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Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Let’s face it: Almost all of us have a weak spot for some sweet indulgence. Whether it’s chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake, or doughnuts, life would be pretty darn blah without a treat from time to time. And we’re not talking about trying to fool yourself into thinking a baby carrot is actually a Snickers bar. We’re talking about the real stuff.
The first piece of advice you should follow, says Elizabeth Somer, MA, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman’s Diet, is “Dump the fat-free desserts.”
“Ounce for ounce, most fat-free desserts are just as calorie-rich as the higher-fat version,” says Somer. “And even if they are low-cal, you aren’t giving yourself a leg up by eating a whole box.”
Chocolate
For many of us, temptation means chocolate, despite its calories and tendency to trigger heartburn. The solution for both your diet and your heartburn? Think small but luscious.
If it’s chocolate you’re craving, then nothing but chocolate will do, says Somer. She suggests cutting up any kind of fruit you like -- strawberries, bananas, pineapples, and melons are good choices -- and then dipping the pieces in chocolate syrup (dipping in, rather than pouring on, will help you keep a handle on the calories). This gives you the chocolate taste you want with the nutritional value of the fruit.
You can also indulge your chocolate fantasies, Somer says, with a mug of hot chocolate (made from high-quality cocoa or chocolate bars, not the powdered instant variety), or a couple of Mallomars (those chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies that are only available from September through March -- buy ahead and put in the refrigerator or freezer so you can ride out the hot summer months when the cookies aren’t produced).
Or try a square or two of a creamy dark (as opposed to milk) chocolate, such as Dove, which is not only satisfying but rich in antioxidants too, says Cindy Moore, MS, RD, director of nutrition therapy for The Cleveland Clinic. A few (and that means just a few -- read the label for serving size) Hershey’s kisses or miniature Hershey's bars can also feed your chocolate fix without derailing your diet.
Fruit and Creamy Sweets
If you’re in the mood for something creamy, flavored yogurt or plain yogurt that you can mix with honey and fruit can often do the trick. So can small portions of pudding; the pudding cups you pack in your child’s lunchbox are ideal. If it’s ice cream that you really want, says Moore, skip the scoop-yourself containers and buy single-serving novelty treats such as fudgesicles, creamsicles, even chocolate-covered ice cream bars. You’re more likely to limit your portions if they already come in a single serving, Moore says.
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Health & Diet Guide
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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