Juice Drinks: Healthy and Diet Friendly?

I thought that I was eating so healthy when I was gaining weight and when I was about 40 pounds heavier and dying to lose weight. I had my facts all messed up. I guarantee that you have the facts wrong too. Let’s look at some “healthy” foods, which are not so healthy and how they also are making you fat.

Today we will start with one Not So Healthy Food, JUICE DRINKS

Have you ever looked at the labels on your fruit drinks?

Bottles mention serving size at the top of their nutrition label. You might think that the whole bottle is a serving size, but actually if there are two or three servings in one bottle, then you have to multiply the label information by the amount of servings in it–if you plan to drink the whole bottle (as many of us do).

I know someone who thinks that Odwalla and Naked Juice is good for their diet. In those drinks, the fruit is genetically modified and that is a whole other health issue.

Fruit is not the only ingredient in those bottles, and many of the other ingredients are not good for you. The amount of carbs and sugar in one serving is usually staggering. I believe that in my example’s one serving, there was about 50 or more grams of carbs–and he drank more than one serving (the whole bottle). There was the equivalent of about 11 whole sugar cubes in his drink. Would you willingly eat 11 sugar cubes?

Naked juice was in the news recently for getting in trouble for labeling their product as “all natural,” when it isn’t. These products are not honest. Now, they have to remove that from their label.

Jamba Juice is another scary choice. Between too much fruit (fructose sugar), sherbet or ice cream, and milk—a serving can be about 100g of carbs. The lighter versions, “Fit and Fruitful” have about 50g. And to rub salt I to the wound, there is usually only one gram of protein. Yes, you can add protein to your smoothie, but you are still drinking a lot of carbs. You could have had a cheeseburger on a bun for less carbs and you are choosing a smoothie instead?

If you want to maintain your weight or lose weight, you should consider between 50g and 100g per day. You wind up blowing most of your day’s carbs on this one drink and it will also cause a massive sugar mood roller coaster ride. You will be really tired later, when the roller coaster comes down and you are now craving more hair of the dog that bit you–sugar. And if you don’t follow the rules of 6 proteins every 3 to 4 hours, two servings of fruit a day and four servings of vegetables (no starches) per day, then your weight loss will be questionable. You need protein to lose weight, gain muscle and to fend off hunger cravings. These smoothies will not do the job.

For those of you who argue that fruit is healthy, yes to is, but not squeezed from large quantities and without pulp and especially not if the fruit is genetically modified.

INSTEAD: Eat two small cup-sized servings of organic fruit a day. Berries and citrus are the lowest in carbs. Have one earlier in the day with your protein and one later in the day with a protein. Or make your own smoothie with the right amount of fruit, protein powder, some almond milk and lots of ice. Heck, throw some spinach in too. It is all blended and tastes great. You can even throw in a little Splenda, Truvia or Stevia.

Walking to Skinny–Convert Your Day to Walking!

So, you think you don’t have time to walk, even just 15 minutes a day!  Well, thanks to Purdue University, there is a converter of every day activities and sports that can be converted from time alloted to the activities into steps.  Remember, that if you do more than 10,000 to 12,000 steps a day, you are doing great and on your way to skinny (as long as you eat a healthy balanced diet, based on the “rules.”  If you are eating starches, sugar, more than 6 fist-sized, low-fat proteins a day, more than 4 smalls servings of veggies and 2 small servings of fruit a day and going over the 50 to 100g of carbs per day limit–then you will have to step a lot more to lose that weight.

Here is the list:

CONVERT ACTIVITY INTO STEPS

Use this chart to convert activities that are not easily measured by a pedometer. Multiply the number of minutes you participated in the activity by the number indicated in the chart.  Use only the timed, converted steps for your step count. Do not also include the pedometer steps if you were wearing your pedometer while performing the activity.

