Would I eat it? Outback’s Bloomin’ Onion

No way!  The mere smell of this dish clogs my arteries.  I think the nutrition profile speaks for itself (pay special attention to the areas in red):

Total Meal – Bloomin’ Onion®

Serves 6

Nutritional Facts* Per Serving Total Calories 260.0  cal 1560.0  cal Carbohydrates 30.9  g 185.2  g Dietary Fiber 4.1  g 24.9  g Total Fat 14.0  g 84.2  g Saturated Fat 5.4  g 32.5  g Protein 4.6  g 27.7  g Cholesterol 15.2  mg 91.5  mg Sodium 918.4  mg 5510.2  mg

If you’re still not convinced and find yourself asking  “How can I resist it when it tastes so good?”, ask yourself this:

“How will I feel after I eat this?”

My guess is you’ll feel bloated, stuffed, and like you want to take a nap!  Do you really want to feel that way?

The easiest way to make healthy food choices is to start by asking yourself this question:  “How do I want to feel after I eat?”  Your answer will then guide you in choosing the best foods.

Pretty soon, you won’t even want to put foods like the Bloomin’ Onion in your body and you’ll find yourself saying “GROSS!”

Would I eat it? Edamame (aka: soybeans)

Absolutely!  You’ve heard of the “incredible edible egg” right?  These little kidney-shaped beans are just as incredible.  They have a nutty flavor and are as versatile as the egg.

They are nutrition powerhouses!  Soybeans are beneficial for your cholesterol and offer your heart some extra protection.  Who couldn’t use that?  Check out their stats per 1/2 cup serving size:

Calories:  106; Total fat:  5 grams (no saturated or trans fats); Cholesterol:  0 mg; Sodium:  7 mg;  Total Carbohydrate:  7 grams; Fiber:  1 gram; Sugar:  5 grams; Protein:  9 grams; Calcium:  5%; Iron:  8%

They come in two varieties:  shelled and unshelled.  Since the shells aren’t edible, they are much easier to prepare using  the unshelled.  They can be microwaved or boiled.  The photo above is of Peggy’s Premium All Natural Shelled Edamame.  This brand is particularly easy to prepare because the soybeans are in a steam heating bag.  Pop one in the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes and they are ready!

Here are just a few ways you can add soybeans to your meals:

• Mix a handful in a leafy green salad
• Stir 1 cup into pasta sauce
• For a satisfying snack, enjoy them “as is” and pop them in your mouth just like jelly beans!
• Add 1 cup to your stir fry
• Add to your favorite baked bean, bean soup, or casserole recipe

Pick up a bag of edamame at your local grocery store today (found in the freezer section near the vegetables)!

Would I eat it? Kashi GoLean Honey and Cinnamon Instant Hot Cereal with Clusters

Yes, yes, yes!  Now this is what I call a great cereal.  I am usually a Quaker Oatmeal girl, but I couldn’t resist picking up a box of Kashi GoLean Honey & Cinnamon Instant Hot Cereal with Clusters.  “Instant” means quick!  This is the perfect breakfast for those of you who run out the front door in the morning with barely a minute to spare.  You know who you are!  You leave just enough time to shower, get dressed, brush your hair and teeth and that’s it!  Breakfast?  Unheard of!

The box contains 8 packets of cereal and is small enough to hide in your desk drawer at work.

Don’t let the word “honey” trick you into believing that this cereal is sweet.  It is very mild with a chewy, yet grainy texture.  The nutrition profile on this whole grain cereal is glowing…check it out:

Calories:  150; Total Fat:  2 grams (no saturated or trans fat); Sodium:  100 mg (not bad for an instant cereal); Carbohydrate:  26 grams; Fiber:  5 grams; Sugars:  7 grams; Protein: 8 grams; Iron:  8%

I topped mine with 1/2 of a banana and had a little skim milk on the side.  This is one cereal you can feel good about eating!

Food for Thought: Would I Eat It?

Happy New Year!  As I sat down the other day to write my very first blog post, I thought:  “what should I write about?” The first thing that popped into my head was:  “Would I Eat It?”.  As a registered dietitian and lover of food (hence the name “Expert Food Enthusiast”), I get asked all of the time about food.  So, I thought it would be a great idea to put my knowledge and love of food together to bring you sound nutrition information mixed with a little opinion.

“Would I Eat It?”

Last night I sat down with my evening snack as I do every night.  This time it was something new:  Cream of Wheat Instant Healthy Grain Maple Brown Sugar.  Sounds healthy and delicious right?  That’s what I thought too!  The nutrition profile is quite impressive:

Calories: 140

Fat: 1 gram (no saturated or trans fat)

Carbohydrate:  30 grams

Fiber:  6 grams

Protein:  7 grams

Not so impressive was the sodium content at 210 mg

The first bite was creamy yet a bit sweet.  As I took a closer look at the nutrition label, I noticed there was no sugar in it.  That could only mean one thing:  artificial sweetner.  Sure enough, this otherwise healthy cereal is made with sucralose (also known as Splenda).  Splenda has been approved by the FDA and is safe to eat.  I don’t like it personally and find that it has an artificial taste.  If you are looking to save calories and do not prefer artificial sweetners, just eat less of the “real” thing…sugar.

Would I eat Cream of Wheat Instant Healthy Grain again?  Only if they make it without Splenda.