I am an avid fan of breakfast. I eat it every single day. I've come to realize that it's truly a part of a healthy lifestyle. I try to start out with good things for breakfast like peanut butter on whole grain toast or english muffins or yogurt and fruit.
I also have a horrible sweet tooth. I love to smear a bit of jam on my peanut butter to make it just a little yummy. Recently a friend of mine mentioned that she puts a little marshmallow fluff on her peanut butter toast. My response was to think, "Oh that's naughty."
The next day I went to the store to get marshamallow fluff. Although it has no nutritional value it's absolutely delicious and I had a craving. I put it in my basket and went to the next aisle. Gripped with guilt and picturing my future cavities and tighter jeans I put it back. I picked it back up and put it back down, the picture of indecision. I turned the jar around to the side with the nutrition label and said aloud, in the middle of the store, "Oh you've got to be kidding." Then I tossed it into my cart and headed to check out.
A tablespoon of marshmallow fluff is 20 calories and 3 grams of sugar. Here's how that stacked up against a tablespoon of some of the other items in my pantry.
grape jam = 30 calories, 6 grams sugar
lime marmalade - 50 calories, 12 grams sugar
apple butter = 35 calories, 7 grams sugar
honey = 60 calories, 17 grams carbohydrates
After comparing it to the other items I've used on my morning toast the marshmallow fluff didn't seem to wicked.
It is important to remember that I actually do measure out a tablespoon of peanut butter and a tablespoon of marshmallow fluff. I've noticed that when I stop measuring and start guessing is when I tend to overeat. For example, while a tablespoon of marshmallow fluff is 20 calories, a jar of marshmallow fluff is 720 calories. Measuring takes me two seconds and keeps me on track.
The Bottom Line?
- How many calories are pictured in the above breakfast? Approximately 282 calories. This includes the fruit.
- Although the marshmallow fluff isn't good for you, it isn't the most evil thing on the shelf.
- If I don't measure my portions I get into trouble. Measuring becomes a habit like all others, the more often I do it, the less time it takes.
- The moral of the story? Read the label :)
You're welcome! Marshmallow fluff is a guilty pleasure that just isn't as guilty as many believe! I'm glad I could show you the path to the marshmallow side. LOL
ReplyDeleteSo true...it's all in the portions! You may get me to start eating healthier yet.
~Amy
Amy I hadn't had it since I was a kid. Thanks for turning me back to the marshmallow side :) Yum yum!
ReplyDeleteI never measure ... a giant glob of peanut butter or Nutrella ... works for me (which is why I am in the 2/3rds overweight category).
ReplyDeleteBut I am trying to be better ;o(
(love your blog BTW)
I might have to fluff it up.
ReplyDelete@Beachdog: Work your way down slowly. If you try to be excellent all at once you'll be miserable.
ReplyDelete@Broke Ass Beauty: Woo hoo!!! Love your blog btw!