FitSugar

Not a Puzzle to Me: Jigsaw Health Bars

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:00:00 -0800

If you have been reading FitSugar, then you already know that I am a bit of a health/protein bar fanatic. I wouldn't say I am picky, but bars are so hit and miss when it comes to taste and it's just too hard to tell from the packaging. Energy bars can be tasteless -- Apparently it's just not easy making a quick, healthy bar taste good.

Jigsaw ($2.97/bar) goes beyond that as they believe you shouldn’t be satisfied with health bars tasting just “good". Well after twenty-two versions, they think they've got it perfect... all the nutrients you need, none of the sugar found in other bars (they are sweetened with sugar alcohol) and a delicious taste. I am even more impressed with their 100% full-refund satisfaction guarantee, which shows that they stand behind their product.

Tested by me and my picky (and sensitive to texture) taste buds, I can honestly tell you the bars are good and I'll even go as far to say that the coconut almond bar is downright tasty.

What's more? Jigsaw Bars Contain No Gluten, Lactose, Soy Protein, or Casein but they do contain Meg-3 (omega-3 essential fatty acids sourced from fish) and OptiNutrin (immune-enhancing glyconutrients from mushrooms). All good to hear.

You can buy them directly from the Jigsaw site. Guess what else? Since FitSugar readers are so special, Jigsaw would like to offer you all $5.00 off your first purchase online! Just enter the code FitSugar at checkout! Enjoy!

Healthy Recipe: Coconut Macaroons for Passover or Anytime

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Passover begins this weekend and that means macaroon time. If you're looking for a more traditional recipe than the recipe I posted last year for Almond Macaroons, then check out this recipe. This recipe is a bit more traditional since these macaroons are made with shredded coconut, sliced almonds, and egg whites. Plus they're cholesterol free (yes, coconut is cholesterol free). Shredded coconut and sliced almonds add a little fiber to these cookies, which we all could use.

To check out the recipe, just read more.

Coconut Almond Macaroons for Passover or Anytime
From my Gram

These macaroons are a cinch to make and taste out of this world.

Ingredients

2 egg whites
2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup Sucanat (or turbinado sugar)
Pinch of salt
1 tsp almond extract (omit if observing Passover)
Sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Separate the egg whites and place them in a bowl.
Pour in all the other ingredients into bowl with egg whites and mix them well. They should look like this.
Lightly grease two cookie sheets with a little Canola oil.
Drop spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet, about an inch or two apart. If you want to add some almonds, sprinkle them in the middle of each cookie and gently press them in.
Bake until light brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Allow them to cool on the pan for at least five minutes before removing with a spatula (if you try to remove them right out of the oven, they'll break apart).
Store uneaten cookies in a sealed container and they'll stay fresh for up to three days. This recipe makes about 24 cookies.

Print recipe with images | without images

Spread the SOYJOY: They're Free!

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:04:09 -0700

I've never actually tried these nutrition bars from SOYJOY, but that's okay because they'll send me (and you too) 3 bars to try for free. They want you to try 1, and promise to share the other 2 with your friends. Give them your info and you should receive the bars in about 3-4 weeks.

These bars are made with soy, butter, frozen egg, dried fruits like raisins, papaya, mango, and pineapple, and almonds. There are 4 flavors that sound very tasty - Raisin Almond, Mango Coconut, Apple, and Berry.

Soy protein is a complete protein, so this could be a great afternoon snack to give you a pep in your step. Not only that, soy enhances bone density and can help to reduce your risk of certain cancers.

Has anyone ever tried them? I'd be curious to know what you thought, so tell me below.

Don't Blow Your Healthy Habits at the Movies This Weekend

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:53 -0800

It's a big movie weekend, for sure. With New Moon finally out, I've already committed myself to spend an afternoon at the theater - the only complication is that I'm not so fond of the movie-theater fare. It's an admittedly challenging place to stick to healthy food choices, since there usually aren't any to begin with. Just in case you don't believe me, recent research is revealing just how unhealthy movie popcorn can be - and it's probably a lot worse than you think.

An article from WebMd highlights the Center for Science in the Public Interest's findings on the state of popcorn, which claims movie theater popcorn is just about as bad for you as "a pound of baby back ribs and a scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream or maybe two Big Macs" - and that's before you even add the butter. For the study, researchers sent samples of popcorn and toppings from three different movie theater chains and compared their findings to the chains' own nutritional information. What they found is likely to make you rethink how you view your movie treat.

