Healthy Eating... Get Creative!

You have been following the latest diet and exercise program featured in your favorite magazine in hopes of losing those last 10 pounds before spring break or the start of the summer. What types of problems have held you back from achieving the body you have always wanted? Common excuses include not having time to get to the gym, not being able to prepare and plan your meals, or if you do take the initiative to pack your lunch and snacks for the day you blow it at night when the cravings really set it!

Over eating at night is a huge problem! This is the time when you want to relax, eat, and enjoy the company of others. Countless bags of greasy chips and gallons of ice cream are being consumed by out of control Americans. At night the temptations creep on and most surrender to their appetite. So what can you do to stay true to your commitment of eating clean? Get creative! Not all healthy food is boring and bland. First of all the only way a diet will be successful is if you are consistent. So in order to be consistent get innovative with your meal plan. Instead of polishing off a bag of Doritos treat yourself to cottage cheese and peaches, non-fat yogurt, or sugar-free jello with cool whip. Make it even more interesting, try my featured recipe. It's easy, delicious and won't add size to your waistline!


Low-Cal Cinnamon Apple Cups
makes 12 servings

Ingredients:
-nonstick cooking spray
-16 oz cottage cheese
-1 c liquid egg whites
-2 T cinnamon
-2 medium apples, cored and chopped

Instructions:
1. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray and preheat oven to 325
2. In a large bowl, stir together cottage cheese, egg whites, cinnamon and chopped apples until blended. Fill cups up to the top with cottage cheese mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 min or until done.
3. Before serving, let cool to firm. Use butter knife to go around the edges to lift out the apple cups and serve.

Nutrients Per Serving:
Calories: 63
Total Fat: 2g
Total Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g

Next time your stomach starts rumbling and junk food is sounding really good, stay true to your diet goals and have fun with a new healthy recipe!

Andrea