Health

America’s Nutrition Coach: Eat Carbs—No Weight, No Gain!

Published

10 years ago

March 30, 2015

By Dr. Ro
NNPA Columnist

The much-maligned carbohydrate (an essential, macro nutrient) has been touted as the bane of your dietary existence for too long. Don’t worry, you can eat your comfort food carbohydrate favorites without the guilt that often comes with consuming them and you don’t have to pack on dreaded pounds when you do. Instead of banning pasta, potato chips, ice cream, and those hi-carb foods that send you swooning every time you catch a whiff of their gooey goodness, I encourage you to proceed without the caution using the small tweaks I give you below. Here are my Top 4 Carb Fixes that deliver on taste, while lowering the calorie and carb content:

Pasta:

When you think of carbs, pasta is the holy grail. It is the first thing that generally comes to mind. But 1 serving of traditional spaghetti and meatballs contains 54 carbs and 433 calories. But with Explore Asian black bean spaghetti, you can reduce your carb count to 17 and your calories to just 180. Now, that’s what I call a winner. This is my new favorite pasta because, not only do I love its chewy texture and meaty flavor, but it is made with just two ingredients – black beans and water and has a whopping 25 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber in each serving! This is big, because traditional pastas typically contain only 7-8 grams of protein per serving. When you eat a complex carbohydrate like beans and include lean protein in the same meal, you get the double benefit of energy compliments of the complex carb and the muscle-building protein, plus the fiber fills you up so you are satiated and feeling full for longer periods of time so no over-eating. Now that’s hard to beat.

Pizza:

Of course, its not just college frat boys and co-eds who enjoy a good pizza every once in a while, but did you know that you can cut carbs here too? That’s right, it’s all about the crust. When you switch the ingredients of your pizza crust you can cut carbs to a tasty and manageable level that allows you to have pizza night for yourself and the family any time you choose. Eureka! Just one slice of cheese and veggie pizza has 41 grams of carbs and 372 calories. Most people have three slices at one sitting. For a woman following a 1,200 calorie weight-loss diet, that could amount to her carb and calorie budget for the whole day! Here’s one creative way to have your pizza and eat it, too. And it’s tasty, healthy, and cuts the carbs in half.

Make the dough using cauliflower instead of wheat flour and reduce your carb and calorie count from 41 grams and 372 calories/slice of traditional pizza to just 14 grams and 272 calories/slice of the cauliflower crusted pizza with my recipe.

Potato Chips:

I have yet to meet the person, who doesn’t enjoy a good potato chip, and for good reason. They are the perfect combination of a salty, buttery flavor with a crunchy bite that satisfies, but a single serving bag of potato chips has 15 grams of carbs and 160 calories and the truth is most people don’t eat just one…bag. But I have found a way to satisfy the chip lover in you that’s scrumptious and the best part is these chips are carb-free! These cheesy chips contain only 60 calories, no carbs – zip, zilch, nada, and they deliver on savory flavor and crunch.

To make your own cheesy chips:

1. Slice 1 each roll of string cheese (made of part-skim mozzarella) into quarter inch slices
2. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with olive oil cooking spray
3. Place cheese “chips” on the tray an inch apart
4. Bake in 375 degrees oven for 4-5 mins.
5. Peel off chips, and enjoy!

Ice Cream Sundae

We all scream for ice cream! But ice cream in its creamy, cool, sugary goodness is a high-carb, indulgence that can certainly pack on the pounds. The average ice cream sundae contains a whopping 172 grams of carbs and from 600 to more than 1,000 calories. This one-time treat can blow your entire calorie and carb budget for the whole day. But there is a way to simplify this dessert and dramatically cut carbs and calories. I call it banana nice cream.

1. Add 1 frozen banana to a food processor
2. Add 2 TBS of almond milk and pulse to desired consistency
3. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

If you enjoy a good butter pecan ice cream try adding 1 TBS of crunchy almond butter, it does the trick.

Find the recipes to all of my carb-fixes at www.everythingro.com. Bon Appetite!

Rovenia Brock, Ph.D. is a medical advisory board member and contributor to the “Dr. Oz Show,” where she helped more than a half-million Americans lose more than 5 million pounds. She is the author of “Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets To Livin’ Healthy (Bantam). For more health, nutrition, and fitness tips, join Dr. Ro and her social media community and get a FREE Download of her new eBook of super-easy tips, “You Healthy and Happy” at www.everythingro.com.

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Related Topics:America's Nutrition Coach Dr. Ro Nutrition nutrition advice Rovenia Brock

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/PostNewsGroup
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.

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Atty Gen Bonta: U.S. Law Mandating Emergency Care to All Patients Faces Threats

The attorney general highlighted that EMTALA is vital for ensuring that no individual is turned away from emergency services based on financial status or insurance coverage. Bonta stated that the law has been a cornerstone of emergency healthcare for decades, providing peace of mind to millions of Americans who might otherwise hesitate to seek urgent medical attention due to cost concerns.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the critical need to protect the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), mandating that hospitals provide emergency care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

In a recent statement, Bonta highlighted the potential threats to this essential legislation amid ongoing discussions about healthcare accessibility in the U.S.

“EMTALA ensures that no one is denied access to emergency medical care, including abortion care, and this federal law is more imperative than ever following the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” said Bonta.

This decision to support the federal government’s case comes at a time when many healthcare providers are facing pressure from rising costs and legislative changes that could undermine existing protections. Bonta called on lawmakers to reinforce EMTALA’s provisions and to combat any efforts aimed at weakening the act, asserting that equitable access to emergency care is a fundamental right.

He urged state and federal governments to ensure that all Americans, particularly marginalized communities, have the necessary access to emergency services without fear of financial repercussions. The brief indicates the coalition’s commitment to healthcare equity, emphasizing that maintaining strong protections under EMTALA is crucial for safeguarding public health.

As discussions around healthcare policy continue, Bonta remains steadfast in promoting initiatives that protect emergency care access, asserting that everyone deserves timely and appropriate medical treatment in emergencies. His efforts align with ongoing legal and advocacy battles to preserve the rights established by EMTALA in the face of evolving healthcare challenges.