Spring Diet Makeover

Ready to be a stronger, fitter, healthier you?

This is the season to return to healthy eating. Making a few small changes for breakfast, lunch and dinner can add up to big changes in how you look and feel. Try these four doctor-recommended, totally-researched tips to get you started – it’s easy and fun!

● Indulge. Filling up on foods that give you the most bang for your nutrition buck in the least number of calories is key. Studies show that eating a large low-calorie salad as a first course may help keep calories lower for the rest of the meal. Big portions of goodness like iceberg and romaine lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, light mozzarella cheese and small amounts of dressing really do make you feel as if you’ve eaten a lot. Researchers find that when people eat three cups of low-calorie salad before lunch, they can take in as much as 12% fewer calories in the entire meal. Wow!

● Stay Hot-Hot-Hot. Eating hot cooked cereal first thing in the morning is the way to go. Whole-grain cereals have about one-fifth the calorie density of dried cereal, are more filling and keep you fueled, so you can avoid those late morning munchies. Plus, eating a high-fiber breakfast can also help stave off diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.

● Go Green. Green tea has a substance called catechin that may stimulate the body to burn calories, in turn decreasing body fat. Catechins are also rich in anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, and give green tea its punch. Plus, green tea contains zero calories, unlike a can of regular soda, which has about 140 calories. That translates into nine teaspoons of sugar! Green tea also tastes great cold.

● Chocolate Fix. Doctors say one square of good-quality chocolate can go a long way in curbing cravings. Dark chocolate has a stronger flavor that give you more satisfaction for every bite, and the antioxidant properties of dark chocolate have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and diabetes. Dark chocolate is also a good source of magnesium, iron, and potassium, and it boosts serotonin, which can have a positive influence on your mood.

Personalize Custom Wood Cutting Boards at PlaqueMaker

Spice up the kitchen and your spring cooking spree with our custom bamboo wood cutting boards. Perfect for newlyweds, culinary students and foodies from every walk of life! Great for food prep or simply hang as a decoration to complete a gourmet kitchen look. Personalize with initials or monogram, family crest, clip art or other artwork for a custom gift that will be remembered all year long.