I came across this great list of “Super Foods” on the Food Network and thought I would share.  Here are 7 of the 10 they listed on their website.  I’ve provided a summary of each, but click through if you want to read more about the benefits of each one.

Berries - All fruits are stellar sources of nutrients, but strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries stand out from the pack.  They’re high in vitamin and fiber content.  They’re an excellent source of antioxidants, compounds that protect our bodies from the stress of day to day living. The antioxidant anthocyanin has triple the stress-fighting power of vitamin C and is known to block cancer-causing damage as well as the effects of many age-related diseases.  Read more here.

Legumes - The inexpensive legume family, which includes beans, peas, peanuts and lentils, has priceless benefits.  Legumes are rich in folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and antioxidants.  Their high protein and complex carbohydrates provide steady energy that lasts for hours.  They are especially high in soluble fiber, and a daily serving of cooked beans may lower blood cholesterol by as much as 18 percent, decreasing the risk of heart disease.  Read more here.

Citrus - We all know citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C; one orange has a whole day’s requirement. But that’s not all citrus fruits have to offer.  Citrus juice contains flavonoids, a phytonutrient that lowers the body’s production of cholesterol, inhibits blood clot formation and boosts the bang of vitamin C.  They’re also loaded with soluble fiber which lowers cholesterol, maintains healthy blood sugar levels and helps you to manage your weight.  Read more here.

Protein - Modest portions of these meat and dairy products will fill you up without adding to your waistline.  Protein is an important part of every diet and is found in many different foods. Lean protein, the best kind, can be found in fish, skinless chicken and turkey, pork tenderloin and certain cuts of beef, like the top round. Low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, ricotta and other cheeses supply both protein and calcium. Protein is crucial for tissue repair, building and preserving muscle, and making important enzymes and hormones.  Read more here.

Olive Oil - Olive oil is an excellent source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that may lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good cholesterol.  It contains Vitamin E and antioxidants. Extra-virgin olive oil has the highest concentration of Vitamin E and antioxidants. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil on uncooked dishes, where its assertive flavor will complement your finished dishes. Lighter olive oils like those labeled pure, refined or light contain lower concentrations of nutrients but withstand higher temperatures required for cooking.  Read more here.

Nuts and Seeds - Although high in calories, nuts often enable people to maintain or lose weight. A small handful eaten between meals or added to salads, grains or vegetables gives a sense of satiety and results in less total food intake. Nuts have great nutritional benefits, as well.  Almonds, pecans and pistachios are rich in protein. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. Sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds are particularly good sources of phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, which promote heart health.  Read more here.

Salmon - All fish are great sources of protein and low in saturated fat. But cold-water fish, like salmon, mackerel and herring, are premiere sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids. These are fats our bodies can’t produce, so it’s essential we include them in our diet. Omega-3s offer many benefits. They reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. They minimize the symptoms of arthritis and inflammatory diseases. They contribute to healthy skin and hair and they may help with depression.  Read more here.

Thanks for stopping by Making Mommy Hot! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Technorati Tags: eating healthy, healthy foods, super foods for better health

I’m sure some of you have noticed by reading my Daily Food Journal, that I eat a lot of cereal. I admit it, I love cereal. I try to eat it atleast 3 or 4 times a week and getting plenty of fiber is very important to me. But knowing which breakfast cereal is healthy and which ones are best for you can get a little confusing. What you find when you go to the grocery store is that the cereal aisle is a very long one and full of many contradictions. You may see cereals made with refined grains with hardly any fiber. Then there are cereals made with whole grains and bran, claiming to have 7 grams or more of fiber. Then of course, you have cereals with tons of sugar that are like boxes of little cookies more or less.

Although it can be tiring trying to choose which cereal, it’s well worth the effort, experts say.

“If you eat cereal almost every day, either for breakfast or as a snack, the cereal you choose can say a lot about your health. It can add a lot of good stuff to your diet — or it can add a whole lot of nothing.”

Experts say that choosing a healthy breakfast cereal is mainly about getting some whole grains. There’s no excuse not to get at least one serving of whole grains if you eat cereal for breakfast. And it’s well worth the effort; recent research suggests those who eat more whole grains are at lower risk of diabetes and heart disease.  And thats music to my ears, considering that diabetes and heart disease runs rampant in my family.  But which ones are better for you?  Here’s a quick list of 8 great tasting cereals that are full of fiber and whole grains.  This list was compiled by Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, From WebMD.

After some taste testing and input from acquaintances, I came up with eight picks for the best-tasting healthful breakfast cereals. The cereals on my list had to have a whole grain as the first ingredient and 5 grams of fiber per serving. Sugar had to be around 25% calories from sugar or less, unless dried fruit was among the top three ingredients. I also tried to choose cereals that are easily found in the supermarket.

