Well, the Oscars were this past weekend, and if you’re a fan of movies like me you may have found yourself rushing to go out and catch up on the nominated films before the awards got handed out. It’s a little more fun to watch the Oscars when you know the movies they are talking about. Or maybe you’re a fan of the blockbuster Hollywood movies. With 2011 breaking records for the most sequels being released, and a long list of superhero movies coming, you may find yourself making several trips to the movies.

Part of the experience of going to the movies for me sometimes having a little treat to much on during the film. Popcorn can be dangerous as it’s easy to eat too much. Most theaters have a wide selection of candy that is loaded with carbs and best to stay away from. Some theaters have started to have healthy alternative snacks like fruits and nuts, but even those things won’t satisfy you if you have a sweet tooth.

So what do I do? Two of my favorite treats are Russel Stovers Sugar Free and Low Carb Chocolates (I like the Toffee, and they have the least carbs) and Werthers Originals Suger free Coffee candies. They are both made with Splenda so they taste good, but are all sugar alcohols when it comes to carbs so they don’t count. Now I wouldn’t go eating the whole bag here as you find that your movie experience might become filled with remorse and stomach cramps, but a couple of these can be a nice treat during a flick. Go slow and savor them.

What’s your favorite low carb movie snack?

Usually eating at a place like Panera Bread is a bad idea. Be warned, as a bakery its menu is filled with carbs and there is an amazing display of baked dessert goods right by the register. It's a wonderful display to look at but painful museum of carbs to walk away from. One thing about Panera that is great for us PMA folk is their abundance of salads and fresh ingrediants. Delicious soups and salads are always a treat, and usually the meal is pretty hearty so you will get your fill. I like to go for lunch and get the Pick 2 deal where you get to do a combination of things. This time I went for a cup of French Onion soup and a small Thai Chopped Chicken Salad.

To keep the meal low carb you can do a couple things
-Avoid the Croutons used in the French onion soup. This will take the soup carb count down 9 points.
-Avoid the Crispy Wonton Strips on the salad. They will keep them off if you request it with out them and that's another 5 carbs you will save.

You can always check out there Nutrition Calculator on their website to alter the food a bit more to fit your carb count

Cup French Onion Soup
Carbs- 14
Dietary Fiber- 2
Net Carbs- 12

Small Thai Chopped Chicken Salad
Carbs- 13
Dietary Fiber- 2
Net Carbs- 11

Pick 2 salad/soup combo
Total Carbs- 27
Total Dietary Fiber- 4
Total Net Carbs- 23

How about a low carb lunch for two bucks from McDonalds dollar menu.

McDouble wrapped in Lettuce = $1
Side Salad W/ Ranch = $1
Cheap low carb lunch = Priceless

Eat up dummy.

Carbs - 5
Dietary Fiber - 1
Net Carbs - 4

Bread Pudding @ Hometown Buffet...I think.

Tuna Melts are easy simple and quick. Everything I believe in here at PMA. I like to cook, but anything that takes too much time begins to turn me off of the process. time is money people. Tuna melts are pretty low carb to begin with too. If it wasn't for the bread they are on they would be perfect. Well, here is an easy way to enjoy it still with an easy low carb twist.

1. Mix up the following to your own taste:
a Can of Tuna
Mayo
Relish
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

2 .Throw your tuna mix on on of those handy dandy low carb tortillas.

3. Top With Shredded Cheese. (I like pepper jack)
4. Top with another tortilla.
5. Heat it up. If your in a hurry you can use the Microwave, if you have time, do it on a skillet or in an oven for a crispier melt.

Its really not anything new, but with the help of those low carb tortillas its a great way to enjoy an old favorite that is still low in carbs.


Carbs - 15
Dietary Fiber - 6
Net Carbs - 9

Energy Drinks are all the craze these days. Sugar and caffeine is really all they are, the two things that aren't really prescriptions to all atkins followers. As a matter of fact we are told to avoid them when we can. I myself can do without the sugar, but I need the caffeine. especially on those early mornings. So what can a guy like me drink in a would of high sugar drinks? Rock Star has Just the thing.

