Good Health Habits

There is so much mixed information about what foods to eat and what foods to avoid.  When I start to get overwhelmed I just try to remember…food should be food.  If there is a list of ingredients on the package that you cannot pronounce and that your grandmother would not recognize...it's probably not real food. 
Here are some rules I try to follow to maintain good health:

1. Don’t eat too much fat:  I think for the most part we know what foods are high in fat.  Anything fried…no good!  Foods loaded with heavy sauces, creams, and butter should be avoided.  A salad is great for lunch until it is loaded with bacon, cheese and high fat dressing.  A cup of coffee is fine until it is topped with chocolate, whipped cream, and sugar. 

2.  Limit your animal fats: I try to have several days a week where I do not consume any meat.  I still may enjoy low-fat dairy products but I opt for a salad for lunch and pasta with vegetables and marinara sauce for dinner.


3. Avoid foods with hydrogenated oils (margarine, and vegetable shortenings):  Hydrogenated oils hide in many unsuspecting foods such as flour tortillas, and boxed muffin mixes.  Take the time to read the ingredients to make sure you know what you are getting.

4. Limit Alcohol: Even a modest amount of alcohol is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

5.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables:  I keep grapes washed and ready to eat, carrots sticks readily available in the refrigerator, clementines in a bowl on the counter, etc. I do this so that when I feel like a snack I have lots of healthy choices around me so I am not tempted to make a not so healthy choice.

Keep Breakfast Simple

As moms (and dads) on the go it's easy to skip breakfast to save a few minutes.  This can actually wreak havoc on your diet for the rest of the day.  Skipping breakfast not only makes you feel sluggish and grouchy it can slow down your metabolism and make you ravenous at lunch time; therefore vulnerable to making unhealthy choices.

Here are my simple suggestions to make breakfast easy and delicious:

1. Keep it simple:  Don't try to re-invent the wheel each morning.  Stick to the same routine and keep it simple.  If you are not a big eater in the morning don't plan on a huge meal.  Healthy whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk are your best friend.

2. Keep it healthy: Simple does not mean grabbing a doughnut or huge muffin from the local coffee shop!  Eat your breakfast at home before you run out the door. It will save your wallet and your waistline!

3.  Keep your pantry and fridge loaded with staples: I always make sure I have whole-grain, high fiber cereals and instant oatmeal  in the pantry and a healthy supply of fruits and nuts in the fridge.

My suggestion for breakfast: Kashi or any other organic brand cereal or oatmeal, blueberries, a handful of walnuts, dash of cinnamon and low-fat soy milk.  I eat it almost everyday.  I don't have to think about it - it's routine - and gets me going for the rest of the day.

Healthy Kids Snacks for School

With school around the corner I started to think about what snacks to pack for my boys this year.  I thought it would be a great idea to compile a list of healthy snacks to help give other parents some good, easy options. Here is what I came up with:

1. Granola Bars: (Make sure to read your label) You want to get a bar that is high in fiber and protein and low in sugar. My favorite is Kashi 7-Grain but another good alternative is Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars.

2. Cheddar Bunnies: You can now get Annie's Cheddar Bunnies in individual snack packs but I think it's less expensive to buy the family size box and make my own individual baggies. They also have new flavors like sour cream and onion and whole wheat. My kids still love the original Cheddar Bunnies.

3. Apple Slices: I cut up apple slices and mix them with a little lemon juice so they don't turn brown. I also try to place them close to the ice-pack in their lunch boxes to keep them cold.

4. Red Grapes: One of the best snacks there is - grapes are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The more you can get them to eat - the better!

5. Kids Clif ZBars: Each bar is low fat, made with whole oats, and contains 12 essential vitamins and minerals kids need every day. Lots of great flavors to choose from and I love that they are organic and high in protein.

6.Reduced Calorie Cheese Sticks: Loaded with protein and calcium they are a great choice for healthy snacking.

So keep your kids loaded up with healthy snacks to help keep them going through out the day. 

