Showing posts with label The Leaf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Leaf. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Love Your Body: 5 Tips for a Healthy Valentine’s Day

With so much emphasis on love around Valentine’s Day, we’d like to suggest that you turn your love inward and think about some ways that you can love yourself and your body. Whether you are just starting out with a healthier lifestyle or you’ve been at it for a while now, you likely know that the journey has its ups and downs.

But no matter what life throws your way, you deserve to treat yourself well. Oftentimes, that means not being so hard on yourself. When you make a mistake, accept it, learn from it and move on. Don’t dwell or allow yourself to spiral out of control. You can always get back on track.

It’s time to give yourself some credit and show a little love to the body that has gotten you this far in your journey. To help you shift your focus toward loving your body and doing good for you, we’ve rounded up some fun tips for a healthy Valentine’s Day.

19 Delicious Desserts to Add to Your Valentine’s Day Menu

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Show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day with these five healthy tips:

1. Crush your chocolate cravings.

chocolate cravings

While chocolates might be the quintessential Valentine’s Day treat, there is a way to get your chocolate fix without totally derailing your diet with a heart-shaped box of sugar-packed sweets. The Leaf Weight Loss Blog is filled with nutritious and delicious chocolate recipes, such as our Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake. You could also satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthful way with one of these healthy chocolate snack hacks!

Nutrisystem offers a variety of chocolate treats on our snack menu that are both tasty and weight loss-friendly. We’re totally crushing on our Chocolaty Fudge Bar, Chocolate Flavored Pretzels and Chocolate Brownie Sundae.

2. Cook dinner at home.

valentine's

Instead of making a reservation with your V-day date, why don’t you consider cooking a meal together at home? It can be romantic and fun to prepare an entrée and share it cozily at the dinner table. You can still light candles and even dress up if you want. Take a look at the recipe section on The Leaf for a wide range of meals that fit into your Nutrisystem program.

By cooking at home, you’ll save money, fat and calories. Many restaurants tend to use more oils, sugar and salt in their food preparation. This can cause a single meal to provide most or all of your total recommended daily calories. The fact is that you could make a much healthier version of the same meal at home.

5 Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Involve Food

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3. Make wise choices.

valentine's

Of course, if dining out is one of your favorite things about the holiday, there are ways to do it that won’t totally set you off track. For instance, you can plan ahead by researching restaurant menus online so that you’ll be able to make a smart choice. Look for veggie-based dishes or lean meats that are grilled or baked. Avoid fried foods and meals with creamy sauces.

Keep your portion sizes in check by splitting an entrée with your date or immediately boxing up half of it before you even start eating. You can find many other smart tips for dining out right here on The Leaf! Take a look at the Nutrisystem Dining Out Guide so that a dinner out doesn’t derail your healthy eating plan.

4. Get your heart pumping.

valentine's

If you want to show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day, then you should get it pumping with a fun activity that you enjoy. Whether it’s cycling, going for a jog, doing yoga or walking with a friend, choose something that you love to do so that it’s fun and rewarding.

If you’re paired up this holiday, you might consider trying out a partner exercise. Just do a quick internet search for a “couple’s workout” and you’ll discover many great ideas to strengthen both your body and relationship. Of course, if you’re rocking it single this V-day, you can still love yourself and your body by getting that heart rate up and improving your cardiovascular health.

10 Ten-Minute Workouts

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5. Spread the love.

valentine's

Taking care of your mind and spirit is incredibly important and something that you might be thinking about this Valentine’s Day. Why not share the love this February by making a date with a local volunteer organization? Donating your time and effort to serve those in need is the perfect way to give back to others. Whether it’s handing out meals at a soup kitchen, organizing shelves at a local food pantry or even taking shelter dogs for a walk, you’ll feel good about spreading love to others in the community—and you’ll make a difference in their lives, too.

The post Love Your Body: 5 Tips for a Healthy Valentine’s Day appeared first on The Leaf.



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Friday, February 7, 2025

20 Healthy Dip Recipes for the Perfect Quick and Easy Appetizer

You’re probably thinking, “Great, just what I need when I’m trying to lose weight, an irresistible calorie-and-fat-laden dip for calorie-and-fat-laden (and can’t stop at one) chips.” But you don’t have to despair over appetizers when you have these guilt-free and healthy dip recipes!

We’re serving up 20 healthy dip recipes that are perfect for snacking and celebrating. These healthy appetizer dips will calm all your fears. They’re all tasty but they’re totally diet-friendly. (A couple are even meant for dessert dipping!) Plus, they can help you eat more veggies.

