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Healthy Dinner Idea: How About Breakfast?

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0700

Sometimes it can be so hard to come up with exciting ideas for dinner, so a couple times a month, my family and I like to have breakfast for dinner - the girls love it. It's not just because we love breakfast foods, but they're also high in fiber and protein, so they're healthy, too. Check out the nutritional info for some simple breakfast meals.

For a quick and satisfying meal, cereal and milk:

Food	Calories	Fat (g)	Chol. (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)	Calcium (mg)
1 cup skim milk	91	.7	5	130	12.3	0	12.3	8.7	316.2
1 cup Kashi Go Lean cereal	140	1	0	85	30	10	6	13	60
1/4 cup sliced strawberries	13	.1	0	0	3.2	.8	1.9	.3	6.6
Total	244	1.8	5	215	45.5	10.8	20.2	22	382.8

To see the nutritional info for a veggie omelet and berry french toast keep reading

Aziz Ansari Gets Three Thumbs Up From Judd Apatow

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:03 -0800

Am I asleep? Because this sounds like a match made in heaven - Judd Apatow (along with Universal Pictures) has just picked up not one, not two, but three comedies starring Aziz Ansari. The yet-to-be-written ideas were pitched by the Parks and Recreation star as well as Jason Woliner, who is on board to direct. So what kind of hijinks are in store? Here's the rundown:

Project No.1: For now, it's called Let's Do This, and it's about two guys who work for a motivational speaking company and a road trip. Sounds familiar, but still has potential to be very funny.
Project No. 2: In this one, Ansari will play an astronaut (already hilarious) who has to clear his reputation by heading back to outer space.
Project No. 3: The three projects are unrelated, but the third one is actually a spinoff of Apatow's Funny People, focusing on Ansari's character Randy.

When asked about the pitches, Ansari quipped, "We didn’t expect all three to work. We had a breakfast meeting with Judd and pitched them. We were like, 'Which one do you like?’ He wanted all three.' We are hesitant to say too much about our ideas. A few years ago, we announced our new idea about a film where the world ended in the year 2014. We have since had to stop developing this movie."

Are you looking forward to seeing Ansari join Apatow's band of merry comics? Which project sounds most promising to you?

You Asked: Energy Bar For a Meal?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:48 -0800

Dear Fit,
I just got off the phone with a friend and I need some advice. She says for breakfast, she eats one Balance Bar. I know some bars are fortified with vitamins, but this doesn't seem like enough to me - calorie- or nutrition-wise. What do you think? Is it OK to eat an energy bar for a meal?
-Concerned Friend

This is an excellent question because I think many people grab a bar for a quick meal because it's quick, easy, and fairly inexpensive. Is it enough, though? To find out what I think read more.

Replacing a meal with an energy bar is not a good idea. For one, most bars contain only about 200 calories. That calorie amount is suitable for a snack, not a meal. Another reason is that those bars were designed to give someone energy before or after a workout, so they tend to be high in carbs and low in fiber. That translates to quick energy at first, but your friend probably feels tired and hungry soon after. The low fiber issue may also affect regularity. The bottom line is that energy bars are not designed to replace a well-balanced meal, since they won't offer the same kind of nutrition. Even the ones that are fortified with vitamins and minerals only offer about 25 percent of your RDI, which isn't very much.

I think it's best to ask your friend why she's only eating an energy bar for breakfast. Is she short on time? Is she trying to lose weight? Does she think it's healthy? Once you find out her reasoning, you can suggest healthy breakfast ideas that suit her needs. There are plenty of tasty options that are high in protein and fiber to offer sustained energy, are easy to make, and won't break the calorie bank.

Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.

