FitSugar

Back on Track: Make Snack Packs for the Week

FitSugar — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

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?

Source

A Reader Recipe: Vegan Protein Pumpkin Bars

Fit Community — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:12:14 PST

FitSugar reader eatingbirdfood came up with a vegan protein bar that's great for an afternoon or postworkout snack. She posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

These bars are perfect for an on-the-go midafternoon snack. They're packed with protein, not sugar.

Learn how to make this vegan treat after the break!

Healthy Snack: Vegan Cucumber Tofu Rolls

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:07:05 PST

Tofu usually shows up as part of a full meal, but it also makes a delicious and satisfying snack. Prepare tofu ahead of time and store it in the fridge to whip up these protein-packed vegan cucumber tofu rolls in a matter of minutes. If you've never cooked with tofu, this is a great no-fail recipe to try out.

Keep reading to learn how to make this savory tofu recipe.

Video: Michelle Williams Is Still Searching For an Oscar Dress but Is Prepared With Snacks

PopSugar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:49:00 PST

Michelle Williams swung through today's Oscar nominee luncheon, where she told reporters she'd rather listen than ask questions if she ever had the chance to sit down with Marilyn Monroe. The My Week With Marilyn star admitted she hasn't secured a dress for the award show just yet, but she is planning ahead for the big day. Hear what snack the mother of one will be packing for herself in this cute backstage chat.

4 Lazy Moves That Boost Your Health

Prevention — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips
By the editors of Prevention

Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We’ve rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and try these tips today.

Lazy Move No. 1: Protect Your Ticker by Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive - it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month had a 30 percent higher risk, and those who had trouble falling asleep almost every night in the last month had odds that jumped to 45 percent.

Twenty Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Some researchers speculate that insomnia might trigger your body to release more of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus when you’re exhausted, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices that up your heart disease risk, such as skipping your workout or reaching for fatty or sugary snacks for a quick energy fix.

Keep reading for three more lazy ways to improve your health.

Know Your Nuts? What's in an Ounce

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:50:45 PST

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?

Jillian Michaels's Top 5 Snack Picks

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:20:00 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Don't you ever wish you could take a peek in the pantry or gym of the fitness and diet pros you see on TV to see if they really practice what they preach? We do, too! That's why we asked Jillian Michaels, celebrity personal trainer, author, motivational expert, and soon-to-be mom (!), to share her top snack picks that keep her energy high on even the busiest of days.

"These snacks are quick, easy, and they all taste good. Plus they're preservative-free, contain no trans fats, MSG, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners," Michaels says.

Hummus and veggie sticks."This is an incredibly healthy snack that's filling and tasty," she says. The protein from the chickpeas in the hummus and the fiber from the veggies will keep you satisfied.

One hard-boiled egg and one piece of fruit. This combo offers an ideal proportion of healthy fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

Barbecue or sweet potato popchips. "A serving of popchips is packed with flavor and a great savory, salty crunch," Michaels raves, and the 100-calorie bags are handy for on-the-go eating.

Read on for the rest of Michaels's healthy snack picks!

More from Fitness:

The Secret to Jillian Michaels's Amazing Arms

Makeover Mania: the Best Celebrity Body Makeovers

The Top 10 Workout DVDs of 2011

How to Eat During a (Real) Blackout

Susannah Chen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:01:41 PST

Have you clicked around the Internet today? It's overrun with site blackouts, with everyone from Wikipedia to Reddit completely shut down in protest of SOPA and PIPA.

All of this blackout talk has us thinking about what we'd eat during an IRL blackout. When it comes to natural disasters, it's best to prepare for the worst, then hope for the best. This includes food and drink! For seven shelf-stable provisions that I recommend you have on hand, keep on reading.

How Your Fridge Can Help You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:32:54 PST

The LG fridge might have features to help you lose weight, but since it's not yet available (and its price tag is a bit steep), give the fridge you already own a little makeover. It can help you reach your 2012 weight loss goals with these tips.

Get Organized
Organizing your fridge will help you make healthier decisions when it comes to food, and being able to see all different ingredients might even inspire you to cook. A decluttered fridge also helps you keep track of staples so you never run out of healthy snacks like Greek yogurt or breakfast basics like eggs. Versatile plastic storage bins, like these from Crate and Barrel ($10 to $12), are clear and stackable, making it easy to see the array of healthy foods available at your fingertips.

Snack Center in the Fridge
Create a "snack center" in your fridge (one of those Crate and Barrel bins would be perfect for this), so you have a go-to spot to find healthy munchables when hunger strikes. Place the bin in front at eye level, and stock it with premade 150-calorie baggies of popcorn, cheese and crackers, trail mix, cereal, pretzels, fruit and nut bars, fruit leather, and other healthy faves.

Continue reading for more ways your fridge can help you lose weight.

4 Easy Tricks to Send the "I'm Full" Signal

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:14:40 PST

Portion control is a key player when it comes to balanced nutrition, but it can be hard to listen to your body's hunger signals when your mind is telling you to reach for seconds. When you realize that you're full, take advantage of these tricks to tell your mind that the meal is over:

Pick peppermint. A piece of hard candy, a mint, a mug of tea, or even mouthwash - go for anything peppermint-flavored after eating to flood your senses and keep your instincts in check. As a natural appetite suppressant, peppermint will help you control your cravings and avoid postmeal munchies.
Get up and move. It's hard to keep eating if you're no longer near the food, so ending the meal can be as easy as leaving your chair. The best way to let your body know that it's time to stop eating? Switch locations. Move from the kitchen to the living room and busy yourself with other tasks.
Have a small taste of something sweet. Sometimes, just a spoonful of something sweet can curb the urge to keep eating and mark the end of a meal. Instead of reaching for a cookie, though, you should choose a healthy, water-based food that will help you feel full. Try a handful of berries, a serving of watermelon, or a spoonful of pomegranate seeds - the tart seeds pack major antioxidant punch, plus they're high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.
Make postmeal plans. If you have something to do after a meal, you'll find it easy to steer clear of unnecessary seconds and quit eating once you're satisfied. It doesn't need to be a major to-do, either - simply planning to call a friend or pack tomorrow's gym bag will help you stay focused and stop snacking.