TIPS Tuesday: Resisting the Refined Carbs Avalanche

Copyright Free Courtesy AIGA

It's pretty hard to take a pass on the avalanche of breads, cakes, muffins, waffles, pancakes, bagels and floured pie-crusts that dominate our societal foodscape. But, you have alternatives--and if you plan your food-day, you will not feel so tempted, or deprived.

Some tips:

*Strong Breakfast and Snack: Eat a no-toast big breakfast with protein and fruit, followed by a cheese, fruit, nut or combination snack at 10:30 a.m.

*Good Lunch and Snack: Lunch can be a salad, with or without meat (but some protein, if without meat. No croutons). Snack again around 4 p.m.

*Moderate Dinner: With four meals under your belt, you'll need a smaller dinner: hummus with baby carrots, some olives, some cheese, may suffice. Dessert can be fruit. Finish before 7 p.m.

Other Tips: 

*If you eat dairy, keep two types of cheese around (so you don't get bored of one). No dairy? Fruit, nuts, veggies. Soy cream cheese makes a great dip with tofu.

*Nuts keep well, and travel well. Keep different kinds handy, and replenish a continuous trail-mix bin.

*Use a day off or weekend to make dishes ahead of time. The more NERC food you have on hand, the less likely you'll head for bread.

*Buy fruit every weekend, habitually. Buy too much? You can dump it in a blender with ice and make smoothies, with or without yogurt.