A little over a month ago I committed to lose 30 pounds while I’m 30. And 30 days later I’ve lost exactly three pounds. Three isn’t thirty, but it’s something. Since I wrote that post, I’ve been really trying to eat better and to stick with healthier foods, but it’s been tough especially when I’m eating my way through all the potatoes in Napa Valley. I’ve looked through blogs and cookbooks and weight loss websites for recipes and food ideas but most of them just don’t fit what I like to eat. I already know I can’t stomach eating eggs every morning for breakfast (I’ve tried it before) and that I can’t eat a salad every day for lunch without going crazy. And fish for dinner, yeah that’s out. I’m picky and that makes it hard to eat a weekly meal plan that’s made for someone who’s not. I even went as far as creating weekly meal plans, but they took me way too long with my picky palate!
Last week, I decided it was finally time to call in some professional help. I don’t have time to meet with an actual dietician or nutritionist (remember that whole no time thing), so I tried out something I’d heard about before – meeting with someone online via my computer. Amwell is the nation’s largest telehealth company that allows people like me to meet with board-certified, licensed doctors, dietitians, and psychologists for live online visits whenever you want to meet – day or night, 24/7 right from your computer or mobile device.
Isn’t technology amazing?
I had the chance to do a quick call with one of the registered dietitians and even just my first call was more helpful than hours of searching for recipes and snack ideas online on my own. Being able to talk to someone about my eating habits, my likes and dislikes, and having them recommend eating plans for me was so helpful; I can’t wait to try out all of the things they suggested. And schedule a follow-up call to talk about how things went, what changes I’d like to make, and other recommendations for hitting my ideal weight and fitness level. I can see this becoming a monthly or bi-monthly thing.
I loved being able to call and talk to someone when it worked for me, which you know isn’t during the typical 9-5 hours a regular office would normally be open. I also loved being able to talk to a dietitian who is familiar with sports nutrition, not just regular health, and could help me put together a plan that will both work for losing weight and helping me to get back to running half-marathons again! And I love knowing that no matter if I call at 2AM or 10AM the dietitian I speak to will have met Amwell’s tough hiring criteria of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition/dietetics, have completed an accredited, supervised practice program in a clinical setting, have passed the commission on dietetic registration’s national exam, and completed 75 continuing ed credits in the past 5 years. I’m sold.
I’m also sold on snacking more often. With the help of my new nutritionist friend and a little online research, I’ve put together a list of 50 different snack ideas that incorporate a healthy mix of protein and carbs, the things I need to keep my metabolism moving and my stomach feeling full. Now instead of heading to the pantry and grabbing the nearest box of cheese crackers or candy, I just look at my handy list and put together a quick snack from there instead.
To keep this post from turning into a novel, I’ve listed out 10 of my favorites below to give you a quick sampling of the snacks! I’ve also created a printable version of the list you can print out and put on your fridge or on the inside of your pantry door to remind you of a healthier alternative when all you want to do is eat a handful of goldfish. Enter your first name and email address in the form below to get the printable. If the form isn’t showing up below, click here to get to the form to download the printable files.
- Apple or celery with peanut butter
- String cheese, grapes, and a handful of almonds (your own little cheese and fruit plate!)
- English muffin topped with almond butter and sliced almonds (adds a nice crunch)
- Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and slivered almonds
- Turkey and cheese roll-ups with a serving of pretzels or whole wheat crackers
- Protein bites/energy balls
- Whole wheat toast with peanut butter and banana slices
- Whole wheat tortilla veggie pizza (this pizza on a whole wheat tortilla, broiled)
- Homemade pita chips and hummus
- Banana boats drizzled with pure honey and sliced almonds
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