Atkins is so 1998. The high-protein, bread-is-evil Atkins Diet isn't just boring -- it's unnecessary. You CAN have your bread and your lean Badass, too.
As with everything on the Badass journey, though, it's all about making the smart choices and moderation. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now that whole wheat bread trumps white bread.
But portion size is just as important. You don't need a half-loaf of ciabatta bread every time you make a sandwich for lunch. Instead, look to the bread as a light compliment to what's inside your sandwich - not a big fluffy Snuggie that smothers the contents.
In her book Naturally Thin, Bethenny Frankel talks about how she often scoops out the soft doughy inside of a deli bagel and instead savors the crusty exterior, with a smear of butter. She saves herself at least 100 calories every time.
The light, thin bread options in grocery stores lately are based on the same premise - enjoy the same bread effect and mouth feel, with less actual bread. Flatbreads and the new "sandwich thins" shave calories, carbs and typically are high in fiber. They're 100 or so calories for each thin "bun," compared to 200 or more calories for two slices of most wheat breads or regular buns. The result over time: A less doughy, more firm Badass!
So the next time you pack your lunch, consider one of these options:
Flatout Flatbread: Made with 100 percent stoneground whole wheat and flax, these flatbreads are great for sandwich wraps or even healthy flatbread pizzas. They're 100 calories each, with 17 grams of carbs (8 grams of them from fiber) and 9 grams of protein. That's a Badass power-packed wrap right there!
Earth Grains Thin Buns: These are 100 calories each, 100 percent whole wheat, with zero amounts of high fructose corn syrup (Yes, your usual bread probably has the fructose crap. I hope I'm wrong, but go check the label. That stuff is everywhere...) The carb count is 21 grams, including 4 grams of fiber and a respectable 3 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein.
Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats: From the makers of the best cinnamon swirl bread in the universe comes this 100-calorie wonder. They're 100 percent whole wheat with 19 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein. No high-fructose corn syrup, and 100 percent whole wheat flour.
And speaking of wraps and sandwich breads, here's what I ate yesterday. Oh, and I threw the gumballs out last night. Such temptation in a little ball of sugar! So I said buh-bye.
Wednesday food log
Exercise: One hour of RealRyder cycling, 10 minutes of abs/core work in the a.m. One hour training with client in the evening.
- Sweet-Ass Smoothie. Coffee w soy milk, 1 Stevia packet. One egg, one egg white.
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt with 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder. Green tea. One sugar-free Nips Sweet-Ass Smoothie. Coffee.
- 1 piece Mom's beef jerky
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt w 1/2 scoop protein powder. Green tea.
- 6 cashews. 5 gum balls
- 3/4 cup berries, 1/2 chicken veggie wrap. 1/2 sliced cucumber. 1/2 Hershey's Special Dark miniature.
- 1/2 chicken breast, small handful cashews and dried cranberries, sliced organic tomato.
- Salad of spinach, 2 Tbsp. cup cranberries, 1/4 cup feta, cucumbers, mushrooms and tomatoes. 2 peanut butter pretzels. 5 gumballs.
Coming tomorrow: A July 4 weekend mix, and a Badass-approved cookout menu!
