Wow, V8 is impressive!

[dancerjodi]

As part of our new 'eating healthier' thing, B and I are trying to stick to the food pyramid as a guide and eat small meals throughout the day: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/food/food-pyramid/main.htm

I had a difficult time getting in all my veggies last week (besides eating some at dinner I wanted to have some kind of veggie snack in the afternoon). I don't really like munching on carrot sticks and having to bring a salad to work for a snack in the afternoon was a bit inconvenient, so I decided to go the V8 route.

The only time that my family ever bought V8 was at Thanksgiving. I'm not sure why - it doesn't make any sense, really - but having a glass of V8 along with your regular drink at dinner has been customary. As a kid I thought it was pretty gross but decided to try it again this year since my tastes have changed over the years and I was pleasantly surprised. It was really yummy and reminded me a bit of tomato soup (a nice comfort food in the winter perfectly accompanied by a grilled cheese sandwich).

So I picked up some cans of V8 at the supermarket yesterday to serve as my easy and yet healthy veggie afternoon snack. This little thing is amazing! Its only 5.5 ounces, 35 calories and includes the following:
-no fat
-little carbs
-4% of the daily value of fiber
-30% of the daily value of Vitamin A (and 80% of that from Beta Carotine)
-60% of the daily value of Vitamin C
-2% of the daily value of Calcium
-4% of the daily value of Iron
-Juice from not only tomatoes but also carrots, celery, beets, parsley, lettuce, watercress and spinach.

So I think that just totally made my health-conscious day :)

Do you have any healthy food secrets to share?

Comments

[jetgrrl01.livejournal.com]

I don't do it every day, but sometimes I bring salads to work and found a quick way to make them. I buy pre-washed and cut lettuce or baby spinach (healthier stuff), as well as cherry tomatoes. I throw some of the lettuce and a few cherry tomatoes into a plastic container in the morning and into a ziploc baggie I put a little olive oil and some balsamic vinegar. Then, when I want the salad, I smush the ziploc around and put the dressing on the salad. It's a little basic, but it's pretty quick and healthier than some other snack options. You could also add thinks like chick peas and easy stuff like that, but I usually don't get around to it...

Also, I like eating cherry tomatoes as a snack. Yum. :)