Nutrition Expert Jackie Keller Reveals Healthy Halloween Choices for the Whole Family

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Nutrition Expert Jackie Keller Reveals Healthy Halloween Choices For the Whole Family

Say “boo” to too much sugar, fat, and calories! Nutrition expert Jackie Keller provides Halloween revelers with a nutritious option for the season: her Pumpkin Hummus loved by Katherine Heigl, Tia Carrere and Ginnifer Goodwin. Whether at home waiting for trick-or-treaters, sending the kids off to school with a festive snack, or attending a costume party this season, Jackie helps every ghost or ghoul make a smart snack decision.

“This Halloween, avoid the extra calories and fat found in traditional seasonal dishes, like pumpkin pie and cookies, and look to a more nutritious option that everyone can enjoy,” says Jackie, who has worked with numerous A-listers including Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron, and Reese Witherspoon. “My pumpkin hummus is a healthy, high protein recipe to serve at Halloween parties or take with you wherever the season takes you!”

Jackie’s Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
2 tbsp. sesame tahini
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. NutriFit Rockin’ Moroccan Salt Free Spice Blend
1 tbsp. vegetable broth
1 ea. garlic, minced and pressed
2 tbsp. Italian parsley, finely chopped
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
½ tsp. sea salt

1. Place tahini, lemon juice, spice blend, broth, garlic, pumpkin and salt in a food processor, and process until smooth.
2. Add parsley, pulse until blended. Taste for seasoning.
3. Garnish with pumpkin seed kernels, if desired.

For more information on Jackie Keller or NutriFit, please visit www.nutrifitonline.com.

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Some quick tip solutions to some common weight loss obstacles

How would you answer the question, “My biggest obstacle to losing weight is…?
If you answered any of the following, you’re not alone:

1) Stress, or the stress of handling difficult situations
2) Getting enough sleep
3) Finding the time to exercise and/or sticking with it
4) Battling cravings or a “sweet tooth”

Here are some quick tips to help you through these life circumstances. Not surprisingly, the solutions sound simplified, but are quite effective! Give these suggestions a try:

Eating small meals throughout the day helps keep blood sugar levels constant. This helps even out your moods, and leaves you better equipped to handle most any situation. So does regular exercise. It increases blood flow to the brain and throughout the body, improving your brain’s ability to process information and sensory system. Dehydration leads to fatigue, so stay well hydrated to avoid a response that is triggered by fatigue and irritation. Eating consistently also helps to minimize cravings. If you deny yourself all sweets, you may set yourself up for failure. A small piece of dark chocolate (1 oz) can go a long way towards staving off a binge.

Optimal sleep comes when the body is fatigued and the mind is at rest. Try to fall asleep in bed, rather than on the sofa. If you’re thinking about your day or watching TV when you fall asleep, your sleep may be disturbed and uneven. Avoid eating foods that make you uncomfortable just before going to bed, and allow ample time for your meal or bedtime snack to digest. Try drinking herbal tea an hour or so before you go to sleep to help you relax.

Plan your exercise or activity each morning as you brush your teeth. Prepare yourself by setting out appropriate clothing for the activity, such as walking or running shoes. Make it as important as any other appointment that you set for yourself.

More Good Foods Gone Bad

Even good foods can cause havoc in your life. Here are a few to watch out for.

Check out Jackie’s comments on DietDetective.com from this past Tuesday- October 14th, 2008.

Food: Dried fruits.

Problem:Exaggerate symptoms of candida and other yeast-feeding infections.

What Happens: According to Jackie Keller, founder of NutriFit and author of Body After Baby: A Simple, Healthy Plan to Lose Your Baby Weight Fast (Avery/Penguin, 2006), “Dried fruits are a concentrated source of naturally occurring fruit sugars that can exaggerate symptoms of candida and other yeast-feeding infections.” Candida albicans is a type of yeast-like fungus that inhabits the intestines, genital tract, mouth, esophagus and throat. Under normal conditions, this fungus lives in healthy balance with the other bacteria and yeasts in the body; however, certain conditions can cause the bacteria to multiply out of control. This can, in turn, lead to a weakened immune system and an infection known as candidiasis. “There are a host of candidiasis symptoms that vary from person to person and can include, but are not limited to, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, persistent heartburn, severe itching, bad breath, and kidney and bladder infections. The disorder is often misdiagnosed, since there are so many symptoms,” says Keller. Symptoms often worsen after consumption of foods containing sugar and/or yeast, including all forms of fruits and grains.

How Much Do You Have to Eat? “Everyone is different, so it’s impossible to generalize, but I would think that since a ‘normal’ serving size is [about 1 ounce], having any more than twice what a serving size is supposed to be is having too much,” adds Keller.

1-2-3 Quick n’ Useful Tips

1) Leave the dishes!
Trying not to overeat? After you finish your meal, leave the empty container & dirty dishes in sight. They provide visual cues so you won’t forget how much you’ve eaten.

2) Starting your day with Starbucks?
Skip the “whip” and save about 150 calories and half the daily allowance of bad fat.

3) Check the label!
When choosing artificially sweetened drinks, desserts, & goodies, steer clear of any that contain the poorly tested artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium.