Hello! Happy Holiday Season!
If you love holiday baking, I have a cautionary tale for you:
Last year my husband and I made a few teensy-tiny chocolate chip cookies. We only made 8, knowing we'd eat as many as we made. We used a banana instead of sugar and butter, used oats and oat bran instead of flour, used only the whites of the egg, and added only a few chocolate chips. While gobbling them up, we congratulated ourselves on our healthy choices.
...then we decided to calculate the calories... DOH!
Our 8 tiny cookies had 1,200 calories! Even though we had removed the most fattening ingredients, we still had some very caloric little treats.
Lesson: ALL baked goods are calorically dense because unlike fruits, veggies, lean meats or grains, they contain very little water.
Suggestion: Instead of baking this holiday season, try making wonderful soups and stews. Research shows that people who eat more broth-based soups eat fewer calories without even trying. Or make garlands out of cranberries and popcorn as a tasty, low-cal way to have fun with your kids.
Jill
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Another great idea that didn't work
Hello!
It's official. Research finds that another great weight-loss idea has backfired.
This time it's the 100-calorie-snack-packs of cookies, crackers and other treats. Recent studies show that people tend to eat MORE calories throughout the day when they include these foods in their diet.
How can this be?!
Apparently these single-serving treats feel so harmless that they don't get picked up by our personal "guilt radar." Experts believe that eating treats normally makes you compensate by eating healtier later on. The small-serving snack-packs don't.
I am especially convinced that this is true with children. When I ask kids to name healthy foods, they frequently mention Oreo snack-packs or Goldfish snack-packs right along with the fruits and veggies.
I think these snack packs can still be a good idea--just make sure to tell your kids or yourself that you're still eating junk.
Have a good day,
Jill
It's official. Research finds that another great weight-loss idea has backfired.
This time it's the 100-calorie-snack-packs of cookies, crackers and other treats. Recent studies show that people tend to eat MORE calories throughout the day when they include these foods in their diet.
How can this be?!
Apparently these single-serving treats feel so harmless that they don't get picked up by our personal "guilt radar." Experts believe that eating treats normally makes you compensate by eating healtier later on. The small-serving snack-packs don't.
I am especially convinced that this is true with children. When I ask kids to name healthy foods, they frequently mention Oreo snack-packs or Goldfish snack-packs right along with the fruits and veggies.
I think these snack packs can still be a good idea--just make sure to tell your kids or yourself that you're still eating junk.
Have a good day,
Jill
Jill's Favorite Functional Flight Foods
Hello!
With the holiday travel season coming, it's a good time to share a few of my
FAVORITE FUNCTIONAL FLIGHT FOODS.
Flying is hard on your body for many reasons--it can leave you dehydrated, constipated, exposed to extra germs & radiation, not to mention stressed. Here are a few tricks for protecting yourself:
1. Green, Red or White Tea Bags
The antioxidants help protect you from the extra radiation at high alititudes and, of course, tea is hydrating. Get some hot water after you pass through security and enjoy your tea before, during or right after your flight.
2. Garlic
Approximately 20% of travellers catch a cold after flying, so eating this natural germ-killer (ideally raw) is a small price to pay for prevention. Try putting 2 cloves of crushed garlic in some salsa, bruschetta or any other meal right before or after you fly.
3. Walnuts
The omega-3 fatty acids help keep your stress level down and the usual nut-quantity-problem (so hard to stop at just one serving!) is avoided because you'll only pack 1 ounce to begin with. Eat nuts in place of starches on a flight because you don't need the carbs when you are so sedentary.
4. Bran-a-Crisp Crackers
Eat a couple of these with plenty of water and they will not only fill you up, but also solve any post-flight constipation problems. You can find them at Whole Foods, Gelson's or my office.
5. Cottage Cheese & Frozen Berries
This makes a great travel snack because the protein keeps your metabolism up and the frozen berries keep the whole thing cool for hours.
Happy travels!
Jill
With the holiday travel season coming, it's a good time to share a few of my
FAVORITE FUNCTIONAL FLIGHT FOODS.
