Calories | Health & Wellness

Low-Cal Drinks to Beat the Heat

water1 Low Cal Drinks to Beat the Heat I went for a walk at my local park the other day. By the time I was done with a relatively short walk, I was dripping with sweat. These hot summer days can really take some of the perk out of a workout. Water is your best choice for refreshing hydration, but sometimes you might crave a little more flavor. Try these ideas for low-calorie drinks:

- Add slices of citrus (such as orange, lemon and lime) in the bottom of a pitcher along with some crushed mint leaves. Fill with ice and water and let it steep in your refrigerator.

- Go for the sun with Self.com’s recipe for Sun Tea With Mint. This tasty drink only has 5 calories per glass!

- Freeze balls of cantaloupe and honeydew and add them to a glass of zero calorie sparkling water.

- When a more “adult” beverage is in order, try Eating Well’s Summer Fruit Punch. It’s a bit steep at 203 calories; to lower the calorie count try reducing the fruit juice in the drink and adding some more seltzer.

- Blend honeydew melon with ice and add sparkling water as needed to thin drink into a tasty slushy. For better results, freeze balls of melon before blending.

- Add a raspberry twist to lemonade with Fitness Magazine’s Tangy Citrus Lemonade.

Not-So-Cool News About Frozen Drinks

frozendrinks 300x300 Not So Cool News About Frozen Drinks Rarely a day goes by that my son doesn’t ask for money to go buy a Slurpee. I’m not opposed to him having a treat now and then — especially a cool frozen drink on these hot summer days, but no matter how many times I say “no” and remind him that Slurpees are not every day drinks, he keeps on asking. I suppose I have to give him points for persistence…but kids aren’t the only addicts of frozen, sugary drinks.

Adults turn to frosty treats too when the temperatures rise, but we’d be much better off with a cold glass of water — those frozen drinks can pack on the pounds.

Some of the worst offenders:

- Tim Horton’s Mocha Ice Capp (20 oz., with cream) — 670 calories, 85 grams of sugar, 32 grams of fat.

- McDonald’s Chocolate Triple Thick Shake (21 oz.) — 770 calories, 111 grams of sugar, 18 grams of fat.

- Cold Stone Creamery Oh Fudge! Shake (24 oz.) — 1920 calories, 200 grams of sugar, 106 grams of fat.

Yikes! The 8 oz. Slurpees I let my son have occasionally have a tame-by-comparison 65 calories and 18 grams of sugar. Still, 18 grams of sugar is a lot for a single drink especially when there are lighter options available to cool you down and quench your thirst. Replace your high calorie frozen drinks with these refreshing options:

Add slices of citrus and mint to a pitcher of ice water and steep for a subtle infusion of flavor.
Blend low-fat yogurt with frozen fruit and a little sparkling water for a healthy smoothie.
Use frozen melon balls instead of ice cubes in a glass of sparkling water.

The Truth About BBQ Fare

bigstockphoto barbeque food 597171 101213348 std 242x300 The Truth About BBQ Fare Being a vegetarian, there normally aren’t many edible options for me at the BBQ’s I’ve been attending this summer – hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs – so I normally just stick to the sides and call it a day. Little did I know that some of the sides I’ve been chowing down are going right to my thighs!

Coleslaw used to be my BFF, but now I’ll be steering clear of that too. Just one cup has 15 grams of fat and over 250 calories! The average cheeseburger on a plain bun with ketchup is about 400 calories — not too much more than my go-to side dish.

The bottom line – enjoy your summer BBQ’s but don’t over indulge. You can opt for healthier choices such as portebello mushroom burgers or veggie kabobs and cutting out the starchy carbs by skipping the bun on your hot dog or hamburger (or just opting for 1/2 of the bun instead of a full one) is also calorie saver.

Eat Right: Portion Size Matters

2008 09 13 portionsize 300x225 Eat Right: Portion Size Matters If you’re anything like me you frequently dine out. Of course, you can opt for healthy meals – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re eating healthily. Restaurants tend to over serve, making portion sizes almost double what they should be.

“Depending on your body’s needs, meals should be between 350-500 calories,” says NYC Nutritionist, Dara Godfrey. ”If calories aren’t listed on the menu it’s very important to pay attention to the portion size.”

A piece of protein should be about 3-6 ounces – about the size of two Blackberry phones stacked on top of each other or a deck of cards. Normally the petite fillet on the menu is about 9 ounces, so you can see how portions might be askew. It’s always tempting to over eat — especially on carbs, and especially during dinner time when the bread basket comes out first…but pay attention! You should only have a fist size portion of refined carbs (starchy carbs — like bread, pasta and potatoes) per meal. As far as veggies go, load up! Just make sure they’re grilled or broiled.

The Truth About Dried Fruit

diced dried fruit medley The Truth About Dried Fruit You’re constantly told to fill up on your fruit and veggies, so adding dried fruit to your salads seems harmless enough, right?

Wrong. Well, not if you’re trying to lose weight.

Dried fruit has no water in it (hence, the ‘dried’ part) plus it is loaded with sugar, so it’s very high in calories. Since there’s barely any fiber in it, you won’t feel full after consuming either.

So what good does it do for you? Nothing. A better alternative would be to cut up a fresh apple to add a healthy crunch to your salad — much better than dried fruit and fat-laden croutons!

If you love dried fruit, indulge in it as a treat, but not as a regular part of your diet.

Get Fit for Better Sex

1125 feet sex bed couple sm 300x207 Get Fit for Better Sex It’s guaranteed that if you and your partner work out regularly you’re going to have better sex. That’s a no brainer — but let’s explore why getting fit will take your bedroom session from great to mind blowing:

1. Confidence: Even if you don’t look as toned as Victoria and David Beckham, if you know you’re in great shape for your body type — when the clothes come off, it’s on. There’s nothing worse than being insecure between the sheets. (Ever hear him say, “Can we turn off the lights?”)

2. Stamina: How many miles can you run? Great, then keep going. Who says squats are only for the gym? Sex is a work out. No?

3. Awareness: Understanding what your body is capable of including likes, dislikes and how strong you are is a big plus when hitting the sack. Can you do a split? Few push ups? You know what I’m getting at… *wink*

Now get to it! Hit the gym and bring him too! And remember — just one-half hour of love making session can burn between 50 – 100 calories.