Tag Archives: Pam Ofstein

Quick, Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Every Schedule

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

I have three kids, a husband and myself (oh wait, my dog, too!) to get ready first thing in the morning and out the door – it’s utter chaos! There are many days that I get so wrapped up in the hustle that I am half-way to work before realizing I didn’t eat breakfast!

You probably heard your parents say, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Well, they were right! Why, you ask? Research has shown that men and women who eat breakfast every day are far less likely to become obese, compared to those who skip the first meal of the day.

Breakfast helps to fuel your body for the start of the day, so it’s important to choose nutrient-dense foods to fill your tank! It doesn’t have to be a huge fare. A simple meal containing a balance of complex carbs, protein and healthy fats is usually a good combination.

(more…)

Posted on December 18, 2023 by GuestBlogger

How Stress Affects Weight Loss

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Stress is often part of our lives. It’s hard to avoid and we unfortunately face it practically every day. But even when times get tough, there are ways to deal with it and reach our goals (in this case, weight loss).

First, recognize what you are already doing to help you reach your goal and give credit where credit is due.

Steps like walking should become a regular habit. Next, move on to making another small change, such as keeping a water bottle with you at all times to make sure you are staying hydrated; keeping cut up veggies around to snack on during the day; breathing slowly for a few minutes to de-stress (count back from 10); etc. (more…)

Posted on November 10, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Stay Healthy with These Flu-Fighting Foods


Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

I wish I could say there is a flawless remedy for the common cold or flu, but really there isn’t one to date. Avoiding getting sick is the first line of attack. First, keep washing those hands; second, incorporate a healthy lifestyle (eating, exercising, sleeping, etc.); and lastly, avoid all those friends and family you know who are sick!

Here are a few things to eat to help you stay healthy, fight off infections, and boost your immune system (notice the abundance of antioxidants):

  • Fruits and veggies (dark green, red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables)
  • Foods with B-6 (lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds)
  • Vitamin E-rich foods (nuts, mango, blueberries, papaya, pumpkin)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon)
  • Garlic (go for the raw garlic)
  • Yogurt (I know it’s usually recommended to avoid dairy, but studies show that it can help reduce susceptibility to colds) (more…)
Posted on November 4, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Weight Loss and Breast Cancer

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better time to look at some of the things we can do to help combat this disease. When we hear the word cancer, most of us stop for a moment and think of someone close to us like a friend, family member, acquaintance, colleague, teacher – or ourselves. Who hasn’t it touched? This disease affects everyone – the individual person and all those who surround them. The people who it has touched, are the strongest women, men and children we know!

Nutrition, lifestyle, and physical activity are all key players when it comes to breast cancer prevention and survival. There isn’t one study or one food that will change everything completely, but possibly the combination of things can help improve the overall quality of life and health.

Here are a few things we can focus on: (more…)

Posted on October 20, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Is Fast Food Off-Limits on a Diet?

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Typically, a dietitian would say that if you could avoid fast food and create your own meal out of whole, highly nutritious foods, that would be the best option. But in the real world (mine included), fast food does have its place!

Fast food has a reputation of being high in calories, fat, and not being the healthiest fare; but we can’t say that about all fast food out there. In this day and age, often the convenience of grabbing something on the go and eating on the run is just reality. Take it from this mom of three under the age of seven (and dietitian), it happens that the occasional drive-thru works its way into my schedule when carting back and forth from work, to school, to football practice, etc. So it all boils down to your picks. (more…)

Posted on October 8, 2024 by GuestBlogger

The Facts on 100-Calorie Snacks

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

It seems that 100-calorie snacks are all around us – most companies have created a version of their own. There are a lot of 100-calorie snacks available in your grocery store, but keep a watchful eye on if they are truly 100 calories, or more than you bargained for!

Now when you think of 100-calorie snacks, you do expect the package to be just that – 100 calories. But, some packaged foods that are advertise as 100 calories only serve up that amount of calories if you eat the recommended serving size. Some packages contain two servings at 100 calories each; so you may end up eating more than you planned on (200 calories or more). (more…)

Posted on September 30, 2024 by GuestBlogger

How to Cut Carbs

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

I think for many of us, when it comes to carbs, we can be our own downfall. It’s tough to limit and eat the right serving size . That could be because we don’t even know what a portion size is for most of our carb servings. Even we dietitians have to think twice on a few since, depending on the type of food (i.e. hot versus cold cereal), the portion sizes vary.

Eating less carbohydrates is fine, but the choices you make are more important when you pick out the carbs to eat and how much of the food you are eating (quantity/portion control). Basically, a slice of whole-grain bread with 3-5 grams of fiber could be a good choice, but if you are eating 3-4 slices at a sitting for example, your carb intake is a bit higher than it should be for most of us. The goal would be to have a slice or two and keep it to 1-2 servings of carbs at the meal. (more…)

Posted on September 21, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Best Low-Carb Snacks

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Snacking can be a great for weight loss and eating healthy. Snacking between meals helps stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep your energy and motivation high – extremely important when it comes to losing weight. For most of us, it’s hard to stay focused on activities when we have no energy!

If you’re looking for low-carb foods, there are so many great snack choices: non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, green beans), low-fat cheese or cottage cheese, nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews), or peanut butter are some options.

(more…)

Posted on August 4, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Will Coffee Make Me Fat?

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Nowadays there seems to be a coffee shop on every street corner! That’s because coffee drinkers are everywhere and most of us need a little boost. For so many people, there’s nothing better than that morning wake-up call in the form of a piping hot cup of Joe.

That jolt of caffeine in a warm, tasty beverage often does the trick. But the problem is today’s cup of coffee is not actually a cup of coffee, it’s a 12-ounce White Chocolate Mocha or a 16-ounce blended frappuccino – both about 300 calories a pop!
These types of coffee drinks are where the excess calories sneak in. The full fat dairy, added sugar and syrups work against your weight-loss goals. They can even contribute to weight gain.

(more…)

Posted on July 27, 2024 by GuestBlogger

How to Save Big on Groceries

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

If you’re like me, any place I can save a few pennies (or dollars) helps. For most of us, this economy has put a squeeze on our spending; we’re stretching our dollars as much as we can.

When was the last time you went to the grocery store and your bill was less than expected? With less money coming in and costs rising, it’s tough to cut corners, especially when it comes to food and nutrition.

But despite those factors, there are ways to eat cheaper, healthier and save a few dollars here and there. It may take a little thinking out of the box, but the payoff can be worth it.

There are definitely some tricks when making that next trip to the grocery store. Follow these tips to help stretch out those dollars:

(more…)

Posted on July 19, 2024 by GuestBlogger

4 Keys for Faster Fat Loss

Pamela Ofstein is the Director of Nutrition Services at eDiets.com, a leading provider of weight loss services, information and products.

Losing weight isn’t easy for anyone, but with a positive and healthy approach, you will be right on your way to reaching your weight-loss goals. To have the best weight-loss outcome possible, you must provide your body an optimal environment.

What does an optimal environment mean? Well, making sure your body has what it needs and what it can do to make it better. There are four steps to keep in mind:

(more…)

Posted on July 9, 2024 by GuestBlogger