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Healthy Snack: Cucumber Cream Cheese Nibblers

FitSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

In the mood for a light snack for Summer? Give this simple recipe a try. It may not seem very appetizing, but it's one of those things that you have to try. All three flavors and textures complement one another beautifully.

To see the recipe just read more.

Cucumber Cream Cheese Nibblers
Learned this recipe from a friend.

Ingredients

1 cucumber
Reduced fat cream cheese
Whole grain baguette

Directions

Slice the baguette into half inch slices.
Smear cream cheese on each piece.

Slice cucumber into quarter inch slices.
Top one cucumber slice on top of the cream cheese.

If you like dill, you can sprinkle some on top. Enjoy!

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Do you have a healthy snack or recipe to share? Then share it in the Lite'n it Up - Healthy Recipe Group and I might just post it on FitSugar.

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.

Source

Snack Attack: Inexpensive and Nutritious Snacks (and Meals)

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I've been a big Joy Bauer fan; she kind of has a tough love approach to eating. In her book, Food Cures, she gives great tips and tidbits on how to eat right, easily.

Joy has a little column/blog on Yahoo health, and her most recent entry about finding inexpensive, healthy snacks was right up my alley, particularly since I am always complaining about how expensive it is to be healthy.

Here are highlights:
Afternoon Snacks:

5 cups air-popped popcorn (2 tablespoons Jolly Time kernels) = 5 cents
1/4 cup raw almonds = 20 cents
1 Polly-O string cheese (from a large bag at a wholesale club) = 16 cents
1 apple = 50 cents
1 Nature Valley granola bar packet (from a large box at a wholesale club) = 16 cents

For some inexpensive and healthy meal ideas, just read more

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and English Muffin = $1.20
Two scrambled eggs cooked in nonstick spray; serve with toasted whole-grain English muffin topped with 2 teaspoons of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

Lunch: Taco Bell = $1.98
Two "fresco style" healthy chicken or bean tacos (extra salsa)

Dinner: Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Shrimp = $1.70
2 oz dry Mueller's whole-grain penne (1 cup cooked) with ¾ cup marinara sauce and 3 ounces frozen shrimp.

Source

You Asked: Energy Bar For a Meal?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:48 -0800

Dear Fit,
I just got off the phone with a friend and I need some advice. She says for breakfast, she eats one Balance Bar. I know some bars are fortified with vitamins, but this doesn't seem like enough to me - calorie- or nutrition-wise. What do you think? Is it OK to eat an energy bar for a meal?
-Concerned Friend

This is an excellent question because I think many people grab a bar for a quick meal because it's quick, easy, and fairly inexpensive. Is it enough, though? To find out what I think read more.

Replacing a meal with an energy bar is not a good idea. For one, most bars contain only about 200 calories. That calorie amount is suitable for a snack, not a meal. Another reason is that those bars were designed to give someone energy before or after a workout, so they tend to be high in carbs and low in fiber. That translates to quick energy at first, but your friend probably feels tired and hungry soon after. The low fiber issue may also affect regularity. The bottom line is that energy bars are not designed to replace a well-balanced meal, since they won't offer the same kind of nutrition. Even the ones that are fortified with vitamins and minerals only offer about 25 percent of your RDI, which isn't very much.

I think it's best to ask your friend why she's only eating an energy bar for breakfast. Is she short on time? Is she trying to lose weight? Does she think it's healthy? Once you find out her reasoning, you can suggest healthy breakfast ideas that suit her needs. There are plenty of tasty options that are high in protein and fiber to offer sustained energy, are easy to make, and won't break the calorie bank.

It's True! We Really Do Crave Fatty Foods When We're Stressed

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:00:42 -0800

If your chocolate cravings are any indication, you may have already suspected that high-fat foods are a woman's go-to snack when stressed. Now there's evidence to confirm your suspicions - UCSF recently conducted a study to examine the relationship between eating habits and chronic stress.

Researchers surveyed 600 overweight or obese women regarding their diet and stress. Issues classified as chronic stressors included job dissatisfaction, financial worries (like inability to pay rent or mortgage), or dealing with an ailing loved one. The women dealing with these taxing personal issues reported a higher likelihood of being unable to control what they ate, and a tendency to eat more fattening foods. Chronically stressed women were also more likely to force themselves to keep a regimented, strict diet to control weight gain, even skipping meals. The downside is that it's hard to keep up a regimented program, and being stressed means a plan like this is bound to backfire - ultimately there's a breaking point, and we're more likely to overeat.

To learn more about stressed-out eating, just read more.

While this study may not offer any groundbreaking info, it does serve as a healthy reminder: Be conscious of when you're actually hungry, and remember, there is such a thing as emotional eating. Be more mindful of your mental health and how it affects your food choices, and make healthy eating a priority. If you need some creative, healthy snack alternatives, visit our Snack Attack group for ideas.

