Who says you have to write off pasta in order to be healthy? In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends we enjoy grains, with the goal of making half of all grains we eat in a day whole grains. And the good news is that whole grain pastas makes this easier than ever to achieve! Here are 6 tips to help you pick the perfect pasta for your meal plan for the week... 6 TIPS TO MAKE PASTA A PART OF YOUR MEAL PLAN:
lindsey
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HEALTHIER ICE CREAM - IS IT WORTH THE HYPE? (PLUS A PRINTABLE ICE CREAM TASTE TEST SCORECARD)6/19/2017 HAPPY SUMMER FRIENDS! Summertime is definitely my favorite season. I love chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool... and ice cream. I. Love. Ice cream. It's like the ultimate sweet summertime treat and I seriously look forward to it on a hot day. But, no matter my love affair with this indulgent food, there's no denying that it IS high in fat (especially un-heart-healthy saturated fat) and sugar. (An average vanilla ice cream contains 45% of your day's worth of saturated fat and 7 teaspoons of sugar in 1 cup. WOWZA.) So, I've decided to broaden my horizons in the name of nutrition to find out for myself if these "healthier" ice creams on the market are all they're made out to be. Here were our findings... THE "HEALTHIER ICE CREAM" CONTENDERSWe evaluated each variety based on 4 main factors:
(0 = Wouldn't touch it if you paid me to; and 5 = UHMAZING!) Here's what our panel thought... ARCTIC ZERO ROCKY ROAD TRIP This brand touts a lot of things -- "lactose-free", "gluten-free", "GMO-free", and "low-glycemic".
LALOO'S REDUCED-FAT GOAT MILK ICE CREAM - CAPRACCINO ALMOND FUDGE This ice cream is a real dairy option for those looking for a product with less lactose than traditional ice cream.
HALO TOP COOKIES AND CREAM Finally! The infamous Halo Top! I've been wanting to try this "low-sugar", "low-carb", "low-fat" ice cream that seems to be always sold out in stores.
SO DELICIOUS DAIRY-FREE COOKIE DOUGH SO DELICIOUS offers several varieties of non-dairy frozen dessert.
The winner of this healthier ice cream taste test... LaLoo's! I have to admit that was a little disappointed in these "healthier" ice cream alternatives so will likely stick with the real deal (and plan for it in my day), but glad I gave them a go. Want to conduct your own ice cream taste test? Get your own printable scorecards below!
lindsey
P.S. I want to thank my esteemed panel of ice cream taste testers! No individuals were harmed in the process of this eating experiment. :) Hi Friends! As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I often hear that "eating healthy is expensive." It is a really common misconception. Eating healthfully doesn't have to be expensive. Today, I'm sharing tips on how you can eat nutrient dense foods on budget. 1buy in bulkNow, I don't mean the super size pack of toilet paper you can get at the big box store. I'm talking about the bulk food section that you can now find at many major grocery stores. Buying in bulk is a great way to try out a new ingredient or get a certain amount of an ingredient that your recipe calls for. Bulk foods also save on the packaging which reduces costs. Items such as spices, nuts, seeds, and grains are great foods to buy in bulk. This is a great place to create your own trail mix combinations for a quick and nutritious snack on the go. 2check out the unit priceRead the fine print; not just the price or sale price that is marked. It has happened many times that an item is on sale so I will go to grab it only to realize another brand's unit price is less making that one the cheaper option. Let's look at the image below from choosemyplate.gov. This graphic is comparing two yogurts. One is 32 oz from $1.62 and the other is 6 oz for $0.72. If you are trying to save money, you may automatically grab the 6 oz because it is cheaper. But wait! Check out that unit price. The 32 oz is $0.05 per oz whereas the 6 oz is $0.12 per oz. The 32 oz yogurt is the better value. Plus you'd have to buy at lead 5 of the 6 oz yogurts to equal the same amount which would end up being $3.60. Twice as much as the 32 oz yogurt. (Source: choosemyplate.gov) 3what's on sale?Keeping the previous tip in mind, do check out the store sales and BOGOs. This can be a great way to get items your family eats often at a great cost. Buy what you normally eat. Don't just buy items because they are on sale. Buy pantry staples that you will use such as chicken stock, pasta, canned goods, frozen fruits and vegetables. 4meal plan + grocery listMeal planning can save you money. By planning out the meals and snacks you plan to eat throughout the week and creating a list of the items you needs, you will cut down on the time spent at the store and the amount you spend. It is so easy to run into the store for just one thing and walk out with 15 items because "they were on sale" or "they looked good" or fill in the blank. Having a list, you are less likely to buy things you may not need for that week, which can lead to food waste. What are your favorite ways to save money at the grocery store? Share with us by commenting below or by using #MealPlanningMethod.
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