Summer time can bring lots of fun and busy schedules. For a lot of families on the go this means way more snacking and less home cooked meals. More snacking doesn’t have to mean less healthy eating, you can make your snacks count by incorporating a few of these healthy tips:
Lose the Ice Cream: Most store bought ice creams are packed with high fructose corn syrup which, in excess, has been linked to diabetes and obesity. Instead, make your own healthy ice cream at home. Take 2 bananas, cut them in thick slices and freeze. Blend the bananas with 1 cup of milk of your choice. Add cocoa powder, peanut butter, strawberries, or vanilla to make your “nice cream” whatever flavor you want, the possibilities are endless!
Pick Better Peanut and Nut Butters: There are so many delicious snacks you can make with nut butters. You don’t have to be in elementary school to enjoy ants on a log, apples and carrots with nut butter or Cuisine’s delicious peanut butter protein poppers (see recipe below). The type of nut butter you eat makes a huge difference. Make sure your nut butter only contains the nut it is made from and maybe some sea salt. The added palm oils, sugar and other ingredients just aren’t necessary.
Ditch the Soda: Sugary drinks, like soda, have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. You aren’t doing yourself any favors by switching to diet either as artificial sweeteners like aspartame have been associated with a slew of issues ranging from neurological dysfunction to kidney and liver decline. Instead of soda try some refreshing spa water. Take cucumber, lemon, lime, or strawberry slices and add it to a pitcher of water and let chill. If you really miss the caffeine from your soft drinks, make some iced lemon black or green tea to pop in the fridge for when you are on the go.
Cut out Unhealthy Carbs: Carbs get a bad reputation but they are really just misunderstood. Your body needs carbohydrates to be healthy but the types of carbs you choose do matter. Cut the white flour and switch to whole grain bread, whole grain cereals with low sugar, and whole grain or rice pastas.
Avoid Eating Fast Food: Most fast food is just not real food. French fries, hamburgers, tacos, and fried chicken may sound good while you’re hungry but we are all too familiar with what it feels like after fueling up on cheap sources of nutrients. Fast food also increases blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight gain. Eating this way consistently overtime takes a serious toll on your body, instead of going through the drive thru, stop by Cuisine for Healing. We have something fresh and healthy in our lobby for your every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/heres-how-fast-food-can-affect-your-body/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/402879-white-vs-wheat-pasta/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198207/
https://usrtk.org/sweeteners/aspartame_health_risk
Peanut Butter Protein Poppers:
- ½ cup Instant Oats
- ¼ cup Dried Cranberries
- ¼ Peanut Butter
- 2 Tbsp. Honey
- ½ tsp Vanilla
Add all ingredients to a bowl and combine. Roll into 1 inch balls.
