Easter is quickly creeping up and again we have to watch those calories and look for better choices when preparing a holiday feast. Staying away from high sodium items and those loaded with sugar may be a difficult task on Easter, but this is all part of a healthier lifestyle.
Cutting down on portion size is the best way to get through a holiday meal. If possible, ask for a smaller plate, it forces you to have smaller portions if you don't go for seconds!!! If a small or salad plate isn't available don't let your portions touch on that dinner plate!!
If those chocolate bunnies tempt you have a piece, but limit the size and choice. Go for the dark chocolate; it's not only an antioxidant, but has less sugar.
Don't deprive yourself, just eat wisely.
If you are going out to dinner or visiting relatives, be sure to eat a light breakfast or lunch. Try to maintain your regular exercise routine as it will make you feel better and you'll be less inclined to stuff yourself. Remember drink plenty of water before and throughout your meal.
Showing posts with label Healthy Eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy Eating. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
Hints for A Healthy Thanksgiving
Some hints for having a healthy Thanksgiving Day!
Have a light healthy breakfast.
Get out and take a bike ride, walk or a run.
Drink plenty of water.
If you are eating late in the day, have a lite lunch so you don't find yourself so hungry at dinner that you "pig" out.
Again, drink plenty of water. It helps to curb the appetite as well as keeping you hydrated.
Limit your alcohol....remember even a glass of wine can have up to 175 calories per 6 oz. glass.
Use a smaller plate; it helps to limit portions.
Keep foods separate on your plate, i.e. don't let them touch each other. (It's a great way to keep the portions small).
If those desserts look appetizing, have a tiny piece of each. Stay away from the gravies, whipped cream, buttery and cheesy sauces.
After dinner, get out and walk, walk, walk. Don't get caught up in being a couch potato.
Remember you can't work off a bad diet!!
Have a light healthy breakfast.
Get out and take a bike ride, walk or a run.
Drink plenty of water.
If you are eating late in the day, have a lite lunch so you don't find yourself so hungry at dinner that you "pig" out.
Again, drink plenty of water. It helps to curb the appetite as well as keeping you hydrated.
Limit your alcohol....remember even a glass of wine can have up to 175 calories per 6 oz. glass.
Use a smaller plate; it helps to limit portions.
Keep foods separate on your plate, i.e. don't let them touch each other. (It's a great way to keep the portions small).
If those desserts look appetizing, have a tiny piece of each. Stay away from the gravies, whipped cream, buttery and cheesy sauces.
After dinner, get out and walk, walk, walk. Don't get caught up in being a couch potato.
Remember you can't work off a bad diet!!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Healthy Snacks
Even those of us who regularly eat healthy and watch our calories sometimes get side tracked because of social functions, sporting events, vacations or we just want to splurge!
One of the fastest ways to get back on track is with some healthy snacks. If you find yourself in a car most of your day or have a long commute make sure you pack some snacks to keep your energy up and keep that boredom from setting in. In the car listen to the same type of music you love to work out with; it will keep you awake, inspired and make that drive more enjoyable. Fill small plastic snack bags with nuts and dried fruits. A bottle of water will help to keep the sleepiness away and, yes, even coffee is good for you! It's what you put in it that's bad so watch the sugars and creamers.
For those of you who bring lunch to work, salads with grilled chicken, raw veggies and walnuts is a high protein healthy way to go. Put your salad dressing on the side or go with vinegar and olive oil. Snacks for the office could include sliced apples dipped in natural peanut or almond butter. Fresh berries in season, walnuts, almonds (just a few), a rice cake, carrots with hummus, green tea and water. NO DIET DRINKS!
These are all easy to prepare and you will feel great at the end of the day. For the after dinner sweet tooth so many of us have try some nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh or frozen berries, slices of mango, peach or pineapple.
You can be creative with your snacks and be healthy as well!
One of the fastest ways to get back on track is with some healthy snacks. If you find yourself in a car most of your day or have a long commute make sure you pack some snacks to keep your energy up and keep that boredom from setting in. In the car listen to the same type of music you love to work out with; it will keep you awake, inspired and make that drive more enjoyable. Fill small plastic snack bags with nuts and dried fruits. A bottle of water will help to keep the sleepiness away and, yes, even coffee is good for you! It's what you put in it that's bad so watch the sugars and creamers.
