6 Healthy Tips to Bring to the Restaurant

Eating out is supposed to be fun but for some it is more stressful because they think it will mess up their diet. Don’t make it stressful. If you are dieting and want to lose weight or if you just want to maintain weight and healthy lifestyle, here are some easy tips for what to do while eating out.

1. Stay Away From The Bread. To make this step easy, tell the server not to bring any bread to your table (if your

Olive Garden Breadsticks… 150 calories per one

table agrees with this suggestion). That is the easiest solution. However, if they do  bring it, all it takes is self control. But if you are out to eat, don’t stress. If it’s your favorite bread then have a slice, just don’t have a meal of bread before your actual meal. Also, if you have a slice do not load it up with butter. Have the power to tell yourself that you don’t need the bread.

Here are some examples of the bread at restaurants in the U.S. and how many extra calories that bread contains:

• 1 Olive Garden Garlic Breadstick with Butter: about 150 calories
• Outback Bread Loaf with Butter: about 470 calories. Remember: Those loafs aren’t very big.
• Small Loaf of Bread at Carrabba’s: about 500 calories and the bread dipping sauce: about 50 calories

2. Drink Water.  It’s free and has 0 calories. It’s perfect! Also, beverages can get expensive. Drink water before your meal, during, and after. Since it’s free, don’t worry about refills, drink up! It’s good to stay hydrated and to keep your stomach a little fuller. Even while you are waiting for your meal and just starring at that bread, with your stomach growling, just drink water. It will give your stomach a distraction.

3. Avoid Appetizer’s. Appetizer’s to me are pointless. Nowadays, the entree’s are so large that an appetizer seems ridiculous to get. I don’t like to go to a restaurant and be full before I get my actual meal. If you must get one, then share it. Do not eat all by yourself. So many extra calories.

4. How To Choose An Entree. Look for entree’s that are not fried and DO NOT get french fries as a side.

A healthy and delicious side choice

Look to order something that is grilled or baked. And when picking sides for your entree look for vegetables, rice,  or a side salad (with light dressing). Restaurants offer many healthy choices, you just have to be smart enough to look for them and order them. Also, if you know the restaurant that you are going to, look up the menu beforehand and you can also look up how many calories are in each item. That will prepare you for a healthy meal out.

Look for menu’s like this (this link will take you to the Carrabba’s menu)! This menu tells you the serving size, calories, total fat, carbs, and protein.

Olive Garden Venetian Chicken is a healthier entree choice

5. You Don’t Have To Eat It All… To-go box it! To-go boxes are great. Many people finish their meal because they don’t want to waste it. So now you don’t have to keep eating even when you are full. You can save your extra’s and bring them home! Eat slow and take frequent sips of water so when you feel yourself starting to get full, push your plate a little bit away from you. Don’t eat more than your body needs.

6. Share Dessert. I love dessert but after my meal, I know I don’t need to eat more. However, if you can’t resist, share it with the table! Dessert’s are usually sharing size anyways so that makes it easy. Take 2-3 bits, satisfy your sweet tooth, and be done.

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Going out is meant to be fun. So don’t get stressed out about what to eat. It’s easy to stay on track while on diet. All it takes is some smart choices. If you are wanting to lose weight, and if you want it bad enough, you will choose the healthier choices. It’s all up to you.

Crazy for Coconut Water?

Coconut water is a fairly new phenomena. I see people drinking it in class, while playing sports and after a workout. I see it everywhere!  I don’t know much about coconut water so I did some research to see what exactly all the hype is about…

What is coconut water? 

Coconut water is the liquid found inside young green coconuts before they mature… not those brown hairy coconuts that we are used to seeing in the grocery stores.

The coconut water doesn't come from coconuts that look like this

What are the benefits and nutrients?

Coconut water is 99% fat free, contains about 46 calories per serving(one cup) and low in carbohydrates. The great thing about coconut water is that it is high in Potassium. In about one cup of coconut water, you get just the same or more Potassium then in a banana. I play tennis and to help prevent cramps I eat banana’s. However, coconut water seems to get more done. It helps replenish the body with much needed electrolytes, helps the body stay hydrated, and reduces the risks of cramps. From brand to brand, nutrients vary slightly. But coconut water generally also contains Magnesium, Calcium and Sodium.

Is coconut water all natural?

Coconut water is not like your average sports drink or refreshment. Coconut water contains about 6 grams of sugar per serving, however, this sugar is an all natural sugar … not that artificial sugar that is put in most beverages and processed food.

Does coconut water contain vitamins?

Yes, coconut water does have vitamins! The main vitamins found in coconut water are Vitamin C and B Vitamins. Vitamin C helps strengthen your immune system. Helping to prevent you from illness that could disrupt your daily life. Each cup of coconut water contains about 5.8 mg of Vitamin C. Also, B Vitamins help boost metabolism, which is great for the many people interested in weight loss. Some B Vitamins found in coconut water are B6, Thiamin (B1), Folate (B9), and Riboflavin (B2).

Coconut water is also a natural diuretic and contains dietary fiber.