The study's results show that the calorie count of movie theater popcorn ranges from just about 400 to 1,200 calories, and contains an alarming serving of saturated fat that's equivalent to three days worth of your daily recommended portion, and anywhere from 200 (in the smallest 6-cup size serving) to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, the study revealed that both AMC and Regal theaters pop their popcorn in coconut oil, which has a saturated fat content of a whopping 90 percent. Cinemark theaters, which pops their popcorn in canola oil, earns the rep as the healthiest chain, with a significantly lower saturated fat content - ranging from 2 grams in the 420-calorie small size to 5 grams in the 910-calorie large popcorn bucket. But, keep in mind that popcorn is usually just a part of the order - add a soda or your choice of candy, and your order is easily nearing 1,700 calories.

To learn about healthier options at the movies read more.

To avoid a serious caloric overload on your movie outing, the solutions are simple. Opt to share a small, unbuttered popcorn, and request that it be popped without salt (according to the article, these chains will happily oblige), or knosh on something healthy before you head out. If you can, bring a small bag of almonds or a piece of fruit along. Be smart about your choices, and don't let one afternoon at the movies spoil your healthy habits. It's totally fine to indulge every now and then, but a 1,200-calorie serving of popcorn that packs more saturated fat than you need in three days is hardly a treat for your bod or health.

Healthy Ways to Liven Up Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Now that cooler temps are moving in, there's nothing like warming yourself up with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Full of whole grain fiber, this breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning. Buying plain oats is healthier than buying packets that are already sweetened, and less expensive too, but that doesn't mean you have to go without flavor.

Add these delicious morsels to your half-cup serving of oatmeal.

One small banana (diced), two tablespoons vanilla yogurt, and one tablespoon walnuts.
Half a diced pear, one tablespoon pumpkin seeds, and one tablespoon of GoLean Crunch cereal or granola.
Half a diced apple, two chopped dates, 10 chopped almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For other tasty ideas, keep reading

Healthy Recipe: Almond Lemon Macaroons

FitSugar — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Last year I shared my Coconut Almond Macaroons, one of my favorite traditional cookies for Passover. If you're worried about the saturated fat being too high, or you're just not a fan of coconut, this Almond Lemon variation is a crunchy alternative. These macaroons are made with ground almonds so they're full of protein and healthy fat.

To see my recipe read more.

Almond Macaroons for Passover or Anytime
Recipe from an old friend

Ingredients

2 cups unblanched almonds
1/2 cup Sucanat or sugar
1 tsp almond extract (omit if observing Passover)
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp grated fresh lemon rind
3 egg whites

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Grind the almonds in a food processor.
Mix in the Sucanat, almond extract, salt, and lemon rind. Then stir in the egg whites. The dough will be thick, like wet sand.

Use a spoon to place one inch balls on a greased pan.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until dry and lightly brown on top.

Yield: Makes 24 cookies

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Kind Fruit + Nut Bars

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Walking through the health food store, I am always looking for new snacks to try. I look for ones that have few ingredients, so when I came upon KIND Fruit + Nut Bars, and I could see the whole nuts and pieces of dried fruit, I had to pick some up.

There are tons of flavors to choose from like Macadamia & Apricot, Walnut & Date, and Banana & Oat Bran. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, have no trans fat, no GMO, are a good source of fiber, and have no added preservatives, colors, or flavors.

How do they taste? So delicious! They're got a great chewy and crunchy texture that was very satisfying. All the natural ingredients make this bar so flavorful, and a great afternoon snack before or after a workout. Plus, they're conveniently wrapped, so you can stash them in your desk, purse, or gym bag.

They're made in Australia with all natural ingredients, and 5% of the profits go to OneVoice, a PeaceWorks foundation that fosters co-existence in the Middle East, so they're good for your body and for the world.

Want to see the nutritional info? Then read more

These bars reminded me a little of LARABARS, so here's a chart comparing the two:

1 Bar	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)	Ingredients
KIND Bar (Almond & Coconut)	190	14	25	14	4	11	4	almonds, honey, shredded coconut, coconut chips, glucose, puffed rice, chicory fiber, soy lecithin
KIND Bar (Almond & Apricot)	170	11	25	16	5	13	3	almonds, apricots, honey, shredded coconut, coconut chips, glucose, puffed rice, chicory fiber, soy lecithin
LARABAR (cashew cookie)	210	12	0	23	3	14	6	cashews, dates
LARABAR (Key Lime Pie)	200	10	0	28	4	20	4	dates, cashews, almonds, unsweetened coconut, lime juice concentrate

I know at first glance it looks like these have a lot of fat, but keep in mind that the fat comes from the nuts, so it's healthy fat your body needs.

Fit's Tips: If you want to see how these compare to other energy bars, then check out this Energy Bar Breakdown.

