Thursday, February 23, 2012

Day 39 - Time to Spice it Up!

I was reading this interesting article by a nutrition expert on 11 Ways to Rev your Weight-Loss Engine and number 4 caught my eye: Shock your tongue.

According to the article:

"Be liberal with spicy ingredients like cayenne pepper, hot sauce, jalapeños, chipotle, and hot salsa, and incorporate them into more meals: Consider adding chopped hot peppers to scrambled eggs, chicken or tuna salad, and tossed salads, or make a spicy sandwich spread by mixing a generous shot of hot sauce into hummus or low-fat mayo. Why? New research has found that adding spicy ingredients to your food can help suppress your appetite and even stoke your metabolic fire a bit. In one study, dieters who didn't normally eat spicy foods ate a soup seasoned with cayenne pepper for lunch, resulting in them consuming 60 fewer calories at their next meal and burning an extra ten calories. Sure, it's a small amount, but over time it adds up!"

I've never been a fan of spicy food in general, but since my awesome fiance Seth has become my personal chef, my palette has changed a bit. I'm starting to enjoy food that give a little kick at the end or leave a hot after taste. Don't get me wrong, I am NOWHERE near the level of those crazy guys on that show Heat Seekers. I mean who enjoys sweating and tearing up while eating??? Not this gal.

But after reading this article, maybe I'll allow Seth to sprinkle a couple more drops of hot sauce into his awesome dinners. Maybe.

And remember:


Yesterday's Recap:
2/22
Breakfast: Banana
Snack: Clementine
Lunch: Campbell's Select Light Soup: Maryland crab! SO GOOD! with some leftover couscous.
Snack: Grapes
Dinner: Sweet and spicy chicken with pineapple, broccoli, and brown rice (check out my Day 22 blog post for the recipe)
Water: five 24 oz. bottles
Exercise: a little over an hour in the gym - 40 minutes on the treadmill (ran 2 miles without stopping!) and 25 minutes core and upper body strength

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