Thank you!

[Tangerine]

Thank you for making me feel so welcome!

Melissa, I will mosey on down to the HLSG right away!

Lindrusso, I think that lately I've been feeling that I'm not getting sufficient benefit from food and nutrients. Pasta has always been an energy and well-being food, even more so than protein, but it's not doing the trick these days.

For instance, what would you consider a good energy food? What do you think is the best breakfast?

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Tangerine

[emilycat]

I think the key is variety -- eating too much (proportionately) of one type of food; i.e., pasta, can start to weigh you down, both mentally and nutritionally. Try to get varieties of whole grains (here I go with my push on whole grains again), such as quinoa (my personal favorite), non-refined barley, bulghur, kamut, etc. If you're not eating whole wheat pasta yet, start http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
As for veggies and fruits, make your plates as colorful as possible, every meal of the day -- you're bound to get many of the nutrients you need that way. Not only will eating this way fuel your body and provide you with loads of nutrition, it's such a thrill to devour food with such lovely presentation.

As for your breakfast question, a good one includes some carbs, protein and fruit (another carb source) This morning I ate a banana, a bowl of Grape Nuts Flakes, and an Earth Grains Hearty Wheat Bagel with about a Tablespoon of natural peanut butter. I know that's more than a lot of people eat for breakfast, but I think that as long as you're getting the carbs for energy, the fruit for vitamins and the protein to ward off mid-morning hunger pangs, you're okay.

Does any of this help?



[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 06-20-2001).]

[lindrusso]

I think Emily's right. The key is variety. I know that there are lists of foods that are supposed to be mood enhancers, good for energy etc., but I don't know them offhand. For me, eating healthy and getting enough exercise is the best energy booster.

As for breakfast, Emily and others on this board have been key in changing my habits in this department! I now eat high fiber, nutritous cereals like Healthy Valley Soy Flakes, Kashi Go-Lean Crunch, etc. They are yummy and soooo good for you. I throw in some toasted pecans and fresh fruit. A power breakfast for sure! And some of the benefits are psychological as well - just knowing that I'm eating well makes me feel better!

I've also been concentrating on getting a better variety of greens, veggies and fish into our diet.

Time to go eat some salad... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ....

[Tangerine]

Emilycat, how can I thank you for such in-depth information? You know, you've hit the nail on the head - that's exactly how I've been feeling, mentally and nutritionally weighed down. How well you've put it. And yes, I agree - a lovely food presentation really is a thrill.

Your breakfast seemed like a lot at first blush, but the more I considered your menu, the more I've come to see the logic of it. I do love Earth Grains wheat bagels, and I've just bought a bunch of bananas. I feel better already!

Lindrusso, your list of nutritious cereals is great - I've copied it down.

Thank you both.

Tangerine

[emilycat]

Tangerine, you're very welcome http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Be sure to keep us updated on how things are going!