Oatmeal is one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. Some people may think that oatmeal is an acquired taste. However, it depends how you make it. Oatmeal can be embellished in different in order to make tasty treat and very yummy.
But first, let's talk about a few of oatmeal health benefits:
1. Oatmeal can lower blood cholesterol .
2. Helps with slow digestion
3. Reduce the risk of heart disease
4. Has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
5. A good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron
6. It's very filling because of its soluble fiber. (It sticks to the ribs.)
Oatmeal is quick and easy to make, especially you don't have time to cook breakfast each morning. You can make oatmeal so that can be delicious for children. My children love it, but they each have their own favorite way of eating oatmeal. You can even buy flavored oatmeal or can try some of these ideas to make your oatmeal.....mmmmm...mmmmm....good for your family.
1. Add fresh fruit such strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.
2. Brown Sugar (about 1 tsp)
3. Dried fruit (I love to add dried cranberries...YUM!!)
4. Maple Syrup (More like a drizzle)
5. Cinnamon
6. Dry breakfast cereal (Honey Bunches of Oats or Fiber One Honey clusters)
7. Granola
You can pretty much make your oatmeal any way want to fit your taste. Another tip: You can use milk instead of water to make your oatmeal, which adds calcium.
Peanut Butter-Banana OatmealJif.com
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 1/2 cups water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup Simply Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
2 medium ripe bananas, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Brown sugar and skim milk to taste
COMBINE oats, water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and cook 5 minutes or until thick and creamy, stirring occasionally.
ADD peanut butter, bananas and cinnamon; stir to combine. Serve immediately. Top with brown sugar and milk, if desired. And Voilà!
High glycemic foods are foods with a high glycemic index.
According to Wikipedia glycemic index, (GI) is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly during digestion and release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream have a high GI; carbohydrates that break down more slowly, releasing glucose more gradually into the bloodstream, have a low GI.
This is why we should limit our amount of foods with a high glycemic index. Too much of a good thing is not the best thing for our health. When it comes to foods with a high GI, we have to limit our portion.
Foods with a high glycemic index range 70 or above. Foods such as white rice, white potatoes, popcorn, waffles, pancakes, etc.
The SouthBeach Diet Beginners website has a great chart that shows foods with low, medium, and high glycemic index.
Check it out. You will probably be surpeise what foods have a high glycemic index.
Here's to your health. Have a bless week.
The health food pyramid is a guide to give you what you should eat to maintain a balanced diet. Sometimes, too much of a good thing is not always healthy for you. However, being mindful of your food portions is the best way not overeat or not to eat too little. Not to mention, that it can help you balance calories.
The food pyramid above is supposed to be the revised pyramid that U.S. government issued to offer more guidelines on how to feed your family.
Limit Red Meat simply means not to eat too much of lamb, veal, beef, and pork everyday. Even if you opt to eat red meat 2 to 3 times a week, that should be fine. But, keep in mind that red meat is either high in fat and/or high in saturated fats, which can lead to heart disease or clog arteries. Instead of red meat, substitute it for turkey, fish, chicken, and turkey.
Here's a tip:
When making spaghetti or any recipe that calls for ground beef, try ground turkey. You can barely tell the difference; And it's delicious. Think about your favorite your recipes and see how you can improvise and substitute your meat.
Next week, we will see what exactly are high glycemic foods and why we should put a limit on them, according to the food pyramid.
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
We can glorify God in our body by taking care of it. We should be mindful of our health. God can use us more effectively when we are in good health. So that way we can go out and spread His good news.
With that in mind, each Monday, I will give you tips, nutrition information, and any other information that promotes good health and keeping in shape. It is God's will for us to be in good health. "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit,"
(3 John 1:2)
Water is something I need to drink more. There are times I will drink at least 3 bottles of water in a day. And there are other times, when I barely get in one bottle. I am making an effort to drink more water. Drinking water has its benefits.
I read a few from Mangosteen Natural Remedies
The functions of water in human body are vital. The water:
•Transport nutrients and oxygen into cells
•Moisturizes the air in lungs
•Helps with metabolism
•Protect our vital organ
•Helps our organs to absorb nutrients better
•Regulates body temperature
•Detoxifies
•Protect and moisturizes our joints
So, as you can see, drinking water is a vital part of a balance diet. If you are not a big water drinker, try putting cucumbers and lemon in your water. That's right cucumbers. It's a fun way to add flavor to your water, as well as take advantage of all the nutrients that cucumbers and lemon have to offer in your water.
If you are always on the go, try to put a few bottles of water in a cooler and put it in your car. You can sip on water while you are driving. Even try drinking a glass a water before eating a meal. And if you are dining out, order a glass of water with your meal.
Good Health Monday was brought to you by,
Toia