Easy Tricks to Stay on Your "Diet"

The word diet is truly a four letter word.  I do not use the word in the context of starving yourself through-out the day or denying yourself all of your favorite foods.  Diet should refer to a lifestyle of eating healthy foods on a regular basis.
One of the things I often hear is that when someone goes on a diet they skip breakfast.  This actually has the opposite effect on the body that you are hoping for.  By skipping a meal you can cause a dip in your blood-sugar which can leave you sluggish, irritable, and ravenous at lunchtime.  Sound like someone you know?
This is what I do to stay on track:
1. Eat a healthy breakfast: Skipping breakfast can also make your brain crave high-fat foods.  So don’t leave the door without eating something healthy – even if it’s quick - like whole grain cereal or oatmeal with berries and skim milk. 
2. Eat one or two healthy snacks through-out the day:  If you are watching your weight the idea of eating a snack may seem preposterous.   But eating healthy snacks between meals helps to keep your metabolism up and running and keeps your blood sugar from dipping too low.  A couple of good choices are low-fat yogurt with a handful or almonds or berries, a banana with 1 TBL natural peanut butter, or cut up fruits and veges.  If you have them already cut up in baggies they are easy to grab on the go.
3. Get plenty of Sleep:  We all have busy schedules but lack of rest can be detrimental to our “diet” plan.  Lack of sleep can decrease our smart decision making abilities including what food choices we make.  The optimum amount of sleep is 7-8 hours every night.  Just 2 nights in a row of less than 7 hours can impair your decision making ability, leaving you vulnerable to making poor food choices.
4. Don’t Deny yourself all the foods you love: Unless it’s a doughnut that is!  I love pizza, wine and chocolate.  I could not go through life happily if I was not allowed to eat those foods again.  So I choose to make my own healthy pizzas: light on the cheese, no meat, and heavy on the vegetables, go easy on the wine, and eat only good quality dark chocolate in very small amounts.  This way I can continue to enjoy my favorite foods, not feel deprived,  and keep my “diet” on track.

UnHealthy Snacks to Avoid

I do believe that healthy snacking is an important part of eating a balanced diet.  Eating a healthy snack, like fruit or low fat yogurt, between meals helps to keep you feeling satisfied throughout the day and helps you not to over eat at meal time.

However, unhealthy snacks can cause spikes in your blood sugar, leaving you with that afternoon "crash". Here is a list of some snacks to avoid:

1. Doughnuts. High in sugar, trans-fats, and calories doughnuts are not only bad for your waistline, but bad for your energy levels as well. The high sugar content is likely to end in a midday crash. If you crave a doughnut, try a piece of whole-grain bread with 1 TBSP all natural peanut butter.
2. Soft Drinks. There just isn't anything nutritious about soda, whether it's diet or regular. Don't be fooled because the drink is diet - there is nothing healthy about them and in fact diet drinks can actually help make you add on extra pounds!  Instead of a soda, try some sparkling water with lemon or lime slices- you'll get the carbonation without all the empty calories.
3.  French Fries: Actually anything fried - from chicken to potatoes to vegetables - should be avoided. Deep-fried foods contain trans fats that are bad for your body. If you want finger foods, opt for carrot sticks, low-fat mozzarella cheese sticks, or grapes.
4. Chips: Chips of any kind are usually fried so are therefore high in fat and salt.  Instead of chips opt for healthier choices like cut up fruits and veges, apple slices, or a hand full of almonds.  This way you still get the crunch without all the calories.

Go Nuts - Again!

I don’t know about you but I used to shy away from eating nuts because they are high in fat. But now I have started snacking on them in small quantities. Nuts are one of the best plant sources of protein and they are rich in fiber. Almonds, which are actually seeds, may improve digestion and boost your immune system.

Walnuts are also a great choice.  They are full of protein, high in fiber, and contain Vitamins B & E. Walnuts also have omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower "bad" cholesterol.  

But - go easy on your portions - A good way to control your portion is to just eat one large handful of nuts (no more than 25) everyday.

Here is one of my healthy snack recipes:

1 Cup Fresh Blueberries, washed
1 Cup Sliced Almonds
1 Cup Craisins
Mix all together. Enjoy alone, over yogurt, oatmeal or cereal!

I Am Hutterite

I occasionally like to write about books I have read that feed the soul ...I Am Hutterite is a heartwarming memoir of a young girl searching for acceptance and understanding.