Coconut Water: Nature's Sports Drink

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0700

If you find the unnatural color of many sports drinks unappealing, you might be interested in trying coconut water. They don't call it "nature's sports drink" for nothing. A cup of coconut water contains about 600 milligrams of potassium (that's more than a banana), as well as some calcium, magnesium, sodium, and sugar.

The liquid found inside young green coconuts is thin, almost clear, and can have a slight almond flavor. Coconut water should not be confused with coconut milk. Coconut water contains no saturated fat and has only 45 calories per cup to coconut milk's 552.

The coolest thing about coconut water is that it has the same electrolyte balance as blood. Dubbed the "fluid of life," it was used as a substitute for intravenous plasma during World War II.

You can cut the top off a young coconut with a meat cleaver and drink the juice. Or you can find bottled coconut water, but it just might be mixed with sweetener. Drink up!

Source

5 Things About Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Much like carbs, fat has been seriously maligned of late. Slowly, fat is regaining a if not a healthy reputation, a reputation as a necessary nutrient. Here are 5 things about fat for you to chew on. that you should know. Listed in no particular order, here goes:

A gram of fat contains 9 calories. In contrast, carbs and protein only have 4 calories per gram. In other words, you can eat twice as many carbs or protein for the same amount of calories. However, monounsaturated fats, considered healthy fats, help you feel full. Avocados, almonds, and olive oil are three great sources for monounsaturated fat.
Fat is a macronutrient and the recommended daily intake (RDI) for fat for adults is 20 to 35 percent of total daily calories. That's about 44 to 77 grams of fat a day if you eat the classic diet of 2,000 calories a day.
It is recommended that saturated fats (animal fat, butter, coconut and palm oils) should make up less than 10 percent of your total calories per day. For a person eating 2000 calories a day, this would be 20 grams of saturated fat or less per day. For reference one ounce of cheddar cheese, about the size of two 9-volt batteries, contains six grams of saturated fat.

For two more facts about fat, read more.

A pound of body fat burns 2 calories per day whereas a pound of muscle can burn up to 35 calories per day. Body fat is less dense than muscle, so body fat takes up more space. A pound of fat is roughly 3,500 calories. If you want to lose a pound of fat in a week, you need to create a caloric deficit of 3,500, which you can do by diet and exercise.
Fats, primarily omega-3 fatty acids are important for the health of you body on the outside and inside. These fats help your skin stay hydrated and youthful for looking. Omega-3s help your heart avoid irregular heart beats and fight high blood pressure. You can find these fatty acids in flax seeds and salmon.

Source

Almond Macaroons for Passover

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Since Passover is coming up, I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite treats - Almond Macaroons. They are less traditional than coconut macaroons, but healthier for you since the main ingredient is almonds.

The reason Almond Macaroons are good for Passover is because during this holiday, Jewish people don't eat grains like wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt that take more than 18 minutes to cook completely (after coming in contact with water). It's okay to eat those grains if they cook faster than that though (that's why Jews can eat Matzo during Passover). Also no leavening such as baking powder is allowed to signify the Jews quick escape from Egypt (they didn't have time to let their bread rise).

That's why Jewish people don't eat bread, cakes, oatmeal, cookies, or pasta. Matzoh is okay to eat because although it's made with flour, it is cooked in less than 18 minutes. Strict Jews won't eat rice, corn, peanuts and other legumes either because these could have come in contact with the 5 grains I mentioned above, or with yeast (a kind of leavening). These macaroons are made with only almonds, Sucanat, lemon zest, and egg whites. As far as sweets go, these are downright healthy since they contain no butter or egg yolks and all those beneficial almonds.

Want to know how to make them? Then read more

2 cups almonds (1 1/2 cups ground)
1 cup Sucanat (or white sugar)
Zest of 1 large lemon
3 egg whites
Canola oil cooking spray
A blender
A mixer

Preheat oven to 275.
Line a cookie sheet with heavy duty foil and spray with canola oil.
In a covered blender, chop up the almonds half at a time until finely ground.
In a bowl, beat the egg whites with a mixer until they form soft peaks.
Add the lemon zest.
Gradually add the Sucanat and beat until the whites are very stiff and shiny but not dry.
Fold in the ground almonds.
Take spoonfuls and drop onto the cookie sheet about 1 - 1 1/2 inches apart.
Bake for 20 - 30 minutes, or until edges are hard, but the middle is still soft and golden.
After 5 minutes, carefully place the foil with the baked macaroons on a cookie sheet to cool.

Fit's Tips: This recipe makes about 3 dozen macaroons, so you can store the cooled macaroons in a covered container.