Do you really know how much sugar is in the fruit you eat??

I know I'm guilty of saying "Hey, its fruit- I can eat as much as I want". But remember, fruit is still sugar..and even though its natural sugar, it all adds up at the end of the day.

I used to think that I could eat all the fruit I wanted. When I would go grocery shopping I would just grab any fruits that looked appealing. It wasn't until I started to write down what I was eating on a daily basis that I realized I was eating way too much!! I'm talking 5-6 servings a day. So I took a closer look and realized I was only getting about 1 serving of veggies a day. So I adjusted. I wrote out a meal plan, counted how many fruits I really needed in the house for me and the family and replaced veggies where I used to eat fruit.

 Its recommended to eat 2-3 serving of fruit a day. Eating fruit earlier in the day also allows for you body to have more time to process it. I also learned that pairing fruit with protein is a great snack. The fruit has a whole bunch or water and fiber in it...that is what helps you feel full. The protein will slow down the digestion process and also help you to feel fuller longer. My all time FAVORITE snack is a medium apple with 1/4 cup of whole almonds. Believe it or not, I have never liked almond before. Turns out, I had only had coated almonds and never tried them just plain! It tastes so good and keeps me full until my next meal!!! I hope you gained some knowledge that you didn't know before! Comments or questions feel free to shoot me a quick email!!

Why drinking water will help you lose weight

Water, Water, & more Water....

Drinking water throughout the day can help you feel fuller!
Instead of drinking a calorie loaded coffee drink, or a milkshake, water will fill up your stomach and add 0 calories!!! Next time, grab a glass of water to pair with your meal instead of a pop or coffee. Who really needs all those extra empty calories anyway? Its easy sometimes to just grab-and-go, but think of how many calories you are drinking. Personally, I would much rather save those calories for a healthy snack later in the day.

Add some ice!
Studies have found that drinking cold water actually causes an increase in energy expenditure. This is because the body needs to warm itself since you just drank all that cold water.... This happens within 10 minutes after drinking.

Drink the correct amount!
We need to keep our bodies from becoming dehydrated. By the time you become thirsty, you are already on your way to becoming dehydrated. Plus when losing weight, our bodies require even more water. So, how much water should you be drinking???

A good rule of thumb is to take your body weight and divide by 2. Then take that number and divide by 8 to get how many glasses to drink per day. This is how much water you should be aiming to drink daily.

These are just a few tips for when it comes to drinking water and weight loss! Water is so important to include in your daily life. I love buying new water bottles (usually from the dollar store) so I am sure to have them whenever I need them. No excuse! Water is the best choice! Plus its FREE!!!!!

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for You???

Did you know that.....

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin C, E, B6, and Beta-Carotene? 
That they help keep your heart healthy and are good for your eyes?
They aid in weight loss and helps to lower blood pressure?

The sweet potato will keep all the benefits of its status of a "super food" in this recipe!! This is a perfect substitute for french fries. Sweet enough to satisfy that craving, yet you get all the benefits! 



Ingredients
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable cooking spray
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated orange rind (optional)
1 small garlic clove, minced

Preparation
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently to coat. Arrange sweet potato slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until tender, turning the potato slices after 15 minutes.

Combine parsley, orange rind, and garlic in a small bowl; stir well. Sprinkle parsley mixture over sweet potato slices.

Yield: 7 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)

source-Cooking Light NOVEMBER 1995