For those of you who bring lunch to work, salads with grilled chicken, raw veggies and walnuts is a high protein healthy way to go. Put your salad dressing on the side or go with vinegar and olive oil. Snacks for the office could include sliced apples dipped in natural peanut or almond butter. Fresh berries in season, walnuts, almonds (just a few), a rice cake, carrots with hummus, green tea and water. NO DIET DRINKS!
These are all easy to prepare and you will feel great at the end of the day. For the after dinner sweet tooth so many of us have try some nonfat Greek yogurt topped with fresh or frozen berries, slices of mango, peach or pineapple.
You can be creative with your snacks and be healthy as well!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Football Season
Football season kicks off tonight in New Orleans!! Everything here is buzzing with the pregame concert from Jackson Square and then the face off with the Vikings!
It's also the time to stop and think about what you are putting in your body! For those of you watching at home, make those healthy snacks rather than the normal chips, dips, nachos and pizza. You can still enjoy those, but with a bit of tweaking you can make them healthier and cut the calorie and fat content down.
Go with baked chips; make your own dip using non-fact plain yogurt instead of sour cream. Add in your own spices or go for it by using a pre-made dip mix with that yogurt. Guacamole is a great snack choice, healthy if paired with a baked pita chip; hummus is a high protein snack loaded with fiber; if you really want those nachos, go with the baked chips, a white cheese (less fat and calories), add those chopped tomatoes and chili peppers. You can add in some protein with grilled chicken pieces, shrimp or crab meat!
Headed to your local sports bar; watch that beer, the calories add up quickly. Order grilled chicken with a salad, if you crave that pizza, see if they have a thin crust loaded with veggies!
Remember, it's almost impossible to work off a bad diet. And this is about a habit....create a healthy football season habit; you'll feel better, look better and enjoy the game even more!!!
It's also the time to stop and think about what you are putting in your body! For those of you watching at home, make those healthy snacks rather than the normal chips, dips, nachos and pizza. You can still enjoy those, but with a bit of tweaking you can make them healthier and cut the calorie and fat content down.
Go with baked chips; make your own dip using non-fact plain yogurt instead of sour cream. Add in your own spices or go for it by using a pre-made dip mix with that yogurt. Guacamole is a great snack choice, healthy if paired with a baked pita chip; hummus is a high protein snack loaded with fiber; if you really want those nachos, go with the baked chips, a white cheese (less fat and calories), add those chopped tomatoes and chili peppers. You can add in some protein with grilled chicken pieces, shrimp or crab meat!
Headed to your local sports bar; watch that beer, the calories add up quickly. Order grilled chicken with a salad, if you crave that pizza, see if they have a thin crust loaded with veggies!
Remember, it's almost impossible to work off a bad diet. And this is about a habit....create a healthy football season habit; you'll feel better, look better and enjoy the game even more!!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating is not all about weight loss; it's about a healthier you. Eating right and eating clean affects everything about your body; your hair, your skin, your bones and even your brain.
Clean eating means staying away from refined and processed foods. Limiting sugar intake, staying away from fast foods, processed foods, diet drinks, limiting alcohol intake and caffeine.
With Spring and Summer fresh produce and fruits will be plentiful. Try to buy local veggies and fruits being aware of those which are organically grown; no pesticides or fertilizers.
Always think about what foods and drinks you are putting in your body.
Berries, nuts, (almonds, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts) make great snacks. Going for a walk, a hike, make your own trail mix! These are all great energy boosters and don't forget the water!
Clean eating means staying away from refined and processed foods. Limiting sugar intake, staying away from fast foods, processed foods, diet drinks, limiting alcohol intake and caffeine.
With Spring and Summer fresh produce and fruits will be plentiful. Try to buy local veggies and fruits being aware of those which are organically grown; no pesticides or fertilizers.
Always think about what foods and drinks you are putting in your body.
Berries, nuts, (almonds, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts) make great snacks. Going for a walk, a hike, make your own trail mix! These are all great energy boosters and don't forget the water!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Trying to Lose Weight? Think Before Ordering!
Starbucks is one of my favorite places to write. And I am a writer as well as a fitness professional and in the latter role I tend to cringe and wonder what people are thinking.
Coming into a coffee shop and ordering a Latte with Splenda and an apple fritter or cheese danish makes no sense. And I see this all the time. When I worked in New Orleans I constantly would see women come in from the health club after an intense exercise session and order a skinny Frappuccino and a cheese danish!! The next morning they would come back to the health club complaining that they haven't lost a pound!!!
