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Back on Track: Make Snack Packs for the Week

FitSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I am a firm believer in healthy snacking, and just like with meals, it pays to plan ahead with snacks too. Nuts and trail mix make up the solid portion of most of my snacks, I pre-pack small Tupperware containers with a couple of handfuls of nuts and dried fruit. I just stack them in a corner of my kitchen counter, so they are easy to grab on the go. Since I am nuts for nuts, and different nuts provide different types of important nutrients, I mix it up: walnuts with dried cranberries, almonds with dried cherries, and peanuts with raisins and dried apricots. I also like to make sure that I have enough cheese sticks on hand to make it through the week.

What do you pack as your snacks? Can you pack it ahead of time?

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Get Fit Challenge: Snack on Sweet Potato Fries

Fit Community — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:50 -0700

The tenth challenge for the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is to share a healthy snack. FitSugar reader SnackGirl likes to munch on sweet potato fries.

The most eaten vegetable in the United States is the potato. Found in fast food venues from coast to coast the delicious French Fries are hard to avoid. BUT, it is possible to bake something that will satisfy the craving. Baked sweet potato fries have the crunchy outside, and the soft inside and they pack a nutritional wallop with 219% of your daily allowance of Vitamin A in one serving. And that is just ONE of the benefits of eating them. How do you make sweet potatoes taste amazing? Add a little sugar and there is a caramelization that takes place. Do you notice the word "caramel" here?

Anyone else like the taste of brown sugar and salt?

The key to this recipe is to hang around and flip the fries after 15 minutes, and not to crowd the pan. These are really EASY to make. If you don't have a decent vegetable peeler, you should get one. Having a working peeler makes you want to peel vegetables. Having a crappy peeler makes you want to order from Burger King.

After you make these, just pop them in your fridge. Eat them as a snack or add them to your salad. Mush them in your yogurt or eat them for breakfast After they are refrigerated, they aren't as crunchy but they still taste really good. Sweet potatoes are available all year, though their season is Fall and Winter. Choose potatoes that are hard to the touch, because the soft ones are rotten.

Check out the recipe when you read more.
Sweet Potato Fries Recipe
(serves 4)
aluminum foil for pan
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 F. Half the sweet potatoes lengthwise. Place on flat slide and slice 5-6 spears (thick and long strips) of sweet potato. Place them on the aluminum foil and toss with olive oil and sugar. Spread them in one layer. It is important that they have space around them and aren't piled up on each other. Bake for 15 minutes and turn with tongs or a spatula. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper. Serve hot, room temperature, or cold.

See snack-girl for great healthy snack ideas!

Share your fave snack in the Get Fit For 2010 community group. By participating, you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as our awesome grand prize.

What to Pack for a Day Hike

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:01:18 -0700

I love to get an early start in the morning when I am planning an all day hike up and down a mountain. The air is cooler in the morning and there are less people on the trail. Since I plan to be out for at least 4 hours, maybe even 8 hours if I am feeling really ambitious, I need more than just water in my day pack.

I made this widget - it's a list of day hike essentials. Check it out.

You can create your own Fit List and then Build Your Own Widget to share on TeamSugar.

Fit's Tips: I always pack my lunch and snacks in a plastic grocery bag and when I'm done, I use the bag for my trash and any I find on the trail.

Travel Tip: Pack Your Snacks and Staples in Tupperware

Fit Community — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:30:07 -0800

In our Snack Attack: Healthy Snack Ideas Group, FitSugar reader Angelica shared how she's able to eat healthy even when traveling.

I'm a lactose intolerant vegetarian so saying I'm perceived as a picky eater is an understatement at best. I try not to impose or expose my needs to those around me, but it gets tricky when I am traveling and don't have easy access to my favorite staples and snacks. Sure, there are plenty of treats at airport kiosks, but how many packs of Skittles and pretzels does a girl need? Not too many. Whenever I go on a trip I try and pack my staples in hard Tupperware so they don't bust open during transport. This way I have them on hand for breakfast first thing in the a.m. or if I need a quick snack. I'd be thrilled to bring my Rice Dream along too because it's hard to find in random cities, but the TSA isn't too keen on that idea.

