William Penn Life, 2009 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2009-09-01 / 9. szám
fhe Kitchen with Főszakács Béla Healthy Snacking FÁRADJON BE A MAGYAR KONYHÁBA. It's September, and we are all back in school. I myself not only teach but am taking classes in grad school pursuing a master's degree in gastronomy. It's the study of food, food history and cultural values. There is so much to learn when dealing with the subject of food. In the HK I always try and give you the condensed version or all the info without the minor details. While I enjoy and appreciate reading and studying, others just want the facts. So, that being the case, let me give you some facts about healthy snacking. But, first, the trivia question for the month: What is the most popular and oldest snack food in America? The answer you can eat while trying to figure out the answer?!? And now let's get snacking. Foods can have different effects on your body. The latest craze is energy drinks that give you super power, like Red Bull or Monster. If you eat too much of anything it will have an adverse effect on your body. The idea is to enjoy a wide range of foods giving your body the variety it can use for energy and existence. I will say one thing to avoid too much of is sugar or anything that has too much added sugar in it. Sugar leads to diabetes and other health related problems that can shorten your lifespan. What about fresh fruits that are very sweet? They are okay because of natural sugar which is in the fruit and not added. One product that is very sweet with natural sugar is honey. Honey can be used to bake, flavor your tea or coffee or put on your favorite hot cereal. Snacks, by definition, are foods eaten between meals. If I am that hungry and need to eat something between meals, I must not be eating enough when I do have my meal. If you're the type of person that eats more than three times a day, then a snack is more than just in-between food. Making the best of your snacks will keep you healthy and nourished in between meals. Keeping that in mind here are some solutions and suggestions to keep your bodies on the good path of nutrition. Fresh fruit—like apples, oranges, pears, bananas and grapes—provides essential vitamins and minerals and takes away the hunger pangs. Add to this list peaches, plums and, my favorite, nectarines. Fruit is always an excellent choice. Vegetables in raw form, by themselves or with a dip, offer another healthy alternative. Try carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, celery sticks and even cauliflower florets. The dip or salad dressing should, if possible, be fat-free or low-calorie. Yogurt, plain or with fruit, provides still another snack which does the body good. If eating plain yogurt, why not add some fresh fruit or choose a flavored yogurt like vanilla or lemon? A peanut butter sandwich, made with multi-grain bread and natural peanut butter, is another favorite of mine. Natural peanut butter is very low in sugar and carbohydrates. It has to be stirred because the peanut oil separates from the peanuts. Try eating natural peanut butter for a week, then go back to the commercial brand, and you'll see how much better tasting the natural brand is. Natural butters also do not contain a lot of added sweeteners or sugar, making them a bit healthier. Potato chips are not a good snack food even if they are baked instead of fried. They are the kind of snack you enjoy with a sandwich or a cold beer at the bar. Pretzels might be a good snack if they didn't contain salt. Choose pretzels that have half the salt and you should be fine. Popsicles are a great snack for children if they are made from 100% fruit juice with no added sweeteners. An 8-ounce orange juice popsiele lasts longer than the same amount in a glass. You can also make your own popsicles at home by pouring fruit juice in ice cube trays or plastic cups and freezing. Home made granola with dried fruits tides the appetite and offers nutrition to the body. Beverages can also be snacks. A fruit smoothie, herbal tea or even sodas qualify, but make sure they contain low amounts of sugar. Trivia Answer: Popcorn is the oldest and most popular snack food, dating back to 5,000 years ago. Enjoy making the recipes and have a great month. Jé ítvápfú. fogzajU&s "The Hungarian Kitchen " is a trademark of William S. Vasvary. 10 William Penn Life, September 2009