I am Hutterite is a charming true story of a young girl raised in a Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba, Canada.  It is a very well written memoir and gives the reader a wonderful insight on how this religious Hutterite Community lives and works together,  sharing all possessions and responsibilities.

There were so many heartwarming stories;   how Ann-Marie was weaned from her bottle at age two from the merciless teasing of older cousins, how the school girls were fascinated by their worldly teachers clothing, and how it was a privilege to be asked to help raise the younger children and to work in the kitchen.

I especially enjoyed learning the ways and traditions of the Hutterite community.  Not being familiar at all with their customs it was fascinating to learn how they lived and survived without today’s modern conveniences.  It was refreshing to hear how the community took their meals together in a communal kitchen, where the women prepared the meals for the whole community, and where it was an honor to be involved in the preparation of the meals.

It was also heartbreaking to hear about the death of her brother due to lack of transportation and medical assistance in the community.  It was also the catapult to the family’s decision to move away from the community and to transplant themselves into a more modern society where they faced new worries such as employment, bills, and adjusting to the English ways.

I enjoyed Ann-Marie's antics of needing to fit in with her peers at school and how winning the pageant made her feel like she was finally a part of the English community.  Her desires to fit into this new world yet her longing for her past and for tradition were both moving and understandable.

Involve your children in making healthy choices

In a world of what to eat and what not to eat we can sometimes lose track of the foods that are really important for good health.  There really should be no perplexity when it comes to eating.  When did it get so confusing?

It saddens me that when my kids ask for a certain food I have to tell them to read the label first.  I have them trained to look for certain “no-no’s” like high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils.  Their pleas of, “Come on, mom, just this one time,” sometimes make me want to laugh and sometimes make me want to cry.  As a society how can we produce and mass advertise such unhealthy food products and then wonder why we have the highest rates of diabetes and childhood obesity?

As a parent, and more importantly, as an eater, it is easy to get confused about what products are good for you and what products to avoid.  I basically try to keep it simple.  Here are some of the rules I follow:

1. When grocery shopping stay on the perimeter of the store.  Load up your cart with fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats and dairy and stay out of the aisles that contain the packaged and processed foods.  When I go down the aisles it is only to purchase a few products: whole grain breads, pasta, and rice, healthy whole grain cereals and oatmeal, almonds, green tea, and very few other items.

2. Involve your children in making healthy choices.  Yesterday when we went grocery shopping we spent 90% of our time in the produce department and I let my kids choose the fruits and veges they wanted to eat, pick them out, and bag them themselves.  It gave them a sense of pride and involvement and made them not only talk about healthy choices but also want to eat all of the good stuff they picked out!

3. Make each plate you serve be colorful.  You might not think of all the foods you need to eat ahead of time but when you sit down to have a meal look at your plate and ask yourself if it is colorful.  I may give my kids a turkey sandwich for lunch but their plates will also have carrot sticks and red grapes on them.  A spaghetti dinner also includes steamed broccoli, carrots, and fruit.  Even when we order pizza I include carrot sticks and berries alongside the oozing cheese.

I really think we don’t have to make eating so confusing.  Just stick to the basics, make wise choices most of the time, and enjoy eating.

Homemade Salsa: A Bowl of Good Health

Summertime is here and there's no better time for making homemade salsa using garden fresh tomatoes, onions and cilantro.  This heart healthy recipe combines the best of ingredients to produce the perfect salsa and what I like to call “health in a bowl”.  See how some of the best summer produce can also be great for your health:

Tomatoes:  Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, the nutrient responsible for giving them their bright red color.  In studies lycopene has been shown to help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  It has also been shown to help fight the signs of aging and help fight against certain cancers especially prostate and colon.

Garlic: Garlic has often been called natures “cure-all”.   It has been touted to help aid in ailments from acne to high-cholesterol.  In studies it has been shown to help boost the body’s immune system, help to lower cholesterol, and help to control blood pressure.

Cilantro: Cilantro has been around for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece.  It has been shown to help eliminate heavy metals in the blood, aid in nausea and digestion, and help to lower cholesterol levels.

Hot Peppers: Hot Peppers contain capsaicin, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol, boost immunity, and to reduce inflammation.


