by Fit Snack | Mar 25, 2020 | Healthy Foods, Uncategorized
Here are my favorite practical tips for eating healthy:
Drink Up- Water, that is. Coffee, tea, juice, and soda don’t count. Drink water regularly, even if you aren’t thirsty. And if you don’t like the taste, squeeze some lemon (or lime) into it.
You Can’t Eat What You Can’t See- Go on a junk hunt by reading the nutrition labels of everything in your kitchen and tossing out everything that isn’t healthy or will beckon you to indulge.
If It’s White Don’t Take a Bite- Cut all “white foods” out of your diet. Those include white bread, white pasta, white sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes. Replace them with whole grain foods.
To Satisfy a Snack Attack- Try unbuttered, unsalted popcorn (Make sure it’s air popped); raw (not salted or candied) almonds; or a piece (not the whole bar, mind unsaturated fats and high in antioxidants. Your refrigerator should also contain probiotic yogurt and organic apples, and pears. A frozen banana dipped in dark chocolate with a few chopped almonds sprinkled over the make makes a great treat.
Read Labels- When you shop, be sure to check all labels for chemical additives. Basic rule: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t buy it! (one exception: quinoa.) Registered dietician Rachel K. Johnson, a professor at the University of Vermont and spokesperson for the American Heart Association, suggests looking for whole grains as the first ingredient. Be aware of the amount of saturated fat and sodium in what you buy. “Sodium intake should be kept at 1,500 mg– about two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt- and saturated fats should only be 7 percent of your daily calorie intake.
Stay Away from Sodas- Keep sugary drinks- including sodas, energy and fruit drinks, sweetened iced teas and lemonade- off your shopping list. Diet soda is no better than regular. The chemicals in them actually trigger your sweet tooth, which can make you want more.
Take It Easy- You don’t have to jump right into a diet full of legumes, flaxseed, goat yogurt, and broccoli sprouts. Always include the foods you like; otherwise, you will never stay on the program. Have fun with it. For example, try a new color fruit or vegetable each day or week.
Organic Is Generally Better- However, if everything organic is too expensive, simply pick one or two things that you like to eat in quantity and buy those organic especially dairy products, apples, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries. One of the hallmarks of organic food is the lack of pesticides, and most of these are sprayed on the outside of fruit and vegetables.
One Small Step- For a start, just make one small change a day. For example, substitute a slice of whole grain bread for white. If you want pizza try a vegetable topping.
Eat Like an Athlete- Do what all the superstar athletes do- start your day with a good, healthy breakfast that includes protein, carbohydrates, and fiver. For example an omelet with one egg yolk and two whites, and a slice of whole grain toast. Furthermore, a new study published in the Nutritional journal found that eating a bowl of oatmeal helps you feel full longer and may reduce the likeliness time is an issue, whip up a quick smoothie with yogurt, a banana, frozen fruit, chocolate protein, powder, natural almond butter, and ice.
Eat Local- “There are many good reasons to eat locally produced foods; the first among them is that t they’re very good for us,” says interventional cardiologist and professional chef Michael S. Fenster, M.D., author of Eating Well, Living Better. “There’s a direct relationship between our environment, our genetics, and our health eating locally grown foods gives us our most nutritious meals, most flavorful meals.”
Keep a Record of Your Progress- By doing so, you can commit on paper and then confront what you see or do. Also, write positive affirmations and prominently place them where they will motivate you- your bathroom mirror, the scale, the refrigerator or closet door.
For more great information on becoming Better Than Before, visit Jane Wilkens Michael
by Anna Bernard | Sep 25, 2017 | Healthy Foods, snack, Snacks
We’re making back to school easy. Exams, schedules and staying on top of work and extracurriculars can be hard. But eating well shouldn’t be. Here are our top 4 ingredient snacks that will keep your kids (and you) energized at school or work. The best part is that they hardly take any time to prep…
Fit Snack’s Top 4 Ingredient Snacks to Make at Home:
- Red Ants on a Log (the Fit Snack way!):
- Ingredients: Celery sticks, natural peanut butter (or almond butter), mixed nut crumbles, and gogi berries
- Instructions: simply spread nut butter over celery sticks, top with mixed nuts and dried gogi berries – YUM! Place in tupperware and go.
- Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bark
- Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt, 3 tbs maple syrup, 1/2 cup Quaker Real Medleys SuperGrains Blueberry Pecan Granola, 1/2 cup blueberries, 3 to 4 sliced strawberries (add chia seeds if you want some extra nutrients too!)
- Instructions: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside, mix Greek yogurt and syrup in a bowl until combined. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread into a thin layer. Top with Real Medleys SuperGrains Blueberry Pecan Granola, blueberries, and strawberries, place in the freezer for two hours, or overnight, until the bark is fully frozen. Slice into desired squares when ready to eat!
