Your Question... answered!

Q: I need breakfast ideas to lose 20-pounds!And I spin and do yoga four days per week.

A: First, eating breakfast is key! Simply eating breakfast may help you meet your weight loss goals because stats show people who eat breakfast weigh less. Plus, something to consider is new research from the British Journal of Nutrition (October 2012) found guys that exercise before breakfast burn 33-percent more fat compared to those who exercise after breakfast. Although, keep in mind, depending on the intensity and duration of your workout, breakfast maybe best to fuel your body before you workout.

What to eat? Combine whole grains, fruit/ vegetables and protein. The fiber from the grains and fruit/ vegetables will help to keep you full plus the protein will help with longer lasting energy to keep you going all morning long.

Here are some ideas to try:
- Oatmeal (prepared with low fat milk or almond milk) topped with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
- Whole grain cereal with sliced strawberries (tip: fill 1/2 of your bowl with strawberries!) and low fat milk or almond milk
- Breakfast scramble (a personal favorite) paired with a slice of whole wheat toast, click here for the recipe
- On the go: bring a bar like (KIND Snacks Bars*, Nuts.com Energy Squares* or Clif Bar Mojo Peanut Butter Pretzel) and
- Slice of whole wheat naan or pita bread topped with a thin layer of hummus, cucumber slices and a drizzle of honey mustard

Do you have a nutrition question you would like answered? Sumbit your question to me at my Web site: http://www.creativenutritionsolutions.com/contactus.aspx

*Disclosure: Molly does spokes person work for KIND Snacks and it's Nuts.com "health nut".

Put These Products In Your Cart

Sometimes at the grocery store, you may see new products yet wonder, how do they taste and are they really healthy options? If you are like me and love to try new products, here is a product round up of some tasty (and nutritious) new products out that I discovered this past weekend at the annual Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics conference.

happy family - happy creamies
I tried the Carrot, Mango & Orange flavor, they were so delicious! These snacks are made with 50% vegetables, coconut milk and have no added sugar! Quick tip: Mix these with whole grain cereal for a great on-the-go snack.

Another great product from this company is their happy squeeze line which includes varieties like: coco strawberry (made with coconut milk) and fruit & veggie twist (apple & purple carrot).

Quaker Oatmeal - Real Medleys
What is awesome about these little cups of oatmeal, all you have to do is add water and they have pieces of dried fruit and nuts in them! Plus they are made with whole rolled oats. The type pictured left includes cherries and pistachios. Each serving has 290 calories and 5 grams of fiber.

Other flavors in this line include: peach and almond, apple walnut and summer berry.



Odwalla Smoothies for Kids

These drink boxes are something even your children will be excited about! Each box has the equivalent to a 1/2 cup of fruit and no sugar added. They are available in Strawberry Banana Jungle, Mango Pineapple Island and Grape Berry Prairie flavors and they taste GREAT! They are available in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. When you send these for lunch they are recommended to no be left unrefrigerated for longer than 12 hours and try freezing them first for more of icy texture at lunch time! 

 

Please note: the above products were on display at the conference and I received samples of the products to try, although I do not receive endorsement from any of the above products or brands. 

Back to the Schedule: Tips to Keep You Sane!

Are you ready to get back into the routine with early mornings and busy weeks? Ready or not, here it comes and check out these tips to keep you sane as you get back into the school year schedule:

1. Sneak it in: add in exercise where you can... yoga in the morning, 20 minute run in the evening, 10 minutes toning exercises before bed. If you need resources for at home workouts, check your local TV listings or check out: http://www.exercisetv.tv/ for a variety of DVD's and workouts, and pick-up magazines like: Shape, Fitness, or Women's Health!
   
   



2. Hydrate: keep your energy levels up througout the day by brining a water bottle with you everytime you leave the door! Sip on water throughout the day!





3. Stock up: create a basket or container of grab n' go snacks in your cupboard and include items like: applesauce cups, Peter Rabbit Organics - Fruit & Veggie Snacks, KIND Healthy Snack bars, mini packs of nuts, single serving peanut butter packs and 100% fruit flats. Then when you're flying out the door you can throw a few items in your bag to have on hand for yourself or the kids.
   
   



4. Meal map: minimize your time in the kitchen by creating a weekly 'map' for your meals and snacks to streamline your food preparation efforts. Think of which nights you'll be home, running late, etc... and strategize what foods to make. A favorite tip of mine is make a double batch of a recipe and freeze half for a meal later in the week!

Let's Move and Fuel it!

Thank you to First Lady Michelle Obama for launching Let's Move. What is let's move? It's a program that will help parents make healthy choices for their families, increase opportunities for families and their children to be physically active, ensure our kids have access to healthy meals in our schools, and help increase access to affordable, quality, and nutricious foods.
For more on Let's Move: letsmove.gov

Now for a word on Fuel It! I stopped by WSKG's studios to talk with the cast of Move it on choosing healthier food options when you are out on the town. Quick tips include: skipping the soda and moving in nutrient rich low fat milk instead, for side dishes choose fruit or veggies like corn or fruit slices. Perhaps even more importantly when you're out on the town bring fruit, baggies of whole grain cereal, and a water bottle with you. To watch the segment, click here.