Snack More, Lose Weight!

Yes, you can eat between meals, and even a late night bite without having to feel bad. In fact, it's one of the best ways to slim down. Of course you still have to make healthy and nutritious choices. Healthy snacking will help avoid those energy slumps, and improve your weight-control efforts. Eating smaller amounts throughout the day will give you a metabolic boost, which helps burn extra calories per day. Jackpot, right?! I have a couple of favorite delicious and very nutritious snacks that I highly recommend to those that want to give their not so active metabolism a little pick-me-upper, let me know which ones you like, or if you have any others that you can add.*

• 1 or 2 brown rice cakes w/ 1 Tbs of almond butter or natural peanut butter

• A small banana and a serving of pistachios

• A bag of baked apple or pear chips

• Cucumber wheels topped with 1/2 cup mixture of pesto and nonfat Greek yogurt

• 1 celery stick cut into 2inch pieces and filled with natural peanut butter

• 1 plain flavored Chobani Greek yogurt with a handful of sliced almonds and dried cherries

Your snack should contain the right mix of nutrients (combo of complex carbs and protein) and it shouldn't be more than 300 calories.

Feel Triumphant with Trident

I always recommend for my patients to buy Trident sugarless gum with xylitol. The main reason is because chewing this type of gum has plenty of positive benefits. If you are at high risk for dental caries, suffer from dry mouth, or need a breath saver after snacks or meals, then Trident with xylitol should be your new best friend.

Xylitol, the main ingredient in this gum, is what helps fight those acids that are released by plaque, which break down the enamel of our teeth and eventually lead to dental caries. It helps neutralize the environment and essentially starves and kills the caries-forming bacteria.

This gum can also help remove food that may have been left on the chewing surfaces of our teeth, helping them stay cleaner after meals or snacks. Chewing can also help stimulate saliva production, giving some much needed relief to those that suffer from dry mouth. Last, but not least, it can help neutralize odors, creating a nice and fresh smelling breath.

I love the fun fruity flavors, especially the one below, so try them out and see which one you like, let me know ;-)

Start your engine w/ Blueberry-Almond Oatmeal

We now all know how important breakfast is, it jump starts your metabolism and gives you the energy to start off your long day. This blueberry-almond oatmeal is so creamy and rich with delicious flavors.
It really only takes less than 10 minutes to make, that means that anyone rushing to get to work can take just a few minutes of their morning to put this scrumptious breakfast together, so don't give me that "it takes too long" excuse!

With the fiber-filled oats, and the tons of antioxidants that blueberries pack, this breakfast not only boosts your energy, but it leaves your heart and mind feeling happy because its so healthy and good for you. It will fill you up a lot longer than having that cup of coffee with donut or croissant, and it won't give you that crash that sometimes those empty and non-nutritional calories do.

Ingredients needed (serves 2):
1 1/14 cups quick oats
2 cups skim milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Handful of both blueberries and sliced raw almonds

Put milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and stir in the oats, mixing for a minute until there is a creamy consistency. Pour into a bowl and mix the brown sugar, almonds and blueberries. You can let it sit for a minute to cool down a bit, but if you're like me, I just dig in and eat it a warm as I can...yummy to my tummy.

So give it a try and let me know what you think. ;-)