(Keeping in mind I have a PhD in chemistry, and not nutrition, you should take all of my suggestions with a grain of salt! Some of my personal views on food and life are influenced by my science background.)
Advertiser lie #1 – Eat Nutella for breakfast, it’s so healthy for you!
The Truth – The first two ingredients on the Nutella label are oil and sugar. Sure, there are some hazelnuts in there, but it should be considered an oil, not a protein. Same rule applies to other nut butters. They are considered oils first, protein sources second. You should still eat nutella though, just not for breakfast. :)
Advertiser lie #2 – High fructose corn syrup is so much worse for you than sugar!
The Truth – The only difference between sugar (sucrose) and HFCS (glucose and fructose) is a single bond. Some studies have shown that HFCS can cause more weight gain than sugar, this was tested in rats, not people. The weight gain could be from the fact that HFCS is already partially broken down and your body doesn’t need to spend the energy to do this. In reality, you want to avoid eating too much of either, but HFCS won’t kill you. Eat fruits instead!
Advertiser lie #3 – Whole grain granola/cereal/muffins are so good for you, look at all the whole grains!
The Truth – Generally the amount of whole grains you get in these food are minimal. You will also find that the calorie count on these items is incredibly high. A serving size of granola is usually just a few tablespoons and is weighed down with added sugar. Love your morning cereal (I know I do) stick with something like cheerios and toss in some fruit.
Now if you are looking for some fun ways to work off those cookies and other holiday treats, here are some of my favorite workouts. I’ve tried pretty much everything offered at the gym and have certifications to teach my ultimate favorites. I’ve also fallen in love with a few home workouts, if you aren’t a gym rat.
1. TurboKick – The ultimate high energy cardio class! A kick boxing, hip hop and abs class all wrapped into one. This was my first certification and still one of my favorites. Your first class might be a little confusing, so go with a sense of humor! If you like to workout at home, check out TurboJam or TurboFire!
2. Les Mills Classes – If you go to an LMI affiliated club then you’ll see these on the schedule as the “Body” classes. There are eight formats ranging from sculpting to step to yoga. After a few classes you will notice that they follow a format and are easy to follow. I think this makes it a great class to really push you. Personally? I love Bodystep.
3. Pilates – fantastic if you want to feel taller and stronger. I’d suggest checking out a live class first, just to be sure you are doing the moves properly. Then check out Windsor Pilates home workout. Pilates really strengthens your core muscles, making you less likely to fall down on the icy pavement!
Just remember, cardio and strength! Work those muscles, then eat a sandwich!
Be sure to vote on my poll (on the right hand side of the page!). What type of healthy meal are you looking for? Do you struggle finding healthy breakfast options? Maybe you need something for an on-the-go meal? How about a smart option for an afternoon snack? Let your voice be heard!
Feel free to ask your questions too, I’ll be dropping healthy eating tips all month long!
