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Category: Healthy Living

How Much Sugar Is In…?

How Much Sugar Is In…?

Hey McKinley!!

Below is a list of foods and the sugar grams per serving. Most of the foods you eat will have the sugar grams listed on the label or if you are using some sort of a calorie counting ap you should have no problem figuring out what the sugar grams are. Remember, the challenge starts on Monday so get your team together today!!  Have a fabulous weekend 🙂

Fruit:
~ 1 Medium sized banana = 14g
~ 1 Medium sized apple = 16g
~ 1 Medium sized pear = 16g
~ 1 Medium sized orange = 14g
~ 1 cup fresh blueberries = 17g
~ 1 cup fresh raspberries = 6g
~ 1 cup frozen blueberries = 12g
~ 1 cup fresh strawberries = 16g
~ 1 cup frozen strawberries = 10g
~ 1 cup red grapes = 16g
~ 1 cup cantaloupe = 14g
~ 1 cup honey dew = 11g
~ 1 cup diced pineapple = 15g
~ 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut = 4g

Beverages:
~ 1 cup orange juice = 21g
~ 1 cup pineapple juice  = 32g
~ 1 cup cranberry juice = 30g
~ 1 cup grape juice = 40g
~ 1 cup V8 vegetable juice = 6g
~ 1 cup V8 Splash berry blend = 18g
~ 1 cup coconut water = 6g
~ Tall Starbucks chai latte = 41g
~ Grande Caramel Macchiato = 32g
~ Grande Ice Caffe Latte = 10g
~ 1 cup chocolate milk = 25g
~ 1 cup white milk = 15g
~ 12oz Soda = 39g
~ 1 cup Gatorade = 14g
~ 1 cup vitamin water = 13g

Alcoholic Beverages: (Red wines have less sugar the white and even less if you choose a dry wine)
~ 6oz Red Wine = 1g
~ 6oz Dry White Wine = 1g
~ 6oz Chardonnay = 4g
~ 12oz Beer = 0g
~ 1oz Bailey’s = 7g

Breads and more:
~ 2 Slices White Bread = 3g
~ 2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread = 2g
~ 1 Whole Wheat Bagel = 3g
~ 1 White Bagel = 5g
~ 15 Wheat Thin Crackers = 4g
~ 1 White Pita Pocket = .8g
~ 1 Whole Wheat Pita Pocket = .5g
~ 1 English Muffin = 1g

Condiments:
~ 1 tbsp Ketchup = 4g
~ 1 tbsp Mustard = 0g
~ 1 tbsp A1 Steak Sauce = 2g
~ 2 tbsp Cocktail Sauce = 4.5g
~ 1 tbsp Miracle Whip = 1g
~ 1 tbsp Fruit Jam or Jelly = 10g
~ 2 tbsp Jif Peanut Butter = 3g
~ 2 tbsp Natural Peanut Butter = 2g
~ 1 tbsp Raw Honey = 16g

Other:
~ 1 Piece Ghirardelli 72% Cocoa = 3g
~ 1 Piece Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate = 6g
~ 1 tbsp White Chocolate Chips = 9g
~ 1 Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie = 12g

Protein Powders

Protein Powders

Hey McKinley,

One of the easiest ways to increase your protein intake is buy incorporating a shake or a bar into your diet.  If you choose to do that, it’s a good idea to alternate between 2 or 3 different protein powders because it’s possible to develop an allergy to a certain source of protein if that’s the only source you consume.  I drink a protein shake every morning for breakfast with coconut milk.  I alternate between a whey protein and 2 different types of vegan protein powders and one is strictly a pea protein.

You can choose to prepare your protein shake by just using a “shaker” (this is what I use in the morning) or you can use a blender and make your shake as exciting as you want!  I know this is hard to believe, but not all protein powders taste delicious :).  This is why I would encourage you to get a blender and keep some yummy fixins’ at work so you can make an absolutely delicious breakfast, lunch or mid-day snack.  Yoplait has individually packaged frozen smoothie mixes with frozen fruit and yogurt chunks.  Just add your protein powder and choice of milk to make your perfect shake.
http://www.viewpoints.com/Yoplait-Frozen-Smoothie-Mix-Triple-Berry-reviews

Adding a protein shake to your daily routine can also save you money.  The MOST you’ll spend on a protein shake with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk and a high quality protein powder is $3.25 and you’ll still feel full 2 hours later!!

