The key to making those healthy New Year resolutions stick is to make realistic changes. Today On ABC, Low Country Live, I shared some easy and delicious meal swaps that will help you meet your 2017 nutrition and health goals without making you feel deprived.
Breakfast for busy mornings
Breakfast gives you energy to start your day and studies show that it may also prevent you from overindulging later on so its really important not to skip it. Today I shared Functional Breakfast Burritos by Sweet Earth, which are a great store-bought option for those of us who aren’t morning people. Heat them up and they are ready in minutes. Even though these are meatless, each has over 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. They are packed with veggies and plant protein like quinoa, tofu and edamame. Find them at Whole Foods or search their website to find store locations near you.
Satisfy your chip craving at lunchtime
A healthy swap to satisfy your chip craving at lunchtime are organic seaweed snacks by giMme. These have the crunch and savory taste that we crave in a chip, they are naturally low in calories and are loaded with nutritional value. Some of their flavors include sea salt, teriyaki, sesame and wasabi flavors. Seaweed has nutrients that benefit us on not only the inside, but the outside as well. For example, seaweed is high in vitamin C, which is important for building and maintaining collagen, a structural component of skin.
Afternoon snack makeover
An afternoon snack that has fiber and protein will satisfy you and hold you over to your next meal unlike chips or crackers, which are more carbohydrate heavy. Something I am loving right now are Crunchy Chickpeas by Saffron Road Food.They come in great flavors like falafel, sea salt and Bombay spice. You can also use them as a high protein replacement for croutons on a salad or just to have on hand as a grab and go snack option. You can find them at Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Harris Teeter and Publix.
Healthy dessert
A healthy way to satisfy a dessert craving it to pair nut butter with fruit and garnish with something fun like chocolate chips or coconut flakes. That way you are getting fiber and antioxidants from the fruit as well as protein and heart healthy fats from the nut butter. I shared Naturally More’s peanut butter, almond butter and chocolate hazelnut spread. I like this brand because they’ve also added flaxseeds and probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support our digestion and immune system. Flax seeds have omega 3 fatty acids, which support heart health.