1. Post Grape-Nuts Trail Mix Crunch: 5 grams fiber, and 22% calories from sugar. The first three ingredients are whole grain wheat, malted barley, and sugar, followed by raisins and wheat bran.
2. Fiber One Bran Cereal: 14 grams fiber, 0% calories from sugar. First three ingredients are whole-grain wheat bran, corn bran, and cornstarch. This cereal only appeals to some people. I would suggest enhancing the flavor with cinnamon, fresh or dried fruit, and/or roasted nuts.
3. Fiber One Honey Clusters: 13 grams fiber, 15% calories from sugar. The first three ingredients are whole-grain wheat, corn bran, and wheat bran.
4. Quaker Oatmeal Squares: 5 grams fiber, 19% calories from sugar. The first three ingredients are whole oat flour, whole-wheat flour, and brown sugar.
5. Shredded wheat: 6 grams fiber, 0% calories from sugar (for a generic brand). The only ingredient is 100% whole grain cereal. I enjoy this with added fresh or dried fruit and nuts. If you opt for the frosted variety, it has 6 grams fiber and gets 23% of its calories from sugar.
6. Frosted Mini Wheats: 6 grams fiber, 24% calories from sugar. The first three ingredients are whole-grain wheat, sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup.
7. Raisin Bran: 7 grams fiber, 40% calories from sugar (in Kellogg’s brand). The first three ingredients are whole wheat, raisins, and wheat bran). Sugar is listed fourth in the ingredient list, but many of the calories from sugar come from the raisins.
8. Kashi Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Oat Cereal: 5 grams fiber, 18% calories from sugar. The first three ingredients are whole oat flour, oat bran, and evaporated cane juice. This is a higher-fiber alternative to Cheerios. I think they taste better, too. But that may be because there is more sweetener added (the evaporated cane juice).

Technorati Tags: Cereals with Fiber, Easy To Find Cereals, Great Tasting Cereals, Healthy Cereal Choices, Whole Grain Cereals

Many of us try to eat healthy, but we occasionally are so busy that we can’t help but stop by McDonald’s, Wendy’s or dozens of the other fast-food restaurants.

But you can squeeze fast-food offerings into your weight management plans as long as you keep in mind these keys: moderation, “occasional stops,” and wise choices.

Now, more than ever, fast-food restaurants are offering a wide variety of healthy options, from fruit cups to granola. Some restaurants, such as Wendy’s, are allowing you to substitute more nutritious side dishes in lieu of fries in their combo meals.

Here are six ways you can get healthier meals in a fast-food restaurant:

Keep portion sizes small. “Portion control” is one of the foundations of weight management. In a fast-food restaurant, pick the smallest sandwich or order a half-sandwich. Don’t order double- or even triple-decker burgers, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and as much as 70 grams of fat. Aim for 250- to 300-calorie regular or children’s-sized burgers.

Choose a healthier side dish. Skip the jumbo fries in favor of smaller fries and spare your waistline 300 calories. Better yet: in this age of healthy eating, fast-food restaurants are offering healthier options, such as salads, low-fat dressing, baked potatoes, fruit bowls, yogurt, and baked chips, just to name a few.

Go for the greens, like a large salad as your main course, complete with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing. Regular salad dressing can bring you more than 300 calories. Skip such high-fat dangers as deep-fried shells, breaded chicken, any other fried topping, cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips.

Go for the grilled food. Crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets are high in fat and calories, but grilled or roasted lean turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef won’t murder your weight management plan.

Ask for healthier reduced-fat mayo, mustard and salsa instead of shredded cheese and cheese sauce. Condiments like special dressings, tarter sauce and sour cream will ruin your weight management with plenty of unneeded calories.

Watch what you drink. That 32-ounce soda contains about 400 calories, but healthier options include diet soda, water, unsweetened tea and bottled water. Of course, 1,000-calorie shakes and other drinks made from ice cream are out the drive-in window if you’re trying to manage your weight.

Source: Nubella

Technorati Tags: fast food, healthy foods, mcdonalds salads

The other day I was given the opportunity to try some free samples of Propel Fit Water, so I decided to write a review of this wonderful product. First, I want to say, that I love the idea of being able to supplement your diet and your water intake with something that will not only help fulfill your daily requirements of water, but is also full of vitamins and minerals that are essential to any diet.

I received 3 different flavor varieties of the Propel Fit Water. Kiwi Strawberry, Lemon, & Grape. All were VERY good, but I have to say that my favorite was definitely the Kiwi Strawberry. Another thing I love about this water, is that it only has 25 calories per 20 oz serving, that’s the whole bottle folks!

You should definitely check out Propel Fit Water, it has a lot fewer calories than some of the other leading brands of fitness water. Here’s a short video!

It’s such a great story, really. I was walking around in the local Piggly Wiggly, and these “twinkiesque” little creations caught my eye in the freezer section. I tell you, it was love at first bite! LOL

I know, you’re thinking, “I bet those little buggers are fattening!” And yes, they could be, if you eat 3 or 4 of them. (And believe me that’s kind of hard not to do, because they are soooo freakin’ good!) But each one of them is 200 or less calories, 4 to 6 grams of fat and 2 to 3 grams of fiber. Making their POINTS® value around 3 to 4 depending on which variety. Yes…they come in 4 different varities!

• Original (Plain bagel with plain cream cheese)
• Strawberry (Plain bagel with strawberry cream cheese)
• Cinnamon (Cinnamon and brown sugar bagel with cinnamon cream cheese)
• Chive (Plain bagel with chive cream cheese)
• Whole Grain (whole grain bagel with plain cream cheese)

Unfortunately, the Piggly Wiggly only carries Original and Cinnamon, haven’t tried the Cinnamon yet, I’m actually kind of afraid to. I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist eating more than one of them. I know that sounds awful, but they are really that good you guys!! We do have a Wal-Mart Supercenter here, so I’m going to check which varieties they carry ASAP!!

Technorati Tags: Kraft Bagel-ful, Weight Watchers, weight watchers points