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Cool Salads to Beat the Heat

July 29, 2013 by

salad recipes

What better way to eat light than a cool salad? Whether you prefer the crispness of spinach and water chestnuts or the sweetness and bright colors of a fruit mix, you’ll be satisfied and happy with a salad.

A salad should never be boring, and while you can simply toss some greens with some chicken and cheese, try some of these flavor additions:

Bacon bits
Mushrooms
Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
Raisins
Cranberries
Freshly ground pepper
Sea salt
Almonds

Following are some of our favorite recipes. Enjoy! To make any of these salads a meal, add protein in the form of eggs, meat, tofu, cheese, or Greek yogurt.

(Recipes from www.simplyrecipes.com)

Asian Tuna Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

10-12 ounces of canned white albacore tuna packed in water, drained

8-10 small radishes, cut into wedges

1 large carrot, shredded

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 tsp minced ginger

½ to 1 serrano chile, seeded and minced (taste for heat and adjust, can also sub some chili pepper flakes)

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp dark sesame oil

3 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar (or plain rice vinegar with a teaspoon of sugar)

Salt and black pepper to taste

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 whole green onion, chopped

Optional: 8 ounces (dry) soba noodles* or fresh lettuce

*If mixing in with soba noodles, cook soba noodles according to package directions, and rinse with cold water.

 

Place the drained tuna, radishes, shredded carrot, garlic, ginger, chile, vegetable oil, dark sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a large bowl. Gently toss to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

When ready to serve, stir in the chopped cilantro and green onion.

Serve with lettuce, or mixed in with cold, cooked soba noodles.

 

Black Bean Salad Recipe

Make sure to rinse and drain the beans, if you are using canned beans.

INGREDIENTS

1 (15 ounce) can of black beans, thoroughly rinsed, and drained (or 1 1/2 cup of freshly cooked black beans)

1 ½ cups frozen corn, defrosted (or fresh corn, parboiled, drained and cooled)

½ cup chopped green onions or shallots

2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced, or 1 whole pickled jalapeño pepper, minced (not seeded)

3 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks

½ cup fresh chopped cilantro

¼ cup fresh chopped basil

2 Tbsp lime juice (about the amount of juice from one lime)

1 Tbsp olive oil

½ to 1 teaspoon of sugar (to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine the beans, corn, onions, jalapeno chile peppers, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, basil, lime juice, and olive oil.

Add sugar and salt and pepper to taste. (The sugar will help balance the acidity from the tomatoes and lime juice.) Chill before serving.

 

Chickpea (Garbanzo Bean) and Tomato Salad Recipe

Prep time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 15-ounce cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed

4 tomatoes (about 2 lbs.), cored and chopped

4 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

2 cups of chopped sweet onion (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or another variety)

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

6 Tbsp of white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

1 tsp salt

Freshly ground pepper

Chopped parsley for garnish

Combine the garbanzo beans, tomatoes, eggs, and onion in a large bowl.

Separately mix the dressing ingredients in a jar or a small bowl – olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour over salad ingredients. Sprinkle on chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

You can chill the undressed salad up to six hours, until ready to serve.

 

Persimmon Pomegranate Fruit Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3 fuyu persimmons, peeled, chopped (1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces), seeds (if any) discarded

¾ cup pomegranate seeds

1 Granny Smith or Fuji apple, peeled, cored, chopped (1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces)

7-10 leaves fresh mint, thinly sliced crosswise (stack them, then roll them up like a cigar and take slices from the end)

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp honey


Gently toss all of the ingredients together.

Keeps for at least a couple of days in the refrigerator, but best eaten same day it is made.

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Berries! A Nutritional Quick Guide and Recipes

July 22, 2013 by

Strawberries have vitamin CBerries pack a powerful punch nutritionally, and they’re delicious and easy to build recipes around. They’re low in calories and full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. For example, one cup of strawberries contains as much vitamin C as a glass of orange juice, potassium, and magnesium. Blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries may help reduce risk of cancer.

For best results, purchase berries from farmers markets or pick your own. If that’s not possible, buy berries in season at the grocery store, or try frozen berries. The advantage to frozen berries is that you can buy them in large quantities and not have to worry about spoilage.

