February 17, 2011

Pound for Pound Tips from Second Harvest Employees

Author: Maria Ali

What better way to inspire you this week than to let you hear what tips have helped Second Harvest Employees! 

 5 Tips from Our Leading Biggest Losers:

 1.   You can’t have it all. You have to make choices about which food items you decide to eat to keep the balance in your favor.

Take a situation like this:
Say you go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner one night. Of course you want to have some cheesecake—plan to order a smaller and healthier dinner like grilled fish and substitute a starchy side with a double side of veggies. Now you have created room for some dessert calories! Go ahead and split that piece of cheesecake with someone.  This is exactly how you have your cake and eat it too.

 2.   Plan ahead. Meal-planning is one of the most important habits in managing your weight and your health.

 Think about what you have planned for the week. Identify the days you know you will be going out to eat or eating a larger meal. Maybe you have a party to go to or you plan to splurge over the weekend? Balance out what you choose to eat and drink days prior to then. Pack a healthier lunch and cook lighter dinners in preparation for that weekend splurge or festivity.  Additionally, before you head out to a restaurant, look up your favorite meals online to see the nutrition facts. Then decide if that meal is a good choice for you to order or how much of a portion you can calorically afford.

 3.   Eat more low-calorie foods like fruits and veggies.  

Fruits and veggies are packed with nutrients and fiber. They are one of the healthiest additions you can add to your meals. Make it a goal to add some at every meal and snack that you eat. Add fruit to breakfast cereal, or eat a piece of fresh fruit with whole-grain toast and peanut butter. Pack fruit and veggie cuts for that afternoon snack. Double-up your non-starchy veggie portion at dinner…you’ll likely eat less of everything else, without feeling any less satisfied. 

4. Vary up your protein sources. You don’t have to eat meat at every meal.  

Eating smaller portions of meat and eating meat less often is a great habit to take on. Instead of grabbing a beef taco opt for a bean burrito once in a while. Consider eating vegetarian certain days or for certain meals of the week. 

5.   Push yourself to grow … Muscles that is.

There’s no better way to trim up than to combine healthier eating with exercise. You’ll see faster results and feel a difference sooner! Pushing yourself a little harder, further or faster than the day before keeps it interesting and makes you feel accomplished.

They shared some great advice didn’t they?

Maria Ali, RD, LD/N
Nutrition Manager

January 24, 2011

Pound for Pound Tip #2: Eat More, Weigh Less?

Author: Maria Ali

Have you tried to lose weight by cutting down the amount of food you eat? Do you still feel hungry and not satisfied after eating? Or have you avoided trying to lose weight because you’re afraid of feeling hungry all the time? If so, you are not alone. Many people throw in the towel on weight loss because they feel deprived and hungry when they eat less. There is another way! The key is to eat foods that will fill you up without eating a large amount of calories.
 
Research shows that people get full by the amount of food they eat, not the number of calories they take in. You can cut calories in your favorite foods by lowering the amount of fat and or increasing the amount of fiber-rich ingredients, such as vegetables or fruit.

Let’s take macaroni and cheese as an example. The original recipe uses whole milk, butter, and full-fat cheese. This recipe has about 540 calories in one serving (1 cup).
 
Here’s how to remake this recipe with fewer calories and less fat:
• Use 2 cups non-fat milk instead of 2 cups whole milk.
• Use 8 ounces light cream cheese instead of 21⁄4 cups full-fat cheddar cheese.
• Use 1 tablespoon butter instead of 2 or use 2 tablespoons of soft trans-fat free margarine.
• Add about 2 cups of fresh spinach and 1 cup diced tomatoes (or any other veggie you like).

Your redesigned mac and cheese now has 315 calories in one serving (1 cup). You can eat the same amount of mac and cheese with 225 fewer calories.

What foods will fill me up?
To be able to cut calories without eating less and feeling hungry, you need to replace some higher calorie foods with foods that are lower in calories and fat and will fill you up. In general, this means foods with lots of water and fiber in them. The lists below will help you make smart food choices that are part of a healthy eating plan.

These foods will fill you up with less calories. Choose them more often…
Fruits and Vegetables (prepared without added fat)
Spinach, broccoli, tomato, carrots, watermelon, berries, apples
Low-fat and fat-free milk products
Low- or fat-free milk, low or fat-free yogurt,
low- or fat-free cottage cheese
Broth-based soup
Vegetable-based soups, soups with chicken or beef broth, tomato soups (without cream)
Whole grains
Brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat
pastas, popcorn
Lean meat, poultry and fish
Grilled salmon, chicken breast without skin,
ground beef (lean or extra lean)
Legumes (beans and peas)
Black, red kidney and pinto beans (without added fat), green peas, black-eyed peas

These foods can pack more calories into each bite. Choose them less often…
Fried foods
Eggs fried in butter, fried vegetables, French fries
Full-fat milk products
Full-fat cheese, full-fat ice cream,
whole and 2% milk
Dry snack foods
Crackers or pretzels, cookies, chips, dried fruits
Higher-fat and higher-sugar foods
Croissants, margarine, shortening and butter,
doughnuts, candy bars, cakes and pastries
Fatty cuts of meat
Bacon, brisket, ground beef (regular)

Source:  http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/energy_density.html

Maria Ali, RD, LD/N
Nutrition Manager

January 13, 2011

Are You Up For The Challenge?

Author: Sasha Hausman

We sure hope so! Because the Pound for Pound Challenge is BACK for a 3rd year!

