Diet food

November 5, 2013

Warmin’ Up

As the temperature outside decreases and the number of blankets we layer up with increases, the thoughts of comfort foods begin to roll in. Many of the health-conscious try to dodge these thoughts, staying loyal to the dietary goals they’ve set. Luckily, curling up with a favorite bowl of soup doesn’t have to be a thought dodged by anyone.

There are health benefits to eating soup, especially when the soup is properly prepared and homemade. Using low-sodium stocks and slow cooking vegetables can increase the nutritional value of the soup. Clear broth soups, like chicken noodle, can aid in re-hydrating, calming inflammation, settling stomachs and reducing congestion. More vegetable-based soups help achieve proper dietary intakes for nutrients and fiber.  Meat-based soups provide the body with proteins and amino acids. Adding spices such as tumeric, garlic or pepper increase the body’s circulation, warming you up! Additionally, garlic is known to be “an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal agent…” (Total Health Nutrients, 2010). No wonder the infamous any-kind-of-illness remedy is chicken noodle soup (especially if it’s chuck full of garlic and veggies). 

Recipes for the Favorites

French Onion- http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,10000001842491,00.html

Broccoli Cheddar- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/healthified-broccoli-cheddar-soup-recipe/index.html

Chicken Tortilla- http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/soups/chicken-tortilla-soup/

Curried Cauliflower- http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/andrew-weils-curried-cauliflower-soup

For a full listing of recipes, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-soup-recipes/RE00122.

How-to Video

Dr. Oz and Dr. Weil Make Curried Cauliflower Soup

With these easy and healthy recipes, the days of feeling guilty indulging in your favorite comfort soup are long gone!

 

*As always, remember to consult your doctor before changing your diet or treating symptoms of any illness.*

For more information, visit any of the above links or http://totalhealthnutrients.com/?p=1875 that was utilized in creating this post.
(Picture of Broccoli Cheddar soup from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/healthified-broccoli-cheddar-soup-recipe/index.html )
September 13, 2013

So it may be a little late for breakfast today…

…but don’t skip it tomorrow! When dieting, people consider all too often eliminating one of the most essential meals out of their day– breakfast. According to “The Many Benefits of Breakfast” found on WebMD.com,

Not only does [breakfast] give you energy to start a new day, but breakfast is linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance.

The article continues to explain how important the meal is for performance in the classroom, all the way to the boardroom. Regardless of age, breakfast is needed across the board. The first meal of the day can eliminate excessive snacking and over-indulgence in other meals. Of course, this meal should be equally substantial and nutritious. Even if time can’t be dedicated to preparing and eating a nice meal, there are healthy grab-and-go items to resort to. Author Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, explains how making the right choice at breakfast can lead to healthier choices throughout the day.

Consuming lean proteins for breakfast is emphasized greatly in the online literature. A few of the suggested items include: a smoothie made with low-fat yogurt and fruit, low-fat yogurt and a piece of fresh fruit, and a yogurt smoothie with a breakfast bar. Notice a theme? Low-fat yogurt (even if it is frozen!) is one way to kick-start your day the right way!

Sincerely Yogurt® not only offers these options, but also a yogurt parfait (only available at the SouthSide Works location). Whether it’s a Mango Tango smoothie with an extra booster of protein, a cup of Original or Green Tea yogurt topped with fruit, or a made-to-order yogurt parfait with ingredients from the East End Food Co-op, why not treat yourself with something that tastes great and is just as good for you?

Information retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits-breakfast?page=2.