Friday, September 20, 2013

Trick or Treat: the top 10 healthiest Halloween candies

Annually, October brings a surplus of candies to the shelves of

grocery and convenient stores nationwide.  It is almost impossible

to go anywhere without candy at your fingertips.  Because the

availability of candy is everywhere, it is common to give into

cravings of these high calorie sweets.  Tired of packing on the

pounds? Below are healthy eating tips for this Halloween season as

well as the top 10 healthiest Halloween candies! 


1. Buy Candy Late: having tempting candy around can be a big diet

challenge.  Resist the urge to buy bags of candy until Halloween

night.  Not only will you save yourself the temptation, but you

will find big discounts on candy sold that late.

2. Buy Candy you don’t like: Keep cravings away by purchasing

treats that you don’t personally enjoy. 

3. Store Halloween Treats Out of Sight: We’re much more likely to

reach for candy when it is within view.  Store treats in drawers,

behind doors, on shelves or in out-of-the way pantries.  Resist

the temptation to open the bag.  It’s too easy to slip in for a

quick bite.

4. Enjoy Parties for the Atmosphere, Not the Food:  Attend

Halloween parties for the fun and friends rather than the food. 

Have a healthy snack before you go.  Plan ahead what you’ll allow

for food and drink, and then stick to your plan. 


5. Make Your Own Halloween Treats: Bring your own dish to your

next Halloween party.  Be sure to bake it shortly before the

party, so it won’t tempt you for days.  Try this popular heart-

healthy party recipe such as caramel popcorn.


TOP 10 HEALTHIEST HALLOWEEN CANDIES

#1 Gummy Bears - 9calories in 5 bears
#2 Dum Dum Pops - 20 calories per pop
#3 Jolly Ranchers - 23 calories in one piece
#4 Smarties (sweet tarts) - 25 calories in 1 roll
#5 Tootsie Roll - 26 calories in 1 roll
#6 Nerds - 40 calories in 1 small box
#7 Jelly Beans - 54 calories in 5 beans
#8 3 Musketeers - 60 calories in 1 fun size bar
#9 Kit Kat - 70 calories in 1 snack size bar
#10 Peanut or Plain M&M's - 90 or 70 calories in 1 fun size pack

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

The Top 7 Superfoods of Fall

Be on the lookout for these vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market and or grocery store. Not only will these foods provide you the best flavor, but they will be also be of greatest value!

Apples - Eat the skin! The apples skin is full of fiber and contains a powerful anti-oxidant that may fight off a host of diseases. Apples are also high in calcium, folate, and Vitamin C.

Pumpkin - Just 1/2 cup of pumpkin contains about a full serving of Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene, plus a healthy dose of potassium.

Brussels Sprouts - this vegetable is incredibly good for you, containing more vitamin C than an orange! Brussels sprouts are also high in vitamin K, calcium and folate.

Kale - Just 1 cup of chopped raw kale contains more vitamin K than any other green! This dark leafy green also offers high amounts of beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant which is believed to boost the immune system and help ward off certain types of cancers.

Chestnuts - A serving of chestnuts offers about half a days worth of vitamin B6 - boosting the immune system, keeping skin youthful and possibly fighting lung cancer. These nuts are also high in fiber, helping to fill you up longer.

Pomegranates - this middle-eastern fruit is loaded with antioxidants and compounds called tannins that provide good heart health and lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL).  Just 1/2 cup of arils provides 5 grams of fiber!

Turnip Greens - Turnip tops are the most nutritious part of this Autumn root vegetable.  One cup provides 441 mg or about a half of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin A (beta-carotene - helps to promote good vision, fight illness and build strong bones). Turnip greens are additionally loaded with Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin K and calcium.