As we near the last few weeks of the year, I wanted to be sure to share some important resources with you. For one thing it’s the holiday season and if you are like me, you may need all the tips you can get to navigate the next 6 weeks without overeating. Also, as the weather gets colder you may want to be prepared to enjoy some warm, filling, nutritious, AND low calorie food. I have some ideas for you and I have other resources I’d like to pass on that are valuable any time of the year.
It's Hard to Resist Holiday Bread and Other Goodies
Last year I decided to search for the very best articles providing tips on how to minimize weight gain over the holidays. It is possible you may have to put weight loss on hold for a little while but there’s no need to put on any weight. You succeed by having strategies to avoid overeating and to minimize problems from the occasional extra calories.
The article has a long list of ideas with links for further information! Do take a moment to look over the possibilities. I believe there will be a new and helpful idea for just about anyone.
Think Turkey past the Holiday Season!
There are so many ways to enjoy lean and nutritious turkey meat in a low calorie diet. Take advantage of some of the leftover Thanksgiving turkey to prepare a variety of recipes. Or simply learn why turkey is such a nutritious choice and what to look for whether you are buying lean cuts of turkey meat or ground turkey any time of the year.
Low Calorie Oatmeal for Breakfast
When I have the time I enjoy coming up with new recipe ideas to add a little variety to my usual standbys. Last year I spent some time experimenting with preparing oatmeal for breakfast in a variety of ways.
If you get a chance don’t miss my recipe for Creamy Pumpkin Oatmeal. How I came up with this recipe is a bit humorous but no matter. I’m glad I did. Hmm…That reminds me I think I have a bit of leftover canned pumpkin that needs to be used up. Guess I’ll be making pumpkin oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow!
Oh yes, I have one more tip. Whenever you read an article on my site you might want to take a moment to read the comments as well. I have great visitors who leave lots of helpful tips and suggestions.
Vegetables for Breakfast? Healthy Low Calorie and GOOD!
Just about anyone offering a legitimate diet plan agrees non-starchy vegetables are important in a weight loss diet. I agree!
I’m always pushing veggies. They can make such a difference not only with weight loss but also to improve your overall health. With the exception of beans, non-starchy vegetables are best. Simply avoid using too much fat or oil in cooking and refrain from adding high calorie butter, margarine, or sauces.
One time of the day when few people think in terms of veggies is breakfast. However, there are lots of easy ways to sneak a few more into your day by including veggies for breakfast in your meal planning. Take a look at my ideas!
Database for Added Sugar in Selected Foods (USDA)
The next two resources are a bit on the older side but still valuable. Both are pdfs that provide data on food and added sugars in both whole foods and commercially prepared processed foods. The USDA version is an excellent overview of both.
If you take a look and simply scan the right hand column, the foods with the highest amount of added sugars will jump right out. It is a great reminder for why you want to limit processed foods in your diet. Who needs all the extra sugar? A little natural sugar as found in fruits and vegetables is fine.
The Right Foods for You: Four Grams of Sugar or Less
This publication by the grocery store chain Publix will give you the names of commercial products with no more than 5 grams of added sugar. That may sound like quite a bit of sugar (4 grams of sugar equals about 1 tsp.) and it is, but it’s an improvement over so many processed foods on the market.
The list may not include all the same products available where you shop but it might get you thinking about whether or not you have been making the best choices. Do you know any other grocery store chains that provide a similar resource? Sure would be helpful.
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O.K. in the spirit of sharing, would you tell me about some of your favorite resources online? Thanks! Although I do my best to keep tabs on the best resources I come across on the internet, it’s an awfully big place and I’m sure there are some I’ve not yet found.
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, do give yourself enough of a break to enjoy the holiday food without going overboard. Remember to not overfill your plate. Take only your favorite food. And eat slowly. Savor the food so you’ll know when you’ve had enough!
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Oh yes, one more thing. My daughter will be taking time away from her graduate studies to be with us for the Thanksgiving holidays. I do not plan on publishing an article at the end of the week. I’m doing this in part to enjoy the time with my husband and daughter and also because I am hard at work writing a short book (digital book) that I hope to finish and have available for you by the end of the year. Wish me luck!
Have a wonderful week wherever you might be in the world! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, ENJOY!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been on a 1200 to 1500 diet since september2011 its december 2011 …the 5th and I can say I started 212 pounds and now I weigh 190…im so excited ..I do minimal exercise about 3 timea a week 30…low key walk/run around gym 4 times do light aerobics for about 15 mins and shoot a few baskets n run half court with kids for about 5 to 10 mins it varies mostly less im 31 …and 5″4 ..im a school teacher and I feel so much better no more swollen ankles or achy knees so much energy im about to step my game up and use my aerobic videos maybe 2 times a week and my eliptical machine to tone up and lose, more goal weight overall 160….short term 1/2 to 1 pound a week…and thus far im right on target…I prepare my lunch daily …I prep in advance and I look at all labels or look up calories on different sites to get right portions. Right now im keeping close to 1200 as possible….and it is working I eat stuff that filling and plenty of it…I buy yogurt and fiber one brownies …I eat fressh or frozen veggies plenty of turkey fish chicken and or very lean meat all preportion by me…so if I want pizza I eat a slice tons of fresh vegetables no sausage no pepperoni but I add alternatives that it make it all gooooood…=) I get a taste of something I want healthier then it usually is…and eat 90 percent less have a large salad or fresh or steamed vegetables….I eat 3 meals a day and try to do atleast 1 snack or 2 to get in my 1200 calories atleast …sometimes I do a protein shake and a piece of fruit but I Do not skip meals….I drink plenty of water atleast 64 plus oz and im finding more and things I can have that are so healthly and taste so good… and the great thing is my husband and my daughter have lost atleast 10 pounds plus each…because I traded fat snacks for fruit and special k & nutri grain bars =) nuts low fat snacks 100 calorie popcorn etc., best life style change ever….I hope to be 180 by febrfebruary2012 will keep working toward it until get there…I will check in and share my progress monthly it is encouraging to me to read reviews I hope this help someone else know it can be done…and we all have struggles…I want a snack person…loved brownies but hated the weight now I eat a fiber one brownie 90 calories its healthy and I feel great no regrets afterward …you need to substitute..or come up with your own healthy version…its work the effort =)
Wow Michelle! You ARE inspiring.
How wonderful to see that you have hit on what works. You are eating a healthful diet to meet your nutritional needs and yet eating food you like. It’s true eating a healthy tasty diet can be satisfying and good and help you achieve your goal weight. You don’t have to be deprived when you eat right.
I look forward to hearing more about your progress!
Please do stay in touch.
Best wishes,
Lori
I actually think a really great resource are blogging websites as well as calorie counting apps. I use myfitnesspal on my phone and also myfitnesspal.com. With the app, you can use your phone’s camera to scan the barcode on most foods to get instant nutrition info. I’ve been keeping careful track of my calories this way as well as my exercise.
I mentioned blogging above. I’ve started a blog about my weight loss and it’s actually been really good at keeping me on track. It holds me accountable to other people who read and also to myself. I started at 200 a little over 2 weeks ago and I’ve already lost 5 pounds by changing my eating habits (I don’t “diet”!) and exercising three times a week in the gym and doing active stuff on the weekends! I have a LONG way to go (I’m just five feet tall so my weight makes me obese) but I’ve been searching out all the resources I can.
Hi Megan,
Thanks for sharing. Good information!
So good to know you have chosen to change your eating habits rather than “diet”. May I ask where you have your blog? I’d like to be supportive and follow your progress.
Best of luck,
Lori