The registered dietitian team at New Jersey Bariatric Center are big on planning ahead, especially when it comes to hectic schedules that can mess with even the healthiest of food intentions. Here are some great make-ahead options that can be quickly reheated when you walk in the door from work, school, activities or wherever your day takes you.      Egg Muffins or Crustless Quiche – These are some of our favorite recipes that we created for using  leftover protein and veggies. For a snack anytime of day or for a meal, mix with eggs and your favorite type
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Many households are feeling the impact of higher food costs. Foods that benefit our bodies such as chicken, eggs, low-fat dairy and green veggies are rising in costs and impacting our wallets. Higher food costs don’t have to derail your progress toward becoming a healthier you, with planning you can maximize nutrition without emptying your wallet. Here are some tips. Utilize Curb Side Pick-Ups Shop using the curbside pick-up or delivery option at your grocery store. This way you can buy only what’s on your list. This method can help you cut down on impulse purchases you might  make if
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One of the most interesting things I’ve heard in my years as a registered dietitian is the idea that many people don’t consider ginger ale to be a type of soda. They are often surprised when I tell them that it is. Let’s take a closer look at ginger ale to review its ingredients and understand why it deserves to be in the same category as soda.  What is Ginger Ale? Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage flavored with the spice, ginger or an artificial ginger flavor. Commercial varieties, like Canada Dry and Schweppes, are typically sweetened with artificial sweeteners,
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For busy mornings when I just don’t have time to cook I was able to find a quick and tasty breakfast option – Trader Joe’s Eggwich breadless breakfast sandwich. It’s a turkey sausage patty topped with cheese in between two egg patties. It’s nutritious, easy to prepare and it “feels” like you’re eating a sandwich, just without all the carb heavy bread.   They come individually frozen in a box of 2 and can be heated up in a toaster oven or microwave. My kids and I tested both preparations and liked the toaster oven version a lot better but the
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Lean protein is the cornerstone of a healthy diet, and I’m here to share one of my favorite foods that makes it easy to grab protein anytime of day. Wellshire Farms Uncured Fully Cooked Turkey Bacon is quick to prepare, delicious and always in my fridge. I like that this adds variety and a ton of flavor to many different dishes. It’s lean, crispy and good to crumble over salads for lunch and dinner. This turkey bacon can also be added to an omelet for extra protein or even as a snack with some low-fat cheese and a piece of
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During the colder months, my family and I crave warm and hearty meals. I am a huge fan of the slow cooker and this Fiesta Chicken recipe is always on rotation at my house. It’s easy to make, with minimal ingredients. My favorite part about this recipe is that it freezes well and makes great leftovers. It’s perfect for meal prep, too. To keep this dish low carb, try serving it over shredded lettuce or cauliflower rice with ⅛ cup shredded cheese and a dollop of guacamole.   Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 5-8 hours Ingredients:
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Bread! It’s often one of the hardest foods to give up when following a low-carb diet. I was recently introduced to Schmidt Old Tyme 647 bread while on a trip with family. Named for its nutrition profile – 6 grams net carbs, 40 calories and 7 grams of fiber per slice – this line of bread, rolls and English muffins are said to have the same taste and texture as their higher carb counterparts. While the calories and carbs per serving are higher for some items like rolls and English muffins, this low calorie, high fiber bread sounds like a
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