Side Dishes??

[Culler]

So, I'm having some slight trouble keeping my diet in check. I will be stepping it up to the next level soon as I keep cheating a little here and there. I have no problems cooking my proteins everyday/week - Chicken, Steak, Fish, eat lots of it... But I guess my question is, what are you best choices for side dishes with this. I love all food so it's not hard for me to adapt to changes, I usually add a green veg. at every meal, but sometimes I'm guilty of potatoes/white rice, etc. Having to manage the family for food is difficult as well, so if you know of any single sides I can do quickly outside of cooking the whole meal, thats awesome too.

I am going to be running a bulk cycle starting soon, and I want to really nail down my diet before hand. Do you guys cook a weeks worth of food at a time? And I find Breakfast is the hardest meal for me, simply because I am not hungry in the mornings and don't have much time to cook anyways.

I know it's kind of an open question, but wanted to see if I could start a discussion on it, or if you have any tips on good routines you guys use often.

I will be taking in approx. 4000 calories a day, with 300-350g of protein, just as a base to start.

 

[Moneytoblow]

I usually add a green veg. at every meal, but sometimes I'm guilty of potatoes/white rice, etc. Having .

Nothing wrong with a baked potato. Ronnie eats them quite often. White rice PWO is also not too bad; I'd avoid it at any other time. If you want to avoid cooking a whole meal, try 2scoops of whey with a cup of oats in your shake. It's a mix of chewing and drinking but it actually tastes pretty good.

 

[Muscle_Girl]

Fresh veggies are always my side. I often have 1-2 meals a day with half a tomato and like 1/3 an english cucumber. Quinoa is a nice starch, cool texture, can be made just like rice, nutty flavour if you toast it a bit before adding water to the pot. Grilled veggies are nice too, but I suggest you don't overcook them, you lose a good amount of nutrients when vegs are exposed to heat. Quickly stirfrying some veg is also an option, again, keep the crispness, add vegs from most dense to least to ensure even cooking and have them all prepped before you start the pan. Another alternative to potatoes would be the sweet kind, those can be baked into fries, I have even grilled some.

Ultimately, its more about what you put into the side dish that will attract you or turn you off, spices, oils, etc. Try making up your own spice mixes, they are fun. I have one that I use for almost all pan-fried or grilled meats, a dry rub:
1 tbsp Paprika
1 tsp salt
1.5 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sage
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp red pepper (often cayenne)

 

[ManInBlack]

Spinach!

 

[Culler]

Spinach!

Love spinach, eat lots of it. Don't have a problem with the veggies, do you guys typically just eat a bunch of veggies with your protein, say a big helping of spinach, carrots, brocalli with your steak/chicken?

 

[S_walker]

I did some steamed Brussels sprouts last night that were great with my chicken.

WHFoods: 5-Minute Brussels Sprouts

Yes I ate an entire pound of them and yes my wife hates me for it. LOL

 

[SloppyJ]

Brown Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Squash, Zuchini, Beans....lots more

 

[Culler]

Thanks guys!

 

[jagbender]

Spinach!

I eat 4 pounds of baby spinach a week and 2 pounds of baby greens salad mix.

most of my baby spinach goes in my protein shakes.

quinoa with dill is awesome

steamed green beans

tomatoes

 

[ManInBlack]

I eat 4 pounds of baby spinach a week and 2 pounds of baby greens salad mix.

most of my baby spinach goes in my protein shakes.

quinoa with dill is awesome

steamed green beans

tomatoes

All good stuff. I like spinach a lot though.