FitSugar

Healthy Eating Tip: Have an Apple After Your Evening Workout

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:02 -0700

You may have heard that eating apples can help you cut back on calories. According to one study, participants who chomped on this crispy fruit 15 minutes before a meal consumed almost 200 fewer calories than those who didn't.

Since I often go straight home for dinner after my post-work gym session, I've started eating an apple as my post-workout snack. It's a healthy food - one medium apple delivers 10 percent of your daily fiber intake - that satisfies my immediate after-exercise craving and ensures I'm not starving by the time I sit down for supper. Just be sure to keep the skin on for even more nutrients. What's your post-workout, pre-dinner snack?

6 High-Protein Snacks Under $2

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:02 -0700

Money is tight for everyone nowadays, but you can still afford to eat healthy. Here are five tasty snacks that contain at least 10 grams of protein. Enjoy them all without breaking the bank.

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5 Healthy Snacks to Satisfy Your Salt Craving

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0700

There's a whole world of snacks beyond the chip aisle, and the alternatives provide more nutrition while satisfying your urge for something salty. Get more out of your salty snacks by stocking up on these healthier choices.

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Do You Take Healthy Snacks With You When You Head Out?

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I have learned a thing or two as a mom, and one lesson learned the hard way is the importance of snacks. I often need a little pick-me-up as much as my girls. I have learned to keep energy bars, nuts, and dried fruit stashed in my car and to pick up a piece of fruit to put in my purse on my way out the door. You never know when you will be hit with a snack attack.

What about you . . .

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Food Review: Mr. Krispers All Natural Baked Rice Krisps

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0700

When it comes to salty snacks, I'm a total chip girl. While I don't eat them every day, I have trouble controlling myself when I do indulge, and the typically recommended seven- to 10-chip serving size seems to fall by the wayside. I never thought I'd find a chip that would satisfy my desire for flavor and crunch while allowing me to reach into the bag for more without going over one serving. Mr. Krispers Baked Rice Krisps ($3) have officially saved the day.

Made with brown rice, these chips are free of gluten, cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat. They are hard to find in stores, but all six flavors are readily available online in the Mr. Krispers online store or Amazon. I tried four of them, and while all were tasty, I fell in love with the Sea Salt and Pepper flavor, which was reminiscent of a healthier Cool Ranch Doritos chip. Coincidentally, they nailed the original Doritos flavor with their nacho-flavored krisps. To see the nutritional information for my favorite flavor and what a serving size looks like, read more.

One serving size is 37 chips! The texture is light and crispy and the small rounded crisps are packed with flavor.

Sea Salt and Pepper Krisps Ingredients: brown rice flour, white rice flour, whole grain yellow corn flour, yellow corn masa, safflower oil, evaporated cane juice, sea salt, toasted dehydrated onion powder, salt and pepper seasoning (sea salt, black pepper powder, coconut oil, extractives of black pepper), garlic powder, torula yeast.

Serving Size	37 chips
Calories	120
Total Fat	3 g
Saturated Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	230 mg
Carbs	22 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	2 g
Protein	2 g

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Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Superbowl is this Sunday, and many of you will be throwing or attending parties. Normally this involves four or more hours of nonstop snacking, so here are some healthy foods you can nosh on without compromising your health goals. Make them for you own party, or bring them along to share with your friends.

Make your own hummus with chick peas, garlic, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice. Serve with veggie sticks or toasted whole wheat pita bread. It's high in protein and flavor.
Use your microwave to make fat-free, air-popped popcorn. Place two tablespoons of kernels in the bottom of a small brown lunch bag. Fold the top three times and place the bag in the microwave on its side. Microwave for two to two and a half minutes, or until the popping slows down. Season with salt or nutritional yeast.
Make creamy zucchini boats. They're great finger food, easy to make, and healthier than potato chips and dip.
Be different and saute some polenta stacks. I like to add mozzarella cheese and tomatoes to mine, but get creative and use other healthy ingredients.
Eating chili on Super Bowl Sunday was a tradition in my house, but the beef offers more saturated fat and calories than I need. So make a healthier version with beans and veggies. Check out my recipe for Vegetarian Black Bean Chili.

