Eating nutritional meals while dieting and leading a busy life can be hard. I have recently gotten into the habit of buying a bunch of “diet” frozen dinners and taking them to work. A quick microwave and I am back at my desk with something that is good for me and filling. So I thought I would review a couple of the ones that I have been munching on in case you have been thinking about doing the same. So let’s start with the Weight Watchers Smart Ones. Honestly I tried these because they were the cheapest brand on average I could find. They have a good selection under $2 at my location and then some around $2.50. So I could spend about $10 for a full week when at a restaurant I would be lucky to get a single meal and a fast food restaurant I could stretch that to two days if I worked at it a little. So I have tried all of the cheaper ones and some of the next level.

On the cheap I would have to say I am addicted to the Smart Ones Creamy Rigatoni with Broccoli & Chicken. Something about the sauce has me licking the bowl when I am done. It has 290 calories, only 8 grams of fat, and a Points value of 6. I don’t know about the Weight Watcher’s Point system, so not sure if 6 is good or bad. Something just doesn’t seem right when pasta is part of my diet, but I would eat this even if not worried about the calories and fat.

They offer three meals with turkey, but my favorite is Turkey Medallions with Mushroom Gravy. It has only 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, and a Points value of 4. Mostly because I like the green beans as a side, the turkey is the same in all three meals. If you like mashed potatoes with a little kick, the Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast has garlic-herb potatoes.

Finally I would recommend any of the meals with macaroni and cheese, my favorite being the Salisbury Steak. It has 250 calories, only 4.5 grams of fat, and a Points value of 5. Something about Salisbury steak that says frozen dinner. It has really great gravy and I repeat the macaroni and cheese alone is worth the purchase. I think I have pasta issues.

If I had to recommend against any of the meals I would suggest you steer away from the Tuna Noodle Gratin. It has 260 calories, only 7 grams of fat, and a Points value of 5. This is actually a great tasting and filling meal. The problem is that when it is microwaved the whole office will smell like tuna fish. In a way that it will not go unnoticed by your colleagues. I say keep this one at home.

In summary, I would not let the low prices fool you. Weight Watchers Smart Ones food is delicious, filling, and economical. I have tried some other more expensive diet meals, but to me none are so much better that they demand a higher price. Let me know what you think and check the ingredients before trying any of these meals if you have any food allergies.

Simon Volk has been a contributing author for websites and is an acknowledged expert in the field of health and fitness. He can be found on the internet at the website:
http://www.healthfitnessarticle.com

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One way to help control your cholesterol levels is to alter
your diet to cut down on the amount of saturated fats,
trans-fats and cholesterol you eat. It may not be the whole
answer, but at least you will be tackling the problem
without taking drugs. And it should help lower your LDL
cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Choose fish, poultry with the skin and fat removed, or meat
with as much of the fat trimmed off as you can.

Don’t fry food. Bake, roast or poach instead. If you must
fry, use only small amounts of oil.

Processed meats such a sausages, bacon and cold meats tend
to have too much salt in them.

Go for semi-skimmed or fat-free milk, and eat sorbets or
low-fat yoghurts in place of ice cream.

Try low-fat cheeses.

Use margarines with plant stanols or sterols added to help
lower cholesterol. Avoid products with trans-fats in them -
check the labels first.

Skim any fat off homemade soups and gravies (cool them in
the fridge first and the fat will rise to the top).

Use whole grain pasta, brown rice or peas and beans in your
main meals and add small pieces of meats to flavour rather
than as the main ingredient.

Go for food with lots of fibre and nutrients, such as whole
grain breads, pastas and cereals, and brown rice.

Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables with your meals.

If you eat store-bought meals, aim for those with lowest
saturated fat, trans-fat and cholesterol content.

Remember that low-fat and fat-free foods may have more
sugar added and could have more calories than the “real”
thing.

Eating out can be a problem, but steer clear of fried
foods, don’t add more salt, watch out for the salad
dressings and don’t be tempted to start with slices of
bread and butter.

Don’t be put off by this list. It looks grim, and you
probably just love all the things you shouldn’t eat. But,
there are loads of alternatives out there just waiting for
you to find. After a while you will forget the bad and
enjoy the host of tempting choices.

Discover all about cholesterol, what it is, what it does, how to get it down and keep it down with James Brunton’s booklet “All About Cholesterol” at http://www.healthexplored.co.uk/eorder/shop.php
There’s a whole range of helpful guides to choose from.

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When it comes to skin health, it seems that clean is no longer enough. Now, it has to be acne-free. Most people do not know that acne is commonly caused by extreme build-up of dirt and oil in the skin.

Skin acne caused by different factors is a common problem most people have to deal with at one time or another. Once it gets into your skin, various problems occur including psychological and emotional problems.

Banish them fast and permanently with the latest innovation and techniques from the skin experts. Here is a checklist of what you need to do in order to eradicate that stubborn acne out of your face:

1. Get rid of the oils

Most career women are too tired to get their makeup off their face before going to sleep. What they usually do is to use some makeup remover and head to bed instantly. This is one of the most common factors that trigger the build up of acne in the face.

Keep in mind that makeup can bring about acne, especially if they are loaded with oils. If you have the propensity to acquire acne, it would be better to keep away from all makeup products that contain any kind of oil. It would be better if you will use oil-free facial products and other skin products.

2. Be wary on the hairsprays

Hair products can have a plugging effect on your skin so that you develop pimples along your hairline. To prevent that, use as little spray as possible and protect when you do use it. Put a towel over your face and then spray.

3. Beware the cooks hazard

As occupational hazards go, it is not on a par with riveting girders on the 89th story of a skyscraper or removing deadly asbestos from old school buildings. But even so, restaurant-caused acne is a face-threatening hazard.

If you work in a restaurant, the oil and grease coming off the French-fry maker and the frying pan can clog the skin and cause acne.

Hence, the best way to do away with oil is to wash your face with a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution before you set off to work. Then gently wash your skin every two to three hours with a non-drying, mild soap or a cleansing lotion while working at the restaurant. This will prevent restaurant acne.

4. Adopt a summer cleansing schedule

Summers heat and humidity invite flare-ups of acne. People sweat a lot more, and that seems to clog up the pores. But even though you should try to cleanse your skin a little bit more often in the summer, do not wash too much. Typically, clean twice a day, unless you are getting hot and sweaty. By then, a third time is just fine.

5. Throw in the towel and the pillowcase

People should change their towels and pillowcases more frequently, say, a few times a week will do. That helps keep blemish-causing bacteria off your face.

Keep in mind that acne can be avoided. The fast-paced lifestyle of most people today, especially women, has undeniably contributed a lot of reasons to develop acne.

Hence, the only solution to these problems is to find the best way to maintain the health and vigor of the skin amidst the busy and hectic schedules.

Hanif Khaki is the widely respected author of numerous health related articles including many on acne treatment He is also the founder of the popular acne resource site http://www.acnecure.expert-health.com

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