First off, pat yourself on the back. It’s not easy to commit to giving your body a reboot. Restructuring your eating plan and exercise routine will ultimately lead you to a better body and overall, a better, healthier, happier you.
Though we may be able to plan our weekly meals, one thing we may not be able to plan is our in-between meal hunger. Whether during a work meeting or driving to soccer practice, hunger can strike at any time.
To bypass the 3:00 p.m. snack attack that can often lead us to breaking out a candy bar or ripping open a bag of high-fat potato chips, it’s important to keep convenient snacks within arm’s reach. Low-calorie snacks that pack protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals are best “snack attack” options. One snack I’m always recommending to my clients and athletes is dried plums. Dried plums are truly a golden find when it comes to nutrition as they support your body in several ways. Naturally sweet, dried plums support bone health, heart health, digestive health, immunity and healthy aging. I think of them as The Whole Package. Dried plums also have no sodium and are fat free. A daily serving, 4 to 5 dried plums, has fewer than 100 calories. All this, and they taste great!
Dried plums make a great grab-and-go food item. They’re shelf stable and require no refrigeration. You can keep them everywhere: in your gym bag, office desk drawer, glove compartment or purse. Studies have shown that dried plums may help with satiety. In other words, they can help curb your appetite by filling you up so you might be less likely to overeat later in the day. Dried plums can also satisfy a sweet craving. Who doesn’t like a little bit of sweetness as part of their everyday diet?
Below are some reasons why I think dried plums are The Whole Package along with some tips to lead you to a better body:
Promotes Good Bone Health
- Dried plums contain vitamins and minerals such as potassium, copper, boron and vitamin K that support bone health.
- Dried plums help keep bones strong by preventing bone mineral loss, which can lead to osteoporosis.
- Dried plums may help prevent fractures and osteoporosis.
Encourages Healthy Eating
- Dried plums are economical, require no refrigeration and are a convenient and portable snack, making them easy to incorporate into your daily food choices.
- Dried plums may increase your antioxidant intake.
- Dried plums help with weight management by curbing your appetite.
10 Essential Tips for Achieving Optimal Wellness
- Eat nourishing foods, including an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables. (Dried plums are part of the USDA’s “My Plate” food recommendations.)
- Try to get vitamins and minerals from whole foods.
- Get daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
- Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise, and avoid smoking and drinking excessive alcohol.
- Consume adequate protein.
- Stay hydrated.
- Step outside for a breath of fresh air.
- Strengthen your core.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Manage stress.
No comments:
Post a Comment