Flying is hard on your body for many reasons--it can leave you dehydrated, constipated, exposed to extra germs & radiation, not to mention stressed. Here are a few tricks for protecting yourself:
1. Green, Red or White Tea Bags
The antioxidants help protect you from the extra radiation at high alititudes and, of course, tea is hydrating. Get some hot water after you pass through security and enjoy your tea before, during or right after your flight.
2. Garlic
Approximately 20% of travellers catch a cold after flying, so eating this natural germ-killer (ideally raw) is a small price to pay for prevention. Try putting 2 cloves of crushed garlic in some salsa, bruschetta or any other meal right before or after you fly.
3. Walnuts
The omega-3 fatty acids help keep your stress level down and the usual nut-quantity-problem (so hard to stop at just one serving!) is avoided because you'll only pack 1 ounce to begin with. Eat nuts in place of starches on a flight because you don't need the carbs when you are so sedentary.
4. Bran-a-Crisp Crackers
Eat a couple of these with plenty of water and they will not only fill you up, but also solve any post-flight constipation problems. You can find them at Whole Foods, Gelson's or my office.
5. Cottage Cheese & Frozen Berries
This makes a great travel snack because the protein keeps your metabolism up and the frozen berries keep the whole thing cool for hours.
Happy travels!
Jill
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Gifts of Health
Hello and Happy Holiday Shopping Season!
Why not give (and ask for!) holiday gifts that will promote health and fitness all year long? Here are some suggestions...
JILL'S HEALTHIEST GIFT IDEAS:
Exercise gear, like...
heart rate monitor
pedometer
hand weights
exercise bands
exerball
Bosu ball
exercise videos
Camelback water pouch
exercise clothes
GPS pedometer
walkman/IPod
swimming walkman
reflective clothing
rollerblades
treadmill, stair climber, etc.
pilates equipment--mats, reformer, etc.
Gift Certificates for...
personal training
massage
gym membership
spa treatments
healthy cooking lessons
dancing lessons
a personal chef for a week
Healthy cooking accessories...
George Foreman Grill
popcorn air-popper
vegetable juicer
yogurt maker
grain thermos
veggie steamer
tea and tea accessories
milk foamer
microwave egg poacher
automatic egg boiler
salad spinner
Other items...
healthy magazine subscription
health newsletter subscription
books, cookbooks
fruit-of-the-month club
vegetable-of-the-month club
spa item-of-the-month-club
tempurpedic mattress
body pillow
massage chair
air purifier
small bowls and plates (because you eat less on small dinnerware)
Also, remind your family that you DO NOT WANT to receive chocolates, candy or any other unhealthy gifts.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
Jill
Why not give (and ask for!) holiday gifts that will promote health and fitness all year long? Here are some suggestions...
JILL'S HEALTHIEST GIFT IDEAS:
Exercise gear, like...
heart rate monitor
pedometer
hand weights
exercise bands
exerball
Bosu ball
exercise videos
Camelback water pouch
exercise clothes
GPS pedometer
walkman/IPod
swimming walkman
reflective clothing
rollerblades
treadmill, stair climber, etc.
pilates equipment--mats, reformer, etc.
Gift Certificates for...
personal training
massage
gym membership
spa treatments
healthy cooking lessons
dancing lessons
a personal chef for a week
Healthy cooking accessories...
George Foreman Grill
popcorn air-popper
vegetable juicer
yogurt maker
grain thermos
veggie steamer
tea and tea accessories
milk foamer
microwave egg poacher
automatic egg boiler
salad spinner
Other items...
healthy magazine subscription
health newsletter subscription
books, cookbooks
fruit-of-the-month club
vegetable-of-the-month club
spa item-of-the-month-club
tempurpedic mattress
body pillow
massage chair
air purifier
small bowls and plates (because you eat less on small dinnerware)
Also, remind your family that you DO NOT WANT to receive chocolates, candy or any other unhealthy gifts.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
Jill
Friday, October 31, 2008
Fall back into exercise
Hello!