Do you have healthy snack ideas or recipes? If so, start sharing those great ideas in Fit's Healthy Snacks Group. While you're there, take a look at our other community groups - whether you run, rock climb, or need dieting support, there's a group for everyone!

Avoid Putting On the Pounds When Giving Up the Smokes

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:30:22 -0800

With all the health benefits to gain from giving up the smokes, the decision to quit is an easy one, but the follow-through can certainly be a challenge. Cravings brought on by nicotine withdrawal can be intense and one way distract yourself from the desire to light up is to eat, eat, and eat some more. That of course can lead to weight gain, so here are some tips on how to ditch the cancer sticks without busting out of your pants.

First and foremost, focus on quitting and don't worry so much about gaining weight. Smoking is much more of a risk than gaining a few extra pounds, so once you ditch the cigs for good, then worry about how you're going to lose the extra fluff.

To find out how to avoid gaining a hefty amount of weight, read more.

When you quit, you may miss having something in your mouth, which is why many people end up reaching for food to munch on instead. This is a great way to keep your hands and lips busy, just be sure to choose wisely. Crunchy carrot and celery sticks, frozen grapes, cubes of cheese, air-popped popcorn, and even gum will give your mouth something to do without packing in too many calories. You can also go for calorie-free options. Sucking on a straw or toothpick may also satiate that need to have something in your mouth.

Instead of sticking to the three-meals-a-day plan, opt for smaller more frequent meals. This will keep hunger at bay, which will make you less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks or overeat. Food choices matter too, and ones that are high in protein and fiber will keep you feeling full longer. Also try to avoid alcohol. Cocktails, beer, and wine tend to be high in calories, and for some people, they trigger the urge to light up.

Keep busy with exercise. Smoking breaks take up a lot of time, so replace them with walks around the block or short strength-training sessions including push-ups, squats, and crunches. As little as five minutes of exercise has been shown curb nicotine cravings. Exercise also helps to naturally suppress your appetite, so the more you make exercise a part of your regular schedule, the less hungry you'll feel and the more calories you'll burn.

You may also benefit from an alternative therapy when it comes to quitting. Hypnosis, acupuncture, and meditation may be effective tools that help you quit faster.

If you have any other tips on how to quit smoking without going up a jeans size, share them in the comment section below.

Cheryl Burke Keeps It Healthy Even on the Go

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:28 -0800

With the new lineup of Dancing With the Stars announced and training under way, cast member Cheryl Burke is once again on the go. Because the two-time DWTS champion splits her time between the show and managing three dance studios, she is no stranger to travel. Cheryl, 25, recently told Shape that keeping up with healthy eating habits "can be especially grueling" when she's away from home. Here are some of Cheryl's tips for staying healthy when away from home.

Pack snacks. Keeping healthy snacks on hand is a great way to avoid having to eat out all of the time. "I'll munch on Triscuits and peanut butter or cut-up vegetables. And I always have a South Beach Living protein bar, fruit, or almonds in my bag."
Eat in the morning. Cheryl's learned to never underestimate the power of breakfast. "I used to skip breakfast. But now I know it gets your metabolism going and prevents you from overeating later. My go-to meal is an egg white omelet with lowfat cheese and whole wheat toast."

See more of Cheryl's tips when you read more.

Order it your way. "I ask for restaurant dishes to be made with olive oil rather than butter or for them to hold the cheese. If they can't accommodate me, I find something else on the menu."
Go food shopping. If traveling for an extended period, Cheryl says to get grocery shopping. "If you have a fridge in your hotel room, stock up on a few healthy staples from a local supermarket or Whole Foods. When I'm on the tour bus, I'll make a grocery list that includes salad, nonfat vanilla yogurt, lowfat granola, and organic microwavable soups."
Go with the grain. Skip refined carbs and always go whole grain, says Cheryl. "I feel better about any food choice when it's served with fiber-rich pasta or bread."

