Author Archives: Patience Lister

Life is busy! Some days there’s just no time to sit down to eat. But that’s no excuse to skip a meal. Eating regular meals and snacks is vital to maintaining a healthy weight, feeling alert, and keeping healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range.*

When your commitments are scheduled back-to-back, prepare one of these 4 quick and healthy grab-and-go meals:

1. Pita Pocket Salad

Pita pockets are on of the ultimate grab-and-go meals! With the right ingredients on hand, you can make this satisfying sandwich in under three minutes! Here how:

1. Open the pita into a pocket
2. Stuff with fresh salad greens
3. Throw on a lean source of protein, such as sliced chicken breast or tofu cubes
4. Top with a healthy dressing, such as tzatziki, hummus, or guacamole

2. Hard Boiled Eggs and Veggies

Eggs are a rich stash of nutrients, including protein, choline, iron, and vitamins A and D. When you hard boil them, you get a satisfying, portable meal item. Pair hardboiled eggs with fresh vegetable sticks, such as carrots and cucumbers, for added fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

3. Oatmeal Parfait Mason Jars

Oatmeal isn’t just for breakfast—although it sure makes a good one! Make oatmeal one of your go-to grab-and-go meals by stocking your fridge with oatmeal parfait mason jars. Simply combine these ingredients in a bowl:

• ¾ cup Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp. chia or flax seeds
• 2 tbsp. soy milk

Pour half into a jar, then top with 2/3 cup fresh or frozen berries, and the remaining oat mixture. Store in the refrigerator until you need a meal on-the-go.

4. PGX Protein Shake

Protein drinks are one of the easiest ways to satisfy hunger while commuting or running errands in your vehicle. Try this recipe for Nut Butter Chocolate Smoothie. It’s made with **PGX® Satisfast™ Rich Chocolate, which contains natural source whey protein.

No matter where you eat, make sure all your meals supply enough protein and fiber to keep you full and on track.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

Are smoothies good for you? They can be. With the right ingredients, you can pack a wealth of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein into each delicious smoothie – without adding sweeteners or bad fats.

Follow these 5 tips and every smoothie you make will be truly good for you:

1. Balance the Fruit to Veggie Ratio

Sure, fruit has outstanding health benefits, but eating too much can skyrocket your sugar intake. Balance out the fruit in your smoothie with vegetables such as kale, spinach, cucumber, squash, yam, or pulses. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of vegetables to fruit.

2. Use Unsweetened Ingredients

When including dairy or non-dairy alternatives, keep your smoothie’s sugar content down by choosing unsweetened, unflavored varieties. This means using plain yogurt instead of flavored and “unsweetened” soy milk instead of “original.”

3. Add an Extra Source of Fibre

Take the fiber in your smoothie to a level beyond what the fruit and vegetables contribute. Adding a scoop of SlimStyles® PGX® Granules or a tablespoon of chia, hemp, or ground flax seeds will help keep you full and even more satisfied.

4. Include Protein

When you drink a smoothie after your workout it should contain protein to help your body recover. PGX Satisfast™ Whey Protein Drink Mix makes for a delicious smoothie base that provides 10 g of protein per scoop. Greek yogurt, nut butter, and tofu are also sources of protein that create a smooth texture, while cooked quinoa, lentils, and black beans add protein and extra fibre.

5. Control Your Portion

When food is healthy it’s easy to rationalize a large portion; however, you’re better off sticking to a serving size that’s suitable for your caloric needs. As a guide, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s reference amount for smoothies is 240 ml (1 cup) per serving.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

You’ve stayed on track all day, yet once again you find yourself perusing the kitchen for a late-night snack. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. For many of us, late-night snacking is a key factor in whether we can successfully achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Not only do we have lower metabolic demands at night, but we also tend to crave less nutritious food, making late night snacks an easy way to pack on the pounds. [1]

If late-night snacking is holding you back from your goals, here are five tips to help you curb the habit:

1. Eat a Healthy Dinner

A nutritious, well-rounded dinner should sustain your hunger and energy until morning, leaving you with no excuse to snack. Include large portions of fiber-rich vegetables, a source of lean protein, and healthy fats in your meal to keep you full and satisfied.

2. Curb Your Hunger With PGX

PGX®* Ultra Matrix Softgels offer a convenient way to curb your nightly food cravings and experience a longer lasting feeling of fullness. Each softgel contains 750 mg of a patented natural fiber complex and is easy to take with your meal.

3. Break Your Routine

When snacking is part of your regular late-night routine, it’s time to switch things up. If you typically snack while surfing the net or reading on the couch, take your media to a different spot that’s further from your kitchen—such as your bed or a warm bath. Engage in an activity that makes snacking less convenient, such as walking your dog, sorting your closet, or a yoga session.

4. Brush Your Teeth

If the urge to graze becomes too tempting, brush and floss your teeth. Food is much less desirable with a fresh, minty mouth.

5. Keep Unhealthy Snacks Away

When all else fails, keep tempting and unhealthy snacks out of your home. Stock your kitchen with plenty of fresh-cut veggies for those nights when, despite all efforts, you find yourself at the refrigerator door.

Gain control of your snacking habits to gain control of your health—it’ll feel good!

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References:

[1] Gallant, Annette, Jennifer Lundgren, and Vicky Drapeau. “Nutritional Aspects of Late Eating and Night Eating.” Current Obesity Reports, 3.1: 101-107. Print.

Eating For Your Body Type

There’s no “one size fits all” body, so why follow a “one size fits all” diet? This is the notion behind eating for your body type. It’s an age old concept, practiced through Ayurveda, classical Chinese medicine, and various Western systems.

An important principle in eating for your body type is that your diet and metabolism affect where your body stores extra fat [1] [2]. Below we break down the four most common body shapes, along with the foods that are best suited for each.

1. Apple Shape

Features: Excess abdominal fat with slim arms and legs.

• Top foods: Lean proteins and dark leafy greens
• Don’t forget: Good fats from coconut oil, nuts, avocados, and eggs
• Cut back on: Starchy foods and refined carbs
• Smart tip: Keep blood sugar levels already within the normal range steady and cravings curbed

2. Pear Shape

Features: Heavy hips and thighs with a thin upper body.

• Top foods: High fiber fruits and vegetables with whole grains, such as oats, quinoa, and rice
• Don’t forget: Small portions of lean protein and good fats
• Cut back on: Dairy fats, soy, non-organic fruits and vegetables
• Smart tip: Avoid foods that may contain pesticides and growth hormones

Inverted Pyramid Shape

Features: Muscular upper body with excess chest and back fat.

• Top foods: Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fresh vegetables and fiber rich fruit
• Don’t forget: Low fat dairy
• Cut back on: Dairy fats, meat, salt
• Smart tip: Avoid the afternoon energy slump

Rectangle Shape

Features: Even fat distribution from head to toe.

• Top foods: Raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and spices
• Don’t forget: Small servings of lean protein
• Cut back on: Animal fats and refined carbohydrates
• Smart tip: Eat plenty of fiber

No matter what your body type is, you’re sure to benefit from the soluble fiber and 20 g of lean protein in each serving of *PGX Vegan Protein.

*Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX®. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX®.

References: