Category Archives: foods Bars Snacks

Whole Wheat Chocolate Banana Bread

April 3, 2012

I am a bread lover and I always have bread as my breakfast and lunch. Sometime a bread also is a snack for me.

My favorite bread is whole wheat chocolate banana bread. I’m on diet so whole wheat bread always is my choice. Besides that whole wheat bread is a healthy food too. I love the taste of combination of the chocolate and banana. because of this, whole wheat chocolate banana bread becomes my favorite bread.

It is also easy to make a whole wheat chocolate banana bread too. here is the recipe:

First let’s talk about the ingredients:

1/3 cup skim milk
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

You may change the ingredients according to your favorite.

Steps to make the Whole Wheat Chocolate Banana Bread:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F/190 degrees C.
  2. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
  3. Whisk together the whole wheat flour, skim mil, cocoa powder, baking power, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  4. Beat eats and sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth.
  5. Mix in the mashed bananas, the milk mixture, canola oil and vanila extract.
  6. Stir the flour mixture until all the ingredients are moistened.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake it in the preheated oven about 1 hour for a loaf.
  9. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to coll completely on a wire rack.
  10. Finally you can test your homemade Whole wheat chocolate banana bread

You can try this out on this weekend. Enjoy

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Diet Snacks That Help You Lose Weight

February 28, 2012

Diet snacks are the perfect thing to help fight the munchie-monster many people believe that daily snacking will contribute to your belly fat. the truth is that its not the snacking itself that causes weight gain, but the size and amount of the foods that ad up Diet snacks are actually a good thing to help your metabolism burn calories and lose fat

Eating the right kind of diet snacks in between meals can equalize your metabolism and help your body burn calories more efficiently. Also, eating the correct snacks can keep you from over-eating at mealtimes. But the key here is to make sure that you don’t over do it on the portion sizes.

To keep your diet snacks under control, try and keep them under 150 calories. Also, snacks should be less than 30% fat — and, should not be loaded with sugar. the right kind of snack will satisfy your hunger pains and will also reduce the amount of food that you will eat at the next meal

Below are some diet snacks that will satisfy both your hunger, and your nutritional needs.

All of the following snacks are under 100 calories

  • 1 Large Stalk of celery with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter
  • 1 cup of Raw Veggies
  • 6 Baby Carrots
  • 2 cups air popped popcorn
  • 1 cup grapes
  • 1 cup sliced bananas and raspberries
  • 1 inch x 3 inch cut of cheddar cheese
  • Fat free pudding cup
  • 1 oz salted pretzels
  • 1 cup cherries
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 1 orange
  • 1 6 oz cup of no fat or low-fat yogurt
  • Check out these 100 calorie snack packs from Nabisco
  • Lance toasty crackers with peanut butter
  • 10 cashews
  • 10 almonds
  • Half of an avocado
  • 3 ounces cooked whole grain noodles with 1 fresh tomato and 1/2 ounce of cheddar cheese.
  • 4 mini rice cakes with 2 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese
  • 8 baby carrots with 1/4 cup of fat free ranch dressing
  • 1 baked potato with 1/2 cup of salsa and 1 tablespoon of fat free sour cream
  • 1/2 cup of frozen orange juice eaten as a slushy
  • 2 graham crackers with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter
  • A small salad. 6 total ounces of lettuce, tomato, cucumbers Top with 1/4 cup fat free dressing.

The following snacks are between 150 and 200 calories.

  • 1/2 cup frozen yogurt with 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1 Apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup of granola
  • 1 cup low fat cottage cheese with 1/2 of a peach

So remember, the key to healthy diet snacks is to eat the correct portion size. Don’t overdue it with the calories.

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What Can I Use to Replace the Bars in My LA Weight Loss Diet?

