Posted by Sidra Forman on Thu, Oct 08, 2009
Once again last night, I found myself sitting at my desk finishing up some work. It's usually at this point in the evening when I start thinking about a snack, and last night was no different. I paused and contemplated whether or not I was actually hungry (using Bob Greene's Hunger Scale, a 10-point scale that helps you measure your hunger or fullness level), or if I was just looking for a distraction or some extra energy.
Once I determined that I wasn't hungry, I wandered to the kitchen and poured myself a tall glass of water. I took it back up to my desk and drank it. As soon as I finished, I started thinking about snacking again—that's when I realized that what I really needed was some ginger tea.
As the weather starts to turn colder, I will end most of my days with a cup of ginger tea. I grate about two teaspoons of fresh ginger in a mug and pour about two cups of boiling water over the ginger. Within a minute or two, it's ready to drink.
I can't really explain why this calorie-free beverage is so satisfying, but for me it is. And, as an added bonus, ginger is said to aid in digestion and reduce inflammation. It's the perfect way to soothe a snack urge—give it a try the next time your tummy growls!
To learn more about Bob Greene's Hunger Scale or for more healthy ways to satisfying hunger, join TheBestLife.com.
Posted by Beth Sumrell-Ehrensberger on Wed, Sep 16, 2009
Every time I go to the grocery store, there seems to be another new product aimed at weight control. Packages that blare, Lite!, Reduced Fat!, Sugar Free!, or Half the Fat! from their glossy boxes tempt from every aisle. When I spy a reduced-fat or reduced-calorie version of a favorite food, it's hard to resist tossing the package into the cart, all the while thinking I'm doing my waistline a real favor. But that's not always the case.
The best way to tell if you're really getting a diet deal is to compare the original version of the food to its lightened-up twin. In many cases, you'll be surprised that there isn't much of a difference. Case in point: I was craving Fig Newtons on my last grocery shopping trip, so I checked both the regular and the fat-free cookies. It turns out that the original Newton has only 20 more calories and just two grams of fat, as compared to the fat-free version. That's no calorie bargain!
Don't let lightened versions of foods fool you into thinking you can have more. And don't expect them to be as satisfying—often the light version doesn't quell a craving like the regular kind, leading you to overindulge.
That's not to say that lightened versions of foods can't be helpful in a healthy diet, but it's up to you to carefully examine the label and exercise portion control.
So which fig cookie did I end up buying? I opted for the fat-free version because I prefer its firmer texture over the original. I got home and thoroughly enjoyed two cookies. Then I packed up two more cookies for later and sent my husband to his office with the rest of the package because fat-free calories not only add up, but they can be tempting, too!