Daylight Savings Time ends soon, and that extra hour makes it the perfect time to start a morning exercise habit! Did you know...
1. Morning exercisers are less likely to miss workouts than evening exercisers.
2. Morning exercise gives your metabolism a nice boost for the day.
3. There is less air pollution early in the day.
4. Your body chemistry is best for burning fat and building muscle in the morning (because cortisol levels are highest, which mobilizes fat and sugar into your bloodstream.)
With all these incentives PLUS an extra hour, you are out of excuses NOT to exercise! ...and if you *already* have this wonderful habit, enjoy your well-deserved extra sleep!
Jill
Daylight Savings Time ends soon, and that extra hour makes it the perfect time to start a morning exercise habit! Did you know...
1. Morning exercisers are less likely to miss workouts than evening exercisers.
2. Morning exercise gives your metabolism a nice boost for the day.
3. There is less air pollution early in the day.
4. Your body chemistry is best for burning fat and building muscle in the morning (because cortisol levels are highest, which mobilizes fat and sugar into your bloodstream.)
With all these incentives PLUS an extra hour, you are out of excuses NOT to exercise! ...and if you *already* have this wonderful habit, enjoy your well-deserved extra sleep!
Jill
Monday, October 20, 2008
Shoes to lose
Hello!
Did you know that the type of shoes you typically wear can affect your weight? Not surprisingly, in a study of daily physical activity, people were more active when they were wearing more comfortable, less formal shoes. But here's the best part--they weren't TRYING to be more active, and they weren't even AWARE of it! So try putting away the stilettos and see if some pounds come off!
Have a good day,
Jill
Did you know that the type of shoes you typically wear can affect your weight? Not surprisingly, in a study of daily physical activity, people were more active when they were wearing more comfortable, less formal shoes. But here's the best part--they weren't TRYING to be more active, and they weren't even AWARE of it! So try putting away the stilettos and see if some pounds come off!
Have a good day,
Jill
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Potatoes Not Prozac
Hello!
More evidence is emerging that some food tricks really do boost your mood and help you feel more relaxed and happy. A book byKathleen DesMaisons, "Potatoes Not Prozac", gives the details, but here's the super-simplified version:
Tryphtophan is an amino acid in animal proteins. If you let a chicken/turkey/fish meal digest for a couple of hours, you'll have tryphtophan in your blood stream. Then, if you eat half a plain baked potato (or 100 calories of any high-glycemic carbohydrate), the insulin you produce will carry the tryphtophan into the brain, where it gets turned into serotonin, the neurochemical that makes you feel happy, calm & content.
For example, try eating chicken/turkey/fish plus veggies at dinner and then eat a plain potato 2 hours later. It should have you feeling happy and relaxed at bedtime.
I was skeptical at first, but I think it worked on me. The trick is to have the self-control to not overeat those carbs. 100 calories is the amount that will give you the effect without going overboard and storing fat.
Give it a try and let me know how it works!
All my best,
Jill
More evidence is emerging that some food tricks really do boost your mood and help you feel more relaxed and happy. A book byKathleen DesMaisons, "Potatoes Not Prozac", gives the details, but here's the super-simplified version:
Tryphtophan is an amino acid in animal proteins. If you let a chicken/turkey/fish meal digest for a couple of hours, you'll have tryphtophan in your blood stream. Then, if you eat half a plain baked potato (or 100 calories of any high-glycemic carbohydrate), the insulin you produce will carry the tryphtophan into the brain, where it gets turned into serotonin, the neurochemical that makes you feel happy, calm & content.
For example, try eating chicken/turkey/fish plus veggies at dinner and then eat a plain potato 2 hours later. It should have you feeling happy and relaxed at bedtime.
I was skeptical at first, but I think it worked on me. The trick is to have the self-control to not overeat those carbs. 100 calories is the amount that will give you the effect without going overboard and storing fat.
Give it a try and let me know how it works!
All my best,
Jill
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