February 17, 2012

Many people are looking to replace La Weight Loss bars with another brand of bars or a food substitution. there are many popular substitute bars such as Luna, Balance Bar Trail Mix, Power Bar, Honey Stinger, CLIF Nectar, LaraBara and Bumble Bar, Pria, and Go Lean. the cost of LAWL bars seems to be the main driver, but that can easily be overcome by buying your bars on eBay. But there is also the need for some variety and some people just can’t find a bar to their liking. So, if you are looking for a substitute, here are some alternatives. just remember, by not eating the required 2 La Weight loss bars a day, you void the money back guarantee offered by La Weight Loss Centers.

If you feel you don’t need the bars you can exchange 2 equivalent bars for 1/2 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, and 1 starch. Stay focused on upping your vegetable intake while lowering processed flours and sugars.

If you are looking for a bar replacement, look for a bar that has about 160-180 calories, 17 grams of carbs, at least 8 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fat.

Here’s the general nutritional info on the LA Weight Loss Bars:

Serving Size: 1 Bar (40g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 160 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4.5g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 85mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 18g
Protein 8g 16%
Vitamin A0%
Vitamin C0%
Calcium4%
Iron6%

Below are the most common substitutions for La bars. the information is a general guideline for substitution. Read the nutritional information on the back of any bar you are considering to be certain that the weight loss bar falls within the general nutrition counts for the La bar you are substituting.

Luna bars are reported to be the closest to the actual LAWL bars in nutrition. Many consider the Luna bars a direct substitute for the LA bars. So you eat two a day just as you would normally with the La Weight Loss bars. the Luna bars in particular (as opposed to other brands of protein/diet bars) make a good substitute because they are similar in calories (around 180) and protein (8-10 grams). Any bar that meets those two basic guidelines can be used.

Luna – Nutz over chocolate
Calories: 180
Calories from Fat: 40
Total Fat: 4.5g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 100mg
Potassium: 105mg
Total Carbohydrate: 24g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 10g

Slim Fast Bars are a low calorie meal replacement, the bars are usually 250-260 Calories, which is a little more than a candy bar, but packed with more whey protein and less refined sugar.

Balance bars are very similar to protein bars sold by most companies. the balance bar is made by the same company that provides weight loss centers with their bars.

Kinetix bars are cheaper, have more protein, less calories. Similar in texture size and taste as the La Lites, Kinetex have about 4X’s the sodium that the LA Lites have and 2X’s the amount of protein, so you would have more protein than you are allowed on the plan.

Kinetex – Chocolate Peanut Crisp
Calories 170
Fat 4g
Cholesterol 2mg
Sodium 320mg
Potassium 55mg
Carbohydrate 17g
Protein 17g

Kashi Go Lean bars. They have about the same nutritional value as the La Lites.

South Beach cereal bars. They are similar in most counts, but have less calories, less carbs and more protein. there are two kinds of SBD bars just so the newbies know there are the cereal bars that are around 140 calories, and there are the meal replacement bars which are around 200-220.

Zone bars they are fairly close in calories/protein. Zone Perfect bars score better on the value scale (more protein per calorie). However, they are higher in calories overall.

Zone Perfect – CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER
Serving Size: 1 bar (50g)
Servings Per Container: 12
Each bar contains 2 Zone Blocks:
Calories: 210
Calories from Fat: 60
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 360mg
Potassium: 100mg
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 16g

There are a lot of energy bar articles, threads and posts, but they all seem to be either about snacks, or about how awful energy bars are. It would seem like someone should be able to manufacture the equivalent of a healthy, balanced meal replacement bar that tastes great. But, if what you want is a no thought required, eat this one thing twice a day meal substitute that you don’t have to worry about and lose weight, then it would just be easier to buy La Weight Loss bars on eBay. the prices on eBay are as good or better than the cost of other bars and you will still be eligible for the money back guarantee offered by La Weight Loss Centers.

