Oh Another Holiday

This week I went to an Easter Egg Hunt with my two year old. I was surprised by what was put into the eggs for toddlers! Laffy Taffy, Hershey Kisses, and Peanut Butter Cups. Really? Even my teeth hurt after eating a Laffy Taffy, imagine how kids with only half their teeth feel (not to mention the dental cavities it may lead too). So what I did notice was other eggs filled with: stickers, rubber dinosaurs, fruit snacks (100% juice). And do you know what? Those kids loved the other eggs just as much, if not more, than the ones filled with candy! I understand the concept of wanting to give a treat during the holidays, but remember it does not need to be filled with sugar and additives. Special time with a parent or sibling is just as special then sharing a candy treat. Creating these associations with holidays will set our children up for "diet sabotage" as adults. They will associate all holidays and special celebrations with high calorie, low nutrient dense foods leading to overindulgence as opposed to normal snacking. Holidays and celebrations are about the moment and the family and friends you spend it with-not the food as much. Let food be the secondary focus. So next time you want to make a special holiday for your children or partner, think of a non-food related activity, such as coloring, crafts, scrapbooks, taking them to a special park, or having a family game of volleyball or softball.
So enjoy those tasty treats in moderation but remember not to focus on them. Take the time to enjoy your families and yourselves.

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

Vacations and Eating Healthy

Recently, I went to Florida to meet my new nephew. It was a fantastic trip but posed many difficulties for my healthy eating goals. Finding healthy choices when traveling is difficult, however, it is not impossible. On both travel days to and from the airports, I packed a low-fat mozzarella string cheese, apple, high fiber granola bar, baby carrots, and hummus in small snack containers and bags. It worked out great! I wasn't so hungry that I was tempted by the Annie's Pretzels or candy at all the terminals. Once I got to my destination, we ate lunch at Panera's and had many healthy options so I was fine. The weather was not good and walking outside was not an option, so that left me with one day of no exercise, but I planned on not exercising that day (thinking I'd be tired from traveling with a baby). Each day afterwards I had fun walking and including fun activities with my family that included exercise. Prior to each morning shower, I still fit in my ab and strength training (using my 4 month old as a weight!). The hardest part of the trip was finding my brother's food pantry. If you wanted it and craved it, they had it! I stuck to serving sizes, but still indulged in a 1/2 cup of cookie dough ice cream, 1 peanut chocolate smidgen, and 7 salt and vinegar potato chips. Afterwards, the next morning, I felt like my work that week was shot! I picked myself up and counted the unplanned calories = 430 calories. If only the amount of exercise needed to burn off the calories was on the food labels!

I ran at a higher intensity and for a longer time in the afternoon (with a 3 year old and a baby!) the next day to create the calorie deficit needed to meet my weight goal. So there you have it! Indulging in some guilty pleasures but not ruining my weight and diet goals! Eating healthy can work!

Cheers,

The Dieting Dietitian

46 Pounds Lost

I'm so close to my goal weight, that I'm actually thinking of going clothes shopping! Setting realistic weight, food and exercise goals really works and keeps you on target. The journey to weight loss has been long, but I know losing 1-2 pounds per week, (at least most weeks), is the ONLY way to keep the weight off for the rest of my life. Yes there are fad diets, the vinegar diet, Atkins, South Beach..... but following a balanced REAL diet you and your family can live with (and afford) is the best solution. I know I'm eating healthy foods (and having treats in moderation) and winning the battle of the bulge.

I saw an ad in the paper for a free exercise trainer in our area. It did advertise nutrition counseling, which scares me. Many "nutritionists" are not educated in medical nutrition therapy as registered dietitians are, but I will go and see what it's like (the exercise training part only)! Maybe I will learn a new way to work out to burn more calories in my exercise time and teach them a few things about nutrition too!

Until then, keep moving and eating balanced!

Cheers!

The Dieting Dietitian