1. Everything Bagel Dip

everything bagel dip.

The secret to making low-cal delish is to spice it up. This dip has it all! Mix a tablespoon of “everything bagel” seasoning into a mixture of nonfat plain Greek yogurt (loads of filling protein), low-fat cream cheese and some spicy Dijon mustard to create this simple snack. Then bring on the sliced veggies and whole grain crackers! Two tablespoons equals one serving and clocks in at only 32 calories.

Get the Everything Bagel Dip recipe.

2. 4-Ingredient Avocado Chickpea Dip

4-ingredient low-calorie avocado chickpea dip. healthy dip recipes

This simple dip is not only Nutrisystem-approved, but it was also developed by a Nutrisystem member! All you need is a food processor, one can of chickpeas, one avocado, a tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro, salt and pepper. Use it as a dip or spread it on whole wheat bread for diet-friendly avocado toast.

Get the Avocado Chickpea Dip recipe.

3. Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe

Mexican street corn dip recipe

Do yourself a favor: Don’t save this one for Cinco de Mayo. Corn is available year-round so make it for any special event! It is the perfect family snack for watching football. You char two cups of corn in a skillet (or on a grill, also year-round now) and combine with jalapeno, cilantro, chopped red onion, diced avocado and crumbled cotija or feta cheese. Serve with a dressing made from lime juice, minced garlic, lime juice and black pepper. Scoop it with veggies or whole grain chips or use it to top tacos.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Dip recipe.

4. Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip

This recipe makes dip for a crowd! With a few smart swaps, it becomes one of our favorite healthy dip recipes. Plus, it’s easy to make! Start with a cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, add some blue cheese crumbles, thinly sliced scallions, fresh chopped parsley and buffalo hot sauce. Serve with celery and carrot sticks. The recipe makes 10 servings at 24 calories each.

Get the Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip recipe.

5. Skinny Chili Cheese Dip

skinny chili cheese dip. healthy dip recipes

Made with lean ground turkey, a can of refried beans and fire-roasted diced green chilis right in your slow cooker, this dip is easy and filling. Spiced with chili powder, cumin, paprika and topped with low-fat cheddar, it’s as good as any Mexican dip you ever had but you won’t pay the same price when you weigh yourself. The recipe makes eight 221-calorie servings. Serve with Nutrisystem-approved chips, like our recipe for Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.

Get the Skinny Chili Cheese Dip recipe.

6. Powerhouse Pumpkin Hummus

powerhouse pumpkin hummus. healthy dip recipes

Pumpkin is more than just pie and Halloween decor. It’s actually an edible squash and like other squashes, is high in vitamin A. In your supermarket, they’re sold as cooking pumpkins and they make the base of this interesting hummus that combines pumpkin cubes, garlic, salt and cumin which is roasted in the oven until golden. Blend with a little lemon juice and water until the mix is hummus consistency.

Get the Powerhouse Pumpkin Hummus recipe.

7. Black Bean Brownie Dessert Dip

low-calorie black bean brownie dessert dip. healthy dip recipes

We had to include this sweet treat in this list of healthy dip recipes! Hold the veggies and bring out the strawberries or graham crackers! Even though a there’s a can of black beans in this dip recipe, which serves 18, it’s made sweet by the addition of medjool dates, Dutch processed cocoa powder, cashew butter and a smidge of maple syrup. At 81 calories per serving, it makes a light dessert dip that’s filled with fiber.

Get the Black Bean Brownie Dessert Dip recipe.

8. Roasted Garlic Hummus

low calorie roasted garlic hummus

Garlic lovers, rejoice! This traditional chickpea-based hummus is flavored with aromatic garlic roasted in the oven with the usual olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and cumin. This recipe makes eight two-tablespoon servings for only 150 calories each. Serve with baby carrots, whole wheat crackers or sliced whole wheat pita.

Get the Roasted Garlic Hummus recipe.

9. Red Pepper Walnut Dip

low calorie red pepper walnut dip. healthy dip recipes

Get out your food processor and throw in walnuts, a cup of jarred roasted bell peppers, garlic, pomegranate molasses, whole wheat breadcrumbs, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, cumin and salt. Before you know it, you have a savory dip that you can use to serve a crowd! It also makes a healthy Flex snack for you and your family. It’s only 53 calories per serving.

Get the Red Pepper Walnut Dip recipe.

10. Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip

spicy Greek yogurt dip. healthy dip recipes

This is another recipe submitted by a Nutrisystem member and it’s a keeper! Mix nonfat Greek yogurt (loads of filling protein) with salsa. Add turmeric, cumin, coriander, garlic powder and cayenne and you have a Flex snack or party dip with a real kick. The recipe makes two servings, each clocking in at 153 calories.

Get the Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip recipe.

11. Vegan Queso Dip

low calorie vegan queso dip. healthy dip recipes

Despite its name, this dip isn’t just for vegans. It’s animal-product-free but tastes and feels cheesy thanks to nutritional yeast, cashews, roasted cauliflower, jalapeno, onion and garlic. The dip is seasoned with cumin, onion powder and pureed with unsweetened soy milk and mixed with salsa. The recipe makes 10 servings, so it’s good for a crowd. However, you can also save it in the fridge for your daily snacks.

Get the Vegan Queso Dip recipe.

12. Easy Cheesy Pimento Dip

easy cheesy pimento dip. healthy dip recipes

Pimento cheese is a traditional Southern dish that’s made its way to all corners of the US because it is SO delicious. It’s great as a sandwich spread too. Plus, you gotta love a recipe that says, “mix all the ingredients in one bowl,” right? Those ingredients include jarred pimento, reduced fat shredded cheddar, chives, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Serve on whole wheat crackers or bread.

Get the Easy Cheesy Pimento Dip recipe.

13. Skinny Cannoli Dessert Dip

skinny cannoli dessert dip. healthy dip recipes

Healthy dip recipes don’t have to be savory! We’ve got another tasty idea to satisfy your sweet cravings. Snack, dip, go-to dessert—whatever you choose to call it, this is a heavenly treat. Plus, it’s so easy! Just mix creamy fat-free ricotta cheese with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt, vanilla extract and a packet of stevia and you have a 101-calorie sweet treat! Serve with sliced fruit, graham crackers or stuff it into strawberries!

Get the Skinny Cannoli Dessert Dip recipe.

14. 7-Layer Southwest Dip

7-layer southwest dip. healthy dip recipes

A few healthy, low-cal swaps and you can put seven-layer dip back on the menu. Start layering with mashed black beans, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, cumin and chili powder, then layer on mashed avocado, more nonfat yogurt, salsa, shredded low-fat Mexican cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions and chives. Serve with assorted sliced veggies or whole grain tortilla chips! The recipe makes one serving (yes, you can eat it all!) that contains 216 calories.

Get the 7-Layer Southwest Dip recipe.

15. Edamame Hummus

low calorie edamame hummus. healthy dip recipes

If you love edamame, you’ll love this spreadable and dip-able hummus that’s a lovely emerald green. You simply blend a cup of deshelled edamame, tahini, lemon juice, water, cloves, olive oil, cumin, pepper and onion powder. One serving (one tablespoon) is only 64 calories.

Get the Edamame Hummus recipe.

16. 5-Star Cucumber Dill Dip

5-star low calorie cucumber dill dip. healthy dip recipes

Scoop up this yummy veggie dip with a slice of red pepper or a chunk of celery. You can also use it as a spread for sandwiches, just like tzatziki sauce! It’s easy to make, too. Combine one cup of plain fat-free Greek yogurt with chopped cucumber, dill, garlic and lemon juice. This recipe makes two servings at 74 calories each.

Get the Cucumber Dill Dip recipe.

17. Easy Spicy White Bean Hummus

spicy white bean hummus

One serving of this hummus is only 67 calories. It’s one of our favorite health dip recipes because it’s beautiful and oh so simple to make! Simple combine a can of white beans with some tahini, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and spices. We use a zesty combination of turmeric (which gives this dip its yellow color), cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and start dipping!

Get the Spicy White Bean Hummus recipe.

18. Skinny Spinach Dip

skinny low-calorie spinach dip. healthy dip recipes

It’s not a party without spinach dip! This classic replaces most of the fat with herbaceous goodness. Combine nonfat Greek yogurt with steamed baby spinach, pine nuts, garlic, scallions, fresh dill, red bell pepper and lemon juice. Scoop it up with carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices or sliced whole grain bagels.

Get the Skinny Spinach Dip recipe.

19. Rosemary Tomato Feta Spread

rosemary tomato low fat feta spread. healthy dip recipes

Rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh rosemary—what a flavorful combination! They’re mixed with creamy, thick low-fat cream cheese, feta, garlic and fresh lemon juice to create a delicious spread for whole grain crackers, bread, pretzels and even veggie slices. This recipe makes eight one-tablespoon servings. One serving clocks in at 89 calories.