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Real Cost of ‘Easy-Fix’ Foods

September 18, 2011

Some meals are cheap. real cheap. I mean that in every context of the word ‘cheap’. they cost very few dollars but also have little value. the real cost of most convenience food is paid for not by the purse, but by the body of those who consume it.

If one lives off of prepackaged long-shelf-life foods, processed box foods, convenience foods and the like, they may very well pay the high price. Usually that higher price is in the form of medical bills.

It is necessary to look at the quality of food for the price. Much more than that of name brand clothing or appliances. yet quality food is over looked for convenience’s sake. REAL food should be much more crucial in the home, not the modified form of corn or dyes or additives or synthetic vitamins. the body cannot recognize these items as digestible. There is even a great deal of study to prove that they actually modify our DNA structure (and/or that of future generation’s DNA, aka: our unborn half of a future child). Are either of these a ‘cost’ something we should be willing to pay to solely make meals more convenient and cheap?

The fact is that the real cost of convenience foods is cloaked. you know the principle, ‘time is money’? That should NOT fit when it comes to convenience foods. just as a brief example, I can make several different varieties (up to 6) of whole grain muffins in less than 5 minutes. Then these muffin ‘mixes’ are kept in the freezer and take the same amount of time to make as it would to grab a box of muffin mix from the shelf. I can pronounce EVERY ingredient in them, and they cost me half of a store-bought mix. the best part: they will not cost the health of my family with dyes or preservatives in white enriched (aka: synthesized vitamins added) dead bag flour which becomes like glue in the colon. they taste better, are just as convenient and cost less.

We should all take the time to gather the skills it takes to use real food. the cost savings for both your purse and health, from instant benefits to the long-term, far outweigh convenience food. Learning to use real food will be far more beneficial for you in the long run, than to depend on cheap foods. Trust me. I know from experience.

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Waffles: Hearty Breakfasts, Light Snacks, And Delicious Desserts

August 18, 2011

Whether they’re frozen or homemade, waffles can be surprisingly versatile as quick, casual breakfasts, tasty snacks or even elegant desserts. Waffles offer something for every palate and because they are easy to prepare, experienced and novice cooks alike can make them with ease. usually topped with syrup, butter, whipped cream or powdered sugar, waffles are not usually known for their nutritional value. However, ideas abound for making these treats a bit healthier.

For novice cooks, preparation can be as easy as popping frozen waffles into the microwave or toaster. If you’re concerned about nutrition, several varieties of organic frozen waffles provide more protein and fiber than traditional waffles. for more experienced cooks, making them from scratch is another healthy option. Substituting whole wheat flour for white flour is a good way to beef up the nutritional value of a waffle, as is using just egg whites or adding flaxseed to the batter. Adding healthier toppings like fresh fruit or nuts instead of syrup helps as well.

Most experts agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and waffles offer a satisfying and easy start to the day. Frozen waffles offer quick and easy preparation for busy mornings, but homemade waffles can also be cooked in advance and frozen for quicker preparation during the week.

Because they are quick and easy to prepare and provide a carbohydrate boost, they also make great snacks. Adding peanut butter or cream cheese provides some protein as well.

It’s easy to add a few touches to take waffles from casual snacks and breakfasts to elegant desserts. They can be filled with whipped cream or ice cream. Cocoa can be added to the batter to create chocolate waffles. They can be topped with ice cream and drizzled with strawberry pie filling, hot fudge, caramel sauce, or whatever strikes your fancy.

Whether you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth or serve up a healthy and hearty snack or breakfast, waffles provide a tasty way to please everyone. Enjoyed in moderation, they can be part of a healthy diet. And their versatility makes them a winner for new and experienced cooks alike.

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Breakfast Cereals: Healthy Choices

August 8, 2011

The healthiest breakfast is whole grain cereal. if you’re trying to lose weight, control cholesterol or diabetes, or just need a lot of energy, your best bet is a hot cooked cereal of whole grains, such as oatmeal. You can also cook barley, brown rice or wheat berries and serve them like oatmeal – season them with cinnamon or raisins.