Recipe:
4-5 large tomatoes
½ cup red onion, chopped
½ cup green pepper, chopped
3-4 assorted jalapeno or serrano peppers, finely chopped
½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tsp each sea salt & pepper
2 tbsp lime juice
3 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ tsp each cumin and turmeric
1 tbsp vinegar
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp sugar

Finely chop all ingredients add spices and stir.  For a more perfect mix, add all ingredients into food processor and chop together.  Serve with all natural blue corn tortilla chips.  If you are a master of spice, feel free to add a little habanera pepper to the mix but make sure to have a glass of water handy, your mouth will be on fire!

Healthy Snack Choices

I happen to believe that healthy snacking is an important part of eating a well balanced diet.  Eating healthy snacks between breakfast and lunch and then again between lunch and dinner helps to keep you from becoming too hungry and then either over eating or making poor food choices at meal time.

Starting off you day with a healthy breakfast is the beginning of a great food day.  Add a little protein to your breakfast to help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.  Skip the sweets like donuts or pastries and opt for Kashi cereals or oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and a few almonds or walnuts and make sure you use skim or low fat milk.

For your morning snack choose low fat yogurt (make sure it does not contain high fructose corn syrup or any artificial sweeteners) and top it with fresh berries, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a couple of chopped walnuts.

For your afternoon snack I recommend you follow Elvis’s lead and eat a sliced banana with a heaping tablespoon of all natural peanut butter.

Here are a few other healthy snack options:

• Fruit smoothies: Opt to make your own with fresh or frozen fruit, low fat yogurt, a little light vanilla soy milk, and a dash of cinnamon – store bought smoothies may contain high fat yogurts or ice cream.
• Berries: They are sweet, easy to pop into your mouth, and a much healthier choice than a candy bar. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries are all anti-inflammatory, rich in flavonoids (compounds to protect cells against damage) and offer immune-boosting antioxidant activity.
• Cut Up Vegetables: The fiber in veggies will help fill you up, and they provide a nice, satisfying crunch. Choose a wide range of colors (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are good choices). I like to keep baby carrots and cut broccoli on hand to have an easy to reach for snack.
• Nuts: When eaten sparingly, nuts are a great snack. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Nuts can be high in calories and fat (even if it's the healthy monounsaturated kind) so watch your portion control.
• Dark chocolate: An ounce of dark chocolate now and then will satisfy a sweet tooth while providing antioxidant polyphenols (A kind of chemical that may protect against some common health problems and possibly certain effects of aging). Choose high quality dark chocolate with at least 70 percent pure cocoa, and enjoy the rich flavor.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

There are so many great health benefits of broccoli.   In fact, it has been said to be the most nutrient dense vegetable there is.  To name a few, broccoli is loaded with vitamins C and A, calcium, folic acid, and fiber. 

Broccoli contains phytochemicals that have been linked to better health and to the reduction of some cancers.  Broccoli reduces the risk of heart attack by boosting the body's ability to fight off cell damage and prevents the build-up of free radicals to help reduce cancer risk.  The calcium in broccoli assists with building strong bones, helps control high blood pressure, and helps battle against colon cancer.

Broccoli may even help reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.  The phytonutrients in broccoli and broccoli sprouts may help protect your nasal passages by activating a natural anti-inflammatory reaction to help reduce the amount of irritants in your airways and to help fight off infection.

So your mom was right...you need to eat all of your broccoli!

3 Easy Steps to Better Health

The focus of my blog has always been..."when did food stop being food?"  I still get amazed walking down the aisles of the grocery store at the abundance of packaged, processed, salted, boxed and canned things on the shelves that we call food.  If there is a list of ingredients a mile long...undecipherable names of preservatives and chemicals in the label - can we really call it food?  What happened to  food that we can recognize?

