Spring Break
Spring into action for the summer
Lauren Collins
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Opinion
March is National Nutrition Month and with spring break around the corner and the beach season soon to follow, now is the perfect time to focus on eating right and getting active. Many of the tasty, nutritious options are more expensive than a bag of Lays potato chips or a box of Little Debbie snacks, but there are ways to maximize taste options and minimize costs.
Fresh, in-season produce is often cheaper than the frozen or canned options -- with the benefits of no additional preservatives, sodium and sugars. Vegetables and fruits are a great source of nutrients and vitamins with low calorie content. By replacing fatty side items with leafy greens, carrots or apple slices, you can maintain a healthier weight while fooling yourself into believing that you are still eating the same amount of food. You could easily eat two cans of peas before tapping out at the number of calories in a handful of your favorite barbecue chips.
Purchasing food in bulk can also help cut costs. Buying more doesn't mean you eat more, though. Reusing Zip-Lock bags and portioning out appropriate snack foods prevents the additional cost of individually wrapped items and also reduces the likelihood of overeating. Baby carrots, pretzels, celery sticks or raisins are quick, easy snacks for people on the go. Even better: There's no mess!
People who aren't fond of healthy options and insist on indulging in a sweet snack or high-fat, high-calorie side item should consider putting a handful of their naughty selection in a bowl or bag instead of vegging out in front of the television.
If a person can't avoid their favorite fatty food, perhaps they should consider walking to class, rather than riding the bus. It's like a balance beam: Oreos as a snack means you need to park farther from your class to increase the walking distance to make up for the gained calories. You can have the double cheeseburger if you're willing to work it off with an hour-long work out.
You can even enjoy healthy options while dining out as well. Instead of having the loaded baked potato at Wendy's, enjoy the side Caesar salad with a touch of dressing. If you must have the baked potato, avoid the dollop of Daisy and the mound of bacon. Consumers can now substitute apple fries for the greasy French fries at Burger King. To avoid the $2 and about 300 calories, settle for a cup of water instead of the sugary soda. When indulging in group outings to your favorite restaurant, avoid loading up on buttered rolls and fried chips. Opt to split an appetizer or share a large dish after sipping water during the wait.
Several restaurants offer healthier options, but if the meal you select isn't the healthiest option, most places will box half of your meal before they bring it out. This option allows better portion control while offering a leftover meal for the following day. A health tip to consider is requesting dipping sauces and dressings on the side. They don't appear to be a health hazard, but three tablespoons of salad dressing can add up to more than 200 calories, completely defeating the purpose of the expected healthy option. Because bad foods taste so good, it is incredibly difficult to maintain constant control of food urges, but with a mix of portion control and exercise, you're sure to drop a few pounds before the summer's return.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
Fresh, in-season produce is often cheaper than the frozen or canned options -- with the benefits of no additional preservatives, sodium and sugars. Vegetables and fruits are a great source of nutrients and vitamins with low calorie content. By replacing fatty side items with leafy greens, carrots or apple slices, you can maintain a healthier weight while fooling yourself into believing that you are still eating the same amount of food. You could easily eat two cans of peas before tapping out at the number of calories in a handful of your favorite barbecue chips.
Purchasing food in bulk can also help cut costs. Buying more doesn't mean you eat more, though. Reusing Zip-Lock bags and portioning out appropriate snack foods prevents the additional cost of individually wrapped items and also reduces the likelihood of overeating. Baby carrots, pretzels, celery sticks or raisins are quick, easy snacks for people on the go. Even better: There's no mess!
People who aren't fond of healthy options and insist on indulging in a sweet snack or high-fat, high-calorie side item should consider putting a handful of their naughty selection in a bowl or bag instead of vegging out in front of the television.
If a person can't avoid their favorite fatty food, perhaps they should consider walking to class, rather than riding the bus. It's like a balance beam: Oreos as a snack means you need to park farther from your class to increase the walking distance to make up for the gained calories. You can have the double cheeseburger if you're willing to work it off with an hour-long work out.
You can even enjoy healthy options while dining out as well. Instead of having the loaded baked potato at Wendy's, enjoy the side Caesar salad with a touch of dressing. If you must have the baked potato, avoid the dollop of Daisy and the mound of bacon. Consumers can now substitute apple fries for the greasy French fries at Burger King. To avoid the $2 and about 300 calories, settle for a cup of water instead of the sugary soda. When indulging in group outings to your favorite restaurant, avoid loading up on buttered rolls and fried chips. Opt to split an appetizer or share a large dish after sipping water during the wait.
Several restaurants offer healthier options, but if the meal you select isn't the healthiest option, most places will box half of your meal before they bring it out. This option allows better portion control while offering a leftover meal for the following day. A health tip to consider is requesting dipping sauces and dressings on the side. They don't appear to be a health hazard, but three tablespoons of salad dressing can add up to more than 200 calories, completely defeating the purpose of the expected healthy option. Because bad foods taste so good, it is incredibly difficult to maintain constant control of food urges, but with a mix of portion control and exercise, you're sure to drop a few pounds before the summer's return.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
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