Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Quick, Metabolism Boosting Snacks

Supportive Snacks when Time is Short

One of the most common concerns of Busy Moms is finding the time to eat. If eating every 3 hours is key to boosting your metabolism and burning more fat, quick and easy snack choices are a must.

Unfortunately Busy Moms fall prey to all the bad stuff that falls into the “fast” and “easy” categories – chips, 100 calorie packs, candy bars, muffins, power bars, breakfast bars etc.

Yes, even if they are "Low Cal - 100 calorie packs" Sugar Free, Low Fat, Fat Free….Doesn't matter!

Low-Fat and Fat Free foods have proportionately more simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs, not fat, are the most fattening foods per calorie - especially empty, refined carbs. These unnatural foods are nutrient poor and signal to your body that you are nutritionally deprived or starving.

Listen up! Processed foods have a negative effect on your body. Your body thinks it's starving since it is not getting enough nutrients and begins to STORE FAT as a survival mechanism.

The QUALITY of your food choices plays a HUGE role in your body's ability to shed as much fat as possible in the shortest time possible. You can accomplish this by choosing to eat more whole, natural foods.

Benefits:

~ your body will burn more calories digesting these HIGH Quality Foods
~ you will stave off hunger becuase you are satisfied
~ feeling satisfied crushes cravings
~you will have more energy
~your body will burn more fat

Awareness is the first step.

Preparation is the second step. Put aside a day to plan and prepare or at the very least just 5 minutes each night to make and pack your own “fast food” items. Have your snacks ready and set aside so that you can grab them in the morning and go.

On the Go? Think “portable”. Make your snacks work for you. Options like meal replacement shakes, canned tuna/chicken, beef jerky, almonds, whole wheat crackers, fresh/dried fruit and small boxes of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal (see cereal guidelines under Burn Fat with Breakfast ) are all good choices that are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Some of my Favorite Snack Combos…
Granny smith apple/raw almonds
Dried Pineapple/pistachios
Cottage Cheese/salsa
Deli Turkey/Laughing Cow Cheese/red grapes
WW Mini Bagel/peanut butter/raisins
Vanilla Yogurt/walnuts/fresh blueberries

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