diet

Chicken Salad: Classic Health Food, Cool Summer Meal

Sometimes the best foods are the easiest to prepare. In the heat of summer no one wants to turn on the stove if they don’t have to or eat a meal that will weigh heavy on their stomach. Everything is a bit more laid back in the summer. No need to break out the measuring spoons with this chicken salad recipe; eyeballing the measurements and adjusting them to fit your taste makes the recipe your own.
 
The beauty of chicken salad is you can use the leftover grilled chicken breasts from last night’s dinner, or buy a can of all white chicken breast meat when you don’t have the time to spark the grill. Whichever chicken you use, just be sure it is either shredded or cut into bite sized chunks.

  • Chicken (Breast meat, shredded or cubed)
  • Grapes (Green or red seedless, sliced in halves)
  • Apple (Cubed. Any variety will do, add your favorite)
  • Walnuts (Chopped. You can substitute pecans or any other nut of your choice)
  • Light mayonnaise (Use sparingly, to taste)

Add all ingredients in bowl and combine. Simple enough!

This chicken salad is great alone or served on a whole grain pita. You can also serve on a bed of mixed greens or a slice of good whole grain bread.

Chicken salad is a great source of protein. Adding the fruit and nuts not only increases the nutritional value but also makes this an interesting and fun take on the traditional chicken salad. Served with iced tea and lemon, this is a great lunch time treat for one or to share with guests.

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Why Can’t All Fats Be “Good Fats”?

What is good in our mouths isn’t necessarily good for our health. However, just because it has the same name as that squishy stuff on your thighs, doesn’t mean all fats are bad. Learning the difference between good fats and bad fats can simplify how much and what kinds of fat you need to avoid in order to lose weight, feel better, and even have a healthier heart.We know that not all fats are good for us and plenty of us remember the “fat free” frenzy that took place in the 90s. Luckily that craze ended and science has gone on to educate us about the fact that there are good fats, which we all need, and bad fats, that cause heart disease and do nothing positive for us.
 
The human body needs fats to survive. Fat is an excellent source of energy and does things like protect our organs and keep our skin soft. Good fats go even further by helping to lower cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart disease. There are two types of good fats: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.
 
Polyunsaturated fats, like Omega 3′s, are found in vegetable oils and seafood. It lowers all types of cholesterol. Fish is a great source of polyunsaturated fats and also a high protein, low calorie, all-around great diet food.
 
Monounsaturated fats not only decrease cholesterol but are thought to actually decrease the risk of certain types of cancers. These fats are found in things like olives, avocados, nuts and seeds. Monounsaturated fats are also typically rich in Vitamin E.

While these good fats are far better for you then saturated fats, they contain the same amount of calories, 9 per gram. Compare this with 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates or protein. This simply means that your fat intake still needs to be moderated regardless of what types of fat you are eating. Just because it’s a good fat, doesn’t mean you should switch to a diet of avocados and olives!

Educating yourself about the things you put inside your body makes you a more health conscious person. When you are aware of the effects of certain foods on your body you are more likely to make healthy choices that encourage a longer life and even weight loss. Remember this: 1) not all fats are bad, and 2) good fats have a positive impact on your heart and overall health.

General Nutrition 0 , , ,

Why Can't All Fats Be "Good Fats"?

What is good in our mouths isn’t necessarily good for our health. However, just because it has the same name as that squishy stuff on your thighs, doesn’t mean all fats are bad. Learning the difference between good fats and bad fats can simplify how much and what kinds of fat you need to avoid in order to lose weight, feel better, and even have a healthier heart.We know that not all fats are good for us and plenty of us remember the “fat free” frenzy that took place in the 90s. Luckily that craze ended and science has gone on to educate us about the fact that there are good fats, which we all need, and bad fats, that cause heart disease and do nothing positive for us.
 
The human body needs fats to survive. Fat is an excellent source of energy and does things like protect our organs and keep our skin soft. Good fats go even further by helping to lower cholesterol and prevent the risk of heart disease. There are two types of good fats: polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.
 
Polyunsaturated fats, like Omega 3′s, are found in vegetable oils and seafood. It lowers all types of cholesterol. Fish is a great source of polyunsaturated fats and also a high protein, low calorie, all-around great diet food.
 
Monounsaturated fats not only decrease cholesterol but are thought to actually decrease the risk of certain types of cancers. These fats are found in things like olives, avocados, nuts and seeds. Monounsaturated fats are also typically rich in Vitamin E.

While these good fats are far better for you then saturated fats, they contain the same amount of calories, 9 per gram. Compare this with 4 calories per gram of carbohydrates or protein. This simply means that your fat intake still needs to be moderated regardless of what types of fat you are eating. Just because it’s a good fat, doesn’t mean you should switch to a diet of avocados and olives!

Educating yourself about the things you put inside your body makes you a more health conscious person. When you are aware of the effects of certain foods on your body you are more likely to make healthy choices that encourage a longer life and even weight loss. Remember this: 1) not all fats are bad, and 2) good fats have a positive impact on your heart and overall health.

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How Many Calories are There in Beer and Alcohol?

When watching your caloric intake in an effort to lose weight, everything you put in your mouth adds to your daily total. If you enjoy a beer after work or a cocktail on the weekends, those calories count too. So, needless to say it is important to know how many calories are there in beer and alcohol. As with any foods, there are some alcoholic drinks that have far less calories than others, making them a better choice for the calorie-conscious dieter. Similarly, in order to stay on track with your weight loss goals, you need to make adjustments to what and how you would normally drink. Choosing a refreshment that takes the edge off while maintaining a sensible calorie level for the day doesn’t have to be a challenge. Knowing ahead of time how many calories are there in beer and alcohol gives you the upper hand in making an educated decision.