PLEASE NOTE: Conversions are estimates; your actual steps may vary

Activities Steps/Minute* Activities Steps/Minute*
Aerobic dancing class 127 Mowing lawn 120
Aerobic fitness class 181 Painting (a room) 78
Aerobics, low impact 125 Pilates 91
Aerobics, step 153 Punching bag 180
Backpacking 181 Raking lawn/leaves 121
Badminton, casual 131 Racquetball, casual 181
Badminton, competitive 203 Racquetball, competitive 254
Ballet dancing 120 Rock climbing 244
Baseball 130 Rollerblading 156
Basketball, game 145 Rowing 147
Basketball, recreational 130 Rowing machine 212
Bicycling, easy pace 130 Rugby 303
Bicycling, moderate pace 170 Running, 12 – minute mile 178
Bicycling, vigorous pace 200 Running, 10 – minute mile 222
Billiards/pool 76 Running, 8 – minute mile 278
Bowling 71 Sailing, boat and board 91
Bowling on the Wii 61 Scrubbing floors 71
Boxing, non-competitive 131 Scuba Diving 203
Boxing, competitive 222 Shopping 70
Calisthenics 106 Shoveling snow 145
Canoeing 91 Skateboarding 102
Cheerleading 100 Skeeball 52
Children’s playground game 136 Skiing, light/moderate 109
Circuit training 199 Skiing, cross-country 114
Climbing, rock/mountain 270 Sledding 158
Cooking 61 Snowboarding 182
Croquet 76 Snowmobiling 106
Dancing, class 109 Snowshoeing 181
Dancing, salsa/country/swing 109 Soccer, recreational 181
Dancing, party 109 Soccer, competitive 145
Drill team 153 Softball 152
Electronic sports, Wii/PS3 91 Spinning 200
Elliptical trainer 203 Squash 348
Fencing 182 Stair climbing, machine 200
Firewood-carrying/chopping 60 Stair climbing, down stairs 71
Fishing 91 Stair climbing, up stairs 181
Football 199 Stretching 15
Frisbee 91 Surfing 91
Gardening 80 Swimming, backstroke 181
Golf, carrying clubs 109 Swimming, butterfly 272
Golf, powered cart 80 Swimming, freestyle 181
Grocery shopping 67 Swimming, leisure 174
Gymnastics 121 Swimming, treading water 116
Handball 348 Table tennis 120
Hiking 172 Tae Bo 250
Hiking, orienteering 232 Tae Kwon Do 290
Hockey, field and ice 240 Tai Chi 40
Home/auto repair 91 Tennis 200
Horseback riding 90 Trampoline 90
Horseshoes 71 Vacuuming 94
Housework, light 72 Volleyball 91
Ice skating, general 84 Walking, stroll 61
Ice skating, moderate 122 Walking, average 84
In-line skating 190 Washing a car 71
Jogging 181 Water aerobics 116
Judo & Karate 236 Water polo 303
Jumping rope, fast 300 Water skiing 145
Jumping rope, moderate 250 Waxing a car 80
Kayaking 152 Weight lifting 67
Kickball 212 Wrestling 145
Kickboxing 290 Yard work 89
Lacrosse 242 Yoga 45
Miniature golf 91
Mopping 60

* Steps/Minute equals steps per minute.

Use a pedometer to measure steps if you desire.

http://www.purdue.edu/walktothemoon/activities.html

What a great excuse to enjoy cleaning your house now!

vintage_cleaning_ad

Short Walks to Weight Loss

Exercise Doesn’t Have to Be Intense or Long

I have met a lot of people who say that they have NO time to exercise.  They get up really early for work, work hard all day and then by the time they get home (with their long commute), then it is dark out, their kids need help with HW, they need to make dinner, etc.

But, here are my thoughts.  If you don’t exercise at all, you will wear down your immune system, metabolism, your mood, your libido and eventually–this will all affect your relationships with family, spouse and friendships.  You will be out of shape and have medical issues and this will also lead to mental health issues.

If you want to feel happy, feel good, you need to exercise to help with the production of serotonin, but you also have to eat right in order for serotonin to be produced properly.  If you eat bad foods and have a bacterial imbalance in your gut, then your serotonin will be off too!  I have noticed that people who don’t exercise, get sick more often, as well.