Snack Like Obama: Fruit and Nuts

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Today we inaugurate a new president. The man who will be president not only works out six days a week; Obama also believes in healthy snacking. I vote for that!

Barack Obama makes snacks of fruits and nuts. Pistachios, known to lower cholesterol, are his favorite nut. As for the fruit we can only figure that he eats seasonally, which means these days he is enjoying citrus fruits of all kinds.

It has been mentioned, and recorded on film, that Obama likes Fiji water - not necessarily the drink of the masses. I appreciate the need to stay hydrated when running on a tight schedule, but bottled water shipped from halfway around the planet seems like a double eco no-no. Today, I will be snacking for our new president with a couple of tangerines, my favorite citrus fruit, and some yummy pistachios. What about you?

If you're still trying to figure out a menu for your own inaugural ball, my pal Yum has some ideas for you.

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Holiday Survival: 10 Healthy Snacks For Road Tripping

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0800

"Over the river and through the wood, to grandmother's house we go." I love a Thanksgiving road trip, but I don't love the unhealthy food options on the road. I could splurge a little and order a Whopper, but truthfully, I know if I eat it, I'll feel like crap. With a little planning, you can avoid the dieting pitfalls associated with road tripping. The trick is to have a travel-size cooler with you since healthy foods often need refrigeration. Here are some of my faves.

Edamame: Take the bag out of the freezer the night before and put it on the fridge. It'll be defrosted but not soggy and ready to pack in the morning.
Veggie sticks: Chop your own the night before and place in ziploc baggies, or buy precut carrots, celery, and broccoli florets at the store. Pack a container of hummus in the cooler for dipping.
Apples and cheese: A simple snack packed with protein and fiber. You can preslice them or bring a knife with you. If you're not into apples, pack some whole grain crackers like Kashi TLC party crackers or Doctor Kracker flatbreads instead.
Fruit slices and yogurt: Cut up apples, pears, pineapple, and nectarines and place them in a container. Pack them in the cooler with vanilla yogurt for dunking.
Banana and peanuts: This is always a satisfying combination and very convenient since you don't need utensils. Just stick the peanuts in the banana before you take a bite.

To see more healthy snack ideas read more.

Trail mix: Make a big bowl of your favorite nuts, dried fruits, dark chocolate chips, and granola. Then place half cup servings in individuals baggies.
Cereal mix: Choose whole grain cereals that have at least three grams of fiber per serving. Some of my favorites are Kashi Go Lean Crunch, Barbara's Shredded Oats, Kashi Honey Sunshine, and Barbara's Puffins. Mix them up, measure out serving sizes, and bag them.
Rice cakes with almond butter and cinnamon: These can be premade right before you leave. Place them in a plastic container so they stay fresh and mess-free.
Air-popped popcorn: It'll satisfy your crunchy, salty cravings. Pack a bag; it's easy to munch on whether you're the passenger or driver.
Energy bars: These are so convenient and satisfying, but be sure to choose ones that contain nuts, fruit, and whole grains. Some great choices are Larabars, Luna Sunrise Bars, Bora Bora bars, or Odwalla Bars.

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Are You a Healthy or Unhealthy Snacker?

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

MSNBC recently reported on a new study that found when faced with the choice of eating a healthy or unhealthy snack, most people choose the unhealthy snack. The study highlighted the gap between our intentions and actions; it's one of the biggest problems with snacking. So while you may think you are above the fray, it would be wise to avoid the unhealthy temptations altogether by not keeping them in your home, car, or office and steering clear of places where you know you'll be tempted (fast food joints, bakeries, vending machines, etc.). I know that if I had to pick between homemade cookies or an energy bar, it'd be nearly impossible to go with the healthy item. What about you? Do you find that you're a healthy or unhealthy snacker?

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Are You a Snack Master?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I do believe firmly in snacking and think it's losing its bad reputation. No longer perceived as a way to ruin mealtime, snacking can boost your metabolism and help you through that mid-day slump. Regardless of how you feel about snacking, are you a snack master? Take this little quiz to find out.

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