If you prefer cold cereal, you need to check the list of ingredients carefully. The FIRST ingredient should be a whole grain. Then scan through the entire list and if you see the words “partially hydrogenated,” put the box back on the shelf. You should avoid foods with partially hydrogenated oils (or “trans fats”), and they show up in an alarming number of cereal brands (see the list below.)

Once you’ve eliminated all the brands made with refined grains or partially hydrogenated oils, check for added sugars (you want little or none) and fiber (you want a lot.)

The fiber content listed on the nutrition label can be confusing because it’s based on serving size, and very light cereals (such as puffed wheat) show little fiber per serving, but an acceptable amount when you adjust for weight. Cereals made from bran (the outer covering removed from whole grains) will have higher fiber content than cereals made from whole grains (which have the germ and starchy parts of the grains as well as the fiber), but they can be hard to digest.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

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Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees For Toddlers sold in Hong Kong?

August 5, 2011

Baby and I live in Canada and will be moving to Hong Kong next month. I wonder where I can buy Gerber Graduates Lil' Entrees For Toddlers in Hong Kong. thanks in advance

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High Fiber Cereal to Start the Day

July 23, 2011

In addition to help regulate the digestive system, it has now been proven that fiber has a tremendously positive impact on blood sugar levels, by maintaining a well-balanced blood sugar level, people can feel more energetic and less hungry throughout the day. Fiber also helps to avoid unwanted weight gain by balancing out the digestion of carbohydrates, which ultimately lead to weight gain. this new medical and scientific evidence has led to a flood of delicious high fiber choices in the cereal aisle of your local supermarket.

Some High Fiber Cereals

Cereals that contain the highest levels of fiber are ones that are made with bran. Brands such as Fiber one, All Bran, and 100% Bran are excellent sources of fiber, but many might consider them bland in taste. Cereals like Grape Nuts, Raisin Bran, and Kashi are generally tastier, but often do not contain as much fiber and should be considered for having a higher sugar content. one option for getting the best of both worlds is to choose a simple Bran cereal and top it with fresh fruit, thus avoiding the addition of refined sugar. that way, you’ll be able to maximize your fiber intake without compromising on taste.

The method for choosing one of these cereals is to do a comparison of their nutritional values. Because the FDA now requires that all packaged and processed foods clearly list their nutritional information, it is now very easy to quickly compare nutritional values on a variety of cereals before making a choice.

A Choice Of Hot Or Cold

In addition to cold cereals, hot cereal is also a tasty high fiber nutrition option. Oatmeal can be made the old fashioned way, or you can now purchase “instant” oatmeal that cooks in minutes in a microwave. some of these instant oatmeal’s come with a fruity or sweet jelly that mixes in with the oatmeal. the result is a combination of taste and nutrition.

Whether you decide to eat hot or cold high Fiber Diet Food cereal, you can be assured that starting out your day with a high fiber cereal will get your body and system on the track. And with so many delicious options available today, you won’t have to force it down. this is also a great way to ensure that the kids get the best start to a day that will need a lot of energy. Learning does not require physical activity but it does require brain power that is pure energy.

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High Fiber Bars Snacks For In-Between

July 7, 2011

This constant cycle of snacking has much to do with the rise of obesity and diabetes among adults and children alike. While nutritionalists advise people to eat smaller yet more constant meals throughout the day, most Americans and Europeans instead opt for three large meals a day. When combined with constant snacking on candy bars, baked goods, chips, and soda between these meals, a person can easily exceed their healthy nutritional requirements. High fiber bars, however, are an acceptable alternative to snacking on “junk food,” since they regulate your blood sugar, make you feel full faster, and are conveniently packaged to give you just what you need until your next normal meal.

