18 August 2010

Profile of a Healthy Eater: Katie

This week, meet Katie. Katie is wary of Vitaminwater (as she should be!) and would carb it up Italian-style for her last meal. Read on for more of her foodie personality!

Katie, another healthy eater!

What’s your foodie style? Whole foods-based. I absolutely love eating whole grains, lots and lots of ruits and vegetables, and beans too. I am a recently converted vegetarian (lacto-ovo) and I love finding new ways to get protein, whether it be nuts, greek yogurt or tofu! My background is Middle-Eastern, so I guess that’s where I get my love of fresh foods. I also make all baked goods in my house from scratch - people think I’m crazy, but that’s how I was raised. I don’t think people realize how easy it is to bake treats from scratch, but it really is quite easy!
Something people consider “healthy” that you think is anything but? Diet drinks for sure! People drink SO much of that stuff, and think it’s great because it has zero calories. What they don’t realize is how many chemicals there are in it! It’s absolutely crazy, the amount of artificial junk they’re putting into their bodies. As well, I think Vitaminwater and other brands of vitamin-enhanced water are overhyped. Sure, you’re getting lots of nutrients, but you’re also getting lots of sugar and 120+ calories per cup. I would rather take a vitamin supplement if I lack a specific nutrient.
Favorite food/health blog? I really enjoy the Sparkpeople blog, and well as fANNEtastic food and Sarah Dussault’s nutrition and fitness blog, SarahFit. Of course, I also love the spunky flair of Your Nutritionista. :)
Your go-to five-minute meal? I love making quesadillas, especially since I just got a panini press. I chop up loads of veggies, like carrots, broccoli, green and red peppers, and onions, and saute them for a bit. Then I put them in a whole wheat tortilla with a mozzarella/cheddar blend, and some salsa, and cook it. It’s dee-lish!
Perfect last meal? Probably an Italian feast, with everything from vegetable lasagna to garlic bread to Caesar salad to spaghetti. It would definitely be carb-heavy, with lots of chocolate ice cream at the end!
Favorite method of cooking and why? I love to saute vegetables. I use sauted vegetables for my quesadillas, omelettes, pasta dishes, and stir-frys. It is such a versatile way to cook, and when you add broth or some sauce, it adds a whole new dimension.
Craziest diet you’ve ever tried? I tried going carb-less once. I lasted probably about a day and a half? I love carbs, they’re my biggest weakness, but I absolutely could not live without them.
Restaurant you’d go to every day if you could? Villa Gallace in Clearwater, Florida. It has extremely original and amazing Italian food, it was the best meal I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
Food/dish you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook, but haven’t? I have wanted to make eggplant parmesan, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Also, I have wanted to learn to make really good pies, like my grandma made.
Dream dining companion? Any Food Network star would be awesome! I would love to just sit and chat with them, and ask them all of my questions!