My Tasty Little Secret

So, in my own efforts to stay fit and keep myself in shape, I find that food is my biggest nemesis, and fighting off cravings for the bad stuff can be a full time job. I LOVE to eat! Hell, who doesn't? I've been able to pack it away since way back. My brother and I used to race to clean our plates as fast as we could so we could be the first one to get second helpings, or the last piece of food. Not wanting to be one upped by the boys, I soon learned that I could eat a plate of food as big as my Dad's....and boy, THAT was a big, heaping plate!

Well, that's all fun and cute when you're a kid or a growing teenager, but when you start getting older, that little party is sooooo over!

Now, having learned to eat to my heart's content, anything and everything, it's hard to have to pull back. I do, though, but I still make sure my taste buds get the workout they deserve via healthier munchies. Which brings me to one of my favorite little secrets: Edamame (Eh-duh-mah-may). I can eat tons of edamame and not gain weight. What's more, is I can eat nothing but them and strawberries all day, if I'm so inclined. I don't do that often, but I have. In fact, those tasty little soybeans are my healthy snack of the week! Haven't had them before? You should go to your grocer (or a sushi restaurant) and get yourself some right NOW. They are the best, healthiest snack EVER!!

Edamame are soy beans still in the pod, and you can eat them straight out of the pod raw, or boil them slightly. I buy mine frozen and thaw them in the fridge, salt them, and then just sit back and suck those beans right out of their pods one by one til the bowl is empty! Yum!

What's great about them is all the great stuff in 'em! First of all, edamame is the only vegetable that is a complete protein, and it contains all 9 amino acids. They're also a good source for fiber, vitamin A and isoflavones, which can help lower cholesterol. Edamame contains Vitamin C, calcium, iron, and essential omega 3 polyunsaturated fat (the good fat) as well.

A ton of health benefits have been attributed to soy beans. For one, reducing and helping to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure), staving off certain cancers (including breast), halting the onset of osteoporosis and also helping prevent heart disease. Studies show that soy protein might also help reduce insulin resistance, kidney damage, and fatty liver in people with diabetes. It really is one power vegetable!

Not only that, they are low in calories. That 16 oz bag you see pictured is only 300 cals for the entire bag. I try to make it into 3 servings, but usually end up doing two. No worries, though. I could eat two bags and still be chillin' on the calorie tip!

So, while I'm busy stuffing my face with them, I can't help but to think of what good I'm also doing for my body. It's a win-win situation!
So there you have it...another alternative to unhealthy snack food. When it comes to the war against unhealthy eating, you have to have as many weapons as possible so you can win. Edamame is one of my favorites ones! Try it! You'll thank me later! ;)

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