Sugar As an Ingredient

Since the FDA mandated that all packaged foods must contain complete nutritional information, the junk food world has been exposed: now anyone can see exactly how much fat, carbohydrates, calories, and sugar they’re eating before they bite into their favorite candy bar. High fiber bars, however, are typically low in fat and sugar, opting instead for healthier, all-natural ingredients. When trying to lose weight or stay trim, avoiding excessive amounts of sugar in your diet is crucial; it is sugar that makes you fatter, not fat itself.

High fiber bars are beneficial for two reasons in this regard: first, they are usually low in sugar and second, their high fiber content actually aids your body in regulating the sugar and carbohydrates you eat throughout the day. the result is a more balanced blood sugar level, which means you’ll feel less hungry between meals and keep the extra pounds off.

When reading the label of a high fiber bar, be sure to keep an eye out not only for the amount of sugar it contains, but also the type of sugar contained in the bar. Artificial sugar substitutes, such as aspartame, contain no carbohydrates or calories, but studies have linked them to the growth of cancer in the body if eaten over a long period of time.

Other high fiber bars may substitute sugar alcohol in place of refined sugar. Sugar alcohol is often used to reduce the overall effect of carbohydrates in your system, but sometimes people can feel worse when eating this particular form of sugar.

The best bet in choosing a high Fiber Diet is to find a brand that boasts it being either “organic” or “all natural.” these terms refer not only to the quality of the ingredients used, but also tend to indicate that very few if any questionable chemicals were used in the production of the snack bar. the FDA closely regulates any food that is defined as “organic,” so you can be assured that an organic high fiber snack bar will not only fill you up, but also won’t hurt your body or health in any way.

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Weight Loss – Lose the Sugar and Lose the Weight

July 3, 2011

Too much sugar in the diet leads to several health risks including diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. When making the decision to eat a nutritious diet, your first step is to limit sugar intake. Be aware that there are many hidden sugars in both natural and prepared food. For that reason, your weight loss plan must be to lose the sugar and you will lose the weight.

The USDA recommends that the average person on a 2000 per day diet consume no more than 10 grams of sugar per day which is equivalent to about 10 teaspoons. you may think that you would not consume this much sugar but be aware that is the amount of sugar in a 12 ounce can of soda.

The following is a sample of the sugar content in some foods. Certainly you will find some of your favorites listed here. Add the total grams of sugar you are consuming when you eat these foods and you will see why sugar is such a prevalent part of our daily food intake.

Food Product and Sugar Content in Grams/100 grams

Sugar 100 Seedless Raisins 59 Milk Chocolate Candies 51.5 Alcoholic Beverages 46.4 Toaster Pastries 38 Cocoa Mix Unsweetened 37.7 Orange Juice Concentrate 37.4 Honey Nut Cheerios 35 Ketchup 22.8 Salad Dressing 21.7 Frosted Mini Wheats 20.1 Whole Grain Total Cereal 15.8 Wheaties Cereal 14.0 Whole Grain Bread 10.9 Oatmeal 8.1 Whole Wheat Bread 5.6 Plain Bagels 5.1 Dry Roasted Nuts 5.0 Onions 4.5 Raw Tomatoes 2.6 Cabbage 2.3 Potatoes 1.5 Raw Spinach.4

The point of this list is to show that sugar is present in most of the food we eat. a more extensive list can be accessed by typing “sugar content of foods” in the address bar of your search engine. as you can see, there are many sugars hidden in foods. When you consider that we add sugar to many of the foods we eat, it is no wonder so many people are overweight.

A good idea is to access this information and keep a food journal that includes the sugar content of everything you eat. Since the RDA of sugar is already included in many foods we eat, a good idea is to stop adding sugar to food.

This can be accomplished by cutting known sources of sugar. start by eliminating sugary beverages and reading food labels to determine sugar content. Get you sugar from natural food sources. Fortified cereals and breads are good for dieting but always choose ones that are as low as possible in added sugar.

Get the full benefit of your weight loss efforts by being fully aware of the sugar intake in your diet and eliminating added sugar.

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