The most common way to eat berries is straight from the bag. Other ways to enjoy berries include:

  • Mixing them in with cottage cheese, ice cream, cream cheese, or Greek yogurt for a delicious treat.
  • Combining with protein powder, other fruit, water, and ice to make a healthy smoothie.
  • Sprinkling them on salad, oatmeal, or cereal.

Berries make a flavorful, sweet addition to any recipe. Here are a few we know you’ll enjoy:

Strawberry Basil Salsa

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch Ground black pepper

2 tablespoons minced shallot

2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

1 package (16 ounces) Driscoll’s Strawberries

Whisk together lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Stir in shallot and basil.

Hull strawberries and chop (you should have about 3 cups.)

Add to lemon juice mixture and stir until evenly blended.

Healthy Blueberry Bran Muffin

1 cups whole wheat flour

3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups packed brown sugar

1/3 cups flaxseed meal

1/3 cups raw wheat or oat bran

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoons salt

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

1/4 cups orange juice or water

2 large eggs

1 package (6 ounces or 1 1/3 cups) Driscoll’s Blueberries

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line 12 muffin cups with papers or coat with cooking spray.

Combine flours, sugar, flaxseed, wheat bran, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; stir well.

Stir together yogurt, oil, eggs, and juice in a small bowl.

Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture; stir just until blended.

Fold in blueberries just until batter is completely moistened.

Divide batter between prepared muffin cups.

Remove muffins from pan and cool on wire rack.

Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown and pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Mascarpone Dip with Basil Blackberries

1/3 cups balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon light brown sugar

1 package (6 ounces or 1 1/2 cups) Driscoll’s Blackberries

2 tablespoons thinly sliced basil leaves

1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Large pinch of fleur de sel or other flaky salt

1 container (8 to 8.8 ounces) mascarpone cheese

Crackers, for serving

Bring vinegar and brown sugar to a boil in a nonreactive small saucepan over high heat. Boil until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Pour into a medium bowl. Let cool.

Gently stir in blackberries, basil, pepper, and salt.

Fill a bowl with hot water. Dip bottom of the mascarpone container in water for about 5 seconds. Using a rubber spatula, unmold mascarpone onto a serving platter.

Spoon blackberry mixture over mascarpone, being sure to scrape all juices out of the bowl, and letting berries fall randomly.

Serve with crackers.

Source: http://www.driscolls.com/recipes

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7 Ways to Defy Your Age

February 4, 2013 by

Sure, no one wants to be 21 again—some misadventures and irresponsibility are better left in the past. But to feelyoung again? Now that’s a different story!

Rediscover the zest and optimism you felt when you were younger for a happier life now. Just follow these simple stepsto reclaim the energy, zeal, and sense of well-being you enjoyed in your youth:

Hit the hay early. Getting your beauty sleep is the simplest way to feel younger right now. Resting up gives your brain and body the chance to fully recharge. But in all likelihood, you’re not getting as much as you need. Make the effort to turn in early and get 8 hours of sleep for 6 weeks straight. After 6 weeks, you’ll have a healthy sleep schedule formed, and feel the difference.

Eat healthy food. You are what you eat—so fuel your body with age-proof meals. Start every meal with a fruit or vegetable and a tall glass of water. Loading up on the vitamins and antioxidants in fruits and veggies will make you feel refreshed, recharged, and reenergized.

Build up your strength. The right kind of strength-training can help you feel decades younger. When done properly, weight-training makes microtears in the muscles, which leads your body to generate thicker, stronger muscle fiber. Strengthening your muscles in this way leaves you less vulnerable to injuries and builds your stamina.

Indulge your vanity. Forget the nips and tucks—there’s no such thing as eternal youth. But don’t underestimate the power of taking care of your looks. There’s a vast difference between trying too hard to look 10 years younger and trying to look your best at whatever age you are. So schedule that salon date and invest in a good face cream, guilt-free. It’s good for you.

Throw in a little spontaneity. Doing the same thing in the same order everyday is a surefire way to make you feel run down. Give your brain the stimulation you did in your youth by keeping your day fresh and trying new things. Just make little, out-of-the-ordinary changes like stopping at a different café for your morning latte or trying a new workout routine.

Get nostalgic. Load your iPod with your favorite tunes from your youth, and have a nice long stroll down memory land. Harvard University found that people who were placed in an environment that resembled their youth—with movies, music, and memorabilia from the past—experienced marked improvements in their memory, vision, happiness level, and overall health.

