June 8, 2006

Mothers-of-the-Bride Feel and Look Their Wedding-Day Best With a Healthy Diet Plan

(BNN) One of the most important and joyful events in a mother’s life is her daughter’s wedding. While all eyes will be on the happy couple, the mother of the bride is also in the limelight. From the moment the engagement is announced, she and her daughter are on a very active schedule, as every detail of the wedding must be planned.
With the pressure of juggling appointments with photographers, wedding cake and floral decorators, as well as with stores for bridal gown fittings also comes the temptation of nervous snacking and stress-induced nibbling. Mothers can become overwhelmed, searching for ways to lose extra pounds in order to fit into the perfect dress chosen for the big day.
Naomi Judd, celebrated performer, best-selling author and health advocate, was herself a proud mother-of the bride when her daughter, actress Ashley Judd was married four years ago to race car driver, Dario Franchitti. A passionate believer in the power of nutrition, she has successfully integrated a healthy lifestyle into her busy routine. Explains Naomi, "This is an exceptional time for a mother and the shared experiences with her daughter during the wedding planning will be treasured forever. Eating the right foods will help keep her balanced and calm and diminish hunger pangs."
As Judd will attest, an easy way to manage weight is to choose a simple and satisfying reduced calorie diet and exercise plan. Post Cereals provides an easy-to-follow, 3-step lifestyle plan to slim down during this demanding period when mothers are preparing for the wedding celebration. All it takes is to replace two meals a day with a serving of a high-fiber, 1/2 cup of fat free milk and fruit along with a balanced third meal and increased physical activity. This uncomplicated plan is rich in whole grains and fiber and as it provides for healthy snacks, should help keep wedding Moms full and satisfied.
It’s also a great plus that the foods from this meal plan can be easily included in any number of pre-wedding festivities such as bridal showers and luncheons. Alongside the rich menu choices, a buffet could include beautifully presented cereals in brightly colored and different sized bowls served with variety of fresh fruits – berries, peaches, melons and bananas. This will allow mothers and weight-conscious guests to fully enjoy themselves.
Jackie Newgent, RD, a New York City-based nutrition and culinary consultant says, "Mothers of the bride can celebrate that cereal as a choice can be one of the easiest, tastiest and unique additions to meals during their wedding-planning season."
Here are some of the delicious, nutritious food ideas and tips —with or without cereal—that Newgent suggests can be the culinary spotlight at bridal showers or other wedding-related events:
• In champagne glasses, layer fat-free vanilla yogurt, Grape-nuts and raspberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs. It’s a dazzling presentation for a breakfast or brunch.
• Host a party where the guests bring their favorite nutritious dish. Have it tapas- or small plates-style so any kind of dish works—and it’s trendy, too. Ask guests to bring the recipe for the bride-to-be.
• For party favors to-go, toss whole grain cereal into sealable sandwich bags with dried fruit and nuts. Wrap each into a pouch with colorful tissue paper. Tie with raffia or ribbon and attach a personal saying.

Mothers of the bride can feel confident that this lifestyle plan really does work. New clinical research conducted by the Rippe Lifestyle Institute, shows that people who replaced two meals a day with a serving of Post Healthy Classics cereals as part of a reduced calorie diet lost an average of 10 lbs. over a 12-week period and took up to 3 inches off their waistlines. They also reduced some important risk factors for heart disease such as decreasing their blood pressure and lowering their triglyceride levels.
There’s no question that the wedding day belongs to the bride. It is her special day and she takes center stage. However, after successfully sticking to a healthy diet, the bride’s mother can lovingly share the spotlight and when the cameras start clicking, she will glow with the assurance that she looks and feels her very best. In addition, her pre-wedding eating habits have spawned a healthy lifestyle helping her cope and prepare for future family nuptials.
Consult your physician before starting and diet or exercise program. Results may vary.