Trends

Another successful day, I'd say! Some healthy meal choices, including a wheat bread bologna sandwich again, and I grabbed up more English muffins, grapes and strawberries from the store. I also felt pretty accomplished, helping Mom say no to ice cream! We actually had a discussion about it, and spent about 10 minutes down the ice cream aisle, reading the nutrition facts on some of the boxes.

I had asked Mom if I really wanted ice cream, should I eat a low fat version, or a no sugar added kind, or if I should just try sherbert instead. Basically, she said that for the ice creams that take something out (fat or sugar), they have to add something else in to make it taste the same (fat or sugar). So if you take one bad thing out, you're adding another right back in there. So really, it's best to just stick with the stuff that has the most benefits (Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream bars have 2g of fiber!), but eat less of it (only around 5g of sugar per serving). Another thing we decided on is that Dove dark chocolate bites are the perfect snack, and boy am I craving one or two of those!

Another success story involves bowling - I actually got up and practiced today, and for a whole 3 game set threw the ball very well. Bowling has been a constant sore spot for me the last few months, so to finally make some progress today has definitely lifted my spirits and encouraged me to go out and do more. I've also given myself a goal, with the promise of a reward at the end, if I manage to do well.

As for the link I promise last night... here it is! Best and Worst Food Trends 2012. This article offers 4 good trends and 4 bad trends. As far as bad trends are concerned, I'm most upset with the "all natural" one. I mean, isn't that false advertising? It feels like it's so hard to get away from all of the artificial crap they pump into our food. I'm actually quite upset to learn how abused the word "natural" is. Part of the responsibility is on us as consumers, but they're certainly not making it easy for someone like me!

A good trend that I'm excited to learn about is that many restaurants and brands are cutting back on the amount of sodium in their food/products. I've cut out a lot of overly salty products from my diet already (potato chips, for example), and I try not to overuse salt when I cook. I also make sure to buy low-sodium varieties of soup and other products when available. Like the article says, salt doesn't necessarily make you fat, but it makes you retain water weight, which we don't want!

Actually, I'm pretty excited about all 4 of the good trends for this year. Healthier fast-food breakfast options just in case I'm on the go, out of town, or running late? Yes please. And dessert shooters at restaurants? If I eat a healthy menu option and eat well during the rest of the day, I might get to have a sweet treat once in a while! Yes!!

Speaking of sweet treats, I'm hoping to start finding and preparing some awesome recipes for snacks that will fill you up but still be healthy, as well as some alternatives for dessert that will let you satisfy that craving for something sweet. (Mmmm, chocolate!) If you have any good recipes or links, feel free to share them here!