11 Tips for Healthier Snacking
by bethaldrich
I love to snack! It's only human to want some nourishment in between meals, so when looking for snacks, try granola-topped yogurt, celery or carrots, whole-grain toast or whole grain crackers, apples or oranges.
Better yet, try a whole grain (high fiber) cereal bar from Kashi. I've found their ingredient list to be very clean and free from chemicals and preservatives!
Designate a snacking zone in your home to avoid countless calorie build up because of mindless munching in front of the TV or computer.
Make it quick. If you need to snack on the go, think beyond a bag of potato chips. Bring a handful of almonds, sunflower seeds or walnuts or even string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars or other drip-free items to keep your car crumb free.
Don't be fooled by labeling gimmicks. Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories. Likewise, foods touted as cholestral-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.
Go for the grain. Whole-grain snacks - such as whole grain pretzels or tortillas and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals can give you energy with some staying power.
Out of sight, out of mind. If the cookie jar is full, you'll probably clamor for cookies. But if there aren't any cookies in the house, fresh fruit or raw veggies may seem more appealing.
Think outside the box and try something new, such as fresh pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, or roasted soy nuts. Slice a whole-wheat pita and enjoy with hummus.
Revisit breakfast. Many breakfast foods - such as low-sugar, whole-grain cereals and whole-grain toast make great afternoon snacks.
Use the freezer. When bananas have gotten black and soggy, simply peel and place in a freezer bag. Frozen bananas and berries mixed with apple juice and ground up flax makes a super mid-day snack.
Sweeten it up. Healthy snacks don't need to be bland. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars or agave nectar.
Remember your leftovers. A small serving of last night's
casserole might make a great snack.
Drinks count too. Drink plenty of water between meals. Liven it up with a squirt of lemon, cranberry or other fruit juice.
Happy snacking!
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October 28, 2008
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A Closer Look At Meal Skippers!
by DrKushner
If you tend to rush through your busy day without giving much thought to breakfast or lunch until you’re famished and ready to grab and gobble whatever food is within arm’s reach, you earn the right to be called a Meal Skipper – one of the seven Eating Personalities catered to by Diet.com.
While thoughts of skipping school or skipping down the street may bring a smile to your face, skipping meals is a no-no for the woman or man intent on losing weight.
Without a predictable meal pattern, your diet will vary depending on your schedule, whereabouts and to-do list. Once Meal Skippers realize they’re hungry, options tend to be limited… and unhealthy like the vending machine chips and candy or the closest fast food drive thru window.
This leads to an eating pattern that is irregular and unpredictable – and diet detrimental.
To succeed at weight loss and maintenance, dieters sometimes think that skipping meals will help them save calories. Actually, the opposite is true.
Don’t skip over the latest research:
--One study found that people who skip meals and eat at irregular times end up overeating when they finally do eat.
--People who eat regular meals and snacks experience decreased calorie intake, increased calories burned after mealtime, improved insulin sensitivity and improved cholesterol levels.
--People who eat regular meals have healthier diets and get more vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and fiber -- and less total fat, cholesterol and sodium -- than people who had irregular meal patterns.
--People who are successful at losing weight and keeping it off eat breakfast daily and plan their meals more than people who aren’t successful.
In an effort to lose weight, dieters often struggle with what they are eating (carbs or protein). But if you’re a Meal Skipper, it’s most important to begin your healthy weight loss program by adopting a regular meal and snack schedule.
The Personality Type Diet program here on Diet.com will show you how. So skip the excuses and start eating more wisely! |
October 28, 2008
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Bring Back the Apple!
by bethaldrich
What ever happened to all of the apple hype? You know, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away,” or “Bring your teacher an apple.” We need to bring back the apple! Apples help you cut your cholesterol, lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, help detoxify your body, assist in anti-aging and cut the rate of asthma.
When apple picking this fall, you’ll enjoy your bushel so much more if you remember some of these important apple facts.
Apples, offer anywhere from 90-97% more antioxidants when eaten whole versus juiced. This rich source of antioxidants helps protect against the oxidative stress which has shown to contribute to various diseases and the aging process. Loaded with vitamin C, fiber, quercitin (a great detoxifier, also found in blueberries and onions), and boron, apples are the perfect complement to any de-tox plan. With its soluble fiber, apples produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestine, encouraging the healing and nourishing of the cells in the large intestine which assists in decreasing cholesterol levels. According to recent research at the Harvard School of Public Health, flavanoid-rich apples have been found to significantly reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. With the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of apples, English researchers have seen a lower incidence of asthma.
Since apples have a high concentration of pesticides, try to look for organic varieties to avoid unnecessary chemicals and sprays.
Here’s one of my favorite apple recipes, a crunchy apple crisp.
Apple Crisp
4 large apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup water
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Then, peel, core and slice the apples. Put the apples in a bowl and mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, using a fork, mix together 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
In another bowl beat together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1/2 cup water. Add them to the dry ingredients. You've now made the topping.
Put the apples in baking dish and pour the topping over them.
Bake in the oven for 30 - 40 minutes. When it's done the apples should be soft and the topping golden and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool.
Enjoy!
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October 27, 2008
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