Nutrition Tips
Sunday, September 5th, 2010
Choose The Right Salty Foods To Curb Your Cravings
Love salty, crunchy snacks as much as me? I am a sucker for salty foods (as are so many other Makeover Mommas), but I know I need to curb my snack attacks with some healthier alternatives. Since I hate rest stop food on summer road trips, I’ve been trying other options with less calorie content. I found Snyder’s of Hanovers Eat Smart Naturals (which has some great choices). I am loving their Multigrain Tortilla Chips (which has chia seeds, quinoa, and is a great source of omega 3’s). Best of all, they are really filling which is great when you are craving junk!
Another snack that I am loving right now is Synder’s of Hanovers Garden Veggie Sticks they are packed with tomatoes, spinach, and turmeric. These three things are great for skin (it’s like tons of veggies in tasty sticks), and are healthy for your kids too. I also love that a serving is 140 calories and 2 cups, so I can snack, snack, snack away. Maybe I should put the bag away?
So next time you wander down that chip aisle to fulfill a salty craving… try turning to these healthier alternatives instead!
* Sound Off: What are your favorite salty cravings?
Johanna Thomas tackles farmer’s markets, organic meal plans and healthy recipes for readers every Budget Sunday. To submit your own questions, comments and suggestions, please contact Johanna at info@makeovermomma.com.
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Friday, August 27th, 2010
If We Eat For Fuel, Does An Entire Pizza Make Me Extra Fueled?
Moms Sandra Bullock and Katie Holmes eat for fuel…do you?
Are you trying to lose weight and adopt a healthy eating plan? Have you seen the countless advertisements for fad diets on television and in magazines? If you’re starting to realize that not all diets are created equal (in fact, we tend to hate the word “diet” in general), then read on….
Here Is What To Look For In A Nutrition Program:
* Gradual Weight Loss: I’m sorry ladies, but there is no healthy way to lose 10 pounds in one week and keep it off (except maybe for food poisoning, but that’s one inconvenient diet). You want to aim for losing one to two pounds per week. Not only is this a feasible goal, but it will also ensure that you will not simply gain it back a few months later.
* A Balanced Diet: A healthy diet is comprised of a recommended allowance of vitamins, minerals and protein (not just rice cakes, protein bars and coffee). A safe diet for women is typically between 1,200 calories per day, but mothers typically need more to fuel their busy days (and ensure you’re awake and alert while taking care of your kids). Single food diets (like grapefruit or cabbage) are unhealthy and will mess up your metabolism in the long term (plus, they’ll put you in the worst mood of your life).
* An Exercise Plan: The benefits of a healthy diet are increased when they are added with exercise. Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and will help you maintain weight loss (so don’t forget it).
Want Some New Ideas? Check Out These:
* Bethenny Frankel’s “Naturally Thin“: She might be loud and she might be annoying at times (no offense Bethenny), but this new mom knows a thing of two about moderate, sensible eating (plus, we love supporting fellow mommas!) Bethenny shares her secrets for guilt-less weight loss by listening to your body’s natural hunger signals. It might sound rudimentary, but ideas like “looking at your eating habits as a bank account” can go along way in creating healthy, life long habits.
* The Structure House Weight Loss Plan: This book, which promotes long-term weight loss success, is based on the genuine Structure House in Durham, N.C (a residential treatment center for obese adults). This is a healthy, motivational plan created by Dr. Gerard J. Musante, PhD and translated into a regime that can be followed at home. It includes recipes, exercise, and other suggestions to improve the quality of your life and achieve a healthy body.
Now it’s time to get down to business, and hear what The Hubs is thinking about his Nurisystem diet plan thus far. And if you think he’s gotten in touch with his femine side yet? Think again.
* Month 2, Week 3: “I know I said I’d be opening up about my Nutrisystem journey since Month 1, but I have to say… I’ve been cheating a lot. Between our crazy schedule and many stressors, sometimes eating an entire pizza in one sitting just comes way too naturally to me. Since I was a football player for my entire life, I still tend to approach meals as if I’m about to go play ball (and yes, I realize that golf once a month doesn’t count). Since our beach vacation is approaching, I’m trying to really focus on the eating plan now, and stop sneaking in so many extra snacks (even if snack really means an entire box of cookies). But since I’m new to this whole healthy eating thing, I’d really appreciate your advice. How do you guys think I can improve my chances of improving my diet?”
* Help Him Out: You heard the man… how CAN he improve his diet when huge portions are the norm?
Credit: © Celebrity Gossip
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Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Why Chocolate and Ryan Reynolds Would Be The Perfect Diet: Nutrition Momma Nutrisystem Diary
Gwyneth Paltrow and Heidi Klum are healthy eaters…what do YOU consider healthy?
In case you missed it, my husband (The Hubs, as I affectionally call him on @makeovermomma) has been trying out the Nutrisystem plan on behalf of Makeover Momma. Yes, he might not have the same intense cravings for chocolate and caffeine that most mommas do (or at least I do), but his steak and potato habit has left him not feeling ready for bikini season. And since I have to eat gluten-free (and concequently can’t present the female perspective on this matter), he’s going to try and get in touch with his feminine side on behalf of curious mommas out there.
Even though we’ve documented his journey last month, this month we’re kicking off a weekly feature with actual first hand accounts of The Hubs journey on Nutrisystem. Now remember that we don’t personally advocate any form of dieting here at Makeover Momma, but if you simply don’t have time to cook healthy meals and believe that you can learn healthy habits from this plan… this will hopefully give you an inside perspective on the plan. Plus, The Hubs will try very hard to think about mommas during this journey (not in a creepy way), so you can decide if this diet could work for you.
* Month 2, Week 3: “I’m really happy to be revealing the inner secrets to my svelte body, because now my wife can no longer tell me I don’t understand women. As a honorary Makeover Momma, I’m trying to envision what my wife would say about the journey so far (if she could eat gluten-full foods), and so far the answer seems to be what she always says: “needs more chocolate”. Other then that, I am actually really enjoying the meals and the variety. I make sure to follow the plan properly, so I add the appropriate serving of carbs, produce and dairy with each meal (otherwise I’d be about ready to eat an entire cow). As long as I follow everything and get the right servings of outside nutrients (that aren’t included in the meals), I feel like this is really working for me. Maybe by this time next week I’ll look like Ryan Reynolds (the only other thing my wife would complain about not being included in the plan).”
* What Do You Think: Have encouragement for The Hubs? Want to ask him questions about the plan or the meals? Speak up!
Credit: © Celebrity Gossip
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