Get the Rosemary Tomato Feta Spread recipe.

20. Artichoke Basil Hummus

artichoke basil hummus. healthy dip recipes

After the first taste, you’ll agree that adding artichoke to basic hummus is a stroke of genius. It adds fiber to an already high-fiber food, making it ultra-satisfying. This dip is also easy to make. Blend together chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, cumin and olive oil in your food processor. Add water if it’s too thick, then stir in chopped artichokes and basil. Try this on thick slices of red pepper, celery, cucumber, whole wheat crackers or pita. A two-tablespoon serving is only 87 calories.

Get the Artichoke Basil Hummus recipe.

The post 20 Healthy Dip Recipes for the Perfect Quick and Easy Appetizer appeared first on The Leaf.



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5 Healthy Tips for the Big Game

Football season is coming to a close and we’re all ready to sit back, relax and watch the big game. While we all love fried appetizers, cold beer and hot wings, they can do some serious damage to your waistline. Don’t give up on your New Year’s resolution this game day! Stay on track with our five healthy, football-friendly tips.

1. Enjoy a pre-game activity.

father and son throwing football outside

Before you sit down for the big game, consider doing something active to start the day off right. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have a full-on sweat session. Grab the family, head outside and get in the football spirit with a game of catch! Even just a short walk can make a big difference. Check out the Fitness section on The Leaf for healthy tips and tricks for staying active.

2. Choose your snacks and appetizers wisely.

chips and dip on a table with a football

Fried food is a football game favorite. However, classic game day fare like mozzarella sticks, French fries and nachos are typically packed with calories and unhealthy ingredients. But not to worry! You can easily stay on track with delicious and nutritious recipes from The Leaf. Consider us your virtual recipe book for all things delicious! We have recipes for all of your favorites. We love making healthier fried food in the air fryer and diet-friendly alternatives for many popular snacks. Check out some our top recipes below!:

Don’t feel like cooking? Let Nutrisystem cater your game day snack menu! We deliver pre-portioned versions of favorite treats right to your door. Because they’re already in the perfect serving size, you don’t have to worry about overeating. Our Cheese Puffs and White Cheddar Popcorn are great choices for the big game.

10 Tasty Game Day Recipes

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3. Keep food in the kitchen.

man watching American football with snacks and beer

Out of sight, out of mind! Avoid mindless snacking by keeping your game day spread off of the coffee table and in the kitchen. By ensuring there is a good distance between you and that pile of delicious food, you can help ensure that you don’t go in for seconds if you’re not feeling hungry. Keeping the food on the counter will just add an extra barrier between you and too many extra calories.

4. Limit alcohol.

beer next to an American football with snacks

We know, we know. There’s nothing like drinking your favorite ice cold beer while you’re watching the big game. But hear us out! You can enjoy a refreshing brew that’s lower in calories yet still delicious. Registered Dietitian and beer enthusiast, Mandi Knowles, taste tested a variety of diet-friendly beers to help us find the tastiest options. Check out her top 10 picks here! >  

When it comes to alcohol, moderation is important. You can enjoy up to two alcoholic beverages per week on Nutrisystem. We recommend spreading them out and enjoying them on different days of the week. Learn more about alcohol on Nutrisystem here. >

5. Use caution when ordering takeout.

woman ordering takeout on her smart phone

Pizza joints and fast food restaurants are popular picks for game day grub. From pizza and hot wings to tacos and barbecue, the temptation to indulge is real. Not to mention, restaurant serving sizes are often way more than what you should be eating! If you plan to order out this game day, be sure to consult the Nutrisystem Dining Out Guide. We offer plenty of healthy tips and tricks for different types of cuisines. We also provide suggestions for some of your favorite restaurants! We also crafted this list of seven tips for ordering healthy delivery or takeout. >

Are You a Gamer? Here’s How Your Hobby Could Impact Your Weight

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The post 5 Healthy Tips for the Big Game appeared first on The Leaf.



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Thursday, February 6, 2025

7 Tips for Ordering Healthy Food Delivery or Takeout

The number of people ordering takeout or food delivery seems been higher than ever before. For many, it’s something to look forward to after a long week. Even if we don’t have time to hit the town and dine out, we can still look forward to ordering a special meal. Plus, who doesn’t want to enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner in sweatpants at home?

But what does that mean when it comes to sticking to a healthy eating plan?

