You need to look at food labels if you want to keep slim.  You would be amazed at how many carbs are in things!

You want items that are high protein and low carb.  You also want more fiber and not too much sugar.

Let’s look at some protein bars for instance.   There are many websites which will show you the food labels.  Caloriecount.about.com, myfitnesspal.com and livestrong.com and  http://tracker.dailyburn.com/nutrition/food_search will give you this information.

Some people think that if they eat a Balanced Bar, that it will be a good nutritional snack.  Well, a Balanced Bar basically has about 23 g carbs, 1 or 2 g fiber, 17 or 18 g sugar and 14 or so g protein.  So, great on protein, but not so good on carbs, fiber or sugar.  Similar information on many protein bars, including the Special K bars.

Better bars in numbers, Oh Yeah, Think Thin, Power Crunch and Nature Valley Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate (pretty much the only Nature Valley item that I would recommend).

The Power Crunch is only 10 g carbs (the lowest I have found), only 5 g of sugars (compared to others at 15 g plus), 14 g of protein (pretty good) and only 1 g fiber.  So, good on everything, except the fiber.

The Nature Valley bar previously mentioned is 14 g carbs, 10g protein, 6 g sugar and 5 grams fiber.  So, basically not too bad.  I do wish that the sugar was lower, but it is better in the other areas.  If anyone finds something that tastes n this decadent and is better in all categories, please let me know.  I have tried the Oh Yeah, which is lower in sugar and it just was not as tasty as this bar was!  A girl has to have something that tastes good while eating well and to stay thin!

I challenge you to start looking at labels.  The article on how looking at food labels is attached.  I challenge you to read it.

http://www.elements4health.com/paying-attention-to-food-labels-pays-off-on-the-scale-for-weight-loss.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elements4health%2FmTrh+%28Elements4Health+%29

Be careful with cereal and rice.  LOADED IN CARBS.  Here is a food label of a generic corn flakes box for ONE cup (have you measured a cup?  It is small) of corn flakes.  How many of us only eat ONE cup of cereal?

Cereal has lots of carbs, not a lot of protein.  Good choice for breakfast?  One egg has no sugar, 6 g of protein and ZERO carbs.  And don’t even get me started on rice!  I am just sayin….