5 Favorite Veggie Burgers for Lunch

You don't have to be a vegetarian to eat veggie burgers. These easy, healthy, low-fat and low-calorie freezer essentials are filled with protein. Although making your own fresh veggie burgers would be the best alternative, time is so precious that often a woman may need a quick lunch that takes a minute or two to grab, rather than 30 minutes or more to prepare. That's where the veggie burger comes in.

I've heard people complain about the taste or texture of veggie burgers, and in my opinion they often just haven't found the right one for their tastes. There are so many different varieties today you don't have to settle for a tasteless, tough soy disk. 

I personally love veggie burgers, and find they can be used in many ways, from the traditional burger style to topping a salad to thrown in a tortilla shell.

Here are 5 favorite veggie burgers to try:

1. Morning Star Farms Black Bean: This slightly spicy, protein rich veg burger has Mexican-inspired flavors, making it delicious on toasted bread with cheddar cheese and tomato, crumbled in a taco salad, or used for tacos.

2. Morning Star Farms Tomato Basil: This faux burger has a pizza-ype flavor - perfect with mozzarella cheese. 

3. Morning Star Farms Garden Veggie: This is perfect substitute for a traditional burger, top with lots of veggies and serve on light bread for a filling, healthy lunch. 

4. Boca Essentials Breakfast Scramble: This doesn't have to be for breakfast. A hearty veggie burger with just a bit of zip in the flavoring. 

5. Gardenburger Portabella: If you like mushrooms, you'll love this flavorful veggie burger choice. 

5. Season's Choice Veggie Burger (available at Aldi's): I love this one because it has a fresh taste, and unlike some veggie burgers, doesn't try to 'hide' the veggies. You'll see chunks of broccoli and peas that make it obvious this a a veggie lover's burger. Perfect with whole grain bread and light mayo.

Quick and Easy Chicken Sandwich

This is a simple, delicious lunch recipe that is also very quick to make. The trick to this is that it uses leftover chicken. I typically use chicken from an Italian chicken (Chicken breasts baked in homemade Italian dressing)  or Ranch-Rosemary chicken recipe (I use this Allrecipes Ranch-Rosemary Chicken Kebobs recipe, but just reduce the sugar and bake with chicken breasts in the oven) that I've made for dinner the night before.

Ingredients:

1. Two slices light whole grain bread
2. About a tablespoon of Hellmann's low-fat olive oil  mayo
3. About 3/4 of a chicken breast
4. Lettuce, tomato, spinach, or other condiments as desired

For the sandwich:
1. Toast the bread  -- lightly -- then spread the mayo and add condiments. The toasted bread may not sound like a big deal, but it makes a huge difference in the taste of the sandwich.
2.Slice the chicken breast.
3. If you're packing the chicken in advance, place it on cold, or heat it up in the microwave for about 20 seconds if you prefer and it's an option at lunch time. Enjoy!
4. Have with fresh veggies and a yummy, healthy dip like Bolthouse Farms Avacodo Cilantro dressing.

Potato Substitutes for Women with Gestational Diabetes

According to a study from the  National Institutes of Health's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Harvard University reported on CBS, there is a correlation between potatoes and elevated blood sugar. Study author Dr. Cuilin Zhang, an investigator in Epidemiology, says that higher levels of potato consumption before pregnancy was related to developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Potatoes are such a predominant part of many diets, from classic comfort foods like french fries and mashed potatoes to lighter options like baked or steamed potatoes. They also play a part in many soups, stews, casseroles, and the like. 

So what healthy substitutes can be used for potatoes?

1. Cauliflower: Cooked cauliflower can be mashed or pureed and used in place of potatoes for dishes like mashed potatoes or shepherd's pie.

2. Turnips: Instead of fries or roasted potatoes, try roasted turnips. Bake approximately two pounds of chopped trimmed, coarsely chopped turnips drizzled in olive oil on a bking sheet at 40 degrees for 30 minutes.

3. Kale: Kale might not sound much like a potato, but it makes the perfect healthy alternative to classic potato chips. Brush or mist kale leaves with olive oil or cooking spray and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

4. Jicama:Not everyone is familiar with jicama, but this healthy mild veggie makes a great potato substitute. Use baked, roasted, chopped, or mashed, it any of your favorite potato recipes. 

5. Celery root: Celery root is another less-common vegetable, but makes another excellent potato alternative. Bon appetit gives tips on cooking with celery root. 

5 Natural Flavored Water Ideas

Drinking plenty of water is essential during pregnancy, but it can get boring drinking plain glasses of water all the time. Try infusing your water with one of these suggestions for a new, calorie-free twist that keeps you feeling deliciously hydrated.

Fill a gallon size pitcher with fresh water and try one of the following:

1. Citrus splash: Cut up wedges of 1 lemon, 1 lime, and 1 orange.
2. Basil-mint water: Place several sprigs of fresh mint and basil in water.
3. Apple cinnamon: Add a whole cinnamon stick and a few dried apples.
4.  Peach-rosemary: Fresh rosemary and ripe peach slices.
5. Raspberry-mint: Fresh raspberries and fresh mint.

Lunch Ideas for Gestational Diabetes: 5 Healthy Soups

Lunch can be a difficult meal for women with gestational diabetes. Something quick, not too heavy, that provides good nourishment, without too many carbs, something on the go... Healthy noontime meals like that can be hard to come by.

Soup can be a great answer for the mid-day meal because it's filling, can easily be taken in a thermos, and is a great way to get nourishment form protein and veggies that both mom and baby need.

Another bonus is that making a big pot of soup means it's handy for lunch for the next few days,

Here are some delicious, nutritious, and simple soups good for gestational diabetes:

1. Simple shrimp soup: This easy soup is low in fat and carbs, but full of healthy veggies, protein, and flavor. Enjoy with a few whole grain crackers or a slice of light whole grain bread.

2. Bean soup with kale: This highly-rated, fiber-rich soup fresh veggies, flavorful italien seasonings, and heart healthy beans.

3. Chicken and sweet potato chili: The perfect blend of sweet and savory, this hearty chili is rich in flavor and vitamins.

4. Cream of Chicken and Rice Florentine: Creamy, yet light and refreshing, this soup uses mushroons, garlic, and chicken in a light cream broth brightened with the flavor of fresh lemon.

5. Lentil and chicken sausage stew: Warm, rich, and simple to make, this protein, rich stew is sure to please.