Weight Loss Recipes

Pies are among America’s favorite desserts and a classic indulgence in the summer season. There’s nothing quite like a nice slice of pie to finish off a delicious BBQ dinner. Unfortunately, these summertime favorites and epic Labor Day desserts are traditionally packed with fat and sugar that can easily derail your healthy intentions and weight loss journey.

But don’t get discouraged! While store-bought pies and traditional summer dessert recipes will have you loaded up on white flour, butter and sugar, our recipe developers at Nutrisystem and The Leaf Weight Loss Blog have created some diet-friendly options. Our healthy recipes will provide you with your fill of pie while keeping your healthy eating plans on track. These 10 summer pies use simple swaps and healthy ingredients to lighten up some of your favorite summer desserts.

Here are 10 summer fruit pies for a seasonal and satisfying sweet treat:

1. Fresh Peach Pie >

Nothing screams “summer” like a big slice of peach pie. Summer is peach season and that means lots of tempting peach desserts will be popping up—including some not-so-healthy ones. Fortunately, our healthy summertime version of peach pie uses a whole wheat crust and a diet friendly fruit filling with five cups of fresh peaches. No added sugar needed in this sweet treat! Peaches are rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber, making them a great addition to your healthy diet during beach season. One slice of this peach pie is 170 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

2. Healthy Apple Pie >

As they say, an apple a day keeps the doctor away—an old adage that just may ring true considering the fact that apples have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. But when apples are used in traditional pie recipes, their health value tends to get lost. Instead of burying apples in a load of sugar, this summer dessert recipe gets its sweet flavor directly from the source—whole, delicious apples. It’s a yummy indulgence you can feel good about. One slice of this healthy apple pie is just 147 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and two Extras on the Nutrisystem plan.

3. Must-Try Strawberry Pie >

Where fruit pies tend to go awry is in the crust. Pie crusts (and tarts) are usually packed with lots of butter. On top of that, many fruit pie fillings contain added sugar. However, this lighter version of strawberry pie uses a simple pie crust made from graham crackers and just two tablespoons of butter plus an egg. It also features a simple yet delicious strawberry filling that’s made from whole strawberries and a sugar-free gelatin mix. You’ll get a healthy dose of superfood strawberries—known to be a great source of fiber and vitamins—while indulging in a sweet treat. A slice of this summer pie is 132 calories and on Nutrisystem counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra.

4. Blueberry Pie Crumble >

Add this beautiful blue baked good to your seasonal summer menu! This berrylicious crumble looks like a gourmet dessert from your local bakery. However, don’t be fooled because it’s extremely easy to make. The secret ingredients that make this recipe unique are chia seeds and oats, which create a satisfying yet smart slice of pie. One serving contains 138 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and one Extra on the Nutrisystem program.

5. Skinny Peach Cobbler >

With summer being peach season, here is another wonderfully peachy dessert recipe to try! Though a light alternative, it tastes so much like traditional cobbler that it just may transport you to a front porch in the South. This version is made healthy by ditching the highly refined ingredients like white flour, white sugar and butter for whole wheat flour, brown sugar and only a smidge of light butter. It’s a delightful and guilt-free summer dessert staple, coming in at only 135 calories per serving. On the Nutrisystem plan, this Skinny Peach Cobbler counts as one SmartCarb and two Extras.

6. Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Pie >

When it comes to decadent, indulgent and healthy summer desserts, anything with the words “chocolate” or “mousse” easily tops the list. But most chocolaty summer pies are also packed with fat and calories. Fortunately, this light version has all of the decadence without the guilt. The secret ingredient for the creamy, silky goodness of a typical mousse pie is none other than tofu in this recipe! But if you weren’t the one to be whipping up this dessert, you’d honestly never know. Top it off with a cup of fresh raspberries to get your antioxidant power, too. A serving of this summer raspberry treat is just 157 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and one PowerFuel.

7. Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble >

If you’re looking for the perfect dessert to bring to a picnic, this is it! Sweet strawberries shine in this Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble that screams summertime and sunshine. You can forget about kneading and rolling out pie dough with this easy dish. Simply make the filling and top it with the stevia-sweetened and gluten free crumble that’s easy as… pie! One serving contains 185.9 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and two Extras.

