How Parmesan Cheese Saved My Life

Since giving birth to two children and getting dangerously close to the “mid-thirties” mark, I have found that I am constantly struggling to get/keep those last 10 pounds off.  I don’t know if it is due to reduced metabolism, the horror that my 2 kids did to my body, or the frantic life of motherhood and work.  I just know that staying in shape is not nearly as easy as it was in my twenties.  My problem, it turns out, is that I love food.  I love it.  If eating could be a hobby, I would want it to be mine. Seriously, I love food.

So, how do I reconcile these two conflicting issues?  Let me tell you one thing that has helped- parmesan cheese.  I am not talking about the grated stuff in the green container- I mean real, shredded, delicious, parmesan cheese.  It is relatively low calorie but has a strong flavor, which helps me to use less of it than I would other cheeses.  It is remarkably versatile and tastes good on almost anything- we sprinkle it on grilled asparagus, of course on salads, chicken, plain pasta and green beans.  It lasts forever in our fridge, so we buy it in bulk at the wholesale club and it doesn’t go bad.  Although it seems a little expensive when you buy it ($12-$15 for a large container), because you can use so little for the taste benefit, it ends up costing literally pennies per serving.  So, if you are like me and love food but also would like to fit in your jeans- rediscover parmesan cheese.  It has literally saved my butt … from growing larger and larger and larger…

Do you have a favorite food that is both flavorful & light on calories that helps you to keep those pesky pounds off?  Please share your comments with us here!