Things That Make Me Go Mmmmmmmm....

Since the inception of my new diet and workout routine, I have gone through some food!  I have tried quite a few things that did not necessarily agree with me or that I just didn't love. Seems that everyone wants to make a suggestion or give you diet tips when they find out that you are trying to lose weight.  Based on some recommendations, I tried frozen dinners like Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, etc in an attempt to bring my food to work with me but I NEVER felt satisfied after eating them.  The portions were tiny and the food was watery and bland in my opinion. 

The search was on to find some healthy, delicious alternatives that I enjoyed eating in order to make it easier for me to stay on track.  It is unrealistic to go from eating fast food, sweets and drinking soda to a completely cleaned up, strict diet.  I'm sure there are a select few who may be able to pull it off but the majority of us would find that extremely difficult. 

Here are some of the foods that I have relied upon to help me get in shape and stay on the right track:

1. Kashi Go Lean Cereal - 1 cup of cereal: 140 calories/1 gram fat/30 grams carbs/13 grams protein and this comes packed with 10 grams of fiber which is a whopping 40% of your daily intake!  It is lightly sweetened and incredibly filling! A great way to start off your morning!
2. Chobani Greek Yogurt - 1 container of vanilla: 120 calories/0 grams fat/13 grams carbs/16 grams protein and one word... DELICIOUS!!  I have tried a number of different flavors and love them all!  There are non-fat and low-fat options both available.
3. Nature Valley Pecan Crunch Granola Bars - 1 package contains 2 bars: 190 calories/7 grams fat/28 grams carbs/4 grams protein.  Again, there are various flavors but this was my favorite.  This is THE main "go-to" staple for my sweets cravings!  For my late afternoon snack I typically had one of these to keep myself out of the candy jar.  It is sweet, crunchy and all natural.
4. Almonds - 1 ounce: 160 calories/14 grams fat/6 grams carbs/6 grams protein.  Relief from respiratory disorders, cough, heart disorders, anemia, impotency and diabetes are just a few of the benefits of eating almonds.  Not to mention they help in hair care, skin care and dental care. Do we need more reasons to eat these?  Okay, here is one more... they are yummy!
5. Wild Alaskan King Salmon - 3 ounces: 200 calories/11.5 grams fat/0 grams carbs/21 grams protein. Alaskan salmon is full of natural vitamins, minerals and nutrients that will help you get/stay healthy.  It is one of the purest and most beneficial natural foods available.  It is a good source of protein and does not have the high saturated fat content typical in fatty meat products.  Now, I know not everyone is going to love salmon... or even fish for that matter but you should really try to find some sort of fish that you enjoy!  Fish, in general, is a low fat, high quality protein.
6. Jay Robb Vanilla Whey Protein - 1 scoop: 110 calories/0 grams fat/1 gram carbs/25 grams protein.  Now, a lot of people think that protein shakes are only for body builders and that is just not the case!  I am recommending this brand because it is a natural product so it does not have the additives that some of the others have.  There are other options but I have tried quite a few and this is my favorite. Whey protein provides a  number of benefits in areas including sports nutrition, weight management, immune support, bone health and general wellness!  I actually take a scoop of this protein and add it to my Vanilla Chobani Greek Yogurt for a very filling, healthy snack!
7. Grilled Chicken - 4 ounces: 187 calories/4.05 grams fat/0 grams carbs/35.18 grams protein. Grilled chicken breast provides you with an excellent source of daily protein with very low fat.  Make sure you keep your marinades light and don't add any sauces or you may be increasing your calorie/fat/carb intake.
8. Chipotle Burrito Bowl - Pay close attention... this can go terribly wrong if you don't select your ingredients wisely! My burrito bowl contains 600 calories/15.5 grams fat/46 grams carbs/74 grams protein.  This makes for a VERY filling meal and is loaded with good stuff.  In my bowl I get one scoop of black beans, 3 servings fajita vegetables, 1 serving chicken, 1 serving steak (this is considered double meat not half and half) and garden salsa and that is IT!!!  When you add cheese, sour cream, guacamole, etc your numbers are going to increase drastically!
9. Trident Cinnamon Gum - 1 stick: 5 calories/0 grams fat/1 gram carbs/0 grams protein.  Okay, so this isn't necessarily a "food" per se but I found myself having sweets cravings quite often and with the amount of chocolate and candy my co-workers keep in the office, I had to find a way to satiate these cravings.  I found that when I am thinking about grabbing a fatty, high calorie alternative, if I chew on a piece of gum the cravings subside and I haven't gone horribly off track!
10. WATER - I saved the best for last!  I am a DIE HARD soda drinker... well... I was!  After reading about all of the health benefits of water, I couldn't deny my body of this necessity any longer!  Water will help you lose weight, it is a natural remedy for a headache, it improves your skin's health, makes you more alert, regulates your body temperature, decreases cramps, reduces your risk of cancer, relieves fatigue... the list goes on and on and on!  Do yourself a favor and start drinking water!!  Cut back on the sodas and increase your water intake and work towards totally cutting soda out of your daily regimen!

Now, I understand not all of these will work for everyone because some people chose to be vegetarian or vegan and that is great but I just wanted to share some of the items that fit into my lifestyle that I have enjoyed and that have assisted me in making my physique changes to this point!

Don't be afraid to try new things... make changes to what you are doing now if you want to see a difference in your body!  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a new result... doesn't work!!