Here are some protein powder options:

~ Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Protein

http://www.amazon.com/Sun-Warrior-Blend-Protein-Vanilla/dp/B00CQ7QAEA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1387838159&sr=8-7&keywords=sunwarrior+warrior+blend+raw+protein

~ Vega Sport Performance Protein
http://www.amazon.com/Vega-Sport-Performance-Protein-Vanilla/dp/B005H6UCHS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367521996&sr=8-1&keywords=vega+sport+protein

~ Pure Pea Protein by Swanson
http://www.amazon.com/100%25-Pure-Protein-grams-Pwdr/dp/B0017OFSDW/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367522061&sr=1-4&keywords=pea+protein+powder

~ Olympian Labs Pea Protein
http://www.amazon.com/Olympian-Lab-Protein-Chocolate-821-04-Grams/dp/B005DG36T8/ref=pd_sim_hpc_4

~ Garden of Life RAW Protein Powder
http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Organic-Protein-Grams/dp/B0031JK96C/ref=sr_1_10?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367522527&sr=1-10&keywords=rice+protein+powder

~ Jay Robb Whey Protein
http://www.amazon.com/Jay-Robb-Enterprises-Vanilla-powder/dp/B0001OP0XW/ref=pd_sim_hpc_3

~ ORAC Energy Protein Greens
http://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Herbs-Energy-Protein-Powder/dp/B004YW8L3S/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1367522949&sr=1-3&keywords=paradise+herbs+orac+energy+greens

~ About Time Whey Protein

http://www.vitacost.com/about-time-whey-protein-isolate

~ Bluebonnet Whey Protein (comes from grass fed cows)

Bluebonnet Whey

~ MRM Veggie Elite Protein Powder

http://www.vitacost.com/mrm-veggie-elite-performance-protein-chocolate-mocha-2-4-lbs

Let me know if your interested in some protein shake recipes and I will put some together.  Also, if you have a recipe of your own that is delicious please email me so I can share it with everyone!  Thanks so much and have a fabulous afternoon!!

Yours in Health and Wellness,

Meredith

Best Choices for Frozen Entrees!

Best Choices for Frozen Entrees!

Hey Mckinley!

I would love to be able to cook healthy and delicious meals 3 times a day but it’s just not possible.  Sometimes I’ll pick up something from the hot bar or salad bar at whole foods and other times I’ll choose a frozen entree.  There are a lot of frozen entrees to choose from out there but many of them are far from being considered healthy.  Below is a list of 20 entrees that would be a good selection depending on your dietary needs.  Two things to keep in mind when looking for the right entree:

~ Choose entrees with a sodium content of 600mg or less
~ Choose entrees with at LEAST 8g of protein

Click the link to read an article about frozen entrees and for the nutrition info for the entrees listed below:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/top-12-healthy-frozen-dinners

1. Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake


2. Healthy Choice Cajun Style Chicken and Shrimp


3. Lean Cuisine Sundried Tomato Pesto Chicken


4. Healthy Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli


5. Kashi Black Bean Mango


6. Lean Cuisine Beef Chow Fun


7. Healthy Choice Sweet Asian Pot stickers


8. Smart Ones Lasagna Bake with meat sauce

9. Kashi Chicken Pasta Pomodoro


10. Smart Ones Cranberry Turkey Medallions


11. Kashi Sweet and Sour Chicken


12. Healthy Choice Roasted Beef Merlot


13. Kashi Chicken Florentine


14. Amy’s Light & Lean Spinach Lasagna


15. Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Style Rice & Beans


16. Healthy Choice Golden Roasted Turkey Breast


17. Smart Ones Chicken Marsala


18. Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Steak Tips Portabella


19. Amy’s Light and Lean  Black Bean Cheese Enchilada


20. Healthy Choice Portabello Spinach Parmesan

Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Couch to 5K!

Couch to 5K!

Hey McKinley!

Have you ever wanted to run a 5K or longer but never thought you could so you just didn’t try?  Well, here’s you chance to DO IT!  You’ll find a training schedule below that will help with your journey as well as some races to choose from.
I plan on registering for:
Girls On The Run: 5-19-13
Dexter- Ann Arbor: 6-2-13
Hero Rush: 6-22-13
Warrior Dash: 7-28-13

Email me if you would like to participate in any of the races so I can start putting some teams together :).

