Looking for a lighter lunch? I just tried the Multigrain with Flax FlatOut Flatbread and thought it was great tasting. 

 

At just 100 calories and 17g carbs (8g fiber), it's a great way to make a filling wrap with fewer calories. I just warmed it in the microwave, added luncheon meat, cheese, lots of vegetables including lettuce and WOW! what a great wrap. Try it and tell me what you think. 

 

In the next year or so, you'll see more and more chain restaurants adding calories on their menus and menu boards. That's because the new healthcare reform law that was recently signed by President Obama requires restaurants with more than 20 locations to post calories on the menu...though this won't be required for at least a year (while the details are worked out).

If you've been reading my newsletters, you're not surprised. But, if you're new to the list...yes...this PhD nutritionist really does love some sweets. Especially chocolate. And, this weekend I had a craving for a chocolate milkshake.

 

Many of us have been told (or we've read) that we should avoid ALL of these "forbidden" foods. I simply don't agree. I think avoiding all of your favorite foods is not only stressful, but it will eventually set you up for failure. I'd rather help you to rein in these cravings by 1) helping you to enjoy eating healthful foods so you don't eat only empty-calorie foods all day long and 2) find a way to enjoy moving your body so you burn more calories, and 3) learn to enjoy your favorite foods in a controlled fashion - instead of losing control. (And, don't forget, I'm a "recovered" anorexic, bulemic, binge eater...)

 

Some health professionals get down on restaurants, especially fast food restaurants as culprits to our obesity issue. But, I think that restaurants offer us an opportunity to enjoy our favorite foods in a more controlled fashion. For example, you can have just one milkshake - instead of making one at home...and then having all this leftover icecream tempting you to have a shake every day...or every meal until it's finished.

 

So, John and I split a kid's chocolate shake at Steak 'N Shake - just 390 calories. Plus, we skipped the whipped cream on top, so it was a few calories less. Not bad for a "splurge", eh?