You Asked: 5 Ideas For Quick, Healthy Breakfasts

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Dear FitSugar,
In my effort to be healthier and lose a bit of weight, I have decided to add breakfast to my daily meal plan rather than skipping it out of laziness and lack of time. Should I focus on protein or fiber in the morning? Can you give me some ideas for quick and easy balanced breakfasts?
- New Early Morn' Eater

I applaud your efforts to eat breakfast! I really do believe it is the most important meal of the day. It stokes your metabolism, provides sustained energy throughout your morning, and can help you from over snacking in the afternoon. Ideally, your first meal of the day should have both fiber and protein since both help keep you feeling full. Here are five breakfast ideas, to help you cover your nutritional needs.

Source

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Breakfast Ideas to Keep You Full Until Lunch

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it help you think, but studies show that eating breakfast can help you maintain a healthy weight. Eating a hearty breakfast will keep your energy levels up and your hunger at bay. Here are some quick ideas that combine filling whole grains with protein.

Source

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Ill-Conceived Breakfast Cereal Ideas

GiggleSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:30:00 -0700

We all know that breakfast cereals are a big money maker for food titans such as Kellog and General Mills. What is breakfast cereal, really? Some sugary corn by-product with a snazzy box and perhaps a prize for the kiddies. Easy peasy. Our friends at Cracked had a little too much fun coming up with their own breakfast cereal ideas. They might go over well at Spencer's gifts, but I doubt these would fly at your local supermarket. Let's check out some of the best ideas . . . Source

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Coming Soon: Twilight, the Restaurant

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:15 -0700

Considering that everyone - Sugar included! - is getting caught up in the hype surrounding the Twilight series, it comes as no surprise that one couple, Annette and Tim Root of Forks, WA, have decided to launch a Twilight-themed restaurant in the town where the books are set.

Although the family-style eatery will be named Volterra, after the Italian city where the Volturi law-enforcing vampires live, the cuisine won't be Italian. Instead it will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on steak and seafood. The couple hopes to debut their themed restaurant, complete with bar area, early next Spring.

Since I enjoyed the first two books and found the movie hysterically entertaining, I think the idea of a restaurant sounds fun. How about you? Would you be interested in eating at a Twilight establishment?

Healthy Ways to Liven Up Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Now that cooler temps are moving in, there's nothing like warming yourself up with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Full of whole grain fiber, this breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning. Buying plain oats is healthier than buying packets that are already sweetened, and less expensive too, but that doesn't mean you have to go without flavor.

Add these delicious morsels to your half-cup serving of oatmeal.

One small banana (diced), two tablespoons vanilla yogurt, and one tablespoon walnuts.
Half a diced pear, one tablespoon pumpkin seeds, and one tablespoon of GoLean Crunch cereal or granola.
Half a diced apple, two chopped dates, 10 chopped almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For other tasty ideas, keep reading

Get Involved in the YumSugar Community!

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:50:55 -0700

Have you checked out our recently relaunched fabulous YumSugar Community? It's a great place to post and share recipes, cooking tips, and everything in-between. There's already a ton of groups you can join and explore, or feel free to start some new ones! Here's a taste of what the community has to offer.

Kitchen Goddess: This group is older than YumSugar, making it the original PopSugar Network recipe exchange suite. Post your favorite recipes or browse for meal inspiration.
Wedding Talk: The one-shop stop for discussing everything about the big day. Here you'll find ideas on the ceremony, stationary, flowers, hair, dresses, etc.
Super Special Occasion: This group is my baby, and I invite you to post pictures of the parties you attend and host. Discussion is welcome, so if you need help locating the perfect plates for an upcoming baby shower you're planning, this is your place to do it.
Savory Sights: Eat something wildly delicious looking? Snap a photo and post it in this group. Check out this insanely mouthwatering breakfast YumSugar had last weekend at Ad Hoc!
What's For Dinner?: Wondering what to make for dinner? This is your location to chat about quick chicken meals, one-pot wonders, and everything else fast and easy.
Burning Question: What foods are aphrodisiac? Why does brown sugar form clumps? This is the ultimate forum for asking and answering those food-related questions. We pick the most intriguing ones and answer them here.