Archive for the 'Weight Loss' category

Eat right at Lunch

Aug 30 2011 Published by Rick under Weight Loss

In an effort to cut costs or to eat healthier, perhaps both. More and more of us are bringing lunch to work. Packing lunch in the morning can save you money, but it not always easy. In the morning we tend to be rushed and if we do not have definite plan for packing lunch, our choices of prepackaged foods might not be the best.

Ideas for packing lunch to go:

Try a protein shake like Herbalife formula 1 or a couple of protein bars, pair it with a fresh fruit or some veggies, drink plenty of water.

Try wholesome foods like whole wheat sandwiches with low fat cheeses, avocado, tomatoes and some herbs.

Save some leftovers from supper. If you regularly cook at least a healthy meal a day, make more and freeze small portion to take with you for lunch.

Make a quick salad with lettuce, nuts, feta cheese and as many veggies as you have on hand. Dress it with some lemon juice and a tiny touch of olive oil and pepper.

Try unusual satisfying ideas like whole wheat pita with water packed tuna, veggies and yogurt.

If you still have to go out for lunch, avoid fast food places or make very careful choices when you go there. A salad is not always the healthiest option if the dressing is full of fat.

Chose lean protein and wholesome carbs, veggies and fresh fruits. When choosing protein, try to get it as lightly handled as possible, opt for grilled over breaded and deep fried.

Be careful with what you drink, prepared drinks and even lemonade can pack lots and lots of calories. Water is always the most natural and healthy alternative, add a touch of lemon or orange if you want.

Try eating more slowly. Take time to chew your food, maybe have a big glass of water with lunch, and take time out to sip every couple bites.  Also try spreading out your calories so that your lunch, while a main meal, leaves you some calories for an afternoon snack such as an apple, 100 calorie pack, or veggies with light ranch dressing. Two servings of sliced cucumbers and a serving of light ranch is a great, snack which is filling and only will be low on calories.

An afternoon snack is the perfect pick me up for that last push of the day.

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Snack attack

Mar 31 2011 Published by Rick under Weight Loss

We all have been there. It is mid afternoon and it is too early for dinner, but you just cannot concentrate, your stomach is hungry. When snacking time strikes, you need something to just tie you up until the next meal. Portion control is the key.  Make your snack wholesome and nutritious. Try some of the following recipes and skip the vending machine, they are so simple with ingredients that most likely you have at home.  Have fun and invent your own recipes, keep it fresh and simple.

If you are on the go, portion out servings into individual baggies ahead of time and take with you, or better yet make a bigger portion and take it with you to share with a friend.

Snacks with fiber will be digested more slowly and keep you feeling full for longer time. Try to add some protein when possible and keep and eye for overly salted ingredients.

Crunchy snacks:

  • Combine strips of red or green bell, chopped broccoli and scallions and dip them in some Greek yogurt with a touch of horseradish.
  • Shredded carrots with a dash of sesame oil, lime juice honey and cayenne pepper.
  • Stuff celery sticks with cashew butter and dot with dry currants or cranberries.
  • Spread some toast with tahini and top with alfalfa sprouts or shredded carrots

Fresh snacks can be a great pick me up, Keep portions to no more than half a cup.

  • 3 or 4 tomato slices with some olive oil, you can sprinkle some feta cheese and herbs on top
  • Crumbled feta cheese over watermelon and sprinkle it with mint leaves, super refreshing. You can chill it the night before.
  • Cucumbers as crackers and top them with hummus or tapenade and garnish with herbs.

Sweet snack solutions:

  • Freeze green and red grapes until they are firm. Eat them while they are icy cold, they will be delicious and refreshing, and you will not miss the ice cram cone.
  • Cut a tangerine into segments drizzle with a little bit of honey and dust with cocoa and if you feel adventurous a small dash of chili powder.
  • Sprinkle fresh berries with granola and microwave until warm. Great quick healthy cobbler.
  • Microwave a sweet potato and mash it with some orange juice. It makes two or more servings, so be ready to share.

Pre packaged snacks on the go

  • Small packets of carrots
  • Protein bars like the Herbalife Deluxe Protein bars, they come in 4 different flavors.
  • 100 calories packets

Keep the portions small and the ingredients fresh. Enjoy responsibly!

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15 Great Ways To Lose Weight Fast

Feb 11 2011 Published by Rick under Weight Loss

Want to lose weight fast? It’s easy to say goodbye to 10-20 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.  Also use soy protein shakes by Herbalife.  These are great tasting, highly nutritional meal that can cut your cravings, boost your protein intake (curbs hunger) and provides daily nutrition.

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda – the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.   Lemon water is wonderful for you and can provide great taste and help to your body. Importance of drinking water.

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too – make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.

If you want a fast, easy and nutritional way to lose weight safe and naturally, have energy, lose fat not muscle, use the Herbalife products and program system. It’s worked for 29 years for millions of people.  http://www.bodyshapeover.com

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