Dieting...

This week, I find myself guilty of overindulging in evil, evil foods without going to the gym to equalize things. In any way, my diet has been ruined. --I really have to remember that birthday celebrations happen on a monthly basis (my estimate), so the "Party kasi (It's a party)" reasoning isn't valid. And I have to live with the guilt after.

I do not believe in the diet principle of  going "cold turkey" on your favorite morsels. That just makes life unbearable. But to keep in line with balanced eating, I try to watch the portions I take in. (Though this week doesn't count! lol) I've also become wary of anything hydrogenated. But my vice remains to be the sugar-free soda. Diet soda is my biggest foe that, even at the gym, I have the habit of diluting it with water and chugging it like a Gatorade.

However, this entry is more about finding healthy alternatives, rather than counting vices. With that, I'd like to share some of my favorite snacks. *Note that this list is coming from a person who generally isn't a health buff. I'm still a foodie through and through.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="238" caption="Pascual Yogurt"][/caption]

1. Pascual Yogurt

I can live on 1-yogurt-a-day as my snack for months! Luckily, I'm one of those people who adores yogurt in all its forms. I was introduced to it by my cousin when I was around 8 years old. We used to buy Nestle yogurt (that I, now, find a bit too sweet for my taste), eat it as is or pop the little containers in the freezer and enjoy our own version of rock-hard frozen yogurt. --The frozen yogurt fad was unheard-of back then.

In other Asian countries (China, Korea, etc.), the groceries have such a wide variety of dairy products. I get so excited when I see the displays of yogurt and cheese that I basically hoard. The highlight of the breakfast buffet is if they have yogurt. I'd consume 2 to 3 packs in one sitting, and let's just say that my digestion gets on optimum function.

Here, I stick to Spain-produced Pascual Yogurt (with Desnatado (0% fat), Thick n' Creamy, and low-fat variants). The size of the pack is big enough for me at 120g, while Hacienda Macalauan's yogurt is at only 90g per pack. (--Delicious as that local brand is, I get hungry again way too fast.) And the price is close to Nestle, give or take a few pesos.

Can't wait to try their Black Cherry flavor...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="346" caption="Watermelon, watermelon..."][/caption]

2. Frozen Fruit

I learned this from my grandma, who used to freeze papayas, grapes, and so on... She'd snack on them on a hot day and seemed perfectly happy at it.

Just now, I have finished a medium bowl of frozen watermelon. (Yes, I devoured the fruit in the picture.) It had the texture of Twin Popsies, which I also ate earlier today. Nice alternative, and frozen keeps all the juices in.

3. Home-baked Goodies

I looooove banana cake. And I love it even more that I make my own, so that I control how moist it is and what goes into the batter.

To anything I make, I usually reduce the sugar and avoid using margarine. I have yet to find a brownie or cookie recipe that I don't find too sweet. But cakes are fun. And I make cupcakes too.

Other things I try to eat more of are oatmeal (I prefer rolled over instant), brown rice (it is different to white rice, but it's bearable), salads, and wheat bread (though I get tired of having bread all the time). But I'm still out to find low-maintenance dishes that make me happy and keep the menu interesting.

Any suggestions?