Remember to Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, celebrating with friends and family, and EATING! And there is usually a lot of eating at that. In the American culture, and many other cultures, food is part of every celebration. I urge you to keep it part of the celebration, but to readjust your focus away from food being the center of the celebration. When gathered on Thursday, think about what the holiday really means to you. Engage in conversations instead of engaging in the appetizers. Put your fork down, breathe, give thanks, and pick it back up. Catch up with your cousin before going back for seconds, and maybe, just maybe, the break will allow your stomach to catch up and realize you don't need the second helping. Help with the dishes instead of helping "clean-up" the sweets table. Finish your meal with a reflection on all that you have to give thanks about and you will feel satisfied - just give yourself the chance.

Low Fat Diets Could Increase Heart Disease Risk

Nutrition experts are suggesting what EB already knows...and practices! EB Nutrition food plans focus on the balance of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Mono- and polyunsaturated fats are integral for key functions within the body including hormone production, vitamin absorption, organ protection, satiety, and energy production.

The difference in benefits lies in the type of fat. Saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature, are given their name because they are "saturated" with hydrogen molecules. Unsaturated fats contain one (mono) or many (poly) double bonds, giving them more fluid properties. Because saturated fats are solid, they tend to congregate and collect on artery walls, therefore increasing risk for heart disease. One more fat to consider, trans fats, are even more detrimental to health than saturated fats. These man-made fats are chemically a shape that the body does not recognize and therefore has a hard time processing, leading to inflammation and heart disease.

On the other hand, by skimping on fat, as this article suggests, we end up over consuming carbohydrates and sugar. This can lead to weight gain, a huge risk factor for heart disease, as well as insulin resistance and possibly type II diabetes, an even greater risk for heart disease. Furthermore, excessive carbohydrate consumption contributes to elevated triglyceride levels, which is one blood marker used to assess heart disease risk.

In conclusion, don't low-anything in your diet. Moderation is key to health, and by balancing these vital macronutrients, you can achieve balance within your body - both physiologically and emotionally.

Holiday Eating

The holidays get busy and we forget to eat. Skipping meals, especially breakfast, is one of the worst things you can do for your metabolism. Whenever your body does not have enough energy, it slips into conservation mode. Going a long time without eating, more than three or four hours, is actually counterproductive towards weight loss. Your metabolism down-regulates in order to make up for the lack of energy (calories) being consumed. When you are planning a day of holiday shopping or cooking, start the day of with a balanced breakfast. Then, make sure to pack a non-perishable snack for a couple hours later. Try this smoothie recipe to keep yourself in the holiday spirit and energized for all the holiday activities. It will also help keep you away from all those holiday goodies!

Pumpkin Smoothie
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 very ripe medium-sized banana
3/4 cup 0 or 2% Greek yogurt (I recommend Fage brand)
1 tbsp agave nectar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, making sure the ice is completely crushed.

Per 8-10 ounce serving: Calories 167, Calories from Fat 5, Total Fat 0.7g, Cholesterol 2mg, Sodium 74mg, Carbohydrate 34g, Fiber 3.1g, Protein 6.6g

For more balanced breakfast ideas, visit ebnutrition.com.

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