Do you often enjoy junk food and then feel guilty about it later? We have some good news. Not all packaged and easy-to-make snacks out there are unhealthy! From air-popped popcorn to baked sweet potato fries, plenty of tasty options won’t wreck your health as much as you imagine. So, don’t feel bad about satisfying your cravings occasionally. Here are a few suggestions for a quick bite to satisfy those hunger pangs.
Popcorn
Popcorn is a favorite snack for many, especially when watching a movie. It’s a good source of fiber, which can keep you full and satisfied. It also has antioxidants called polyphenols, which are shown to reduce inflammation and protect against cancer and heart disease. When choosing popcorn, buy plain, air-popped varieties or make them at home. Air-popped varieties are healthy, low-calorie, and great fiber alternatives.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate is often associated with indulgence and guilt, but dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa does have health benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants called flavanols, which are shown to improve heart health and reduce inflammation. Researchers have found that dark chocolate with a high amount of cocoa (at least 70%) can improve blood pressure, reduce heart disease risk, and improve brain blood flow. Dark chocolate also contains iron, magnesium, and copper, which are important for overall health.
Nuts
Nuts are often considered a high-calorie and unhealthy snack. However, they’re a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats that can help keep you feeling full and satisfied. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to improve heart health and reduce inflammation. Nuts are also a good source of vitamin E, which benefits skin and eye health. But remember, always pick unsalted or unsweetened varieties.
Sweet potato fries
French fries may be a classic junk food, but sweet potato fries are a healthy alternative. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants that can help protect against cancer and heart disease. They’re also a good source of complex carbs, which provide sustained energy and help regulate blood sugar levels. Since sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index, they’re less likely to cause spikes in blood glucose than regular potato fries.
Guacamole
Guacamole is a delicious dip often considered unhealthy due to its high fat content. However, the fat in guacamole comes from avocados, a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These are good fats that help improve heart health and reduce inflammation. Avocados are also rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and K. They have been shown to lower cholesterol levels, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative to other yogurts because it’s high in protein and low in sugar. It’s made by straining regular yogurt to remove excess liquid and concentrate the protein. This process also removes some lactose, making it easier for those with lactose intolerance to digest. Greek yogurt is a good source of calcium, important for bone health, and probiotics, essential for a healthy gut and robust immune system. Enjoy it as is, or add fresh fruit and a tiny amount of honey for a healthier and more satisfying snack!
Salsa
Salsa is a flavorful sauce often enjoyed with chips or as a topping for tacos. While chips aren’t the healthiest option, salsa is a suitable choice low in calories, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s typically made with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and peppers. These veggies are rich in vitamins A and C and antioxidants that can protect against cancer and heart disease. Salsa sauce is also a good source of fiber and can help keep you full and satisfied.
Edamame
Edamame is a popular snack often enjoyed at Japanese restaurants. It’s made from soybeans that are still in their pods and can be steamed or boiled and seasoned with salt. Edamame is a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins C and K. It’s also rich in isoflavones. These antioxidants can reduce inflammation and protect against certain cancers. Edamame can be enjoyed individually as a snack or added to salads and stir-fries for a healthy and flavorful twist.
Hummus
Hummus is a delicious dip made from chickpeas, tahini, and other healthy ingredients. It’s rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats that can help keep you feeling full and satisfied. Chickpeas are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, which can improve digestion and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Hummus can be enjoyed as a dip with raw vegetables or whole-grain crackers or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
Frozen berries
Berries are a sweet and satisfying treat that can be pretty healthy. Strawberries and raspberries are particularly good sources of antioxidants and fiber. They can help protect against cancer and heart disease, improve digestion, and regulate blood sugar. Freezing doesn’t significantly lower the nutritional value of fresh fruits, so feel free to munch on some frozen berries when hunger strikes.
It’s important to remember that while these junk foods may be healthier than their traditional counterparts, they should still be had in moderation. A food plan rich in whole, unprocessed foods is the best way to maintain optimal health. Incorporating these healthier junk food options into your nutrition plan can be a great way to satisfy cravings without sacrificing your health goals.
Biologically, carbohydrates are a form of starch or polysaccharides (sugars). These are broken down to glucose by the liver and released into the blood for energy supply. This energy is called calories. So, once the required amount of glucose (glycogen as its form is called) is released, the calories that are in excess gets converted into fat that will further gets stored in fat cells for later use. Processed sugar or foods like pasta, bread, candies, rice, etc. are calorie rich and if consumed in excess it may lead to high sugar levels in the blood or weight gain. It is more likely that you will be suggested to restrict your carbohydrate intake if you are a diabetes patient or someone who is trying to lose weight. A plan that restricts or limits carb in a diet is what low carb meal plans are all about. Such a diet plan is not only low in carbohydrates but also high in proteins and fats.