8. Air Fryer Raspberry Crisp >

Don’t feel like turning on the oven? Not to worry! We’re cooking up a no-bake sweet treat that will keep you cool during the warm summer season. All you need is an air fryer to make this healthy dessert pie. Fresh raspberries are the star of the show in one of our favorite seasonal sweets. Topped with a crispy crumble made from oats, walnuts, chia seeds and cinnamon, you don’t need to knead any dough for this easy recipe! At just 140 calories per serving, you can log it into your NuMi journal as half of a SmartCarb, half of a PowerFuel and two Extras.

9. Pretzel Crust Fruit Pie >

When it’s hot outside and the temperatures are soaring, who wants to knead pie dough? A light and airy summer pie is just what you need on those hot summer days. We make a sweet and salty crust out of pretzels, butter and sugar, then fill it all up with whipped topping, lime zest and fresh fruit. Enjoy pie season even on the hottest of days with this cool Pretzel Crust Fruit Pie. Cool down while digging into fruity flavors! One serving contains 177 calories and counts as one SmartCarb and three Extras on Nutrisystem.

10. No-Bake Strawberry Pie Parfait >

While it’s not a classic pie recipe , this sweet strawberry pie parfait deserves a spot on your summer menu. No-bake pie recipes that are quick to whip up are absolutely welcomed in the summer when nobody feels like heating up the house with their oven or spending a lot of time in the kitchen. This simple-to-make no-bake recipe will give you the taste of strawberry pie in a delicious parfait. It’s a matter of mixing up a few ingredients and then layering those yummy mixes. In addition to healthy whole strawberries, this summer dessert recipe also uses nonfat Greek yogurt, which contains probiotics to support good gut health and boost your health and wellness goals! One parfait is 252 calories and counts as one SmartCarb, one PowerFuel and one Extra on the Nutrisystem plan.

The post 10 Summer Pie Recipes for a Satisfying Sweet Treat appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/pie-recipes-healthy-summer-desserts/

There’s no question that charcuterie boards are currently all the rage. While it’s certainly not a new idea—in fact, charcuterie style eating dates back to the 15^th century in France, according to TimesColonist.com—social media has blown this trend up. Whether for the holidays or just an everyday get-together, a classic charcuterie board is a great way to entertain.

While these delicious spreads are a ton of fun, they’re not necessarily known for being terribly healthy. After all, Oxford Languages defines charcuterie as “cold cooked meats.” A charcuterie board is traditionally known for featuring a wide variety of cured meats and cheeses.

But that’s not to say that you must be resigned to certain choices. There are certainly ways to boost the nutrition power and make a healthy, low-calorie charcuterie board with ingredients that you and your guests will still love. Here are a few of our best tips.

Step 1: Make wise low-calorie cheese choices.

Cheese is pretty much a staple of the charcuterie board and probably not something you want to skip entirely. But you can make smarter cheese choices in order to keep your board healthy. Look for reduced-fat versions when you can. And remember—like everything else, it’s all about moderation. A little bit of your favorite cheese is not going to derail your diet. It’s only when you go overboard that it starts to become a problem. If you have a favorite cheese, work it into the board but when you go to load up your plate, just limit how many pieces you take.

Step 2: Load up on fruits and raw veggies.

One way to increase the health power of your charcuterie board is to make sure it’s amply packed with fresh fruits and raw veggies. Grapes that are still on the vine make a lovely and colorful addition to any board. But you can also chop up any of your favorite, seasonal fruits to add to your display. Rainbow carrots, mini bell peppers, radishes, cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumbers are charcuterie board essentials.

Be sure to include a variety of healthy dipping options for your veggies including low-fat dressing, hummus or maybe even peanut butter. Use your imagination and get creative! After all, one of the things that makes charcuterie so much fun is the chance to try some new things. Having lots of fun dips will make it easy to eat more of the healthy choices. You might even add some yogurt dip for the fruit!

Check out these 20 healthy dip recipes for the perfect quick and easy appetizer! >

Step 3: Choose whole grain crackers.

The crackers or mini bread slices that are often found on charcuterie platters can create a carb loading dilemma. It’s very easy to quickly fill up on these less-than-stellar choices.

