Main Course:

Savory Chicken Grits

  • Nutritional Information:
  • Calories: 255.7
  • Protein: 16g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fat: 4.2g
  • Sodium: 904mg
  • Ingredients:
  • 1 packet OPTIFAST® 800 Chicken soup mix
  • 1 packet instant grits
  • ½ cup boiling water

Directions:
Combine OPTIFAST 800 Chicken soup mix and grits in a bowl. Pour boiling water over grits and stir to combine ingredients. Cover and let set for 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir and enjoy.

Makes 1 Serving




White Bean Chicken Chili

  • Nutritional Information:
  • Calories: 215
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.7g
  • Fat: 3.6g
  • Sodium: 730mg
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 4 oz chicken breast, diced
  • ¼ cup onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 ¼ cup sodium-free chicken broth
  • ½ cup canned cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 Tbsp canned diced chilies, drained
  • 1 packet OPTIFAST® 800 Chicken soup mix
  • ¼ tsp oregano
  • 1/8 tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp fresh cilantro
  • Dash of white pepper
  • ¼ cup onion, diced

Directions:
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add broth, chilies and beans and return to simmer for 3 minutes. Add OPTIFAST 800 Chicken soup mix and stir to dissolve. Add seasonings. Simmer 2-3 minutes longer or until heated through.

Makes 2 Servings


 
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Yes, chew your food!

An abstract presented at the 2011 European Association for the Study of Diabetes suggests that thorough chewing stimulates the release of two intestinal peptides that reduce appetite and food intake in obese individuals.  In a study of obese non-diabetic individuals, thorough chewing stimulated postprandial increases of plasma glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and peptide YY (PYY), both of which are secreted by intestinal L cells.

It was reported that the postprandial plasma levels of both hormones were statistically significantly higher after chewing 30 times than after chewing 5. This suggests that thorough chewing of food might have a clinically meaningful effect in controlling body weight in obese individuals. 

Once again, mom was right.  Slow down, don’t talk with your mouth full and chew your food before you swallow….


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