Joe’s. They regularly update their assortment of prepared meals and finding something that’s low-carb, high in flavor and great on ingredients is always exciting. Last year I made it my mission to buy 10 days worth of Detox foods at Trader Joe’s with $103. I enjoy sharing my findings not just because I can share it with my clients and you, but also because I don’t have much time during the week to cook. When I get home at 8pm it’s just got to be quick and easy but I don’t want to sacrifice my health or nutrition.

Here are my current easy-to-prep favorites – all Trader Joe’s products. Would love to hear yours too, so feel free to post below in the comment section.

Turkey Burgers: Frozen and just need a few minutes to prep. Season to your liking. I love cumin, rosemary and thyme, pepper.  Add your favorite veggies.
1 Burger has 22grams of protein, 10grams of fat, no carbs.

Turkey Meatballs: Frozen. Microwave or put in the oven. Make sure you buy the flame broiled and not the Italian style meatballs as they’re loaded with fat.
1 bag of meatballs (12 pieces) has 72grams of protein, 18grams of carbs, 24 grams of fat. 6 balls is enough!

Vegetable Masala Burgers: I often eat two for breakfast with 3 eggs. The perfect veggie/starch combo to start the day. They’re deliciously spicy.
1 burger has 2grams of protein, 11grams of carbs and 8grams of fat.


Grilled Chicken Strips: Quickly heated up in the oven or microwave and you can top your salad, use as ingredient in stir-fries or simply as a snack.
1 serving (3 oz) has 16g of protein, 1g carbs, 1.5g fat.


Hard-Boiled Eggs: For anyone who is too lazy to do it themselves. Hard-boiled eggs. Six in a bag. The perfect snack. One egg has 6 grams of protein, 4g of fat and no carbs. Take them to work, pop them in the fridge.

1 reply
  1. Kara says:

    TJ’s turkey meatballs and turkey burgers are practically what I live on when I am just too tired/lazy to make anything from scratch! I knew they were a healthy source of lean protein but am thrilled to know you endorse them as well! Also love the masala burgers for breakfast with eggs but I figured they would be a no-no since they have little protein and are mostly carbs. I am also really into the TJ’s Salmon burgers.

    Reply

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