Are you new to the Pound for Pound Challenge? NBC’s The Biggest Loser will partner with General Mills and Subway to encourage Americans to lose weight through the Pound For Pound Challenge. Built around the incredible success of The Biggest Loser, the program allows anyone to shed pounds along with the show’s contestants by pledging their weight-loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. For every pound pledged, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 11 cents to a food bank in your community!

So, let’s make Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida the #1 food bank in America! Already we are first in Florida. So go ahead and think about your goal, pledge the pounds, and let your friends and family know!

Remember- for us to get the credit, one must type in a Central Florida zip code. We have until May 2011 to meet our goals. Did you already meet your goals last challenge?? You can still help! New this year, you can pledge to maintain your current healthy weight. That pledge will count as a 5 lb pledge to your local food bank.

Like many of you, employees of Second Harvest Food Bank are resolving to get healthier in 2011. To kick start that goal, we have started our very own Biggest Loser challenge among our staff. We know that living healthy, feeling energized, and increasing our knowledge of wellness, helps us to serve our community more effectively. For some, losing weight is a step towards that direction.

Over the next 12 weeks, participating employees will be encouraged and coached along towards their weight loss efforts.  Ultimately, we know that everyone that takes on the challenge is a winner, but the title of “Biggest Loser” will be given to the person who loses the largest percentage of bodyweight. Is this something you are interested in doing in your company? Let us know!

Meet the Second Harvest Food Bank Pound for Pound Challenge Team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check back for weekly updates and tips for success. Please share your favorite recipes, work out tips, and success stories. It is always better to have the support of friends, families, co-workers, and neighbors!

Don’t forget to pledge your pounds!

What a great way to not only help ourselves, but also our neighbors in need. Together we are creating healthier lifestyles and fighting for a hunger free Central Florida!!

If you have any questions about the Pound for Pound Challenge, please contact Sheyanne Cohron at scohron@foodbankcentralflorida.org or 407-843-5009 x28.

Good luck everyone!

Sasha Hausman
Development Manager

April 6, 2010

Meet Our Pound for Pound Challenge Champ

Author: Sasha Hausman

We have all learned that is hard to stay motivated when trying to get healthy. There are so many temptations out there ready to lure us in at any given moment (Cake for a co-workers birthday, favorite movie on TV so you skip the gym, etc.).

So we try to think of something to help us stay on the right track…It could be a pair of jeans that you have outgrown 5 years ago. But for Robin Le Roy-Kyle it is something bigger. It’s about helping feed our neighbors in need.

Please meet Robin aka “The Orlando Turtle Runner” and our Pound for Pound Challenge Champion.

In 2006 Robin was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and decided to make a change. Since then, running has been her exercise of choice. Her running blog www.RunningCirclesAroundTheTurtles.com, has taken off quite nicely with rapidly growing readership. This led her to her next venture.

Robin began hosting a running club called Pay it Forward 500 Mile Club: Running with a Purpose in 2010. Participants commit to running a certain number of miles (minimum 500), select a charity/organization of choice, and get sponsors to donate 10 cents per mile for every mile they run in 2010. Runners can sponsor themselves and/or get others to sponsor.

Robin’s organization of choice: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Her mileage goal for 2010? 750 miles!

“I’m sponsoring myself and recruiting family members, my dear sweet husband, and friends/coworkers to sponsor me, pitch in, etc… so I will be very excited to make my donation to Second Harvest in late December! Hope my efforts and commitment to feeding our neighbors helps in some small way!”

I hope Robin’s story can inspire you to make a change in your life and meet those personal goals you have been putting off! Don’t forget to pledge your pounds on the Pound for Pound Challenge Website.

Interested in joining the Pay it Forward Running club? Let us know!

Do you have an inspiring story as well? Let us know!

Thank you Robin and to all our Challenge Champs! Keep up the good work!

See ya next time!

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist

January 5, 2010

Pound for Pound Challenge Kicks off on The Biggest Loser

Author: Sasha Hausman

Here we are again, the start of a brand new year. Every year during the holiday season the same thing happens … we pack on a few extra pounds. It’s hard to resist all the wonderful food and drinks surrounding the holidays.

I am willing to bet that more than half of us have the same New Year’s Resolution to shed those unwanted pounds. Well … here is a way for us to do it together and help feed our Central Florida neighbors in need at the same time!

“The Biggest Loser” on NBC is sponsoring the 2nd Pound for Pound Challenge. General Mills has been gracious enough to donate 14 cents per pound pledged on the Pound for Pound Website. The Challenge Kicks off on The Biggest Loser tonight at 8 p.m.

Let’s make Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida the #1 food bank in America! Already we are first in Florida. So go ahead and think about your goal, pledge the pounds, and let your friends and family know! Remember- for us to get the credit, one must type in a Central Florida zip code. We have until May 2010 to meet our goals.

Check out this video from last season to get a closer look on how the Pound for Pound Challenge will not only change our lives, but the lives of people in need right here in our own community.

 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has formed a team. We will be participating in group exercise activities and weigh ins before and after work! We will also be posting updates (photos and videos) on our progress via this blog.

Do you want to get move involved? Join our Facebook group! Share your favorite recipes, work out tips, and success stories. It is always better to have the support of friends, families, co-workers, and neighbors! Anyone can create a team of Central Florida’s Biggest Losers!

Don’t forget to send 5 friends an e-card and have them join.

Together we can change our lifestyles and help those that need it most. Let’s show America that Central Florida can be THE BIGGEST LOSERS!

Sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge.

Good luck and most importantly… HAVE FUN!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the Pound for Pound Challenge at shausman@foodbankcentralflorida.org or 407-843-5009 x25.

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist