Josh Bezoni's Blog - Posts Tagged "snack"
Popcorn Explodes Waistlines
One of the trickiest things about embracing a healthy lifestyle is the incredible amount of misinformation out there. Especially given the booming "health foods" industry, it might seem heartening to watch as more supermarket shelves stock more and more goods that are branded to imply they are nutritionally superior. Unfortunately, more often than not, the message being sold on the wrapper is a far cry from the real benefit to be found once you take your first bite.
One of the most longstanding misconceptions about a healthy snack alternative to chips and other salty treats revolves around popcorn. This staple of so many American moviegoers' diets might seem like it has a lot to offer on the surface. You buy it as kernels, which at least appear to be more natural than what you get when you buy a bag of chips. Furthermore, popcorn is extremely light and fluffy in texture, so many people assume they are equally light in calories. You may be surprised to learn what a fat trap popcorn can be.
Store-bought brands of popcorn is almost always loaded with inflammatory fats and a shocking amount of sodium. When you add the calories that are jammed into the flavoring of most popcorn products to the carbohydrate content, you find that this alternative to chips or pretzels is not really all that healthy at all.
In fact, the snack is potentially more damaging precisely because it feels so light. It would be natural to assume that you're eating better because the snack is not filling you up. You would be wrong.
Popcorn doesn't fill you up because it is so nutrient-sparse. It offers very little in terms of healthy fats, protein, fiber, or phytonutrients, so they do not satisfy your appetite at all. As a result, most people eat way more than an appropriate portion of the treat and don't even realize it. Further, you are actually more inclined to eat too much later on which is troubling - especially given the fact that the popcorn already snuck more calories into your diet than you may expect.
If you are truly dying for the salty treat, be a proactive consumer and advocate for your own health. Pop plain popcorn at home, and add your own flavors, with a light drizzle of some healthy oils and a small amount of sea salt. It will hit the spot without tanking your efforts to live a happier, healthier life.
One of the most longstanding misconceptions about a healthy snack alternative to chips and other salty treats revolves around popcorn. This staple of so many American moviegoers' diets might seem like it has a lot to offer on the surface. You buy it as kernels, which at least appear to be more natural than what you get when you buy a bag of chips. Furthermore, popcorn is extremely light and fluffy in texture, so many people assume they are equally light in calories. You may be surprised to learn what a fat trap popcorn can be.
Store-bought brands of popcorn is almost always loaded with inflammatory fats and a shocking amount of sodium. When you add the calories that are jammed into the flavoring of most popcorn products to the carbohydrate content, you find that this alternative to chips or pretzels is not really all that healthy at all.
In fact, the snack is potentially more damaging precisely because it feels so light. It would be natural to assume that you're eating better because the snack is not filling you up. You would be wrong.
Popcorn doesn't fill you up because it is so nutrient-sparse. It offers very little in terms of healthy fats, protein, fiber, or phytonutrients, so they do not satisfy your appetite at all. As a result, most people eat way more than an appropriate portion of the treat and don't even realize it. Further, you are actually more inclined to eat too much later on which is troubling - especially given the fact that the popcorn already snuck more calories into your diet than you may expect.
If you are truly dying for the salty treat, be a proactive consumer and advocate for your own health. Pop plain popcorn at home, and add your own flavors, with a light drizzle of some healthy oils and a small amount of sea salt. It will hit the spot without tanking your efforts to live a happier, healthier life.
The Best Late-Night Snack
There is a chance that you are already aware of the weight loss tip that you should focus on eating slowly and chewing your food up to twenty times before you actually swallow. The theory, according to some, is that eating in this fashion gives your body and brain enough time to identify the fact that you are truly full. This will prevent your from over-eating and discovering that you are way too full.
This is why cherries are a fantastic fruit option if you are looking to lose weight. It is simply impossible to accidentally consume thirty or forty cherries as it is with blueberries or grapes. The pits force you to eat more slowly, which in turn provides enough time for your body to determine that you are, in fact, satiated. Portion control is oddly built into this delicious fruit.
The second reason why cherries are a great choices is because they have the lowest gycemic index of fruits. Furthermore, the glycemic index of cherries is one of the lowest for any source of carbs. If you want to learn more about cherries and why they are a great late-night snack, visit the official BioTrust blog.
This is why cherries are a fantastic fruit option if you are looking to lose weight. It is simply impossible to accidentally consume thirty or forty cherries as it is with blueberries or grapes. The pits force you to eat more slowly, which in turn provides enough time for your body to determine that you are, in fact, satiated. Portion control is oddly built into this delicious fruit.
The second reason why cherries are a great choices is because they have the lowest gycemic index of fruits. Furthermore, the glycemic index of cherries is one of the lowest for any source of carbs. If you want to learn more about cherries and why they are a great late-night snack, visit the official BioTrust blog.
