What are your Numbers?

I'm not talking about blood pressure, cholesterol or weight. 

What are your 'feeding' times?!

When you have a baby, you feed the baby on a schedule. Children are on a lunch schedule at school and enjoy an after school snack before dinner. 

It's time for YOU to get back on schedule!  

So, let's figure out your numbers! My numbers are 7  10  1  4  7.

I eat breakfast at 7am, mid-morning snack at 10am, lunch at 1pm, afternoon snack at 4pm and dinner at 7pm. This is the way I fuel my system from the time I wake until I hit the hay. If my body stays happily full, it will continue to burn calories/fat all day. It's not the end of the world if I eat lunch at 1:30 or 2, but this is a guideline that I try and stick with. I know that if I skip a meal, I will pig out at 7 when I get home from work.

We've discussed a few healthy breakfast ideas, so now let's talk healthy snacks!! 

Think about snacks when you are grocery shopping. Stroll through the produce section and pick out things that you enjoy and will look forward to eating. Find a cute lunch box or bag so that you can stock it and always have healthy snacks on hand. My husband got me a great lunch tote for Christmas and I'm telling you, it makes a difference! I LOVE packing it, carrying it, looking at it, opening it... :) 

You have to be prepared with healthy snacks! You are NOT to visit the vending machine at work!

 

• All fruits and veggies are fair game! Pick ones that are easy to grab and go!
• Apples...(I can't live without my apple wedger) Grab some peanut butter for dip!
• Bananas
• Grapes...try them frozen!
• Grapefuit and peaches come in jars already cut up for you! Avoid the ones swimming in sugary syrup! 
• Broccoli or carrots...Want ranch? Try hummus or homemade guacamole instead.
• If crunch is calling, Wheat Thins or Triscuits are good options with low ingredient lists and made with whole wheat. I'm sure there are more out there (think Kashi) but those are my two favorites. Watch your portion! Do not just sit down with the whole box!
• Small protein shake or half a protein bar
• Half sandwich or wrap
• Cheese stick 
• Almonds (tip: an empty Altoids tin holds the perfect serving)
• Dry cereal (Portion it out!)
• 100 calorie snack packs are easy to keep in your lunch bag for when you forget to pack something better
• A small piece of dark chocolate along with something more filling is fine! Remember, you are not 'dieting'! Nothing is stictly off limits. Dark chocolate is healthy in moderation!

Whatever you pick to eat, pack it the night before so that you have no excuses in the morning. Portion out the diced fruit or crackers. Make the sandwich or wrap.

Shopping with healthy snacks in mind will help you weed out the junk food and start keeping healthy snacks on hand at home. We want the entire family to be healthy! No need for tempting junk in the house! Do not fall for 'fat free'! Many fat-free foods are loaded with sugar, and therefore have even more calories than their full-fat cousins!

In a perfect world, we would not eat processed foods. I struggle with this myself. I'd love to give them all up but they taste good and are convenient. My new plan is to check ingredients on everything. If I can't pronounce them or there are way too many of them, I don't buy it. Strive to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can but don't beat yourself up for craving cookies or crackers every now and then. Remember-anything that you make yourself is better than store bought. If you are having a hard time giving up the 40 ingredient granola bar, look for a recipe online that has the ingredients that you like...raisins, oatmeal, pecans...

Give your body the right food and it will do the right thing.