You won't believe this low carb breakfast option!

I've embarked on a low carb adventure for my overall health and today I found out how delicious tuna patties can be! Since this is also a very affordable meal, I'm sharing it with my son - it contains all the types of foods and flavors he likes, is easy to make and will keep his cost down. It helps I just sent him a case of tuna for his birthday. The good stuff too - Albacore Tuna! 

Here is the original recipe I found on genaw.com:

TUNA PATTIES
2 6-ounce cans tuna, drained
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1/2 ounce
2 tablespoons oil and/or butter

Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl; chill at least 30 minutes. Heat the oil and a little butter in a large skillet on about medium heat. Drop the tuna mixture by large spoonfuls into the hot oil. Flatten slightly and shape into patties. Fry about 3-4 minutes on each side until well-browned. Flip them very gently and brown the other side. Serve with tarter sauce or sauce of your choice.

Makes 2-6 servings
Can be frozen

Per 1/2 recipe: 455 Calories; 40g Fat; 42g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs
Per 1/4 recipe: 228 Calories; 20g Fat; 21g Protein; 1g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 1g Net Carbs
Per 1/6 recipe: 152 Calories; 13g Fat; 14g Protein; .5g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; .5g Net Carbs

I omitted the celery salt (I don't have any) and onion powder (I minced 1/4 of an onion instead) and used pepper jack cheese in place of the Parmesan to give it some kick. I determined it was easier to cook them in a non stick pan with PAM spray instead of oil. I didn't have time (I was too hungry) to let it chill for 30 mins but it still came out perfect.) I'm eating them now - and they are perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve this with a green salad and you've got a perfect low carb lunch or dinner. I'm sure you could add minced garlic to bump up the flavor even more. 

Enjoy! I'll be sharing more as I continue on this low carb food adventure. 

Nutrition in a glass

My son, who is about to turn 19, has recently moved out. He has very different habits and nutritional goals and experience than my daughter. He prefers to spend as little time as possible with preparation (some times) and really wants his food to TASTE good. My daughter will eat something she's created even if it's not the most flavorful due to lack of ingredients.

I told my son I would start my motherly input with a basic smoothy recipe I've been using. He needs it to be easy, relatively affordable, and pack enough nutrition that I don't have to worry he is starving himself and missing out on all the healthy options I used to make sure he had access to at home.

Son, here is what I use for my fruit and protein smoothy. It's relatively balanced (a little high on carbs, but I don't think that's an issue for you and it's all from natural sugar anyway), has good fiber and protein and keeps me full for a good couple of hours.

1-2 cups of Almond milk (unsweetened)

1/2 to a full banana

wheat germ or raw oatmeal about 2 tablespoons (this adds fiber and nutrition)

1/2 cup of frozen or fresh fruit of any kind (I've used peaches, blueberries, black berrys, cherrys or sometimes I leave it out)

2 tablespoons of peanut butter or unsalted peanuts (if you use the peanuts, it adds a lot of texture, which you may or may not like)

2-3 ice cubes

I blend this up in a blender or use an immersion blender.

You could do this same thing with any type of liquid in place of the almond milk - water, juice, I've used yogurt but it makes it really thick, milk.

To make it even better for you, you can even add something like spinach, kale or I've added a small zucchini to it - the flavors of everything else make it so you don't even taste the veggie part. It's like sneaking veggies in on yourself.

You could use Myfitnesspal.com to track your food and make sure you are getting a well balanced diet. It will help you count calories, protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and more just by adding your specific recipe to it! 

Love Mom