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Posts Tagged ‘Abs Diet Powerfoods’
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Our journey through the list of Abs Diet Powerfoods comes to an end with something sweet: raspberries and other berries. This includes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, goji berries … any kind, really! Most of us need little coaxing to eat these colorful little gems, but it’s nice to know they’re oh-so-healthy, whether you eat them fresh, dried, or frozen. Berries are packed with phytochemicals and antioxidants and may help reduce the risk of cancer. Raspberries and blueberries contain lutein, which enhances eyesight. And one cup of strawberries contains more Vitamin C than an orange!
We all know about adding berries to a protein shake or a bowl of oatmeal, but here are a few other delicious ways to incorporate them into your diet:
• Make a strawberry, spinach, and avocado salad
• Top a whole grain Wasa crispbread with low-fat ricotta cheese and blueberries
• Mix sliced strawberries with a splash of balsamic vinegar and eat it over Greek-style yogurt
• Bake three-grain raspberry muffins
• Simmer some Swedish-style blueberry soup (PDF)
• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.
Image: photofarmer
Tags: Abs Diet Powerfoods, berries
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been going down the list of Abs Diet Powerfoods that help you build muscle, burn fat, and stay in tip-top condition. This week we’ve come to Extra-Protein Powder or, in other words, whey. Powdered whey contains essential amino acids for muscle growth and recovery … but it’s not just for bodybuilders! What’s really great is that it offers a high amount of protein for few calories; one serving contains only about 100 calories and 2 grams of fat.
Whey protein powder is also really easy to keep in your kitchen or carry around with you to work, school, or the gym for a quick, filling snack. As you know, I recommend eating 4-5 small meals or snacks a day, every 3 hours. This will boost your metabolism in the most efficient way and keep blood sugar levels even throughout the day. One of the easiest snacks you can have is a protein shake. Just mix 1 scoop of protein powder with about 4 ounces of water and you’re good to go. For a smoothie, give this a whirl in the blender with berries or even spinach. You can also drink this before a workout.
• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.
Tags: Abs Diet Powerfoods, protein, whey protein powder
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
A lot of diets will tell you you can’t eat bread or grains, but any balanced, sustainable way of eating shouldn’t eliminate an entire food group. The Abs Diet includes whole-grain breads and cereals in its list of Powerfoods because your body actually needs carbohydrates for energy and proper mental functioning. Not all carbs are bad!
Of course, they don’t mean Wonder Bread and doughnuts. Whole grains are key. But what exactly are they? Whole, natural grains are made up of three parts: germ, bran, and endosperm. When grains are refined into white flour or white rice, for example, the bran and germ are lost – along with most of the fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Good, healthy choices in the grain category include whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat tortillas, whole-wheat pretzels, brown rice, and oatmeal. Whole grain WASA crackers are one of my favorite to-go foods. Just add a sliced egg and tomato, or a piece of cold-cut lean turkey, and you have a great snack.
Precision Nutrition has some excellent tips on selecting and cooking whole grains. Check them out:
• The Safe Carbs – Whole Grains
• Expert Tips: Cooking Whole Grains
• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.
Image: Laura HB
Tags: Abs Diet Powerfoods, whole grains
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Olive oil can be so rich, complex, and flavorful, it hardly seems like a diet food, but there it is on the list of Abs Diet Powerfoods! Full of healthy, monounsaturated fat, olive oil can actually help lower cholesterol and decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.
In general, go for the least processed and most flavorful varieties like extra virgin and virgin. (Note: “light” olive oil simply refers to the color and flavor, not the caloric or fat content.) Some tried-and-true uses include dipping bread in olive oil instead of slathering it with butter, drizzling “evoo” over steamed vegetables, and this amazing Red Bean-and-Olive Oil Dip.
If you need help choosing and storing olive oil, check out this great primer from Self:
• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.
Image: MinivanNinja
Tags: Abs Diet Powerfoods, olive oil
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
One of the things I really like about the Abs Diet Powerfoods is that there’s nothing complicated or strange about the list. It’s full of things you probably already like eating and can easily incorporate into your diet – like peanut butter!
I know, you’re probably thinking, “Peanut butter?! It’s so high in fat and calories!” But if you choose an all-natural, sugar-free version, it can be a great part of a workout diet. First of all, it’s got the good type of fat – monounsaturated – and second, it helps build muscle and burn fat. It’s quick, it’s full of protein, and when you’re on the go, you can throw it into a smoothie or eat it with apple slices. Limit your consumption to about 3 tablespoons a day, and check out these other healthy ways to eat peanut butter from Eating Well:
• Peanut Noodles with Shredded Chicken & Vegetables
• Tofu with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
• Sweet Potato-Peanut Bisque
Note: if you’re allergic to peanuts or just want some variety, also try almond or cashew butter.
• For more information on the Abs Diet, visit Women’s Health.
Image: Dr Stephen Dann
Tags: Abs Diet Powerfoods, diets, peanut butter
Posted in Nutrition | No Comments »
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