Oh the horror!!! I started my 'diet' this past Friday as experts say it is the best day to start a new eating program; something about making it through the first weekend is the hardest, blah, blah, blah. Mind you, I love my chocolate, so ANY diet I pursue must/will have chocolate included in my daily intake. I am good about small portions and drinking water (though alternate with Diet Dr. Pepper when my caffeine levels drop).I don't live off of bread, or other easy carbs, but if I have them I keep it simple and try to eat more of my chicken/steak (insert meaty animal here). I love fish, but rarely enjoy it due to non-fish eaters in my house.
Breakfast is usually a quick-fix of coffee and whatever cereal I have handy, or I swing by my local Dunkin Donuts for a coffee and bagel. Well this morning threw me for a loop when I actually took the time to look at the side of the box on the cereals in my cupboard. The four choices were Raisin Nut Bran (RNB), Cookie Crisp, Special K w/berries, and Marshmallow Mateys (like Lucky Charms). I'm thinking the obvious choice would be Special K or RNB...obviously not.
To my surprise, and horror that I had been depriving myself of cookie or marshmallow flavored cereal every morning, the two "healthy" cereals weren't the lowest in calories or carbs. Here's how they compare:
Raisin Nut Bran - 220 calories w/skim milk, 4g protein, 38g carbs, 5g fiber
Cookie Crisp - 140 calories w/skim milk, 1g protein, 22g carbs, 1g fiber
Special K w/berries - 160 calories w/skim milk, 3g protein, 26g carbs, 1g fiber
Marshmallow Matey - 160 calories w/skim milk, 2g protein, 25g carbs, 1g fiber
The rest of the diet world may do this differently, but I count calories before anything else and so far the Cookie Crisp is winning me over. Then I look at the amount of protein and think, ‘hey, maybe the RNB isn’t so bad’ until I look back at the calories. Then the carbs…well that puts the RNB out; and the fiber is somewhat important although I don’t have a problem with irregularity. I was disappointed. Trying to eat right and what do the sneaky food companies do? Disguise the good stuff as kids’ cereal and give adults the bran crap that you have to eat with watered down milk and STILL isn’t as healthy as Cookie Crisp!
As you can see from the picture I opted for coffee and a bagel. If I’m going to be consuming 220 calories or more then it better be worth it!
2 comments:
Kashi, honey, Kashi. LOL
No really, counting calories is great and I get it, but you have to remember that not all calories are created equally. Calories that carry nutrients with it are GOOD FOR YOU! Good Luck!!!! You Can Do It!!!
I agree completely and second the Kashi notion.
For breakfast, try a Kashi waffle with some peanut butter (protein & fiber fix rather than tons of sugar & carbs). I also like cottage cheese with fresh fruit/berries. That's not to say I don't love me a big 'ole bagel with cream cheese!
LeAnna sent me to your blog & I'm grateful to have found you!
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