Healthy Holiday Swap: DIY Pumpkin Yogurt

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:47:40 -0800

I love pumpkin-flavored anything - pies, muffins, cheesecake, even ice cream! But gorging on too many sweet pumpkin treats can leave me with a sick stomach full of unhealthy fats and sugars. One way I've been satisfying my pumpkin cravings is by making my own pumpkin-flavored yogurt at home.

It's really easy to do, just mix plain yogurt with canned pumpkin puree. If you're trying to cut back on sugar, use 100 percent pure pumpkin puree and add your own spices and sweetener. If you want the instant flavors of pumpkin pie, mix yogurt up with canned pumpkin pie puree that's been sweetened with sugar and spices.

I sometimes use vanilla yogurt with the pure pumpkin mix just to give it a little sweetness, and if I'm craving the texture of pumpkin pie, a nice sprinkling of healthy granola or oats seems to do the trick.

Share your healthy snack ideas in our Snack Attack group!

Save the Guts: Roast Your Pumpkin Seeds

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Before you throw out the guts of that jack-o'-lantern you've carved, try this basic, healthy recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrients. They're high in both plant sterols, which may help lower cholesterol, and phytochemicals, which promote prostate health. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Try them alone, toss over a salad, or get creative.

To see the recipe and get ideas on how to spice 'em up, read more.

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Have a recipe to share? Join my Healthy Recipe group. And if you're more of a snacker, then join my Snack Attack group.

Health Foodie Community Right Here on FitSugar!

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:38 -0700

I'm into food - it's hard to live in SF and not become a foodie. I am also a health fanatic. These two parts of my life do not need to be mutually exclusive. One great place they meet up is the FitSugar Community. There are two groups which really get to the heart of the matter when it comes to healthy food.

There's the Healthy Recipe Group, and the name of the group really says it all. It's a place where you can find and share healthy recipes. Many are traditional recipes that have been "rehabbed" to reduce calories and fat. One tasty example is this vegetable-heavy simple weeknight chili.

For the times when you feel a little peckish, but don't want to dive into a bag of Doritos, there is the Snack Attack group. The group is full of quick treat ideas that won't break the caloric bank and many that help fill your nutritional requirements too. I'm hoping to make the baked pears with yogurt tonight.

If you need some inspiration for healthy cooking and eating, these groups are great places start. Please feel free to share your recipes and snacks here too. I am always looking for new ways to satisfy my palate while keeping my health in mind.

What's the Deal With: The Lunch Box Diet?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

If you're one of those people who feels the need to munch on something all day long, the Lunch Box Diet plan was made with you in mind. Fitness trainer Simon Lovell came up with the idea which began in the UK, but is catching on in the US. Even celebs like Cameron Diaz gave it a try.

Basically, you eat whatever you want for breakfast and dinner, and graze on a lunch box filled with 60 percent veggies, 30 percent protein, and 10 percent dressing in between those meals. Carbs like whole grains are limited unless you're exercising at some point during the day. This eating plan is meant to balance your blood sugar so you're less likely to ~~pig out~~ snack on unhealthy foods.

Want to see a video clip about the Lunch Box Diet and hear what critics have to say? Then read more.

Some critics think this diet doesn't supply adequate nutrition. There are also loose parameters when it comes to what and how much you should eat for breakfast and dinner, so it's great if you like flexibility, but not great if you have issues with proper portion sizes.

I'm all for a plan that encourages snacking on small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day, but this seems like a glorified Atkins diet, focusing on protein, veggies, and limited carbs. This diet may help someone lose weight and keep hunger at bay, but like most diets, this doesn't seem like a lifestyle you could sustain forever. I'd stick to eating healthy foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, monitor your portion sizes, and if you get hungry in between, munch on a nutritious snack.

Your Healthy Snack Ideas

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0700

After reading all your wonderful snack suggestions my afternoon snack has transformed into an inspired treat. There were so many great ideas, and I love reading that you all eat your fruits and veggies throughout the day.

Aside from the various energy bars and seasonal fruit that we all eat and love, here are some great snack ideas:

Edamame
Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
Whole grain wheat thins with the Laughing Cow light garlic and herb cheese
Radishes or cucumbers with balsamic vinegar
2 Wasa Crackers with 2 tablespoons of Trader Joe's chipotle hummus spread on and topped with sliced grape tomatoes
100 calorie mini bag of popcorn
Non-fat or low fat yogurt (Greek yogurt is higher in protein) and fruit or cereal or both

If you are looking for a new take on the frozen banana treat, missyd has a great recipe. To check it out read more.

Cut a banana (short way) into two.

Insert popsicle stick in one of the ends of each.

Dip in yogurt (I like strawberry fat free).

Roll in wheat germ.

Freeze (I lie them in a cookie sheet, popsicle sticks facing up in the air. Also helps to drape some plastic wrap over so they don't get yucky freezer-burn taste).

Thanks for the recipe missyd! Now that sounds tasty to me. I might need to wait until the weather is a wee bit warmer to try it. Another reason to look forward to late Spring!