Make some diet resolutions

Starting and maintaining an exercise program during the holidays requires prioritization, commitment and dedication. With any luck, you'll be in much better shape to handle the holidays both emotionally and physically. And, when10 Snacks That You Thought Were Healthy

Nutrition and Diet

From bagels to pretzels, Justine Kim counts down ten snack foods, which may not be as good for you as you think. Do you know the nutritional value of a rice cake - really?

Snacking - we all do it. Sometimes the interval between meals is just too long and we need a little pick-me-up during the day.

We are a snack food nation and the snack food industry is a huge market with potential for huge profit. And indulging in snacks can either be a good habit or a bad habit, all depending on the choices that you make.

When choosing snacks, it's important to choose foods that provide more than just a quick burst of energy. For example, sugary candies and chocolate bars may provide you with an immediate boost, but that will soon wear off and leave you feeling worse than you did before.

On the contrary, you also have to watch out for those snack foods that most of us think are quite healthy choices. Some of these nibblers may contain ingredients that are actually quite unhealthy. This may have a lot to do with the marketing of that product and the fact that these snacks are packaged to look healthy. So the next time you're in the "healthy snacking" aisle, watch out for the following.

Salads

Many fast food chains are jumping onto the "health bandwagon". They are coming out with salads that are actually quite appetizing. But buyers beware! Although a salad can be a healthy snack, the dressing you top it

 off with can contain lots of calories, especially the creamy types such as ranch and caesar.

Instead, try packing your own salad with a low fat Italian dressing or mix your own with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.

Beef

Meat puts meat on your bones, right? Well maybe, but the process used to cure and season the meat packs a ton of sodium into beef jerky. The excess sodium will only end up dehydrating you. Instead, try a soy substitute. This imitation beef usually tastes just as good as the original.

Snack Bars

Granola bars, breakfast bars and low-carb bars - they all sound like super healthy choices. But watch out! Most of these snack bars are made from refined flours, which means all the fiber and nutrients have been removed from the grain during processing. Therefore, you aren't getting the nutrients you think you are getting.

Also, most of these snacks are riddled with fat, hydrogenated oils, and sugars. For a real energy lift, look for bars that are made from complex carbohydrates, such as oats and make sure the fat and sugar is minimal.

Bagels

Grabbing a quick bagel on the go is very convenient. But, bagels contain refined, white carbs as well. One bagel is roughly equal to six slices of white bread. As an alternative, go with wholegrain and skip the butter and cream cheese.

Muffins

A tiny little muffin looks quite innocent, but is full of empty calories. One muffin can contain up to 600 to 900 calories. That's because of the large amount of margarine used to make the muffin moist.

Popcorn

Popcorn is one of the top culprits when it comes to unhealthy, artery clogging, hydrogenated oils. Substitute with seeds and nuts that are packed with protein. Walnuts are a good choice, as they contain healthy fats and omega-3 oils.

Rice Cakes

Okay, I know what you're thinking: Why are rice cakes on the list?! Alter all, they are low in calories and fat free. That's because rice cakes are just puffed rice - full of air. There are no vitamins or minerals to be gained from snacking on a rice cake. In this case, while you may not be hurting yourself, you're certainly not filling your body with vitamins and nutrients.

What's the alternative? You're much better off eating a bowl of brown or wild rice, which is rich in fiber. So pack some in a ziplock bag and be on your way!

Fruit

Actually, fruit is a great snack and, of course, it is good for you. But first, you have to debug them of all the pesticides and the germs from processing and handling. As a consumer, you have to be careful about cleaning the fruit before eating in order to avoid ingesting the potentially risky chemicals and germs.

Blueberries, raspberries and cherries are exceptional choices. They are very potent in antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Juices

Manufacturers of fruit juices tend to pump the products full of extra sugars. Now it may be more time consuming, but try blending your own fruit juices in the morning. It will be well worth the work. In addition to being the healthier choice, homemade juice often tastes better.

And you can be creative with your juices, mixing any combination of fruits, depending on what you are in the mood for. So invest in a juicer, and be creative with the drinks you create.