Sunday, September 6, 2015

13 Nutritionist-Approved Packaged Snacks

13 Nutritionist-Approved Packaged Snacks


If you think nutritionists live off of kale, quinoa and grilled chicken, you’re only half right.

13 Nutritionist-Approved Packaged Snacks


Sure, diet experts eat a lot of fresh, healthy fare as you might expect, but dietitians are real people with busy lives and packed schedules just like you. And when they’re on the run or even when they just want to indulge in something slightly sinful, they often turn to packaged food. Shocking, we know especially because many of the foods found in bags and boxes are considering to be health-harming diet saboteurs. (We’re lookin’ at you, Doritos!) But that assumption doesn’t always hold true. Here we reveal what some of the nation’s top diet experts munch on when their tummies start to rumble. Sweet, savory, or crunchy whatever you’re craving, we’ve got you covered with 13 delicious clean eats. Consider this your go-to guide for healthy and satisfying snacking. Scroll down to check out their picks!



ON-THE-GO SNACK BARS AND DRINKS


Raw Crunch Bars

“So many ‘granola bars’ are filled with tons of sugar, suspect fillers and all around bad ingredients. Raw Crunch Bars on the other hand, are not only filling and delicious but also made with only ingredients you can pronounce! They provide the right amount of nutrients for the perfect on-the-go snack.” — Stephanie Middleberg, MS, RD, CDN of Middleberg Nutrition 




Evolution Fresh Essential Greens Juice

“Evolution Fresh Essential Greens Juice is my go-to snack. It's made from cucumber, romaine, lime and parsley. I like my snacks to do double duty, and this juice not only decreases my hunger but also provides a ton of phytonutrients and antioxidants for beautiful, radiant skin. Best of all, they’re available at most Starbucks locations, so I'm never too far from one.” — Dana James MS, CNS, CDN, Founder & Director of Food Coach NYC




Health Warrior Chia Bars

“Health Warrior Chia Bars make for a great small grab-and-go snack. They have about 100 calories each in addition to being low in sugar and high in soluble fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer by slowing digestion and keeping blood sugar in check.” — Isabel Smith, MS, RD, CDN, registered dietitian and founder Isabel Smith Nutrition




(NOT SO) SINFUL SWEET INDULGENCES

Emmy's Organics Lemon Ginger Macaroons

“When I need something sweet, Emmy's Organic Macaroons are my go-to. They’re rich and sweet without the added sugar and harsh crash. They come three in a bag, which helps with portion control, and they’re also really filling so you’re satiated with just a small amount.” — Stephanie Middleberg, MS, RD, CDN of Middleberg Nutrition




Garden Lite's Carrot Berry and Blueberry Oat Muffins

“I love Garden Lite's Carrot Berry and Blueberry Oat Muffins because they’re so convenient and have a delicious combination of fruits and vegetables in each serving. They’re frozen and can be defrosted quickly at room temperature or in the microwave. Each one contains only 120 calories and has an excellent combination of protein and fiber, which helps to keep you feeling fuller, longer.” — Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, Pennsylvania-based owner of Eat Well with Gina





Quest Bars High Protein Gluten Free

“More often than not, I like to reward myself with something sweet, especially after a long and stressful work day. Since most baked goods are full of sugar, trans fat and tons of empty calories, I found Quest Bars to be my savior. The double chocolate chunk bar has only 160 calories, a whopping 20 grams of protein and 16 grams of heart-healthy fiber. It may be hard to believe, but if you warm it up in the microwave, it tastes just like a gooey chocolate cookie.” — Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., founder of Manhattan-based private practice, The NY Nutrition Group



SAVORY SNACKS

Glenny's Low Fat Soy Crisps

“Although I try to avoid too much processed soy, I enjoy eating Glenny's Soy Crisps from time to time. They’re high in protein and fiber–which helps fill me up–and also satisfy my craving for chips. There are two servings per bag, but the whole thing is only 140 calories so I can feel free to enjoy them all the way to the crumbs at the bottom.” — Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., founder of Manhattan-based private practice, The NY Nutrition Group




Babybel Light Mini Semisoft Cheeses

“When I know I’m going to be out for awhile, I’ll toss one or two Mini Original Babybel Cheeses in my purse. The protein helps keep me full, plus it helps me meet my three daily recommended servings of dairy.” — Toby Amidor, MS, RD nutrition expert and author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day




Roasted Chickpeas

“Pulse Roasted Chickpeas are perfect when I’m in the mood for something salty, crunchy and rich in protein but don’t want nuts. They come pre-portioned, so they’re easy to just throw in a bag, or stash in a pocket.” — Stephanie Middleberg, MS, RD, CDN of Middleberg Nutrition