You can make healthier cracker selections like whole grain or whole wheat options which will add more fiber to your board. Look for cracker or bread choices that contain a whole grain as the first ingredient. You can also look for some sprouted seed or nut crackers for a gourmet, crunchy twist!

If you want to go the extra mile, you could even tackle making crackers on your own. These Sweet Potato Crackers or these Pumpkin Cranberry Crackers would make excellent additions to your platter. Making your own components allows you to be in total control of the ingredients you eat.

Step 4: Don’t overload the board with meats.

Cured meats often make up a large portion of a traditional charcuterie board. The problem with many cured meats is that they are typically high in salt content and contain nitrates. To make your board healthier, limit the number of cured and deli meats you feature and try to use low-sodium options without any added honey or sugar.

Even better, replace them with a healthier choice. In place of salami or pepperoni, perhaps use some deli-style smoked turkey. Or maybe you can include some lean proteins like grilled shrimp or blackened grilled chicken, sliced in thin strips. Again, get creative and think outside of the box.

Step 5: Pack it with additional protein.

In addition to some healthier meat choices, you might also consider making your charcuterie board protein-packed with some healthy choices like hard-boiled egg slices or nuts. You could even consider adding some roasted chickpeas.

At the end of the day, the choices are yours. There are no hard-and-fast rules to charcuterie boards that you have to follow. In fact, one of the best aspects of creating a board yourself is the option to get creative and make it truly your own. When you’re in control of the ingredients, you can make sure that your board is delicious and nutritious.

Lose weight with a convenient meal delivery service. Get started with Nutrisystem today! >

The post How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/how-to-make-a-healthy-charcuterie-board/

September is all about new beginnings. It’s a new season and many people begin new routines that will carry them through the rest of the year. Plus, September has been officially designated as Self-Improvement Month. We can’t think of a better time to start anew and better yourself! It’s time to think of every day as an opportunity to take simple steps that will help you look, feel and live better. To get you started, we’ve gathered this list of hints that you can use to build a happier and healthier you this September.

Here are 15 self-improvement tips for a successful September:

1. Reset your habits.

We make lots of choices every day. However, we also do many things without thinking, simply because they’ve become habits. The good news is that not all habits are harmful. There are many healthy habits that can turn your September into a successful start to a new season. Even better, research shows that it can take as little as 66 days to build a new habit that’s good for you, says University College London. This can include drinking more water, starting a new exercise routine, getting more sleep or even cutting down on screen time.

Not sure where to start? Check out these 10 workday habits of healthy people! >

2. Practice positivity.

You have more control of your inner dialogue than you realize. By making a concentrated effort to think positive thoughts, you can improve your mood and your health. “People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook,” says Johns Hopkins Medicine. They also explain that smiling reduces heart rate and blood pressure during stressful situations, even if it’s a fake smile. You really can fake it until you make it!

3. Give yourself goals.

Every achievement, big or small, starts with a goal. The goals you are most likely to reach are specific and attainable. Simply saying you want to lose weight or stay in touch with old friends, for example, makes it easy to keep putting those things off. Instead, define your goals as “fitting into my favorite dress for a wedding” or “calling one friend every week.” Click the link below for tips on writing your own goals!

4. Accept setbacks.

No matter how motivated and focused we are, sometimes forces beyond our control prevent us from reaching our goals. Too often, that makes us feel like giving up, as if we’ll never succeed. However, progress rarely goes in a straight line. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that even when we go two steps forward and one step back, we have moved closer to our goal.

5. Try mentoring.

People with experience in careers, parenting and life skills have invaluable knowledge to share with those just starting out. Mentoring can be rewarding for both sides—mature people get to pass along their well-earned wisdom and younger folks get help in overcoming obstacles. Plus, when one teaches, two learn! Check out The National Mentoring Partnership: They have a “connector” database that matches mentors with people who want to be mentored.

6. Widen your circle.

If you have a few close friends, you are fortunate. However, regular contact with a broader range of people is also good for your mental health as you get older. According to research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, “The midlife wellbeing of both men and women seems to depend on having a wide circle of friends whom they see regularly,” says ScienceDaily.