Don't think because you take an exercise class or do some cardio that you can eat anything you want. It doesn't work that way.
Have that Latte with Splenda but pair it with a protein drink, egg white omelet, yogurt; something with protein to fuel your body. Stay away from the sugar; avoid fried and fat filled treats!
If you want to see a difference in your body and lose those extra pounds, think before you order!
Read through the nutritional information, become an informed consumer and a healthier you!
Coming into a coffee shop and ordering a Latte with Splenda and an apple fritter or cheese danish makes no sense. And I see this all the time. When I worked in New Orleans I constantly would see women come in from the health club after an intense exercise session and order a skinny Frappuccino and a cheese danish!! The next morning they would come back to the health club complaining that they haven't lost a pound!!!
Don't think because you take an exercise class or do some cardio that you can eat anything you want. It doesn't work that way.
Have that Latte with Splenda but pair it with a protein drink, egg white omelet, yogurt; something with protein to fuel your body. Stay away from the sugar; avoid fried and fat filled treats!
If you want to see a difference in your body and lose those extra pounds, think before you order!
Read through the nutritional information, become an informed consumer and a healthier you!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tips from Pat
Healthy eating starts with eliminating all white "stuff" from your diet. That includes white flour, sugar, breads, rice and even potatoes. Start eating whole grain breads, brown rice and sweet potatoes. They are a much healthier choice and packed full of vitamins and nutrients. Cut out sugar completely. No one says it will be easy, but you'll be surprised how much better you will feel.
Losing weight is about "choices". Make a commitment to yourself and to your body to be more aware of what you put in your mouth. Before you drink that Latte, Mocha, Martini or diet soda take ten seconds; could you have made a healthier choice? Of course, a non fat Latte, Mocha; a glass of red wine, water instead of diet soda are all better choices. If you really want to indulge, cut to once a week!
For example: Calories in a Grande Latte for five days adds up to: 1100. The better choice Skinny Grande Latte: 650. In a five day period you would cut 450 Calories!!! It's about choice and again, "READ LABELS".
Losing weight is about "choices". Make a commitment to yourself and to your body to be more aware of what you put in your mouth. Before you drink that Latte, Mocha, Martini or diet soda take ten seconds; could you have made a healthier choice? Of course, a non fat Latte, Mocha; a glass of red wine, water instead of diet soda are all better choices. If you really want to indulge, cut to once a week!
For example: Calories in a Grande Latte for five days adds up to: 1100. The better choice Skinny Grande Latte: 650. In a five day period you would cut 450 Calories!!! It's about choice and again, "READ LABELS".
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Ideas from Pat for Healthy Eating
The first thing I tell clients who come to me to lose weight is: "READ LABELS".
Not only do you want to know what you are putting into your body but the calories you might be consuming without even knowing. At a quick glance that container you picked up might say 240 calories. Read closer as the 240 calories may be for one serving and that container may contain 2,3 or even 4 servings! So what you think is only 240 calories actually may be 480, 720 or even 960!!! Take the time to read those labels carefully; be aware of hidden calories.
Keep a daily or weekly food log. It will not only help you to keep track of what you are putting in your body but the calories you consume. And those calories add up quickly. Watch your snacks, no candy bars! Choose nuts or fruit instead. No wine or beer for a snack!! And I have seen that on a food log....give that person credit for being honest, but alcohol for a mid-afternoon snack doesn't cut it when you are trying to lose weight!
Tomorrow, more weight loss tips.
Not only do you want to know what you are putting into your body but the calories you might be consuming without even knowing. At a quick glance that container you picked up might say 240 calories. Read closer as the 240 calories may be for one serving and that container may contain 2,3 or even 4 servings! So what you think is only 240 calories actually may be 480, 720 or even 960!!! Take the time to read those labels carefully; be aware of hidden calories.
Keep a daily or weekly food log. It will not only help you to keep track of what you are putting in your body but the calories you consume. And those calories add up quickly. Watch your snacks, no candy bars! Choose nuts or fruit instead. No wine or beer for a snack!! And I have seen that on a food log....give that person credit for being honest, but alcohol for a mid-afternoon snack doesn't cut it when you are trying to lose weight!
Tomorrow, more weight loss tips.
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