**Foods & Drinks**

Healthy Foods & Drinks For Everyone!!

I am asked so often.... Eydie, what do you eat, what do you drink?? So, I have put together a list! These are items that are really for everyone, not just people who are trying to lose weight, or that have had the surgery! These are things that I serve and have in my own home!

PROTEINS: Low fat cheese sticks, cottage cheese, turkey, chicken, ham, venison, roast beef, eggs, yogurts (Greek Yogurt has more protein), Laughing Cow Cheese (many different flavors), etc.

FRUITS: bananas, apples, pears, oranges, kiwi, grapes, grapefruits, star fruits, mango, peaches, pineapples, etc.

Fresh fruits are the best, but also can use frozen or canned. If you use canned fruits, make sure they are packed in their own juices... NO ADDED SUGARS!

VEGETABLES: carrot sticks, celery sticks, tomatoes, romaine lettuce (any of your darker green lettuces - no iceberg lettuce as there is no nutritional value in it), spinach leaves, green-red-orange peppers, cucumbers, radishes, etc.

DRINKS: Powerade Zero, G2, Crystal Lite, FUZE... and most importantly... water! When buying the drinks... always check the labels! So many of these look alike, and it is so easy to buy the wrong thing! The Powerade Zero, and G2 look just like the regular Gatorades, but we can have only the ZERO or the G2!!! These have so much less sugar, or no sugar! When buying the FUZE... again, watch labels. There are a few varieties that have 5 or 10 calories... these are great, but there are also a couple of them that are extremely high in sugar and calories, so be careful!

IDEAS FOR HEALTHIER SNACKS:
Apple wedges with peanut butter
Apple wedges with soft 'Laughing Cow Cheese'
Celery sticks with peanut butter
Carrot sticks with 'Laughing Cow Cheese'
Cottage cheese with pineapple tidbits
Cheese stick wrapped with a slice of deli turkey or ham
Yogurt with fresh fruit
Veggie sticks with dip made from Greek yogurt & Onion Soup Mix
Grape tomatoes dipped in 'Laughing Cow Cheese'

FOODS TO AVOID!!!!

BREADS & PASTAS! They are made from the unhealthy carbs that trigger cravings! Proteins keep you feeling full for a longer period of time. The more carbs you eat, then hungrier you get. You still get your healthy carbs through your fruits and vegetables.

ALSO AVOID POP, CHIPS, AND CANDY.... AT ALL COSTS!!! These are foods that bring on fat the quickest, and... there is NO nutritional value in them at all! Once you eat them, it is so quickly, that you will be craving more... and then more, and then the cycle just keeps going! You never get "full" with these foods!

By eating the healthier snacks, you will feel more satisfied for a longer span, and ... once you rid your body of the "JUNK FOODS" you will notice a difference within. You will start to feel "CLEANER". Yes, it will be tough at first, but... use the "TOUGH LOVE" on yourself... You are SO worth it!!

**REMEMBER: NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS HEALTHY FEELS!!!!!<strong>

June 14, 2011

Greetings again my Dear Friends and Family!
I know it has been awhile since I have up-dated here! I am still getting along wonderfully! I am feeling SO good, SO healthy! I am still on my program 100% and it really isn't even a challenge... it has just become such a way of life for me! I still eat very basic foods. My proteins, fruits and veggies!
I've had another birthday now! Ha... I say, yes, another birthday, but not any older! I am now 47 yrs old, but I feel fabulous! I have lost the 170 lbs!!!! I feel better... I feel younger than I have in years!!!! I am riding a bike again (2-wheeler)! I am mowing the lawn again (with a push mower). Isn't that incredible???? So, it is amazing how well I feel!!! But... that is why I also say I am NOT going back!
I am still checking my blood sugars every once in awhile.... and they are still running between 80-90!
I am still helping out at the clinic/hospital when I can with their nutrition classes, the support groups, informal counceling, and Orientation Day, etc. I am still working with my schooling too (Dietary Manager/Medical Nutrition). That is going very slowly, just so hard to find time to study, and work with my projects! But... still plugging along with it!
I hope each of you are enjoying the summer time! We've only had a couple of days that truly felt like "SUMMER" but its still nice to have the break! We are in the heart of baseball season here with the kids! They are having a great season!
Well... all for tonight, and once again... I thank you Dearly for ALL of your grand support! Your emails, your calls.... they ALL mean so much to me!!! Your are the best!
Love to all... Eydie :-)