Hi everyone….I appreciate so much that you email me with your questions and comments. I did an interview earlier this week on snacking and looked at some of the nutrition numbers for various summertime treats. Long hot summer days just call for ice cream which I love. But with these numbers, a little on the lips can truly be forever on the hips. Did you know that according to wedmd.com, a Baskin- Robbins (one of my favorite ice creams) Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup Sundae contains 1, 220 calories, 80 grams of fat and 92 grams of sugar? With four grams per teaspoon of sugar…that’s about 23 teaspoons of sugar. So ladies, if you’re trying to eat about 1500-1800 calories per day to lose a few pounds, this sundae alone is most of your days calories. Not to pick on Baskin-Robbins because a Cold Stone Creamery Dark Chocolate cone (large) has about 800 calories, 47 grams of fat and 68 grams of sugar. 

And you know that corn dog and fries that you see at the summer fair? Count them…770 calories and 1600 milligrams of sodium. Yes, I totally get that sometimes you just must have them but I want you to understand why weight loss is such a problem. The portion sizes and thus total calories taken in require such an output in exercise that just never happens…the weight comes on and it’s tough to take off. Remember, you are in charge of yourself and your health so think about how you spend you calories. Can you split this splurge with a friend? Order a child’s portion? Choose a lower fat variety? Maybe switch to a frozen treat of 150 calories or less such as fruit bars or fudge bars, light ice creams, fruit and yogurt parfaits, or how about fresh berries dipped in dark chocolate? Trail mix with some M&Ms tossed in? There are a lot of great options. 

Don’t forget to try this month’s recipe from Family Circle magazine: Black Bean Chili Burgers…perfect for these summer nights.

Listen to this week’s podcast