I honestly don't believe in any kind of "diet".  I think healthy living is a lifestyle choice.  Believe me, living in Texas in the summer is not the place I really want to go for a run but exercise is one of the most important ways to maintain good health so heat or no heat - I run.  SO what can we do to get on our way to living and most importantly eating healthy?  I say start with a few minor changes.  I'll do more descriptive blog posts on each topic but I think I can break it down into a few easy steps:

1.    Get rid of any products in your kitchen that contain high fructose corn syrup.
I am a big fan of Dr. Oz and he even goes as far as to say to get rid of any products that contain any kind of corn syrup or nay syrups at all)
2.    Get rid of all the products in your house that contain partially hydrogenated oils or any kids of hydrogenated oils.
3.    When you shop at the grocery store do almost all of your shopping around the perimeter of the store.  The perimeter of the store contains the fresh fruits and vegetables, the fresh meats, fresh dairy and more.  When you start going up and down the aisles that’s where you find all the packaged and processed foods.

I think if you start to foces on these 3 steps you will be on the right track of a newer, healthier lifestyle.

The Benefits of Brown Rice

I know, I know!  I have said it before but if you have not switched your white rice to brown rice...now is the time!

There are so many benefits to eating brown rice over white rice.  For starters, brown rice is a whole grain and provides more fiber, iron, B vitamins and other nutrients than white rice. (There are 1.5 grams of fiber per half cup of brown rice-almost three times the fiber in the same amount of white rice.)

If you still haven't made the switch...do it little by little.  Don't expect your family to quit white rice cold turkey!  Slowly add brown rice into the white rice you are currently eating and slowly phase the white rice out.  I started by combining 3/4 white to 1/4 brown and slowly over time we completely switched the entire family to brown rice.  Now my boys don't even know the difference.  In fact, it has been so long since they have even seen white rice that they probably would think it's a new food and would not even want to try it.  Not even for a dollar!

For more information on the benefits of brown rice view this article from drweil.com:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03684/Healthy-Choice-White-or-Brown-Rice.html

Is Microwave Popcorn Bad for You?

I am a huge popcorn fan.  I have an air popper and I love to use it and add just a little bit of melted butter and salt.  Repeat - Just a little bit!   But most of the time I go for the easier, more convenient kind - microwave popcorn. 

So is microwave popcorn bad for you?  I recently read an article from drweil.com that had some not so great news for the microwave popcorn lovers:

"Not only are most microwavable varieties loaded with artificial flavors, sodium and fat, but they can expose you to chemicals that are added to the artificial butter flavoring and used in the lining of microwavable popcorn bags".  Yikes!!

But I do think there are some healthier microwave versions.  If I am going to indulge I Prefer Newman's Own  Popcorn Brand.  They use all natural ingredients and no trans fat.  Another reason I like Newman's Own  - The company donates all profits to charitiy and have given over $280 million since 1982.

The Perfect Afternoon Snack

I think having a healthy snack between lunch and dinner is OK.  It keeps your metabolism revved up and helps you to not get too hungry at meal time and over eat.  I think one of the best healthy snacks is a  smoothie.  Now I say this with caution - Store bought smoothies can be loaded with fat and calories, especially if they are made with full-fat yogurt or ice cream.  To ensure it's All Good...make your own.

You don't need any special equipment.  I love to use my Magic Bullet because you can make individual servings.  But you don't have to go out and purchase anything new...a regular blender works just as well.

Most of the time I don't even measure the ingredients.  I just throw in a banana, several different kinds of frozen fruit, light vanilla soy milk, a pinch of cinnamon, and a splash of orange juice.  Here is the recipe I used today to satisfy a little chocolate craving:

1 Banana
5-6 Frozen Strawberries
1 Cup Light Vanilla Soy Milk
10-12 Organic Dark Chocolate Chips
Dash of Cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a blender and fire it up!

Added Heath Benefits: Antioxidants from the chocolate, fiber from the fruit,  protein and isoflavones (cancer fighters) from the soy milk.

Foods to Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Because I had to have a hysterectomy at 36 due to Ovarian Cancer, one of the side effects is the risk of developing Osteoporosis at an early age.  Along with having to take extra calcium and vitamin D there are many foods you can eat that will help you get your daily value of calcium.  Here is a list I got from drweil.com of calcium rich foods you can add to your diet:

1. Low-fat or non-fat dairy products
2. Canned sardines and canned sockeye salmon
3. Dark green vegetables such as broccoli, collard greens and bok choy
4. Tofu
5. Calcium-fortified juices and carrageenan free soy milk
6. Black-eyed peas
7. Blackstrap molasses
8. Poppy seeds and sesame seeds
9. Almonds
10. Figs

For the entire article:  http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03659/10-Delicious-Ways-to-Prevent-Osteoporosis.html

Preventing Breast Cancer - Foods to Avoid

I like to read articles that are quick and to the point.  With all the information about what foods to eat and what to avoid it can get overwhelming to know what to do.  Remember food should be food.  If there is a list of ingredients on the package that you cannot pronounce and that your grandmother would not recognize...it's probably not real food.

Here are some dietary habits to avoid, as they may increase the risk of breast cancer(from dr.weil.com):

1. Eating too much fat. Keep your dietary fat content low - below 25 percent of your daily calories is ideal.
2. Consuming animal fats, polyunsaturated fats (including many vegetable oils), and hydrogenated oils (margarine, and vegetable shortenings) can all increase cancer risks. Minimize consumption of all.
3. Drinking alcohol. Even in modest amounts, alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
4. A daily intake of conventionally raised meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Replace with organic, hormone-free versions and use sparingly.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03644/Preventing-Breast-Cancer-Foods-to-Avoid.html

Foods that Fight Heart Disease

My father died of heart disease at the young age of 45.  As an adult it is part of the motivation that keeps me active and on the path to eat a healthy diet.  Now don't get me wrong - my son's birthday party was a pizza laden, cake eating week long event!  We all fall off the proverbial wagon - but don't let a few slip-ups keep you from pursuing health eating and exercise habits.  When you slip up and have a bad day (or week as it may) of making some not so great food choices, just remember one thing...Today is the beginning of the rest of your life.  Don't fret over what you just ate...move forward and decide to make better food choices from now on.  We all slip-up...it's recognizing that we have made bad choices, vowing to try and do better, and moving forward with a positive attitude for tomorrow that's important.

Here is a list of foods that research shows are good heart disease fighters:

Deep Colored Produce ( Blueberries, Spinach, Carrots, Cranberries)
Sunflower Seeds
Salmon
Garlic (Almost my dinner recipes are loaded with garlic)
Flax seed
Pistachios
Pine Nuts
Almonds
Walnuts
Pecans

Mom (or Dad) on the Go Breakfast

We're always in a hurry but that is no reason not to take a few minutes and eat a healthy breakfast.   I try to eat my breakfast soon after the kids leave for school so that I don't let myself get too hungry and then start to think about unhealthy food choices.  To keep it simple I eat the same breakfast almost everyday.  It's simple, quick and full of good stuff:

Kashi Instant Oatmeal - Maple Brown Sugar
I add a sprinkle of cinnamon, a few whole walnuts, blueberries (about 2 dozen) and a few craisins for sweetness.

To drink I have a cup of green tea - I like Stash Green Chai Tea.


It's a simple, super healthy breakfast!

4 Unhealthy Snacks

When I find simple,  to the point articles,  I like to share them.  This is a great list of 4 snacks that we need to avoid. The list includes soft drinks - both regular and diet.  Don't be fooled because the drink is diet - there is nothing healthy about them and in fact diet drinks can actually help make you add on extra pounds!

1. Doughnuts. High in sugar, trans-fats, calories and refined flour, doughnuts are not only bad for your waistline, but bad for your energy levels as well. The high sugar content is likely to end in a midday crash. If you crave a doughnut, try a piece of whole-grain bread with some jam and peanut butter instead.
2. Soft Drinks. There just isn't anything nutritious about soda, whether it's diet or regular. Instead of a soda, try some sparkling water with a bit of fruit juice - you'll get the carbonation without all the empty calories.
3.  French Fries. Actually anything fried - from chicken to potatoes to onions to cheese - should be avoided. Deep-fried foods contain altered fats that are detrimental to the body. If you want finger foods, opt for carrot and celery sticks.
4. Instant Soup. Very high in sodium, instant soup generally offers little health benefit in proportion to its sodium count. Your total daily intake of sodium should not exceed 2,400 mg and one serving of instant soup contains around 500 mg (some kinds of Ramen-style soup are even worse, offering up about one-third of a day's recommended sodium.) A better option is low-sodium vegetable broth with part whole wheat and buckwheat noodles such as Japanese soba or udon.

For the entire article and more great information: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03621/4-Unhealthy-Snacks.html