- Almond Energy Balls:
- Ingredients: 1¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats, 1¼ cup chopped pitted dates, ½ cup no-salt added unsweetened almond butter, 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- Instructions: Place ingredients into food processor and process until smooth. Use spoon to scoop out and create firm energy balls that stick together. Chill…
- Zucchini Chips:
- Ingredients: 1 lb (about 4 cups) thin sliced Zucchini, 1/8 tsp salt, 1 ounce of finely grated Parmesan cheese, 1 garlic clove finely grated or 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Instructions: Preheat oven to 230 degrees (F), use a knife or mandoline slicer to cut zucchini into thin slices, place cut zucchini in a bowl, add salt, Parmesan cheese, garlic and vinegar, toss to coat, bake for 1 1/2 hours.
In a rush? For those of you who don’t have time this week to make homemade snacks.
Enjoy our recommended back to school go-to’s with links to order!
ALLY’s Bar
FRUIT and VEGGIE BAR: This bar was inspired by Ally’s favorite Juice. Naturally sweet balance of apples and carrots and a spiced up with ginger. 5 – 9 servings of vegetables and 2 – 4 servings of fruit per day, is a difficult standard to meet each day! With Ally’s bar not only can you meet your nutritional requirements more easily, you can also enjoy sustainable whole food energy on the go!
Enjoy 20% off with code fitsnack at allysbar.com
Kala Fava Beans
: Consider these your new go-to. With a selection of flavors like Pineapple, Sea Salt and Vinegar, Pepper and Curry, you’re never bored with what Kala has to offer. These beans are flavored just right so they taste more like chips than beans. These little beans are packed with protein and iron and are one of the tastiest superfoods out there. Featured in our Sept Fit Snack box!
Rise Buddy Pizza Rice Chips
: Fit Snack delivers pizza? Only in the most efficient way possible! We love the quirky and unique products that Rise Buddy has shared with us and we want to share these yummy chips with you. These whole grain chips are made from brown rice, oven baked and gluten free. AND they come in delicious flavors like Pizza, BBQ, Sour Cream and more. Available on Amazon!
Raw B
ite Organic Fruit and Nut Bar: Looking for a snack that car seriously fill you up? Raw Bite has you covered. Though each bar is smaller in size, these fruit and nut bars are full of fiber and protein, and they only contain natural sugars. If you have dietary restrictions, this bar might just be the golden ticket. Every Raw Bite bar is dairy free, gluten free and corn free. For anyone who is vegan, paleo or trying to eat more organically, Raw Bite is worth checking out. Visit www.rawbite.us and use code FITSNACK for 20% off through 09/30/2017.
Ricaroons Coconut Energy Bar: Ricaroons has somehow managed to make their protein bars taste more like a dessert than a healthy snack. Ricaroons uses three different forms of coconut: coconut oil, coconut flakes, and coconut palm nectar. Coconut digests smoothly, converting to energy with a minimal insulin effect. This means that with coconut comes consistent energy rather than a spike and crash like from most other sugars. Each bar is nutrient-packed that provides long lasting energy and they are the perfect snack for anyone on-the-go. They even have Pumpkin Spice flavor for the fall! Visit www.rickaroons.com/buy and use code SNACKFIT for 15% off through 10/2/2017.
Getting Back Into the Work and School Routine is Easier with Fit Snack!
Getting back into the school routine is now just a bit easier with snacks that keep you energized and focused. With no artificial ingredients you and your kids can snack stress free. Follow links to our discounted snacks and get ready to hit the books!
Fit Snack is now offering office boxes to awesome offices around the nation! Visit www.fitsnack.com/office to get more information and a free sample box for qualified offices!
Sweeping the nation with healthy snacks!
by Anita Muniz | Apr 12, 2017 | Food for thought, Healthy Foods, Partner, Recipes, Uncategorized
Does the thought of a “healthy” or “healthier” lifestyle overwhelm you? Do you ever consider changing your life then suddenly change your mind. Well I’m here to help change it back.
You were on the right track you just have to start small with some reliable advice -today in the form of Fit Life Hacks. The media tells us to do the latest fancy diet. Next thing you know all of your fancy money is gone, you’ve lost 5 lbs just to gain 10lbs, not exactly what you signed up for. It’s true. FACT: 95% of people who lose weight by dieting will regain it in 1-5 years. (PsychologyToday.com)
Diets may work for some people.
Of course they do. Diets may work for the people who invented them, simply because they created THIER perfect diet for THEIR body and needs. A fun fact is, some of these DIETS people create have made those same people sick. Many diets are unrealistic because they don’t contain what you need and are not sustainable. Every individual has a specific lifestyle surrounding their eating habits. Their diet is not a food plan, but the food they naturally eat, which fits their lifestyle. Fit Life Hack: You need a permanent change, not a temporary fix.
Time for change.
