I'm Back!

I do apologize that I have been so MIA. I have every intention to continue with this blog so I hope all of you continue to check in and read!

My last post was before the New Year, so I do hope that any resolutions related to nutrition and healthy living have been kept!

I have recently started a job that requires me to be on my feet most of the day but for a good part of the day I do sit at a desk and I want to pass along something that I am taking from work that you can hopefully can learn from.

Eating while you are distracted can be a huge threat to your waistline and is a recipe for overeating! More often than not you are likely to eat more that you want or need to without realizing how much you actually ate after the fact!

The best way to fight this? I am pretty sure I have mentioned this before but I will keep saying it until it hits home. It means do nothing else other than eating while you eat, whether it be a meal or even snacks. Being more aware of what and how much is going into your body helps you limit yourself.

Article: Supermarket Drinks to Avoid

Maybe you will think twice before you buy any of these drinks at the grocery store. These drinks are filled with sugar that is just unnecessary.

 It is important to look at the sugar content of your beverages and the amount of calories per serving.

Fruit of the Matter

You know when you go through the cereal aisle at the supermarket and you decide you want to be healthy and get a cereal that has fruit in it versus the sugar cereal you are secretly craving? We all feel that we are doing ourselves a service by getting something with fruit in it, but what the consumer has to be aware of is what that fruit is actually made of.

The photo on the box looks like delicious berries that can be found in the cereal, but those berries just may be globs of flour, sugar and additives.

If there is fruit listed in cereal but it is the fifth or later in the ingredients list then the benefits of the "fruit" are negligible.

If you are trying to keep yourself healthy and would like a cereal that is filling and nutritious stick to simple cereals like shredded wheat or fiber one and add your own fruit. That way you know you are getting the benefits of the fruit you put into your cereal, plus you will feel satiated from its fiber.

Article of the Week

It is important to know your ideal body weight and not lose the drive to maintain a healthy body weight!

Los Angeles Times: Americans' 'Ideal Weight' Shifts Upward

It's the most wonderful time of the year

The holiday season is a happy time, but it can also play a toll on the way you eat. Family gatherings bring lots of food and desserts to the forefront and it is important to know when to stop indulging. 

It is this time of year where you can learn self-control and teach yourself to hold back on everything that is put in front of you. I personally believe the holiday season is a great time to help transition into the new year and bring about a new way food is looked at. 

At meal times look at what is being offered and decide what you want to eat and what you would be eating just because it is there. Remember, do not go overboard on the things you do want to eat. During this season, it is all about portion control and curbing your urge to overeat.  

Just remember, there are always left-overs so whatever you don't eat at one meal you can always eat at another! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

A Little Zest in your Life

A great way to give some extra flavor to food without adding extra fat and salt is by using the grated rind of limes, oranges or other citrus fruit. The zest of these fruits bring out a great flavor in foods such as rice dishes, meat dishes, sauces and salads.

Citrus fruit zest has an intense flavor with very little bitterness. The bitterness is found in the white pith of the fruit so it is important to zest only the outermost layer of the peel.

Also, remember before you zest to scrub the fruit with a sponge and warm soapy water. The peel should be clean before you zest to avoid and microbes that are on the outer peel.

Simple Ways to Cut Your Calorie Intake Tip #7

My last tip of this series consists of chewing sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum is an inexpensive snack and it is a great way to curb your appetite and help you stay away from those unwanted calories. The sensation of chewing tricks your body into thinking that it is eating, thereby reducing your cravings for higher caloric snacks.

Chewing sugar-free gum has other benefits including: 

1. Relieving stress

2. Attentiveness/Alertness

3. Improve oral health 

4. Sugar-free gum does not raise blood sugar 

So remember, when you want to reach for a sugar filled snack, opt for a piece of gum instead.