Well you can still have these types of food and drink even if you are trying to lose weight. All you need to do is be armed with the right information about the types of goodies that are not too high in calories.

You do not have to cut out all these foods, you just need to cut down.

• Eat Well Balanced Meals
  When you eat a well balanced meal, there should be less need to snack. A good meal should leave you feeling full and satisfied. Snacking can sometimes occur if you have not eaten enough during your mealtime. So the first thing you want to ensure is that you are eating enough during the day. Make sure all your meals have a protein element. This is a lean protein — chicken, fish, beef, shellfish, eggs, greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Choose Alternative Snacks
  I’d be lying to you if I said go it, and have all the cookies, candy and chips you want. While I don’ t believe in an all or nothing mentality. There are plenty of alternatives that you can eat so that you still get the same satisfaction but not the weight gain. One of my favorite things to do is go through Pinterest to find new recipes to keep it interesting. Make sure you set your timer, this could be a time suck.
• Choose The Mini-Size Options
  Sometimes when you are craving a snack, like a candy bar or a bag of popcorn, you might not actually need that much in order to feel satisfied. This would be a great time to actually look at buying the mini-size options of your favorite snacks.

Any one of these three options will give you a way to enjoy snacks without packing on the pounds. If you have any other suggestions, please leave me a comment below.

The post How To Enjoy Snacks Without Piling on The Pounds appeared first on Kim Barnes Jefferson.

Sorry for pointing out the obvious. Eating sweets and desserts makes you crave more sugar. It’s a vicious circle that never ends. It’s no wonder why you’re craving sugar all day long.

Some of our cravings are around habits, for example, say you have sugar cravings every day around 7 p.m. It’s probably because you just finish dinner and had a hard day and want to give yourself a reward. So.. here are two strategies. 1. Distract yourself —  call a friend or go outdoors for a walk. You can even wash the dishes or take a shower! Do whatever it takes to get yourself busy.  2. If going cold turkey isn’t your think, you can scale back, so you allow yourself 6 treats that week, then 5, then 4. You get what I’m putting down  🙂

We also have foods that just trigger use to lose our stuff! Here is where you become a detective to determine what sets up you to crave and unfortunately binge. Is it just seeing or being around it, stress or other emotions. Now that you determined this, you can work to find healthier substitutes.

Another proven way to beat sugar cravings is to increase your protein intake. Protein is known for its appetite suppressing properties. Not only it feeds your muscles and cells, but also keeps you full longer. When you’re craving sugar, eat a high protein snack. Boiled eggs, protein bars, walnuts, sunflower seeds, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt are your best options. These foods also promote weight loss and boost your energy.

Make sure you eat more fiber. This nutrient regulates blood sugar levels. Most people are craving sugar when their bloog glucose levels drop. The best sources of fiber include whole grains, whole rice and pasta, seeds, raw nuts, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, and cauliflower. These foods also contain complex carbs, which are slowly absorbed into your body. As a result, they reduce hunger and cravings.

I’d love to hear your feedback, what is something you crave and how have you been able to find a healthier substitute OR crush that craving.

Need more support’ Check out my craving crushing report.

The post Simple Tips to Beat Sugar Cravings appeared first on Kim Barnes Jefferson.

For the report, ConsumerLab.com bought, tested, and analyzed the quality of 17 protein-based products that are used for everything from bodybuilding to weight management. What they found was surprising: some protein powders exceeded limits for lead, contained more carbohydrates or cholesterol than advertised, or less protein than advertised.

A total of five products out of the 17 tested and ConsumerLab.com gave them a “Not Approved” grade—as in “Buyer Beware”. The products were tested to check the accuracy of label claims (total calories, total protein, etc.) as well as possible lead contamination. The products that raised red flags were then sent to another independent lab to confirm the findings.

Of the five products that failed to meet testing requirements, quality problems they had included:

• Less protein than what’s listed: One product actually had 16 fewer grams of protein than listed on the label—that’s almost 70 percent less! Also, the same product had 16 more grams of carbs than listed, including 3 extra grams of sugar.
• Contaminated with lead: One protein-based meal replacement shake had 12.7 micrograms of lead per scoop, which can exceed daily limits (as outlined by U.S. and Health Canada regulatory guidelines) if two or more are consumed daily.
• More cholesterol and calories than what’s listed: One product that claimed to have “0 mg” of cholesterol actually had 10.2 mg. Another product had 25.7 additional calories per serving.

For consumers who are looking to meet health or athletic goals with products like these, it’s easy to see how inaccuracies could be problematic. That’s why it pays to have a company like Isagenix with a “No Compromise” quality policy.

Isagenix products are rigorously tested to be sure they meet label claims. This means that when the label says “24 grams protein,” it’s what you’re getting. Our Isagenix Quality Assurance department performs routine testing of label claim accuracy for the duration of each product’s shelf life, too.

The strict quality policy at Isagenix also involves testing of raw ingredients and finished products for microbial activity, pesticides, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Isagenix uses independent laboratories for testing to guarantee quality and safety.

The process that Isagenix uses for continual inspection of raw materials and analysis of finished products is an expensive enterprise. Because of the high cost of testing, other companies will often cut corners and avoid such extensive testing. At Isagenix we believe that meeting and exceeding safety guidelines is absolutely necessary as integrity and the health of our customers, friends, and family is paramount.

Once again, as evidenced by this latest report from ConsumerLab.com, you just can’t trust every protein powder or drink product you come across.

Reference:  Product review: protein powders and drinks (for body building, sports and dieting). ConsumerLab.com 2013.

The post “Buyer Beware” Not All Protein Powders Aren’t Created Equal appeared first on Kim Barnes Jefferson.