According to Livestrong, “Approximately 75 percent of this chemical is located in cells of the gut, where it regulates intestinal movements. The rest is synthesized in neurons of the brain; it’s here that serotonin influences mood. High levels are associated with an elevated mood while low levels are associated with depression. Though many neurotransmitters work in harmony to influence mood, serotonin is one of the most important. Its levels are influenced by external factors, such as sunlight, diet and exercise.”  http://www.livestrong.com/article/22590-effects-exercise-serotonin-levels/

So, if you want to control your intestinal issues, mental health, your heart, blood pressure and more–and live longer and be there for your family (the ones you are killing yourself for), you have to find time, 5 days a week for at LEAST 15 minutes a day.  You don’t have 15 minutes?

walkingbenefits

Walk For 15 Minutes a Day

Some think to get the full benefit of a good workout, you need to be sweating for a full 30 minutes — or longer. But with so many people struggling to find a spare 30 minutes, researchers have begun to investigate if a shorter sweat session could be just as good.

A 2011 study found when compared to sedentary people, 15 minutes a day of activity, like brisk walking can add 3 years to life expectancy, according to Reuters.

walkingtoloseweight_zpse7ae6565

Kick It Up a Notch

Intense aerobic activity may double the years of life expectancy added by moderate exercise, according to a 2005 study.   Five days a week of walking for 30 minutes led to 1.3 to 1.5 additional years, The Washington Post reported, but intense exercise, like running half an hour five days a week, resulted in almost 4 extra years. 

So, instead of eating at your desk or out with people, WALK somewhere.   You can even walk to get your food or coffee, but walk.  If you can’t find this time at all when you are at home, then minimally, take 15 minutes a day for a brisk walk.  Do it at lunch or one of your breaks at work.

My sister-in-law wears a pedometer and she counts her steps in a day.  It is said that in order to be healthy,  you need to step around 12,000 steps a day or more.  This can be counted from just walking to your car, to your desk, to the bathroom, going around your house picking up toys.  It doesn’t have to be counted all at one time, in one place.
Here is a link to a site that will show you how walking helps you lose weight and how to keep track of it for your personal goals.  http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/health/health20percentboost.html

Keep walking!  In fact, I am ending todays’ blog and going right to my elliptical for an hour.  But, I have done less time on it…..the idea is to do something!

Making Food/Diet Accomodations at Fast Food Joints

I was in a hurry and needed a quick drive thru salad.  I haven’t had taco meat in a long time and I saw a Taco Bell.  I pulled over and quickly Googled the facts.  A regular Fiesta Beef Taco Salad is about 40g of carbs.  Too many for one stupid meal.  So, I noticed that there was a listing for a Fiesta Beef Taco salad, Fresco style (lighter cheese) and Low-Carb style (no rice, beans, tortilla strips or shell).  It was lettuce, taco meat, tomato, cheese and sour cream with salsa on a plate.  It probably lacked decent nutrients as it was iceberg lettuce, no veggies and GMO ingredients.  But, the meal was decent for a once-in-awhile deal and it was 8g of carbs.  Not bad for a tasty fast food lunch.

taco

I have done this with the In and Out Burger.  it is 11g of carbs for the lettuce wrapped burger with cheese (protein style) vs. 39g of carbs with the bun.  The bread, tortilla and taco shells REALLY make a difference if you want to lose weight.

So, consider making accomodations from now on.

 

Low-Carb Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookie Recipe

Today, I am in the mood for a good cookie recipe.  I rarely eat cookies, but sometimes I need one.  And I want it to not ruin my diet.  I have not tried this yet, but the reviews online are awesome and I will try it this weekend after I get a few ingredients!  6 g of carbs, 2 grams protein.

IN COMPARISON:

Mrs. Fields regular chocolate chip cookie is 28g of carbs, 2 protein and look at all of the ingredients.  Most are NOT good for you.  I am putting up the one with chocolate chips and walnuts to be similar to this recipe.

Taken from the Mrs. Fields website:

Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Dextrose, Milk Fat, Soybean Lecithin, Natural Flavors), Brown Sugar, Sugar, Unsalted Butter, Margarine (Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Mono & Diglycerides, Soybean Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene, Whey), Walnuts, Whole Eggs, Canola Oil, Water, Fructose, Monoglycerides, Salt, Natural Flavors, Wheat Fiber, Food Starch, Soybean Lecithin, Baking Soda, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Xanthan Gum.

 

(Besides all of the filler, preservatives, etc.  It has Brown Sugar, Sugar, Fructose (three sugars) and Margarine (not healthy), natural and artifiical flavors, food starch and bleached wheat.)