Check out the rest of Cheryl's tips in the March issue of Shape, currently out on newsstands.

Do You Buy 100-Calorie Snack Packs?

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:30:00 -0800

One-hundred calorie snack packs have attracted some fit fans, like Bob from The Biggest Loser, but these prepackaged snacks also have their share of haters. Consumer Reports criticized these low calorie portions in its December issue and concluded there are more reasons to skip these snacks than to scoop them.

The argument against 100-cal packs includes gripes like the fact that many of the products barely resemble the product they are supposed to imitate - for example, the Oreo snack packs. There are no creamy middles to be licked and a snacker may feel like the chocolate crackers she consumed wasn't even worth those 100-calories. Consumer Reports does give credit to the Cheez-It Right Bites and Doritos Nacho Cheese Mini Bites, saying those are the only two that are true taste replicas of the original.

Do you buy 100-calorie snack packs or do you pass them by?

Red Carpet Ready: Valerie Waters on the Power of Snacking

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:00:04 -0800

Celeb trainer Valerie Waters has helped many clients prep for roles and the red carpet, including Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel. With the Oscars just around the corner, I sat down with Val to learn some of her tips on getting ready for a big event.

Funny enough we spent most of our time talking about food - Valerie freely admits she is not a dietitian and calls herself a food coach. And who couldn't use a little coaching when it comes to food? Well-timed snacks are part of her plan to get you ready for your red carpet event. Valerie strongly believes in the power of snacking, mainly to keep your blood sugar levels steady so you don't binge on sugar and low quality carbs in a fit of hunger or panic.

When it comes to snacks, her mantra is "Plan. Prep. Prepare." You need to "pack your snacks the night before," and she advocates keeping an ounce of almonds mixed with two tablespoons of raisins in your purse as an emergency snack for when you're on the go. Valerie explains that a snack "should be a mixture of protein and carbs. The protein is filling and the carbs give you instant energy." Portion control is important for your snacking. A snack "is about 150 calories. It's not a meal . . . it's a bridge to the next meal."

Learn a few of her snack ideas when you read more.

Here area three great snacks Valerie suggests:

Hard boiled egg and an orange
Veggies and hummus
Plain yogurt with berries

Timing your snack is important too. "If you have breakfast at 7 a.m. and you're not going to have lunch until 1 p.m., have a snack around 10." The same goes if you're having a late dinner. Remember to plan ahead! Learn more about how to get Red Carpet Ready directly from Valerie.

What's your favorite healthy snack?

Know Your Nuts? What's in an Ounce

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:27 -0800

Nuts are one of the best foods you can nosh on because they're full of healthy fats, contain protein and fiber to fill you up, are cholesterol-free, and they're a great snack you can easily pack with you wherever you go. A serving size of nuts is one ounce, which is about a handful. Considering my handful and my hubby's handful look a lot different, I thought it'd be good to go over what exactly one ounce of nuts looks like. Take this quiz to see if you know.

Question 1 of 5

How many almonds are in one ounce?

Daily Green: Lunch With a Side of Sustainability

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:00:51 -0800

Check out this great eco tip from the OnSugar blog The Green Life.

I pride myself on having made the switch from plastic to reusable water bottles long ago but still find myself shamefully relying on plastic sandwich and snack baggies when packing lunch. Not sure what my options were, I spent a little time shopping around this weekend and found a huge market of sustainable alternatives to plastic. Options range from organic cotton to recycled, but all divert waste from our landfills while saving you money in the long run.

Reusablebags has a great selection with lots of different design choices and prices from $3 to $30+. If you have the time I recommend the DIY approach. The crafty people at CraftyStylish can show you how to make a reusable sandwich in a snap.

For more tips on green living, start following The Green Life or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe we'll post your story here on FitSugar!