Most low carb diet plans teach one of the simplest concepts of keeping your preferred food as something that is low on carb or can be called whole foods (or unprocessed as they are called). A good start here ussually is to include a lot of fruits and green veggies which are very low on carbohydrates. Fruits are also high on fibers that give the required energy while keeping the blood sugar levels under check. There are several diet plans available abundantly if you run an online search which all have the same basic that teaches you to train your body. Training your body involves burning fat (the stored energy) with low carb foods and not sugar (additional supply) as a source of energy. Here are a few tips that most low carb diet plans may propagate. These plans can help you to cut-down the intake of your carbohydrates on a daily basis.
To keep your bathroom shining and hygienic all the time, you need to choose the right cleaners. A single product may not be good for cleaning everything in the bathroom. You need separate cleaners for every item right from a bathtub to sink to the toilet; everything needs special attention. Usually different types of dirt get accumulated in the bathroom. Deposits of hard water, soap scum, hair, dust, and mold are some of them. To clean everything, you will need different tools and cleaners. The following tips will help you choose the best bathroom cleaners for your bathrooms to look as good as new.
General bathroom cleaners
Look for a general bathroom cleaner that will clean soap scum from walls, plastic and also glass surfaces. The product should also be able to clean the shower heads and taps. Try to find the cleaner in a spray form. It becomes easy to spray the cleaner on all the surfaces rather than trying to put it from a container. Bathrooms are full of germs and cross-contamination is very easy in here. So the general bathroom cleaner must have a disinfectant that can kill all the germs in the bathroom and also offer protection from mold and mildew.
Floor cleaners
The floor needs to be cleaned with a separate cleaner. It should be strong enough to clean the grime, dirt, all types of stains and shoe marks from the floor. Moreover, it should be easy to use both with a traditional mop and the modern model of innovative mop. The cleaners should be good to use on any type of flooring like wood, stone or marble, without causing any changes or defects to the floor. The cleanser must sanitize the floor and should not leave a shiny oily film after cleaning.
Toilet cleaner
Buy a separate cleaner that is meant to clean only the toilet. Do not use the bathroom cleaners to clean the toilet. Find automatic cleaners that will clean the toilet all by itself after applying. However, you need to do some scrubbing. You also need to make sure you clean the dirt under the rim. To avoid a terrible odor in the bathroom, find cleaners that are environment-friendly and that does not contain harsh chemicals. Soak the toilet for a while before scrubbing it with a brush to clean the dirt from every part of the toilet.
As a common consumer, you have many options available in the market to choose from. But not all products give the same result and not all are eco-friendly. So read the labels and make a wise decision when shopping for bathroom cleaners. Look for product reviews from friends and family. Choose products that give best results and that do not leave bad odor in your bathroom.
Our first step into the kitchen, and we all want to make something yummy, something out of the box, and most often something sweet. Baking is one thing that kids and adults both enjoy. Here are two baking techniques that could be used in any recipe. Once these methods are mastered, there isn’t anything you cannot bake.
Whisking
This is one of the most basic and most important technique of baking. Ball, flat, balloon, coil or cage – there are different whisks for different types of baking. A whisk is generally used to add air and body into the wet mixture consisting of eggs, sugar and butter, used for preparing a cake batter. Flour, cocoa, baking powder/soda are sieved and then gently folded into this wet mixture in batches. The standard process requires you to alternate between the dry ingredients and any other special ingredients that you need to add to the wet mixture. The batter needs to be folded well, in a way that there aren’t any visible lumps. It needs to be smooth. Note that not every cake has a rising agent like baking soda, and hence you need to whisk it well for the cake to rise properly. Sponge cakes that have no butter and are rather light and other cakes that aren’t too fatty also need be whisked well to be baked to perfection. The best practice for preventing lumps is to move, twirl, spin and shake the bowl as you whisk all the ingredients together. You can also use the end of your whisk to break any lumps. Be a little light handed to attain a light and airy texture for your cake.
Creaming
This technique forms the base for a lot of baked goodies, mainly cakes and cookies. Creaming is essentially the process of softening solid fats and turning them into a smooth consistency for blending with other baking ingredients. It isn’t the easiest technique to master and requires some practice. The process begins by beating sugar and fat (butter, shortening or others) until they are light and creamy. You can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment at medium speed or go old school by doing it with your hand. Make sure that the butter is at room temperature and isn’t straight out of the freezer. In the bowl of your stand mixer, add the butter and sugar. Beat them together on a medium speed for a few minutes. Stop in between to scrape down the sides of the bowl as required. Stop the mixer when you notice the mixture is light, airy and creamy. You can then incorporate all the other baking ingredients to make decadent cakes or cookies.