Weight Loss – Make the Salad Bar Work for You
Salads can be a great option when trying to lose weight, but it can quickly become a disaster for even the best weight loss plan if you make the 5 mistakes below.
Mistake #1 – Selecting iceberg lettuce.
Iceberg lettuce is one of the most common forms of lettuce you’ll find on a salad bar. Think of iceberg lettuce as crunchy water providing minimal nutrients. Select dark green, leafy lettuce varieties, such as romaine and endive.
Mistake #2 – Skimping on fresh vegetables.
Pile on fresh vegetables, such as peppers, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, and mushrooms. Fresh vegetables are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals.
Mistake #3 – Loading up on salad toppings.
Salad toppings, such as croutons, sesame noodles, and bacon bits should be used sparingly. They are low in nutrients and high in calories.
Mistake #4 – Selecting a high fat, high calorie salad dressing.
You don’t want to ruin a nutritious salad with a poor dressing choice. Opt for vinegar based salad dressings or low fat/calorie salad dressing and use sparingly. Tip: Dip your fork in a small cup of salad dressing before every bite instead of pouring the dressing on your salad.
Mistake #5 – Making too many trips to the salad bar.
Just because the salad bar may include unlimited trips doesn’t mean you have to go back multiple times. Decide in advance how many trips you’ll make and stick with your plan. Even though a well-balanced salad is a healthy choice, too much of a good thing can quickly turn bad!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
Heart Healthy Tips
How to Lower Diastolic Blood Pressure
I’m frequently asked how to lower diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure, so I wanted to give you some good tips to see results.
First of all, you need to have a solid foundation in place that supports a low blood pressure. If you’re not sure what this entails visit Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure.
It’s important that your potassium, calcium, and magnesium intakes are adequate. Studies show that potassium can reduce diastolic blood pressure 2.5 mmHg, calcium 1.5 mmHg, and magnesium 3.4 mmHg.
Don’t forget omega 3 fatty acids. Studies show that consuming fish for one meal everyday decreases diastolic blood pressure 3.0 mmHg. Fish oil supplements are also and option.
With any supplement or nutrient – don’t go overboard! More is not necessarily better.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
https://lisanelsonrd.com
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Omega Q Plus supports:
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Do you peel your fruits and vegetables?
When you peel fruits and vegetables you throw away a large chunk of its nutritional value. Such as a large dietary fiber loss when you throw out an apple skin, along with vitamin C, and various other minerals.
You may be tempted to throw out produce skins due to pesticides. Instead opt to thoroughly wash your produce to remove potential contaminants. If you are especially concerned, consider buying organic produce.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
eNutritionServices
I Say Yes!
I recently stumbled across a great campaign titled “I Say Yes!” I like the concept and want to share it with you. Here a quick summary and link to where you can learn more if you want to participate.
It is time for people to start saying YES to life. The “I say YES” campaign is on a mission to inspire people to think, act, and feel differently in their daily lives. If you have ever wanted to leap out of bed in the morning, than you need to join us today and participate in this movement. Let’s move away from hurt, struggling and negativity and move into empowerment, courage and gratitude.
The “I say YES to the Universe” campaign is for many types of people. It is for anyone who has ever questioned why they were here, what they were really supposed to do with their life, and who have often wondered if working a 9-5 job is all that there is to life.
Saying YES to life will open your heart up to receive inspiration on the things you should be doing, will encourage you to start serving others and giving back to the world.
“I am on a mission to change the way we think, act, and feel in our daily lives. Many people are so unhappy with their life and they do not know what to do about it. I am here to get people to start saying YES to life, to get them inspired and empowered, and have them start living a life that is juicy, delicious and rich in all ways” says Andrea Costantine.
The official campaign will end on December 31st, but the mission will continue. This is just the beginning of a shift that people are craving and starving for. If you are wondering if there is more to life, there is. People can participate in the campaign by visiting www.i-say-yes.com and purchasing a reminder button and receiving over $1000 in free bonuses to help them start saying YES immediately.
Together we can make a difference. Learn more by visiting www.i-say-yes.com.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
eNutritionServices
Lower Blood Pressure for Mother’s
A recent study examined the long-term effects of pregnancy on blood pressure. Over 2300 women between the ages of 18-30 years-old were tested pre-pregnancy and then periodically between 2-20 years post-pregnancy.
The study found systolic blood pressure to be reduced 2.06 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure 1.50 mm Hg lower after one birth versus women that did not have a child.
Factors such as smoking, medications, birth control, and weight gain were taken into account, but some key factors were not (such as salt intake). So, while the study was not ideal, it does show a promising link between pregnancy and altered endothelial (blood vessel lining) function. I’m sure we’ll learn more about the relationship between pregnancy and long-term blood pressure effects as more studies are completed. Until then it’s good to know there are some potential benefits to help counteract the negatives – increased waist line and reduced HDL good cholesterol.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
eNutritionServices
It’s not the turkey’s fault!
Have you heard the news? Turkey is not to blame for the post-meal Thanksgiving naps. It’s been well-known for years that turkey contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor of serotonin, the neurotransmitter than regulates sleep.
However, tryptophan makes up 1% of the protein in turkey. One percent is the typical content of meat and actually half the tryptophan content of milk (2.34%).
Instead of turkey being at the root of Thanksgiving Dad sleepiness, it’s the carbohydrates in all those side dishes – stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. The extra carbohydrates boost insulin production. It’s speculated that this extra insulin may result in amino acids (excluding tryptophan) to be pulled into muscles for use, leaving a high level of tryptophan in the bloodstream, hence the need for a nap.
Have a great turkey day!
Lisa Nelson, RD
Be Heart Healthy and Lose Weight