Some examples of coconut water found in stores

Which increases urine flow. It is good to increase this because it will help to cleanse your body of toxins. Having a diet rich in fiber is also good for cleaning your system. In one cup of coconut water, there is about 3 grams of dietary fiber.

Where do I get coconut water?

It is found in many grocery stores such as Whole Foods, and you can drink it straight from the coconut! Also, before purchasing a brand(there are so many to choose from), always check out the nutrition label to make sure you are getting precisely what you are looking for.

Any other uses for coconut water?

In the past, coconut water has actually been used as a replacement for plasma in blood transfusions. This works because it is pure, accepted by the body, does not produce heat, and does not destroy red blood cells.

Coconut water seems like a good choice to me! And with it being so pure and natural, I’m sure people of all ages could give it a try. It  has many benefits to you and your body. Also, if you like the taste, just like so many other people

7 Healthy Desserts That Will Satisfy That Craving

I love dessert. After dinner, I’m guilty of looking in my freezer for ice cream or for anything sweet. This isn’t good. Especially if you are trying to lose weight and get your dream body. I have found some healthy alternatives that will satisfy your sweet tooth. These desserts seem to work for me… and they don’t ruin my eating healthy plan!

These look amazing!

1. Popsicles. Popsicles are great because they can me made by you, for you. You decide what they are made out of. And they are very easy to make. My favorite is pouring orange juice into a plastic cup and sticking it in the freezer. So good and healthy! But you can blend strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, or anything! Get creative. Try new flavors. Also, if you are all out of popsicle sticks just make an italian ice. Then eat it with a spoon once it’s frozen. It’s the same thing just not on a stick. If you don’t want to make them just go to the supermarket. Healthy popsicles are almost everywhere. If you want chocolate, go for a fudgsicle. One fudgsicle only has about 60 calories. 60 calories won’t set you back. the nutritional value isn’t much but if you have a chocolate craving this is one that won’t make you guilty. Heres the recipe of the popsicles in the picture!

2. Pudding. It will really help satisfy that chocolate craving. In one serving of sugar free Jell-O pudding there’s only 60 calories. Also, try freezing pudding to make a delicious popsicle. I enjoy eating my pudding with pretzels. If you dip the pretzel in the pudding, it’s basically like eating chocolate covered pretzels. Love it.

Parfaits are sweet, delicious and healthy!

3. Parfaits. Once again, these can be made with the ingredients you love. You pick the yogurt, fruit, granola, or anything else you would like to go in it. Parfaits are very filling and nutritious. I like to get my favorite flavor of fat-free yogurt with strawberries, blueberries, and cereal (like Cheerios or Special K) for the granola. Then, I make some layers of those ingredients in a cup and eat it all up. So good. And healthy for you!

4. Jello. Jello is very low in calories. It doesn’t have much nutritional value but it has that sugar boost you are looking for. Jello is definitely a late night snack that won’t ruin your healthy diet.

5. Mousse. Chocolate, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry or any other type of mousse is sure to hit that craving. It’s so light and fluffy. It will be just what you need to fill up your stomach before bed.

Delicious Chocolate Sorbet

6. Sorbet. If you are like me and love ice cream, sorbet is not far from the taste you love. There are so many different flavors, even chocolate. All 150 calories or less. Chocolate sorbet is a great alternative to ice cream. Have a cup or sorbet instead of having a cup of ice cream. You will be saving many calories. And I am a chocolate lover so it’s nice to know I can still have something.

Angel food cake

7. Angel Food Cake. This cake is so good. If you have never tried it, I suggest you do. And you will be happy to know that it’s low in calories, probably less then 150 depending on the size of your slice. Angel food cake is delicious and very light. It won’t weigh you down.

You may love a low calorie dessert that I didn’t include in this list and that’s fine. But these are some of my favorites. I just thought of Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas! Those are also a good choice! You may like a few of these ideas but a few is all you need. You shouldn’t have to give up dessert. You only live once so don’t give up completely on foods you love. As long as they are eaten in moderation they won’t hurt you. I hope some of these will help you on your way to achieving your goal. Also, I hope I didn’t stir up any cravings but if you get one… remember to be smart about it.

Rest: Relax, Eat, Sleep, Think.

Today was nice. Slept in, watched tv, listened to music…  I basically did nothing. I know doing nothing sounds bad but my body needed it. I’m writing this post because I wanted to remind all of you that rest is good and somedays you should do nothing. I feel overworked and I haven’t been getting enough sleep so that’s when you just need to back off and tell yourself to stop. On days like today, I just try and be extra careful with what I eat because I know I didn’t do anything.

Good food!

So remember to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and drink lots of water. I always forget to drink water on days I don’t exercise, which is not good. I actually should go get a glass. But always have your favorite healthy foods close by so you can make the best food choices. That easy task will help you succeed in whatever it is you want to accomplish. No matter what it is, eating healthy will always keep you on track. You can’t go wrong. I have come to find that I love KIND Bars.At the last race I did, they had a table and were giving them out. Thank goodness I grabbed a few. They were fantastic and a great pick-me up after a race or anything.

I wish I was sponsored by KIND Bars so I could have them all the time!