CRUNCHY BITES

Blue Diamond Almonds

“I like to keep Blue Diamond Whole Natural Almonds 100-Calorie Packs on hand so I’m always prepared when hunger strikes. They’re the perfect portion, non-perishable and jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants that help ward off disease, control blood sugar, lower bad cholesterol and control hunger. Sometimes I’ll mix them with a 100-calorie pack of raisins for a sweet-and-crunchy snack.” — Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, Pennsylvania-based owner of Eat Well with Gina




Go Raw Sweet Spirulina Sprouted Bites

“Go Raw Sprouted Bites are delicious, crunchy and very satisfying. They’re low in sugar and packed with clean ingredients that give you the energy that you need for the rest of your day. There are several flavors to choose from and each contains superfood ingredients such as Spirulina or flaxseeds.” — Nicole Cormier, RD, LDN, owner of the Massachusetts-based nutrition consulting company Delicious Living Nutrition




Dry Roasted Edamame Premium Black Sea Salt

“Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Premium Black Edamame is a light and savory snack that has a bit sweeter taste than green soybeans. A ¼-cup serving offers 14 grams of protein and 20 percent of the day’s iron. I keep a bag of it handy in my car.” — Michelle Dudash, RDN, Cordon Bleu-certified chef and author of Clean Eating for Busy Families: Get Meals on the Table in Minutes with Simple and Satisfying Whole-Foods Recipes You and Your Kids Will Love




Bare Organic Fuji Apple Chips

“If you can't get your hands on a fresh apple, Bare Fruit Organic Apple Chips are the next best thing! They’re simply organic apple slices that are baked with nothing more added. Baking the apples intensifies their sweetness, so they’re ideal when a sugar craving strikes! Plus their are only 50 calories in a bag.” — Dana James MS, CNS, CDN, Founder & Director of Food Coach NYC


Saturday, September 5, 2015

7 Good Foods To Eat To Lose Weight Quickly

Add these 7 super weight loss foods to your day, compliments of the New York Times bestseller Zero Belly Diet, to get your weight-loss goals on hyperspeed. All of them have been scientifically proven to fry flab in 6 weeks or less!




7 Good Foods To Eat To Lose Weight Quickly


Grapefruit
Like a marathoner stretching before the big run, eating half a grapefruit before a meal can enhance your body’s fat-burning performance. ( Read: 5 Skinny Foods to help you weight loss )


Yogurt
To get similar results at home, start your day with one of these Best Brand-Name Yogurts for Weight Loss. ( Read: 4 High Protein Breakfasts all Under 360 Calories )


Legumes
To reap the benefits at home, work lentils, chickpeas, peas and beans into your diet throughout the week. ( Read: 8 Ways to Jumpstart Your Weight Loss )


Green Tea
What makes the drink so powerful? It contains catechins, an antioxidant that hinders the storage of belly fat and aids rapid weight loss. ( Discover more details )


Pistachios
Nuts are another superfood rich in protein, potassium, fiber, and healthy fats that help you slim down. Pistachios in particular can help you shed pounds.


Almonds
A study printed in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that almonds, rich in the amino acid L-arginine, can actually help you burn more fat and carbs during workouts. ( Read: 7 Great Foods for Brain )


Avocado Oil
What if we told you that you could make 20 percent of your belly disappear this year—poof, just gone? Penn State University researchers compared those who consumed avocado oil with those who consumed a flax-safflower oil blend. Those on the avocado oil diet—just three tablespoons daily did the trick—lost nearly 2 percent of their belly fat in just one month. ( Read: The 10 Top Fat-Burning Foods )



Recommendations:

10 Simple Tips To Reduce Belly Fat

26 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

20 metabolism boosting foods

The Best 3 Healthy Weight Loss Drink

Weight Loss with Green Smoothies


Thursday, September 3, 2015

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day

8 FOODS YOU SHOULD EAT EVERY DAY


8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day


YOGURT

Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body. That helps boost your immune system and provides protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic, though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich goop a day.

Read: Healthy Breakfast Foods for Weight Loss


CARROTS

Most red, yellow, or orange vege- tables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

Read: Best Juicing Recipes Helps You Lose Weight


BLUEBERRIES

Host to more antioxidants than any other North American fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, also boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup frozen or dried.



TOMATOES

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice.

Read: Tomatoes Health Benefits For Weight Loss


SPINACH

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is no nutritional wallflower. This noted muscle builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. It's also one of the 10 salad greens healthier than kale. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the nether regions, helping to protect you against age-related sexual issues. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

Read: 6 Best Foods for Quick Weight Loss


BLACK BEANS

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber. It's also low in calories and free of saturated fat.


OATS

The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady, muscle-friendly energy.

Read: 7 Great Foods for Brain


WALNUTS

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts about 1 ounce, or 7 nuts is good anytime, but especially as a post-workout recovery snack.

Read: 7 Best Post Workout Meals


(Source: eatthis.com)


See Also:

10 Simple Tips To Reduce Belly Fat

26 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

20 metabolism boosting foods

The Best 3 Healthy Weight Loss Drink

Weight Loss with Green Smoothies