Sugar Free Rock Star. It still has caffine. 80mg of it. That's actually less then a cup of coffee. Plus it has some other stuff in it that is supposed to be good for you. At least that's what the can seems to be trying to tell me with all those numbers on the back.

Carbs Net - 0

I scream, you scream....

I grew up with ice cream being a big part of of life. The meal didn't feel complete without some of that sweet cool goodness in my mouth afterwards. Even after those huge meals on the holidays where it felt like your gut was going to burst open, there was room for icecream, cause like we would say in my house, "It just helps to fill in the cracks"

Going low carb was a tough thing for me too because when I first started I thought desserts were a thing of the past. Luckily someone over at Breyers heard my silent prayers and have offered up a sweet solution.

The Breyers Carb Smart Ice Cream Bars have a couple different flavors (fudge, almond, and plain chocolate covered vanilla) but the one I like and the one that seems to be easier to find is the almond bars. Low carb ice cream (made with Splenda) is dipped in a low carb chocolate and sprinkled with a light amount of almond pieces. Yummers. The light crunch of the almonds with the sweet cold cream is great and will help fill those needs. And did i mention the chocolate?

Carbs - 9
Dietary Fiber - 2
Net Carbs - 5

My lunch for today.

It's what I call my "make up lunch" as I make up for bad choices from earlier.

Von's Roasted Chicken - 0 Carbs
Diet Coke - 0 Carbs

I'm not proud.

It seems as though some of the best foods that have been discovered in this world were accidentally dropped in a deep fryer. Matter of fact, those are not accidents those are acts of fate. Great moments.

One of these such moments...the Chimichanga. The Chimichanga translates loosely as the Spanish equivalent of a thingamajig. A title like that, yet we and thousands others love to eat it.  Now you can enjoy them at home with out all the hassle of carbs.

Here's What You Need
1 Pound Ground Beef
Diced Onion
Taco Mix
Low Carb Tortilla (I recommend Mission 4 carb tortillas)
Vegetable oil
Shredded cheese

Heres what you do:
1. Brown the ground beef
2. Following instructions, use some lower carb taco mix to make up some taco meat. Add some onions for some extra flavor.

3. Stuff or roll the Low Carb tortillas with taco meat and some cheese. Hold tight with a toothpick so inside will not fall out.
4. Place in pan of hot vegetable oil. You don't need a lot. Just enough to brown the sides. Watch carefully as to not burn. Golden brown means they are done.

5. Top with ingredients of your choice: Sour Cream, Salsa, Cheese, ect. You can use even use a enchilada sauce to cover them, but make sure to go light as some of those sauces contain a lot of carbs.

They are quick, easy, and a a nice little something that tastes like something from a fancy Mexican place when you are in a hurry. And usally two small ones and you are full.

Carbs - 12
Dietary Fiber - 0
Net Carbs - 12

This is my experience with Hometown Buffet. Some days we find ourselves in a wonderful loving relathionship with the simple understanding that they desperately need business and I desperately need Low Carb food and am too lazy to cook.  I have to be honest, the food isn't always the greatest, Its certainly not always the freshest, but it's quick and easy. And every now and then if you get it on just the right day, you just might find yourself leaving with a half-smile.  

The real question for someone on the low carb lifestyle is, are there things you can eat here that won't kill you and throw your carb count completely off?

Yes.

I recently visited Hometown Buffet and regardless of their bounty of high carb choices there are a few low carb choices that will help you out and keep your numbers low, just watch your portions. On the day I visited I was able to enjoy the following:

Salad and Fruit Bar
Baked chicken
Baked Fish Fillets
Teriyaki Chicken
Smoked Sausage
Grilled Fajita Veggies

My one word of caution when going here. Avoid the Dessert bar. Don't even go to look. It will get the better of you. and trust me, its not worth it. Its a one night stand that you will regret horribly the next day.