5 Simple Switches

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

-Herman Cain

WEBSITES: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/hummus/ I'm not Betty Crocker enough to make my own so I stick to HEB's Hummus, but if you are able to get around the kitchen easier than me try making your own healthy hummus!

The grocery store can be so overwhelming. There are aisles of choices and it is hard to know what is the best choice to fit in your healthy lifestyle. These are a few products I have recently switched to and thought I would share!

About a month ago I made a switch to Stevia and haven't thought of going back. For as long as I can remember I used aspartame in everything, coffee, tea, or milk with vanilla. While it is zero calorie, aspartame has been linked to an increase in cravings.

Stevia is the sweeter and safer choice.

-100% natural

-300% sweeter

-Zero calories

-Diabetics can use it to help stabilize blood pressure

Many people have made the switch to soy milk because of the health benefits. Because it is made from beans, soy milk has a considerable amount of fiber and is also high in protein. Lacking the cholesterol of dairy milk, soy milk still has about the same amount as fat as 2% milk. Beware that if you chose to drink soy milk that you use foods high in calcium such as sardines, almonds and many beans to fulfill your supply.

By stirring in the oil with the process of hydrogenation, companies are turning the "good fats" into the "bad fats". While peanut butter has a bad rep for it's high level of fat, the "good fats" found in natural peanut butter has positive effects on cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease. The processed peanut butters have traces of trans fat that is linked to heart disease. Contrary, natural peanut butter choices are easier for digestion and a higher level of fiber. Yes, many natural peanut butter choices has the oil on top and this can decrease the shelf life, but many companies are developing products with the oil stirred in already.

There is only one word to describe Orowheat Sandwich Thins...DELICIOUS! For one entire round (top and bottom) there are only 100 calories, 1 g fat, 21 g carbs, 5 g fiber, and 5 g protein. I have switched over from bread and use them in all the same ways. It has very similar health benefits as the traditional bread loaves with fewer calories. These are fantastic toasted with eggs or peanut butter (natural of course!), with hummus, or lunch meats. Great find!

My newest favorite cereal switch is to Kashi GoLean. I have been stuck on Kellogg's All Bran Wheat Flakes, which are really tasty with fresh fruit! It has 5g of fiber and so it was very very filling but I needed something new. I went over to the Go Lean cereal and haven't thought twice about it!! It has a whopping 13 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber, so it fills you up and helps keep you full throughout the day. It is sweet enough to be eaten plain and also can be dressed up with some fruit.

These are just some of my choices. Find switches that fit your taste buds and make you enjoy being healthy!!

Megan