Play up the positive. Age has a way of making you clearly see the gloom in the world, from natural disasters to divorce and lost jobs.That’s why the final step to feeling younger is to shift your focus from what makes you unhappy to the things that make you happy. This isn’t an exercise in denying what is unpleasant—rather, it’s a way to tap into your gratitude. In turn, your optimism will motivate you to live your life fully and meaningfully.

What are some ways you cultivate your youthful vigor?

 

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10 Easy Health Tips to Start the New Year Right

December 31, 2012 by

With 2013 right around the corner, it’s time to gear up for a year full of optimism and good health!

If you’ve been waiting to write your resolutions until last minute, consider incorporating any—or all—of these health tips into your plan for a shining new year:

1. Drink more water. Many of us may not even realize that we go through our entire day dehydrated. If you feel tired often, take a look at what you’re drinking during the day—dehydration is known to cause fatigue and muscle cramps. This coming year, make the resolution to drink more water. After all, it’s calorie-free and readily available.

2. Cut down on caffeine. Caffeine is fine for an early morning boost, but if you need a cup of joe, tea, or soda just to get your through the day, you’re training your body for dependence. In addition, too much caffeine can disrupt your sleep and lead to dehydration, so consider replacing one caffeinated beverage each day with a healthier alternative, such as water.

3. Get more beauty sleep. Make 2013 the year of feeling bright-eyed and busy-tailed by getting more sleep at night. A number of experts agree that we need seven to nine hours of sleep each night to feel adequately rested.

4. Celebrate in moderation. If you want to live a healthier lifestyle in the New Year, choose to celebrate in moderation and reduce your alcohol consumption.  Not only will you help keep your liver happy, but you’ll also avoid extra calories. Try to limit your intake to no more than one drink of alcohol per day (1 drink = 12oz. of beer, 5oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. of liquor).

5. Quit smoking. We’ve written extensively about how smoking can increase your risk of breast cancer and generally wreak havoc on your health. But a new year is as good a reason as any to finally kick the habit for good. If you need help, click here to read more about tobacco quitlines.

6. Walk more. Walking is a great and easy form of exercise. Not only does it burn calories, but it helps build muscle as well. It’s also low impact and most people can do it comfortably and effortlessly. If you’re looking to improve your health in the New Year, you don’t have to walk much; only 30 minutes a day at a brisk pace will dramatically improve cardiovascular health and help maintain a healthy weight.

7. Lift weights. Make the resolution to build your body’s strength this year with moderate weight training. Not only will you help protect your bones, but you’ll also prevent the muscle loss that occurs with aging. Try lifting weights or doing resistance exercises for 20 minutes 2 to 3 times per week to keep your body healthy and active.

8. Focus on eating in moderation. Forget the diets that pervade most people’s new year. If you deprive yourself too much and remain hungry all day, you’re more likely to overindulge, particularly in the evening. Focus on moderate eating by enjoying healthy, mini-meals every few hours to keep your energy up throughout the day.

9. Cut back on the sweets. Last year, nearly 2 million people were diagnosed with diabetes. Eating too much sugar or carbohydrates floods the body with insulin in response to the spike in blood sugar. In turn, this can lead to a condition called “insulin resistance.” Over time, insulin resistance may develop into type 2 diabetes. In 2013, do your body a huge favor by cutting back the sweets and increasing fiber to prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

10. Take vitamins. Ask your doctor what nutrients you may be missing and how you may benefit from nutritional supplements. For example, if you’re a vegetarian, it’s important to make sure you get plenty of vitamin B12. You may find a daily multivitamin can help fill in the nutritional gaps within your diet.

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2013? Share your aspirations in the comments section below!

 

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Foods to Eat for Heavenly Hair

November 5, 2012 by

Heavenly HairDoes you hair need a little more oomph lately? You may find the “rinse, lather, repeat” system just isn’t enough when it comes to healthy, resilient hair—and the reason may seem obvious: your hair needs to be nurtured to look its best.

And the best way to indulge your locks is by fueling them from the inside out. Incorporate these hair-friendly foods into your daily diet, and watch your hair transform from dull and drab strands into glossy lively tresses in no time!