 
So, How Many Calories Are There in Beer and Alcohol?

Beer (12 oz.)                       140-200 calories
Light Beer (12 oz.)               100 calories
Chardonnay (4 oz.)              90 calories
White Zinfandel (4 oz.)         80 calories
Merlot (4 oz.)                       95 calories
Cabernet Sauvignon (4 oz.)  90 calories
Margarita                             550 calories
Pina Colada                         425-600 calories
Mojito                                 160 calories
Bloody Mary                         90 calories
Rum and Coke                     240 calories

 

Just like grilled chicken breasts are the dieters alternative to fried chicken thighs, there are a multitude of lower calorie drinks for those of us wanting to keep our bodies functioning on high. When you ask the question “how many calories are there in beer and alcohol?” you most likely do not expect such varying results.

Mixed drinks in particular vary the most. For instance, an average vodka-diet tonic or gin and diet tonic has about 100 calories while a white Russian contains 320 calories. The trick in choosing the right drink for your diet is mixing the alcohol with lower calorie ingredients. Rather than cranberry juice with your vodka, try a diet cranberry juice. Diet tonic will save you 100 calories over regular tonic. These small adjustments in your regular drinks will have you allowing yourself a treat without sacrificing your long term health goals.

By asking “how many calories are there in beer and alcohol?”, and knowing the answer in advance, you can go into your TGIF get-together armed with a plan to enjoy yourself and stick with your weight loss goals.

 

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How Breakfast Can Help You Lose Weight

There seem to be two types of people in the world: those who love breakfast and those who never partake of the morning meal. Breakfast eaters can’t fathom starting their day without anything in their stomach and people who don’t eat breakfast can’t imagine eating first thing in the morning. Those who do eat breakfast, however, are not only going to be more alert throughout the morning but will also have a head start on any weight loss goals.
 
The human body has evolved into one that is accustomed to going through periods of feast and famine. Our ancestors would sometimes have to go days without food and their bodies had to be able to respond accordingly. When we enter starvation mode, or go without food for long periods, our bodies do their best to hold onto extra weight in the fight for survival.
 
On a smaller scale we starve our bodies through the night. In order to keep our bodies consistently burning calories rather than holding onto weight, we must break that fast with a healthy meal in the morning.
 
Morning can be hectic and perhaps you feel as if you don’t have the time for breakfast. Luckily, breakfast does not have to involve a stove top and lots of time. There are many quick healthy breakfast alternatives and several that are portable too.

Fruit makes an excellent quick breakfast. When you are not accustomed to eating breakfast, something is better than nothing and an apple and handful of almonds will give your body some of the fuel it has been missing.

Another good breakfast alternative is eggs. We don’t all have time to cook in the morning but if you boil several eggs ahead of time and keep them in your frig, you have an already prepared portable high-protein breakfast ready to go.

Cooking a big pot of oatmeal to keep in the refrigerator is another great timesaver. You can take a serving out in the morning, pop it in the microwave and have a healthy hot high-fiber bowl ready in minutes. Top the oatmeal with fruit and cinnamon to liven it up a bit.

If you avoid breakfast because you don’t enjoy typical breakfast foods, don’t feel like you have to eat what everyone else does for breakfast. A cold turkey wrap, grilled cheese on whole grain bread, or fruit salad can all be substituted for finicky taste buds.

For some, breakfast is an automatic habit. For others, it takes work to eat something first thing in the morning. In the interest of your health and weight loss goals, however, it is worth the work. Adding this additional small meal to your day will keep your metabolism running more consistently and potentially help you drop those unwanted pounds.

 

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Eating Out on a Diet

It can be difficult to go out to a restaurant when you are on a diet or in the process of changing your body. You know what you should eat, but it is easy to make exceptions when out for dinner with friends or celebrating an anniversary or birthday with a loved one. Eating out on a diet doesn’t have to be a recipe for disaster.
 
The key to making it through your dining out experience is preparation. If you know what to expect and have a plan of attack, you are less likely to fall off the health-wagon when eating out on a diet. It’s when you postpone thinking about it until you have the menu in your hands that you are tempted to stray from your healthy ways.
 
First, know where you are going. Hopefully you have a say in the restaurant and can steer the choice towards something with healthy menu items. Many restaurants have online menus these days. Take a look at the menu and decide what you are going to eat before you go. When you get to the restaurant you will be hungry; waiting to select your meal will only increase the temptation to choose something high in calories and fat.

Second, don’t be afraid to be picky. Some people are reluctant to order things “on the side”, or make changes that aren’t on the menu when they are eating out on a diet. Customizing your meal will not only ensure that you are eating something that is better for you, but also make it more pleasurable. Just because you are eating healthy meals, doesn’t mean they can’t taste great. Typically servers are more than happy to do what they can for their patrons.

Third, have a good time. If you decide you deserve to split a dessert- go ahead and enjoy it! Small treats make healthy living possible. It’s when you completely deny yourself that you think of “cheating”. If you allow yourself occasional small treats (without guilt) you are more likely to stick with your eating plan.

When you are truly dedicated to changing your eating habits and unhealthy ways, making choices that line up with this new found dedication are easy. Be prepared and be confident that you can make eating out on a diet a good experience.

 
 

 

 

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