7. Make time to read.

We all spend more time than ever looking at the screens of electronics. It’s time to put down your smart phone and pick up a good old book! Taking time to read books helps both our bodies and our minds: Research shows that reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent, says the University of Minnesota. Whether you enjoy inspirational self-help, biographies or fantasy fiction, there’s a book out there for everyone. Audio books are also a great option when you’re on the go! Listen to them on your commute, your daily jog or while you’re cooking up a healthy meal.

8. Try new apps.

Our phones and tablets bring the world to our fingertips and can make our lives easier. You can try apps that help you work on your memory skills, learn new vocabulary, pursue creative ideas, manage your finances, try new workouts and so much more. Want to lose weight this September? Check out the FREE NuMi app from Nutrisystem, available for both Apple and Android devices! It’s the ultimate app for weight loss because it makes it easy for you to track your progress and provides daily information and inspiration. Learn more here! >

9. Learn a second language.

Being able to speak two languages not only allows us to communicate with a wider variety of people but it’s also good for our brains. According to Annual Review of Linguistics, “research in recent decades has demonstrated that experience with two (or more) languages confers a bilingual advantage in executive functions and may delay the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease.” You can learn a new language using one of the many online courses or apps. Solidify your skills by practicing with native speakers whenever possible.

10. Fix your posture.

Sitting all day and staring at a screen can cause poor posture. This can damage your spine, cause neck and back pain, decrease flexibility and impact breathing, says MedlinePlus. You can avoid these problems by bearing in mind the basics of good posture throughout the day: Harvard Health Publishing recommends keeping your chin parallel to the floor and your shoulders even. You should have a “neutral spine” with your arms at your sides. Be sure to keep your hips level, knees and feet pointing forward and your body weight distributed evenly. Run down that list when you’re sitting and standing to re-balance yourself and prevent the slumping that pushes us out of alignment.

11. Meditate daily.

Taking a little time each day to clear your mind of your daily cares and concerns can help you enjoy a stress-free September. According to Mayo Clinic, meditation has been shown to decrease the symptoms of high-blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety, headaches, sleep problems and more. You can find many apps and online videos to help you get started. However, the basics are simple: sit in a comfortable position in a location that’s free from distractions. Focus on the rhythm of your breathing and let any thoughts or worries that enter your mind drift away. All you need is 10 minutes to get the benefits of this little break from the rush of daily life.

12. Cook often.

When you prepare your own food, you pay attention to the ingredients and can avoid unhealthy additives like salt and sweeteners. If you don’t have much experience cooking, start off simple and practice your skills before you take on more elaborate dishes. Don’t know where to begin? Check out The Leaf Weight Loss Blog for thousands of easy and delicious recipes that fit into your healthy diet! You can also pick up a copy of the book How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman. It covers all the basics and shares the little tips and secrets that great home cooks learn after years in the kitchen.

 13. Sleep more.

You might not think of sleeping as a way to improve your life. However, so many of us are chronically tired that it actually harms our mental and physical health. Lack of sleep even increases our chances of overeating and makes it harder for us to lose excess weight, says Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. Try your best to stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule. If you find yourself tired in the middle of the day, taking a 20-minute nap can refresh you without disrupting your night-time sleep.

Learn more about the importance of getting good sleep! >

14. Lose weight.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, being overweight or obese can lead to a wide range of health concerns, such as diabetes and heart disease. Losing the excess weight can reduce your risk of these problems, as well as promote positive feelings, a sense of accomplishment and better self-image. To help you reach a healthy weight, consider trying a convenient meal delivery service that fits into your new September schedule. Nutrisystem provides you with a simple meal plan, food delivery and an amazing support system.  Click here to learn more! >

15. Be grateful, be happy.

Simply being thankful for the most basic things that we have in our lives—food and shelter, health and safety, family and friends—improves our sense of well-being. Practicing gratitude is associated with “greater life satisfaction,” according to research, published in the medical journal Psychiatry. What better way to improve ourselves this September than to be happier about all the good things we have? Try starting a gratitude journal and reflect on what you’re thankful for throughout the month. It’s a great way to start your day with a positive mind.

The post 15 Self-Improvement Tips for a Successful September appeared first on The Leaf.

from The Leaf https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/september-self-improvement-month-tips/