My healthy recipe is simple and better for you~

almondbuttercookie

Dark Chocolate Almond Drop Cookies

  • Gluten-free & dairy-free
  • 1 cup almond butter
  • 3/4 cup natural sweetener (or use Splenda or Truvia baking blend)
  • 1 large egg (or 1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water)
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 oz. dark chocolate pieces

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350° F, combine first 5 ingredients and stir, add chocolate.

Drop rounded tablespoons onto parchment-lined baking sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Let cool, then enjoy.

The 7 Habits of Fit People

What do fit, strong people do as part of their lifestyle habits?

1.  They don’t “diet!”  They make their eating style their lifestyle.  I eat the same way daily and I mix up what I do eat. I eat every 3-4 hours.  I have some form of eggs for breakfast (scrambled, hard-boiled, omelette) and sometimes ham or bacon with it.  I have a healthy snack.  Then, lunch is some form of a healthy salad with a delish protein either in it or on the side.  I have fruit twice a day, veggies twice a day (sometimes with my lunch and dinner or I vary it).  I have another snack before dinner (can even be a low carb chocolate snake or protein bar), and dinner is similar to lunch, but I make it slightly different and tasty.  And my last snack could be anything, including low-carb ice cream or frozen yogurt.  I enjoy my food.  I pick tasty things, but I steer away from heavy carbs.  This is my life and I am skinny for two years now.

2.  Eat Breakfast.  See number one.  You set off your metabolism and your mood for the whole day with breakfast.  Start the day right.

3.  Enjoy your exercise.  I love going to my Pilates and yoga classes.  I enjoy the elliptical time I do because I use my IPAD and catch up on things.  Some people love meeting a friend and going for a hike or a bike ride.  Some people swim, play racquetball, Zumba, Salsa, belly dance, etc..  Find something you like to do and do it.

4.  Make  Fitness a Priority.  I make my plans every week in my planner on what times my classes are and what times I will go on the elliptical.  If you have a hectic schedule, you must find places in it for exercise.  If you don’t come first and you break down, then all of the things that you do won’t be done anymore because you are too sick to do it.  Trust me, I know what that is like and you don’t want it to happen to you.  Don’t take your health for granted.  You can break it down by NOT maintaining your machine (body).

5.  Don’t compare yourself or your body to others.  Everyone is different.  Look at the Williams’ sisters in tennis.  Their bodies are different from many other tennis players.  They are very strong and they are winners, but they are considered larger–but they are fit.  Everyone is different.  Just be the best  YOU that you can be.
best

6.  Find Support.  If your friends, peers, workmates or family try to sabotage your efforts, then find SOMEONE who can support your healthy eating habits and exercise.  Find a running buddy, a healthy lunch buddy, go to Overeaters Anonymous meetings, go to counseling–just don’t stick around people who are jealous of your efforts or just don’t get it!

offering cookies

7.  Learn to say NO!  It is ok to say no.  Someone knows you are on a diet or not, and offers you cookies that they made SPECIAL FOR YOU!  You say, “Thank you, so kind of you, but I am not eating cookies right now.  Please let me give them to someone.”  Your accepting cookies, which will call your name and make you want to eat them is not a good thing and you can’t be afraid to upset someone if it means you going off of your planned meal changes.  You should tell people up front that you can’t have sugar.  Sometimes it is easier to just blame your doctor.  You don’t have to tell people you are changing your diet.  You can just say, “Oh thank you.  My doctor told me that I can’t have sugar right now and it is doctor’s orders.”  It is hard to argue with your doctor.  If you say YOU want to diet, you have to be strong enough for people to argue and say, “One cookie won’t kill you,” “It is ok, you look fine, you can eat a cookie.”  ETC!  SO, sometimes it is easier to say your doctor said so and that is that.  Whatever you have to do, but do it.  Even my own mother used to try to shame me into splitting a desert with her and I would say, “NO!”  And she sulked, but who is being the child?  And interesting enough, she is the one who is pre-diabetic.  So, I have to be in control of my own destiny.  When I go out to restaurants and they want to bring bread to the table, I tell them up front NOT to bring the bread.  I have learned that it is no one’s business what I eat or why.  If someone wants to challenge me, I say, “This is my diet and that is the way it is and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”  Seriously, it is NO one’s business!