Healthy Snacks for Easy Weight Loss ~ Part 1

Disclaimer:I am not a health professional. Please seek the advice of your health professional before you change your diet, exercise program, or make any other lifestyle change.

It goes without saying that eating healthy meals on a regular basis is a wise thing to do to promote quality and longevity of life. There are many, many healthy recipes and snacks that taste absolutely incredible.

In addition to diet, there are other tips to assist you on your weight loss adventure. One way is by using a metabolic raising technique. If you substitute the American tradition of 3 medium to large meals per day to 6 small meals per day, it will speed up your metabolism. It is always best to eat more carbohydrates during the earlier part of the day and less at night. Each meal should include a high protein item, a complex carbohydrate, and as many vegetables as you would like.

Serving size is extremely important. A basic serving size guide is your own fist or palm. For example, the piece of meat you choose to eat shouldn’t be bigger than your palm. A sweet potato choice shouldn’t be any bigger than your fist.

Another healthy rule of thumb is to remember this simple phrase from Jillian Michaels, “If it doesn’t’ have a mother or come from the ground, don’t eat it”. This is referring to processed foods. Whole foods are always best for the body.

Water, water, water flushes out antioxidants, hydrates your body, and moisturizes your skin which makes you look younger. It is recommended that an adult human drinks between 64 and 90 ounces of water per day, depending on the amount and type of physical activity done each day.

Here are a few yummy recipes that I have discovered by being creative in my own kitchen:

Ingredients:

8 ounces of hot water in a tea cup or coffee mug

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

2 small slices of apple or pear, 2 small slices of cantaloupe (or you can choose another fresh fruit of your choice)

1 teaspoon of sugar or artificial sweetener (optional)

Combine all ingredients in the cup or mug and heat to your preferred temperature and enjoy.

Nutritional information (with 1 teaspoon of sugar):

Calories: 40

Carbohydrates: 10g

Total Fat: <1g

Sodium: 7mg

Protein: .5g

Ingredients:

2 1X1 inch blocks of low fat cheddar cheese

6 whole wheat, low sodium crackers

Slice the cheese into pieces. Place a piece of sliced cheese on each cracker and enjoy.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 112

Carbohydrates: 8.5g

Total Fat: 5g

Sodium: 242mg

Protein: 9.5g

Feel free to substitute the fruits, nuts, or dressing. That could, however, change the nutritional information.

Ingredients:

2 cups of baby spinach

1 cup of romaine lettuce

2 diced medium strawberries

1/8 cup of sliced almonds

2 tablespoons of low fat bleu cheese crumbles

2 tablespoons of fat free raspberry vinaigrette dressing

As many of your favorite fresh vegetables as you please

Combine all ingredients, chill and enjoy.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 188

Carbohydrates: 15.5g

Total Fat: 11g

Sodium: 580mg

Protein: 9g

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of non fat sour cream

1/8 cup of SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend (packed)

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill and enjoy with fresh fruit.

Nutritional information (This does NOT include the fruit):

Calories: 128

Carbohydrates: 24g

Total Fat: 1g

Sodium: 46mg

Protein: 3g

Obesity has become a horrendous epidemic in this country, and it is causing major health problems including heart disease and diabetes. I cannot stress the importance of keeping yourself healthy by getting plenty of rest and exercise, drinking lots of water, and eating healthy.

Good luck to you, and embrace and enjoy this baby step to your new lifestyle!

"Be kind to one another" ~ Ellen

God Bless You ~ Margaret Sullivan

For more easy recipes, go to:

http://mmargie1966.hubpages.com/hub/Easy-to-Make-Healthy-Snacks-to-Help-You-Lose-Weight-Part-II