First, find a qualified pro. A Nutritionist and a Personal Trainer who will guide you through your lifestyle changes and create the ideal program to fit you. Perform a credentials check. Find a Nationally Certified Trainer and a Nutritionist with an education you can count on (a degree from an accredited university). Our Fit Snack Nutritionist has a B.S. in Human Nutrition and over 10 training certifications NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) is at the top of the list. Fit Life Hack: Work with a pro who can help you be the best you! Ready to get started?
Let’s take the focus off of the DIET and put it on our HABITS.
If you want to change your habits the best way to do so is…one by one. Fit Life Hack: Change certain behaviors without focusing on food, but focusing on what is surrounding your eating habits. Let’s start with:
Three tips for your eating habits make over!
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Client: “I don’t like to eat breakfast.” Nutritionist/Trainer: “No problem, start your day with a light 20 min fasting cardio session. Within 30 min drink a green smoothie (5 almonds, 2c. kale & Purely Inspired vegan Protein). Hearty Snack Tip: Get this, lunch time is the best time to indulge. Indulge smart. Eat a high protein snack like a Snickerdoodle Cookie from Buff Bake -gluten free & NonGMO- with fruit. An apple boosts metabolism and the fiber will keep you full. If you have a sweet tooth add a spoonful of Nutiva Hazelnut Spread to half and eat the other half plain. You’re probably thinking, “Did my Nutritionist just tell me to eat a cookie and chocolate as a snack?” The answer is yes, but the point is you enjoy a high quality cookie that is a high protein snack. Indulge smart. Regular cookie NO, Buff Bake cookie YES~! If you crave sugar this can be a good time to get that out of the way for the day. It’s about changing your habits and moderation is key.”
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Client: “I graze and eat junk, no time for meals.” Nutritionist/Trainer: “You can graze, just graze on the right things and let’s talk about small, convenient meals. Spend a little time buying the right foods, your reward is a lot more energy. Something as simple as chips and a salad can be perfect for grazing. Rise Buddy chips has all of the best flavors and are baked, NOT fried and made with rice. Make your salad using Spinach or Kale, Chicken and/or Nuts for protein and Dried fruits from Made In Nature – free of all of the junk (sugar and sulfur) that is usually added. No time to add meat to your salad? Just choose a meat bar as a snack. Bricks Bars has delicious flavors made with veggies in their ingredients.”
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Client: “I eat most of my food at night and am eating late every night.” Nutritionist/Trainer: “Make your dinner plate with half veggies. Green veggies can really fill you up, then you eat less of the stuff you don’t need as much. Second, plan a few snacks that will satisfy those salty cravings we get in front of the T.V. or after a long day. Edamame is great, instead of salt get it frozen or fresh and just make an awesome sauce for flavor. Awesome sauce: Aminos Coconut flavor and Siracha. Have some fun with sauces, this will make your night time snacking so tasty you won’t crave junk. Then if you’re eating late, brush your teeth around 8pm and you won’t want to eat after that.”
Nutritionist/Trainer: “Take everything I’ve said with a grain of salt. Change your lifestyle to fit your personal style. Add your small touch to each tip. Here’s an example. Say you don’t like breakfast, apples or chocolate. That’s fine, what DO you like?”
Client: Peanut butter and banana
Nutritionist/Trainer: Great, add those to a plain Rice Cake and you’re good to go! Keep it simple and have fun.
It’s time we change our thinking. Switch out eating junk food for whole foods and snacks that are made with real foods. The Real Food Bar from Complete Nutrition is the perfect example and the snacks in your Fit Snack box. Think real food equals simple ingredients. Happy Snacking! Looking forward to our next chat.
Your Fit Snack Nutritionist & Personal Trainer
by Arielle Rubenstein | Jul 19, 2016 | Partner, Uncategorized
This delicious all natural, gluten free, high performance energy bar is the true breakfast bar of champions! This bar has it all. When we learned it was developed by elite athletes we had expected nothing less than perfection and Arrow Bar delivered. Now here is an energy bar you can count on packed with nutrients from ingredients you will recognize and the perfect taste!
Chocolate chips and oatmeal are a match made in heaven. Trust us, add a few chips to your next bowl of oats and it’ll be hard to go back to plain.
Hence our excitement at finding Chocolate Chip ArrowBars – an all natural energy bar made with chocolate chips and oatmeal! These delicious, gluten free bars provide clean energy to fuel whatever sport you play–without an annoying sugar crash.
Even more awesome is the fact that each of the nine ingredients is recognizable, so no weird chemical flavors or additives!
ArrowBars are totally perfect for a pre or post workout energy boost. If you check out their Instagram @arrowbar you’ll see all of the pros who love having these bars on hand. We know we do! This summer we have had some amazing Fit Snack adventures from camping to hiking to mountain biking and we have enjoyed every last bite.
Arrow Bar saved the day, while we were trail running Mesa Trail in Boulder, Co
“Life is a sport, are you playing?”
