COMPLEX CARBS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Feeling down or depressed? Eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Yes, these are carbohydrate foods but they are the complex (or good) carbs. These carbs boost your serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood-elevating chemical in the brain.

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BROCCOLI IS A NUTRIENT POWERHOUSE

Eat your broccoli! Broccoli is full of nutrients and only has 40 calories per cup (raw). Broccoli is chock full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium and iron. That's a lot of benefits for only 40 calories.

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CAREFUL WITH THOSE FALL AND HOLIDAY DRINKS

Now that we are into the holidays let's talk about those specialty coffeeshop drinks. If you are a diabetic or you are trying to watch your weight beware of all those tasty toasty coffee shop beverages. A 100 calories drink can quickly balloon to 400 or 500 calories! When you add syrups, whipped cream, caramel, etc the calories keep piling on. So, what is a person to do? We don't want to give up those wonderful beverages, but we can keep the calories count down.

Laura Jeffers, nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic says the more flavors and names you add to your beverage, the more calories you are piling on. After all, adding 200 calories to your diet a day can add up to a weight gain of 40 pounds a year. Yuck!

Ms. Jeffers suggests replacing whole milk or cream with skim milk and asking your barista to substitute sugar-free syrups in your drinks. Yes, they do have them, and you will hardly, notice the difference. So, enjoy your favorite Fall and holiday beverages but make a few changes when you place your order or make them at home.

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