"Happy is still legal in all 50 states” – Jello lid 2/24/11
Why am I still on this Jello kick, not really sure? But it’s chocolate and only 60 calories! The best of both worlds. There are alternative, healthy food options out there that allow you to eat what you love and not feel guilty about doing it.
Not everything that says “reduced fat” or “fat free” is healthy. What companies do instead is increase the sodium or sugar intake, so yes the calories and fat content may be lowered but it is still processed and unhealthy. Next time you go grocery shopping check out the labels on your favorite box of crackers before you buy them. For example, I haven’t had Cheez-it(s) in a while so I caved and bought them. Before I did I had two boxes in my hand… a regular and a reduced fat. Normally, I would just grab reduced fat to justify my decision as “healthy” but I actually read the label to find out:
Regular Cheez-it(s) have more calories but less sodium and Reduced Fat Cheez-it(s) have more sodium and fewer calories. Interesting so I took the regular box being a migraine sufferer (the less salt the better).
^above is a link that supports my label theory and can help you in the store next time you are debating on two products.
The Huffington Post published an article a few years ago that is related to snacks that have the perception of being categorized as junk food, which are actually not that bad. In the article, you will find foods such as pork rinds, alcohol and sour cream alternatives that are healthier to have in moderation and can be better for your body than some other products are. For example, full fat (regular) sour cream is better to use than fat-free because you will use less of the condiment and it will keep you feeling fuller, longer.
Okay, I got this chart from a pregnancy website because pregnant women usually have unhealthy cravings (in no way am I comparing obese/overweight people to pregnant women, take no offense please!). I simply thought it was a good chart to post that had great suggestions to “outsmart your snack attack” as the web site states it with wit. If you feel like stuffing your face with greasy potato chips but want to stick to your diet try these substitutions:
Instead of | Try |
Ice cream | Nonfat frozen yogurt or reduced-sugar, low-fat ice cream, sherbet, or sorbet |
Can of cola | Mineral water with fruit juice or a squeeze of lime |
Doughnut or sweetened pastry | Whole-grain cinnamon raisin toast or half a small whole-grain bagel with low-fat strawberry cream cheese spread |
Slice of cake | Low-fat banana nut or zucchini bread, or angel food cake topped with fresh strawberries |
Sweet, low-fiber cereals | Whole-grain cereal or oatmeal topped with a little brown sugar and cinnamon, raisins, or cranberries |
Potato chips | Baked potato or tortilla chips, popcorn (plain or sprinkled with popcorn seasonings), or pretzels |
Sour cream | Nonfat sour cream or nonfat plain yogurt |
Sundae toppings | Fresh berries, sliced bananas, or crushed pineapple in juice, topped with a sprinkle of coconut or – if you crave crunch – chopped nuts |
Canned fruit in sugar syrup | Fresh fruit or unsweetened canned or frozen fruit |
Chocolate | Hot cocoa made with nonfat or low-fat milk – or homemade trail mix with raisins, dried fruits, nuts, and a few chocolate chips |
Cookies | Graham crackers or other low-sugar cookies with no more than 3 grams of sugar per cookie (add a little peanut butter if you like) |
Cheesecake or other creamy dessert | Small slices of cheese on whole wheat crackers, low-fat vanilla or rice pudding, or some low-fat cream cheese and a dab of fruit spread on a graham cracker |
There are some other great tips about nutrition on this web site, if it doesn't freak you out that it's a pregnancy page (again, take no offense) and I hope all of these tips help you become a heathier person!
Citation: "Six healthy fixes for pregnancy junk food cravings." Baby Center
Best,
Bridget
No comments:
Post a Comment