Robard Weight Loss

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back to School They Go...

If you haven’t been to a store lately to see the signs, I wanted to let you know: It’s Back to School Season! (I know, it’s a bit hard to miss.) It’s time to load up the backpack, set the alarms, and herd the kids out the door at an hour many haven’t seen since June. Oh, and don’t forget their lunch!

This year, when packing your child’s lunch, vow to include meals that promote brain health! Not only are these foods good for your child (and you), they are shown to promote healthy brain function and could just be the extra boost needed to turn a B into an A!

Try to include some of the following foods in their lunches:

Stick with Whole Grains:

Slow-burning carbs are excellent fuel for the brain and include Vitamin B, which can help combat stress and promote healthy blood flow.

Leafy Green Vegetables:

Mineral rich, these veggies promote clear thinking and mental focus.

Berries:

Packed with antioxidants, try blueberries and blackberries to boost brain health.

Nuts and Seeds:

Full of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, nuts and seeds work as natural antidepressants and help you to think more clearly. Some include thiamine and magnesium, which are great for memory, cognitive function, and brain nourishment.

Eggs:

Full of B12 and lecithin, eggs help prevent brain shrinkage due to brain atrophy, which is often seen later in life in Alzheimer’s disease.

Chocolate:

Obviously you want to consume this one in moderation, but a piece of dark chocolate, high in cocoa, can help increase blood flow to your brain.

These are some of the best foods to promote brain health, but there are many more. Use these as guidelines to create a nutritious lunch for your children, and yourself.

What would you recommend to other parents to pack for their children to promote a healthy brain function and a healthy lifestyle?

 

Sources:
http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-foods-for-brain-health.php

http://www.oprah.com/food/Foods-to-Keep-Your-Brain-Healthy-Aine-McAteers-Blog/2

10 Most Fattening Foods of Summer

This past weekend brought in the unofficial beginning of summer, which for many people - including myself - amounts to picnics, time spent lounging in the sun (with a good SPF, of course!), and get togethers. I loved this list - from WebMD - so much that I needed to share with you the 10 Most Fattening Foods of Summer. Knowledge is power folks - so be aware of these foods, and the healthier options you can choose instead!

1. High-Fat Meats on the Barbeque: Instead of cheeseburgers and pork or beef ribs, stick to lean cuts such as pork tenderloin, skinless chicken breast, and lean ground beef!
2. Ball Game Delights: You might think it's the calories that make these options - hot dogs, sausages, and bratwursts - better left untouched, but it's the sodium. With oftentimes well over 1000 grams of sodium, choose to enjoy the ball game with something more nutritious!
3. Mayonnaise-based Salads: Your potato/pasta salads and coleslaw can be just as good with light mayonnaise or "German-style" with more vinegar than oil. Substituting healthier ingredients will let you enjoy these options, guilt-free!
4. Skip the Umbrella Drinks: Sipping on a frozen concoction can pile on the calories. Instead, try a fruit juice and seltzer based mixed drink, wine, or a wine spritzer as a healthier option.
5. Skip the Sweetened Drinks: Sweet tea, soda, and energy drinks might seem like great thirst quenching options, but they are laden with calories that add up in a hurry. Choose water instead, or, if you must, choose light options!
6. Frozen Treats: We all know that huge fudge sundaes are a no-no (as tasty as they may be), but to eat well you don't need to give up all frozen treats. Instead, snack on sherbets, fudge bars, and fruit bars to quench your cravings and cool off from the summer sun.
7. Fair Food: Generally "eat-while-you-walk" foods aren't good for you. If you want to partake, choose cotton candy or a caramel apple and be sure to SHARE!
8. Salad Toppers: Not just a problem in the summer, but a nutritional salad can be turned fattening by adding dressings and high-calorie toppings. Choose light dressings and veggies as your salad toppers.
9. Mindless Munching: Eat in moderation - a handful won't hurt, but make sure you stop there! Even better: much on veggies and dip or fat-free popcorn.
10. Fried Chicken: If it's deep friend, it's just not good for you. Choose a boneless, skinless chicken breast, add some seasoning, and I bet you'll forget all about the bucket of chicken you were thinking about buying.

Do you have anything else to add to this list? Let me know if the comments below!

View the original article at: http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-most-fattening-foods-summer 

Snacking Sensibly!

When I was in high school, my parents gave me $2.00 every day to buy lunch. I would stand in line in the cafeteria, tray in hand, scrunching my nose at everything I passed until I reached the worker scooping out french fries, at which point I'd sweetly smile and hope she'd give me a larger serving than most. Right before I'd go to pay, I'd grab a carton of chocolate milk and a straw. On most days, this was my entire lunch - leaving my body without the vital nutrients it needed to keep me alert in class and satiated throughout the day.

No-one ever asked me how I was spending that $2.00, talked to me about nutrition, or brought up a simple concept that we've been discussing here at Robard: Sensible snacking. It's simple really: substitute an unhealthy option with a nutrient rich one.

Have a sweet tooth? A piece of fruit like an apple or banana is a better option than an ice cream sundae. Want something savory? There's more than just potato chips! I've been snacking on our Sour Cream Crunch O's lately and they quench my cravings! Are you a chocolate lover? It is possible to partake in a chocolate-y treat that is still healthy for you! We have plenty of bars that can satisfy you - our Chocolate Mint Bar tastes a lot like a peppermint patty if you ask me - or you can grab a fat-free pudding from your local grocery store.

Eating healthy isn't about depriving yourself of the foods you love - it's about choosing healthy options instead of unhealthy ones! Sensible snacking isn't just for people wanting to lose weight - it's for everyone!