.



Sunday, August 3, 2008

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! ;)

Add to del.icio.usDiggIt!RedditStumble ThisAdd to Google BookmarksAdd to Yahoo MyWebAdd to Technorati FavesSlashdot it

16 comments:

Shelia said...

Great minds think alike! I sat these babies on my desk a couple of years ago.

While they still haven't replace my popcorn with white cheddar seasoning sprinkled on it, they have decreased how many times it gets eaten.

I keep those and sliced raw carrots (my primary snack) on my desk, and as I get hungry I just eat what I want of them. By the time I figure out what I want to eat, I'm no longer hungry.

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

I am with you! These are one of my favorite snacks and I can throw them back all day too. I love almonds and rasberries as well. Okay chocolate too but only in moderation.

Daisy said...

You are very lucky to have found a snack that is healthy and delicious!

Anonymous said...

Hi Diva!
I have nominated you for a Brillante Weblog Premio 2008 Award. This was given to me and I was told I need to select some blogs that I think are great and nominate them. I chose yours as one of them because I read your blog all the time and really enjoy it. You can visit my site to retrieve it. Thanks! By the way, I eat soybeans almost everyday and with all that good fiber stay in shape...like you!

peace,
mike
livelife365

Anonymous said...

ed to get into making these for myself.

out to dinner? Im all about the E.

at home? I NEVER THINK TO MAKE IT!

thanks.

MizFit

book_it said...

I guess I'm lucky. I can pretty much eat what I want and my weight doesn't fluctuate much.

Original GRITS said...

It's like you were reading my mind...I was in Wally World today and really wanted some good snack food but couldn't find anything other than fruits and the fixin's (I'm southern, shoot me) for homemade granola that hit my taste spot. Now you've got me thinking Edemame! I'm on a mission!
Thanks!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Fitness Diva,

This is a vegetable we blanch and add onions, garlic, and ginger to; a little salt, and sometimes small chunks of chicken breast topped by ground pepper and olive oil.

I have been eating lots of vegetables and fruits lately and feel a lot better, even if I lost a few pounds. We don't attempt any fish as we are wary of what these have fed on in the last couple of months. Ugh!

Anyway, this is a very healthy post and I am constrained to call you Dr. Diva. :-)

By the way, I obviously have not been here for some time and I noticed that you've made the site available for advertisements. But the real pleasant surprise for me was the slide you have at the very top. This is the first time I've seen your face and that whole physique. You're very pretty with a great healthy body to boot. The "I win" photo looks formidable and I bet you can knock me out with a couple of punches. :-)

However, the prettiest part of you is what I am most familiar with. That part about your thoughts, opinions, attitude, values, and beliefs, which you have consistently expressed on this site and on comments you have posted on my site. Have a great day! :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Fitness Diva,

This is a vegetable we blanch and add onions, garlic, and ginger to; a little salt, and sometimes small chunks of chicken breast topped by ground pepper and olive oil.

I have been eating lots of vegetables and fruits lately and feel a lot better, even if I lost a few pounds. We don't attempt any fish as we are wary of what these have fed on in the last couple of months. Ugh!

Anyway, this is a very healthy post and I am constrained to call you Dr. Diva. :-)

By the way, I obviously have not been here for some time and I noticed that you've made the site available for advertisements. But the real pleasant surprise for me was the slide you have at the very top. This is the first time I've seen your face and that whole physique. You're very pretty with a great healthy body to boot. The "I win" photo looks formidable and I bet you can knock me out with a couple of punches. :-)

However, the prettiest part of you is what I am most familiar with. That part about your thoughts, opinions, attitude, values, and beliefs, which you have consistently expressed on this site and on comments you have posted on my site. Have a great day! :-) --Durano, done!

The Fitness Diva said...

Sheila, sitting them right in front of you is a good strategy. I do that with these and my almonds, and I'm good to go!

Me likey the chocolate too, HNM Mom... especially chocolate ice cream! Haagen Daazs and I used to have such a DEEP, satisfying relationship! 'sigh'. Those days are SO over!!! ;)

Hey, Daisy! I hope you eat healthy too!

Thanks SO much for the nomination, Mike! It's great to be acknowledged! ;)

Original Grits, please tell me, WHAT is Wally World? lol
This city gal has never heard of it!

Mizfit, I know you'll do the right thing! :)

The Fitness Diva said...

Aw, thanks, Durano! (blushing)

I appreciate the kind words! Yeah, finally decided to reveal this mystery fitness diva.
All things in good time, right?

Take care and glad to see you're back!

Anonymous said...

Gotta love the vegetables. Can't go wrong!!

Love the site!

Strongblkwmn said...

I have a terrible sweet tooth. It's definitely my downfall. I'm going to buy some edamame and almonds and keep them in my face so I don't eat so much sweets.

Thanks for the info. I needed it.

aybi said...

i really thought i was the only one who actually like this beans, i think I'm lucky beacuse we can easily get that veggie here in our country. we call it "Baguio beans" because it grows mostly in the beautiful city of Baguio here in Philippines. Thanks for sharing this information! Godbless!

Ms. O. D. said...

I love the Edamame! I like to buy the frozen ones too, the ones that are already pealed, and put them in soup.

Unknown said...

Oh I have had these. they are pretty good. what I didn't know was how good these things are for you.

 
Clicky Web Analytics