IS IT REALLY WHOLE-WHEAT?

People ask me all the time what kind of bread is really the best to eat, not only for weight loss, but also what's the healthiest.  Well, as most people would guess, whole wheat is on the list, but nutritional experts also recommend rye and pumpernickel.  These grains are slow to be digested not causing your blood sugar to spike out of control as it would from white flour breads.  

But, don't be fooled by the whole-wheat labels.  Food companies love to say their product is made from whole wheat or whole grains making the product appear to be healthy for you.  It's NOT!!  Cereals are the biggest culprit...for instance, on a box of Fruit Loops they make their product sound healthy.  However, there is 12 grams of sugar per serving, (most children/adults eat more than a serving), which translates to 41% of the product, when measured by weight has more sugar than many of the popular brands of cookies. Yet, the information on the box states this cereal is a "good source of fiber and other whole grains".  More sugar than most cookies....for breakfast!!

When you read the label on a product, if the first ingredient doesn't state 100% whole-wheat, not "enriched" or "refined" whole wheat, DON'T BUY IT.  If in the list of ingredients it states high fructose corn syrup, DON'T BUY IT.  For weight loss and for your own health, but nothing less than 100% whole-wheat.  

With that being said, I'd like to share some breakfast ideas.  Of course, oatmeal is really a good way to start your day.  However, I am talking about the cooked variety, no the instant.  But, don't dismay, I've found you can put the cooked variety in a bowl of nearly boiling water and just let it sit for a couple of minutes.  Wa La, oatmeal that's good for you!

We do this every morning in my office.  Pour some oatmeal in a mug or bowl, sprinkle cinnamon in it, add the really hot water and let it sit.  Then we add some Agave nectar, (natural sweetener) or honey, cut up pieces of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples or bananas and mix it all together.  It really is the perfect breakfast.  

Here's a recipe that you could make on the weekend, or at night and have ready for the following morning to grab and go:

EASY BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1 cup of oat flour (I put oatmeal in the blender and blend into a flour-like consistency)

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

1/2 cup honey, (or less)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 t vanilla

1 cup of Almond Milk

1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
2. Mix first six ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Place remaining ingredients in the center.  Carefully fold from center to outside until all ingredients are blended.  Do not overstir.  
4. Spoon batter into a nonstick muffin pan or spray with vegetable spray.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until tops are brown.

So, remember, read those labels, don't buy anything short of 100% whole wheat when choosing bread.  

Any questions or concerns, please email me....I would love to hear from you!

---