Fruits and dark green veggies. It’s true—healthy hair begins with a healthy body, so it’s no wonder these fortified foods would be at the top of our list. In terms of your hair, leafy green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are an excellent source of vitamins and they provide you with iron and calcium—necessary nutrients for a full and thick head of hair. Fruits high in vitamin C and A help your body to produce sebum, which is an oily substance in your hair follicles that acts as a natural conditioner.

Foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Want to add a little vibrancy to your mane? Snack on flaxseeds and walnuts to add some serious shine to your hair. Fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring are a great source of omega as well.

Foods that produce beta-carotene. Carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, asparagus, and pumpkin are all foods that convert beta-carotene to vitamin A during digestion. Vitamin A not only nourishes your hair and skin, but it also prevents dandruff. Remember, a healthy scalp is the very foundation of soft and supple hair.

  • Beans. Snack on legumes like kidney beans and lentils for Rapunzel-like locks. These foods contain growth-boosting proteins that will increase the thickness and length of your hair. Additionally, beans also have iron, zinc, and biotin, which prevent hair breakage.
  • Cysteine-infused foods. The amino acid cysteine gives your body a healthy detox, all while promoting hair growth by actually increasing the thickness of each individual strand. This magical nutrient can be found in poultry, eggs, red peppers, garlic, onions, Brussels spouts, oatmeal, and broccoli.
  • Nuts. If you’ve been toiling with way to decrease hair shedding, look no further. Nuts—such as Brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and almonds—are one of the best sources of selenium and have minerals that keep your scalp and hair healthy. Additionally, they all have zinc, which can help prevent hair shedding.
  • Whole grains. This healthy diet staple is good for both your hair and your overall health. Not to mention, whole grains are an ample source of zinc and iron. Whole wheat breads and fortified cereals also sources of B vitamins, which promote happy strands by boosting your red blood cell count. Red blood cells will carry oxygen to the living portion of hair strands and therefore increase your hair’s growth rate.
  • Silica-rich foods. For stronger, more durable hair, include foods rich in silica into your diet. Some healthy choices include bananas, oats, and raisins—and when you mix all these together, you have a nutritious, beauty-fortified breakfast!

Do you have more healthy hair tips you’d like to share? Tell us your best-kept beauty secrets in the comments section below!

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Small Things Add Up: How to Stick to Your Diet

September 19, 2012 by

Image Taken From: www.womensonlinemagazine.com

Weight gain is often the cumulative effect of a series of small decisions: do you take the stairs or the elevator? Do you walk to the corner store, or drive? Sit in front of the TV, or walk the dog? Fortunately for those who want to stick to a diet, the small decisions we make every day can help us to reach our goals without feeling as though our lives have been dominated by the desire to lose weight. Here are some ways you can focus on the small things that have a huge effect on the success of your diet:

Mentally prepare yourself every day: When you wake up in the morning, consciously think about your diet. Before you even enter the kitchen, remember your goals, and mindfully select food that will fuel your body for the day. Whole grains and fruits are the perfect way to get your metabolism going without spiking your blood sugar levels.

  • Enjoy every bite: Take time during your meals to fully chew and savor every bite. Even if you are only eating your dish because you know it’s good for you, remember it’s healthy for a reason—those vitamins and minerals help your body perform the functions that sustain your very life! Rejoice in your body’s incredible machinery, and give it the fuel it deserves.
  • Stay accountable: Even if it pains you, step on the scale every day. It keeps you honest, and reminds you that the decisions you make throughout the day are leading you to your goal. You can even keep a food diary to chart your progress and keep track of the foods you eat throughout the day.
  • Regularize your eating: Eat at the same time every day, and plan meals that are both nutritious and help you feel sated. When your body gets in the habit of an eating schedule, you reduce hunger and the midday temptation to snack too much.
  • Exercise with a friend: Accountability can be the deciding factor in whether or not a diet succeeds. Plus, exercise is much more enjoyable when in good company.
  • Take the stairs: Remember, everything matters, and small adjustments make a world of difference when it comes to losing weight. Every opportunity you see to burn more calories or eat healthier, take them.  Get acquainted with the stairs, and be sure to break up the hours at the desk with a stroll to the water fountain, or just stand up for a few minutes. Really, anything burns more calories than sitting.

Do you have the secret to a successful diet? Feel free to share in the comments section below!

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6 Things You Didn’t Know About a Vegetarian Diet

August 27, 2012 by

Vegetarian DietWhen it comes to a vegetarian diet, there are a lot of needless misconceptions floating around. For starters, the vegetarian diet is not very restrictive, all things considered. It can actually be a well-balanced, varied, and healthy choice for people of all ages.  And with nutrition-rich options like legumes, nuts, and quinoa, getting enough protein is a breeze!

In the spirit of dispelling rumors, here are six other benefits of a vegetarian diet that you may not know:

1. Longer lives: On average, vegetarians live about seven years longer, and vegans (who eschew all animal products) live almost 15 years longer than meat eaters, according to a study from Loma Linda University. Similarly, the China Health Project found that Chinese people who eat the least amount of fat and animal products have the lowest risks of cancer, heart attack, and other chronic diseases.

2. Happy hearts: Vegetarian diets ward off the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, a fact especially worth noting for women (the fatality rate for women who have heart attacks is 53% as opposed to 47% for men). Since produce contains no saturated fat or cholesterol, cholesterol levels for vegetarians are 14 percent lower than meat eaters.

3. Money in the bank: Contrary to belief, it is not more expensive to choose a vegetarian diet. In fact, replacing meat with vegetables and fruits can cut food bills by an average of $4,000 a year.

4. Cancer risk reduction: The National Cancer Institute says that vegetarian women are nearly four times less likely to develop breast cancer than those who eat meat. The German Cancer Research Center posits that vegetarians’ immune systems are more effective in killing off tumor cells than meat eaters’. Turns out, a plant-based diet helps reduce the likelihood of prostate, colon, and skin cancers, too.

5. Feed the world: According to the Journal Soil and Water, one acre of land could produce 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots—or just 250 pounds of beef.

6. Water conservation: It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, but just 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat!  So a vegetarian diet is not only healthy for your body, but also the planet.

What are questions you have about a vegetarian diet? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below—we’d love to hear what you think!

 

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How to Enjoy Christmas Parties without Compromising Your Waistline

December 12, 2011 by

Christmas CookiesChristmas is one of the most challenging times of year when it comes to watching your weight. Temptations are everywhere, and difficult to resist. Here are a few ways to watch your waistline while still enjoying holiday festivities.

Decide which parties to attend.

If you’re invited to three parties in one night, it might be tempting to attend all of them, but if you do, you’ll have three times the food and drink. Perhaps going to one or two is a better idea.

If you can, find out what will be served.

Some parties serve a full meal, while others have only snacks and drinks. If you know ahead of time how much food and drink will be available, you can create a plan and stick with it.

Don’t go to the party hungry.

If you’ll have a meal, eat a light snack before you go so you won’t overindulge in appetizers. It seems like meals are always delayed at parties! If you’ll enjoy snacks only, eat a small meal before you leave. You’ll be less likely to eat too many Christmas cookies.

Decide how many drinks you can have.

If you’re driving, ideally you shouldn’t drink at all—but if you decide to indulge, have no more than one glass or wine, one beer, or one single-shot mixed drink per hour. And yes, watch the clock. Your liver can process approximately one drink’s worth of alcohol every 60 minutes. Wait an hour after your last drink before driving.

Better yet, have a designated driver, or plan to call a cab.

Follow the 30-minute rule.

Take half of the amount you really want to eat, enjoy it, and then wait 30 minutes before you eat anything more. It takes that long for your stomach to signal to your brain that it’s full. In that 30 minutes, you’re likely to get involved doing something else and won’t miss eating more.

Eat two or three bites of anything you wish.

If you can’t resist Aunt Millie’s Mississippi mud pie, have a small slice and eat just a couple of bites. You’ll get the taste you want without too many extra calories. The same applies to high-calorie drinks—order that raspberry margarita, enjoy three sips, and then give it to someone else.

If you overindulge, make up for it the next day.

Don’t skip meals, but if you overindulge one day, eat less the next couple of days, and be sure to drink plenty of water.

What’s your favorite waistline-watching tip?

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Healthy Snack Ideas for Your Day

November 28, 2011 by

healthy snacksHaving healthy snacks through the day help keep your blood sugar stable and avoid eating too much at meals. You’ll feel less hungry and more energetic if you fuel your body at regular intervals. Discuss snacking with your doctor or nutritionist, but we suggest going no longer than three or four hours without eating or snacking.

If you keep good-tasting, healthy snacks accessible at all times, you’ll be more likely to resist unhealthy snacking. Keep healthy snacks at your desk or in the fridge at work—hopefully far away from the candy machine!

Healthy snacks that taste good include . . .

Dark chocolate.

While you don’t want to eat a lot of dark chocolate every day, an ounce is good for your heart and for your taste buds. The higher the cocoa content, the better. Ideally, you want at least 70% cocoa, which is a strong dark chocolate.

Fruit.

Chock-full of antioxidants and vitamins, fruit is a good choice for a snack. However, fruit is high in natural sugar, so you may want to eat lower-sugar choices such as berries or apples, or eat fruit with a little bit of protein and fat. An apple with organic nut butter or string cheese is a tasty, nutritious snack.

Raw vegetables.

Any raw vegetable is a good snack choice. Many veggies are high in fiber and keep you satisfied until the next meal. Veggies are a nutritional bargain—high concentrations of nutrients for few calories. Great choices include broccoli, cucumber, and radishes, or celery with nut butter.

Gorp.

Gorp is trail mix that you prepare yourself using your favorite nuts and dried fruit. A typical recipe includes almonds, nuts, dried coconut, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips. It’s very simple to make—just mix the ingredients in a bowl and pack in individual serving bags if you wish.

Popcorn.

Simple to make in the microwave and enough to share, popcorn fills you up for very few calories. Beware: many commercial varieties of microwave popcorn contain partially hydrogenated oil, which you do not want to eat. You may need to go to a health food store to find a brand that does not have it.

Cheese.

While you don’t want to eat a lot of cheese on a regular basis, it is a delicious and nutritious snack. You only need an ounce. Try string cheese for a convenient and easy-to-carry snack, or for a real treat, try some goat’s milk or sheep’s milk cheese. You’ll find a little bit goes a long way.

Nuts.

Long vilified for their fat content, nuts are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals. A handful of nuts or a tablespoon of organic nut butter with cheese or apples makes a satisfying treat. If you buy nut butter, ensure that the nut itself is the only ingredient.

Love these healthy snack ideas? Share this post with your friends on Facebook.

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Let Bread Be Your Friend, Not Your Foe

October 28, 2011 by

breadIn their desire to eat healthy, many people have lumped all breads and grains together and given them something of a negative reputation, which they do not deserve. This post will touch on the differences between the breads and grains you should be eating and those you should minimize.

Remember, you can eat anything you like in moderation.

We won’t tell you not to eat something, but we will suggest reducing your intake. We set ourselves up for failure when we say that we won’t eat something, because then we tend to crave it. Have a little, not a lot. Have one slice of bread instead of three, or one cup of grains instead of two. Sensible is the way to go.

Go for brown instead of white, and eat as much whole grain bread as possible.

In general, brown grains and rice are nutritionally superior. White bread and white rice have been processed, meaning they have lost some of their nutrients and fiber. The closer you can stay to the grain as it appears in nature, the better.

Whole-grain bread is better than wheat, which is better than white. To know if you have whole-grain bread, the first ingredient will contain the word whole. Sometimes wheat bread isn’t truly whole wheat—it’s mostly white bread with enough wheat added to change its color. Look at what kind of flour is used in the bread. Wild rice is healthier than brown rice, which is healthier than white.

A note about seeded breads: sometimes these are nothing more than white bread with seeds, so read the label to see which type of flour is used. And don’t let the words unbleached or enriched fool you, as they often mean processed. The key word is whole.

Check fiber content.

Bread should have at least 3 grams of fiber per slice. Less fiber means you’re not eating whole-grain bread.

Read labels.

Often, it’s not the grain that’s the issue, but the sweeteners, additives, and preservatives that have been added to the finished product. Many companies add high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils and vegetable shortening (trans fats) to baked goods, so read your labels. Some bakers now avoid using those harmful chemicals in all their products.

It’s not enough for the label to say 0 trans fats, as a food can have a small amount of trans fats and claim to be trans fat free. You need to read labels.

Eat bread with proteins and fats.

As bread is a carbohydrate, it can raise your blood sugar. Eating bread with proteins and fats, especially if you choose white bread, can somewhat blunt the rise in blood sugar. Many margarines contain trans fats, so be careful what you spread on the bread.

Have you been participating in breast cancer awareness activities this month? If so, what did you do?

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