Click on the link below for the Couch to 5k Training Schedule:
http://www.coolrunning.com/cgi-bin/moxiebin/bm_tools.cgi?print=181;s=2_3;site=1

Girls On The Run (boys and men can run too!):
Ann Arbor, MI
5-19-13
http://girlsontherunsemi.org/events/GOTR-events.php

Dexter-Ann Arbor Run:
Ann Arbor, MI
6-2-13
http://www.dxa2.com/registration/online-registration

5k Foam Fest:
Click the link to find the race nearest you!
http://5kfoamfest.com/locations.php

Kona Run:
Northville, MI
6-8-13
http://www.konarun.com/

Cure For One Cure For All:
Dallas, TX
6-1-13
http://www.roadracerunner.com/re_99711/CureForOneCureForAll5K10K.html

Cool Summer Mornings 5k Series:
Clermont, FL
6-8-13
7-13-13
8-10-13
9-7-13
http://triflorida.com/Events/CoolSummerMornings5KSeries/tabid/310/Default.aspx

Hero Rush:
Click the link below to find the race nearest you!
http://www.herorush.com/events/

Warrior Dash:
Click the link below to find the race nearest you!
http://www.warriordash.com/register.php?loc=Michigan&yr=2013&gclid=CPfMzZvR4bYCFe1aMgodFVsA0A

Travel and Eat Healthy on a Budget

Travel and Eat Healthy on a Budget

Hey McKinley!

I know many of you travel for McKinley so I wanted to provide some healthy food options for you that are quick, convenient and inexpensive.  If you have a fridge in your hotel, find the time to stop buy the grocery store and pick up some fruit, veggies and hummus or any other healthy snacks that you can travel with.

For convenience I chose 3 chain restaurant’s that are in most cities.  If there are other restaurant’s you would like me to give some healthy recommendation’s for please feel free to email them to me.  Thanks!

Wendy’s: Lunch for $3-$9

Here are the menu items I would recommend:

~ Smoky Honey Mustard Flatbread
~ Homestyle Chicken Fillet
~ Grilled Chicken Go Wrap
~ Small Chili
~ Garden Side Salad
~ Sour Cream and Chive Potato  – sour cream on the side
~ Chicken BLT Cobb Salad
~ Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

http://www.wendys.com/food/Nutrition.jsp

Subway: Breakfast or Lunch for $3-$5!!

Click the link below to design your breakfast or lunch sandwich.  You can also turn your favorite sandwich into a salad!  The sandwich and salad nutrition info does not include cheese or dressings so make sure you also click on the “condiments” page to see the nutrition info for any dressing or extras you may add.

http://www.subway.com/Menu/MenuCategoryItems.aspx?CC=USA&LC=ENG&MenuTypeId=1&MenuId=54

Panera Bread: A bit more expensive than Wendy’s or Subway however you can still get breakfast or lunch for $5-$10

Here are the menu items I would recommend:

~ Breakfast Power with Ham on Whole Grain – no cheese
~ Roasted Turkey & Sun-dried Tomato Pesto on Soft Roll – no cheese, with whole grain bread
~ Mediterranean Egg White on Ciabatta – no cheese, with whole grain bread
~ Low-Fat Vegetarian Black Bean
~ Low Fat Garden Vegetable with Pesto
~ All Natural Low Fat Chicken Noodle
~ Power Chicken Hummus Bowl
~ Power Steak Lettuce Wraps
~ Greek Salad
~ Thai Chopped Chicken
~ Classic Salad
~ Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
~ Chopped Chicken Cobb with Avocado Salad
~ Asian Sesame Chicken – no crispy wonton strips
~ Spinach Power Salad – no crispy onion chips
~ Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad
~ Power Mediterranean Roasted Turkey

Click the link below to view the nutrition facts for each of the above menu items.

http://www.paneranutrition.com/NutritionCalculator.aspx

Tips:
~ Trying to save money?  Don’t make it a combo.
~ Refill your water bottle for you lunch beverage
~ Choose whole grain bread
~ Skip the cheese
~ Choose a vinaigrette for your dressing
~ Ask for dressing on the side


Cholesterol

Cholesterol

Here is a quiz on cholesterol.  Take 5 min to test your knowledge and possibly learn something new.  Write your answers down on a piece of paper and then compare them to the answers given at the end of the quiz.

Click the link below to start the “Cholesterol” quiz
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MPGXSLS

For more info about cholesterol, check out the below articles:

The below article is from Dr. Oz’ blog.  The article is written by Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS and Stephen Sinatra, MD, FACN, authors of “The Great Cholesterol Myth”.  It’s a short article and very interesting because it suggests sugar puts you more at risk for heart disease than high cholesterol levels.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/cholesterol-facts-vs-myths

The article below is from Harvard Health Publications.  This article goes into depth about what cholesterol is, how your body naturally produces it and and how food becomes cholesterol. This is a very informative article and I agree with everything except for the way they categorize fats.  Most saturated fats are bad BUT not all.  One example that I’ve discussed before is coconut oil.  It contains 12g of saturated fat/serving but NO cholesterol.  Coconut oil is a good fat even though it’s a saturated fat.  Saturated fats you want to avoid are butter and fried fast food.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Understanding_Cholesterol.htm