Fortunately, we believe that you can find ways to order takeout or delivery and still stick to your plans to lose weight. In order to help you make smarter choices, we’ve rounded up some tips for choosing healthy food options for takeout or delivery.

Going Out to Dinner? 6 Restaurant Calorie Bombs You Need to Skip

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1. Remember, it starts with your order.

a woman ordering healthy food delivery on her phone

At Nutrisystem, we’ve always acknowledged that dining out can have a social or entertainment factor that we don’t feel you should miss out on just because you’re trying to lose weight. That’s why we’ve offered numerous tips for dining out that help you to have the best of both worlds. Ultimately, a good majority of these tips boil down to making smart food choices and only ordering healthy meals.

Just because you’re dining out, that does not mean you have to choose the unhealthiest menu items. Well, the same goes for takeout or delivery!

Pay attention to what you’re ordering. Choose grilled meats over fried ones. Choose a green vegetable as a side as opposed to French fries. Try to pay attention to how your vegetables are prepared. Ask for them steamed and without butter. Since you’re ordering at home, you have even more time to research your menu options and make a smart selection.

2. Beware of “healthy choice” traps.

a selection of 5 healthy food delivery options on a table

We’ve talked about the fact that a salad isn’t always your healthiest option when ordering at a restaurant. The same is true, of course, for takeout or delivery. If a salad is smothered in a high-fat dressing and/or packed with toppings like bacon, cheese or fried chicken strips, the health factor of the veggies can be quickly negated.

Just be wary of choices that sound like a healthy option but really are not. You can make simple changes—such as a lower fat dressing on the side—that increase the health factor of your meal. Since you’re eating at home, you could even use a homemade or store-bought dressing that you know is a better choice!

3.  Skip the drink.

soda being poured into a to go cup

If you are ordering healthy food for takeout or delivery, it’s even easier to forgo the sugary beverage and just drink water from home. Sometimes if everyone else at the table is ordering an alcoholic beverage or a soda, you might be tempted to follow suit. But at home you can try to drink more water and avoid getting empty calories from a beverage.

It’s a simple change that can go a really long way in eating healthier. We find that people often underestimate just how many calories they’re getting from beverages in a day. And like meal portions, restaurant drinks are often oversized.

Trouble Drinking Enough Water? 10 Hydrating Foods You Need to Be Eating

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4. Pass on dessert.

chocolate dessert takeout in a box

In the same way that it’s easier to pass on an added beverage when you’re eating at home, you can also forgo the restaurant-bought dessert. You won’t have any peer pressure or feel like you’re missing out. Instead, you can make one of these healthier dessert recipes that will still satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.

Don’t have time to make something yourself? Nutrisystem has plenty of premade desserts that are ready whenever temptation strikes! Instead of skipping dessert altogether, you can simply make a smarter choice at home.

5. Be cautious about mindless eating.

a person eating pizza out of a takeout box as they watch football

We’ve talked a lot about the importance of mindful eating. When we’re not paying attention to what we’re eating, it can be easy to overdo it. The trouble is, when eating at home, we are more prone to mindless eating.

If you’re eating in front of the television or even while scrolling through your phone, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve consumed. It’s important to slow down, shut off the distractions and pay closer attention. In this way, we end up enjoying our food more, too.

6. Portion food ahead of time.

5 healthy food delivery options in containers

You’re already aware that restaurant portions are almost always oversized and more than we should be eating in a single meal. We’ve provided tips in the past like boxing up half of the meal ahead of eating what’s left on your plate. The same goes for eating healthy takeout or food delivery. In fact, this might even be easier to do at home!

Take out a plate from home and serve what you’ll be eating from the takeout containers, then put the rest of the boxes right into the fridge. Do not even give yourself the chance to overeat! If you’ll be able to get several meals out of a single order, divide it into individual Tupperware containers for other days. Now, you have pre-portioned meals ready to enjoy.

How to Become a Portion Pro

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7. Split a meal with the family.

two people sharing healthy food delivery

While sharing meals is sometimes discouraged at restaurants, when you order takeout or delivery, it’s up to you what you do with the food! Order one dinner but split it with your spouse, significant other or child. This is another great way to avoid overeating on oversized restaurant portions.

We love that restaurants are being incredibly generous with their portions. But when it comes to making healthy choices, dividing those portions into multiple meals—for multiple people—is the easiest way to enjoy a special treat without overdoing it.

The post 7 Tips for Ordering Healthy Food Delivery or Takeout appeared first on The Leaf.



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