The 5 E’s of Easy Healthy Eating

Making health both easy and attainable is of utmost importance, and spring is the perfect time to pursue this process of renewal and regrowth. As the weather warms, take this opportunity to make positive changes that will leave your mind and body feeling refreshed. To get started, here are five quick and simple tips for improving the way you eat—and feel—this spring.

Empowerment. Ditch the diet mentality and make realistic lifestyle changes. Research shows that making small, feasible changes in dietary behavior results in long-term nutrition success. Go ahead and jump-start your newfound sense of health by keeping a bowl of organic fruit, like peaches and pears, on your kitchen table. Then make a goal to add one fruit a day to your nutrition intake.

10 Healthier Candies

It’s summer and everyone’s talking about beach bodies and bathing suits (yep, guilty as charged!). But every now and then you have to treat yourself to some sweet, sticky, melt-in-your-mouth candy. So, in celebration of National Candy Month (happening now!) and our 10th birthday (also happening now with great deals and more), we’re bringing you 10 delicious and healthier substitutes to your favorite candies!

After all, it’s kind of…mean that National Candy Month is in the middle of prime bikini season.

-Elana Lott

 

Try: Florida’s Natural Organic Pocket Fruit Sticks ($4.89/pack of 12)
If You Love: Fruit Roll-ups, Gushers
A great on-the-go snack for the whole family, Florida’s Natural Organic Pocket Fruit Sticks are just 40 calories with 0 grams of fat.

If you really like fruit roll-ups or are prone to indulging in your kids’ sweets, these organic fruit rolls are perfect to toss into everyone’s lunch bags—they provide the sweetness of dried fruit, plus they’re gluten free! Choose from Orange, Blueberry or Strawberry.

Try: Almond M&M’s (M&Ms.com, $2.95)
If You Love: Plain M &Ms, Chocolate-Covered Nuts
Sometimes you just have to have the real thing (and there’s no true way to replace an M&M). So, you’re allowed to indulge with Almond M&M’s. Almonds are well-known for their healthy benefits: lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart disease and diabetes. And although this snack has a pretty high calorie count (220/serving), sometimes the good fats (and the good tastes) are worth it.

Really a peanut girl? Dark Chocolate Peanut M&M’s have the same calorie count per serving, and dark chocolate does have antioxidants!

Try: Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops ($3.99/.5lb on NaturalCandyStore.com)
If You Love: Lollipops, Sucking candies
There is nothing like a lollipop. Lucky for you, Yummy Earth’s Organic Lollipops are a healthier alternative to the traditional high-fructose, bubble-gum infused lollipops of yore.

Yep, just 70 calories for three lollipops and 0 grams of fat, these gluten-free, vegan treats are simply delick-ious! And in flavors like pomegranate, blood orange, watermelon or (a more sophisticated) chili lime, you’re sure to please everyone’s palettes. Purchase individual flavors or a variety pack (see above).

Try: Detour Whey Protein Bar in Caramel Peanut ($3.29)
If You Love: Snickers, Twix, anything with nougat
Candy bars, a.k.a. a staple of our youth, are nearly impossible to pass up—Halloween has been a downfall of many a diet (mmm, how many fun-size Snickers equal a full-size again?!). If you are craving a classic candy bar, try Detour’s Whey Protein Bar in Caramel Peanut.

Aside from great taste, get the benefits of whey protein (it’s an appetite suppressant, stabilizes glucose levels, and contains very little fat or carbs)—it’ll also save you from the sugar crashes and cravings that normal candy bars cause. Available in a variety of flavors, these are great for active ladies who are looking to build muscle/reduce fat but don’t eat meat or have time to make a protein shake after a workout.

Try: Hershey’s Sugar Free Jolly Ranchers (Kmart, $1.90)
If You Love: Jolly Ranchers, Hard Candy
Sometimes sugar-free candy is an absolute necessity, especially with juvenile diabetes on the rise. And aside from being sans sugar, Hershey’s sugar-free products also boast about 20% less calories and come in great bite-sized packages.

So go ahead and enjoy a few Jolly Ranchers—four pieces come in at a mere 35 calories! Hershey’s also offers sugar-free varieties in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, York Peppermint Patties, Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and Hershey’s Caramel-Filled Chocolates!

Try: Bissinger’s Lemon Ginger Yuzu Gummy Pandas ($5)
If You Love: Gummy Bears
Bissinger’s Lemon Ginger Yuzu Gummy Pandas with natural sweeteners are a healthier alternative to traditional gummy bears. With 0 grams of fat and 130 Calories per 16 pieces, these chewy treats make for an awesome, flavorful snack.

The lemon ginger option offers a grown-up tang along with a good ol’ dose of Vitamin C. There are several different flavors to choose from, including Blueberry Acai and Apricot Green Tea!

Try: Figamajigs ($23.85/ Box of 15)
If You Love: Chocolate-Covered Cherries/Fruit
For ladies who are looking to eat healthier, Figamajigs are the perfect snack. Not only are they 100% fat free, but they contain a fruity, good-for-ya fig covered in luscious dark chocolate.

Providing all the antioxidant power of figs, including regulating the digestive system, dark Figmajigs are more than a reduced calorie treat.

Try: Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans ($1.79 on LuckyVitamin.com)
If You Love: Jelly Beans
The mere thought of the JellyBelly Factory is mouth-watering. …But eating a pound of jelly beans isn’t the healthiest decision. Opt for an organic jelly bean instead, made with fruit juice and organic sweeteners.

Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans also provide 100% of your daily recommended Vitamin C. With flavors like cherry, grapefruit, grape, lemon, strawberry and orange at 130 calories per serving, how can you go wrong?

Try: Gayle’s Miracles Chocolate Truffle Snack Pack ($9.99)
If You Love: Truffles, Milk Chocolate
Craving the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness that is a truffle? Coming in at only 30 calories per truffle, Gayle’s Miracles Chocolate Truffle Snack Pack means you can definitely afford to treat your sweet tooth with a little dessert.

Try: Labrada Nutrition Rockin’ Roll Nut Roll, Nutty Peanut 12 ea ($23.49 on drugstore.com)
If You Love: Pay Days
Nuts about chocolate? No worries, Labrada’s Rockin’ Roll Nut Roll is a great way to enjoy the classic candy bar without the classic guilt that usually accompanies it. This better-for-you bar features tons of protein, good fats and only 2 grams of sugar in one chewy, chocolaty disguise.

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