additives-related stories
Daily Fit Tip: Choose dried fruit carefully
For people on the go, dried fruit is a perfect high-energy, portable snack that's packed with nutrition. But as this article from eDiets points out, not all dried fruit is created equal.
Be sure to read the back of the package before you buy and make sure that fruit is the number one ingredient on the list. If the product contains added sugars (who needs to add sugar to something already so naturally sweet?) or fats, it's not a good choice. Instead, look for products that contain few or no added ingredients beyond the tasty, delicious fruit.
A little dried fruit packs a powerful punch, both nutritionally and in calories, so keep that in mind while you munch away on this tasty treat.
Be sure to read the back of the package before you buy and make sure that fruit is the number one ingredient on the list. If the product contains added sugars (who needs to add sugar to something already so naturally sweet?) or fats, it's not a good choice. Instead, look for products that contain few or no added ingredients beyond the tasty, delicious fruit.
A little dried fruit packs a powerful punch, both nutritionally and in calories, so keep that in mind while you munch away on this tasty treat.
Fresh or frozen -- which veggies are best?
When you grab your veggies in the grocery store, do you go for fresh, frozen, or canned? If you grab frozen or canned vegetables, you may be onto something -- these options tend to deliver even more nutrients than their fresh counterparts.
All forms of produce are low in calories and contain fiber and phytochemicals -- plant compounds that provide varied health benefits. And when it comes to fiber, fresh is best. But for plentiful nutrients, already-cooked produce is tops. Cooking makes nutrients more readily available to the body, and the time fresh produce spends sitting on shelves depletes their nutrients.
There are some downsides to frozen and canned foods, however, like additives you won't find in the fresh produce aisles. So be careful. Look for low-sodium items, avoid all cream and cheese sauces, and steer clear of any label that reads "sweetened."
All forms of produce are low in calories and contain fiber and phytochemicals -- plant compounds that provide varied health benefits. And when it comes to fiber, fresh is best. But for plentiful nutrients, already-cooked produce is tops. Cooking makes nutrients more readily available to the body, and the time fresh produce spends sitting on shelves depletes their nutrients.
There are some downsides to frozen and canned foods, however, like additives you won't find in the fresh produce aisles. So be careful. Look for low-sodium items, avoid all cream and cheese sauces, and steer clear of any label that reads "sweetened."
Organic chef touts healthy eating
Celebrities and Entertainment, Celebs & Entertainment, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Award-winning chef and cookbook author Michel Nischan will be spreading his message of healthy eating on a new series called "Pure & Simple" on the multimedia channel LIME.
Nischan believes in the days of pure and simple food selection, when produce was eaten in season and our food wasn't injected with hormones and pesticides. His series demonstrates how too much of our food is treated in a way that removes important natural vitamins and nutrients. For example, if a fruit is picked before it's ripe and then is shipped, it doesn't pack the same nutritional "punch" as a fruit that's allowed to ripen naturally.
Not only that, it doesn't taste as good. Disturbed at what I've been reading in the media about environmental toxins and damaging additives, I've been purchasing more and more organic produce. It's more expensive, it's not as shiny and big, but it tastes better and I feel better about eating it.
I'm looking forward to hearing more of Michel Nischan's message, and anticipating an even bigger shift toward organic eating in the general population.
Nischan believes in the days of pure and simple food selection, when produce was eaten in season and our food wasn't injected with hormones and pesticides. His series demonstrates how too much of our food is treated in a way that removes important natural vitamins and nutrients. For example, if a fruit is picked before it's ripe and then is shipped, it doesn't pack the same nutritional "punch" as a fruit that's allowed to ripen naturally.
Not only that, it doesn't taste as good. Disturbed at what I've been reading in the media about environmental toxins and damaging additives, I've been purchasing more and more organic produce. It's more expensive, it's not as shiny and big, but it tastes better and I feel better about eating it.
I'm looking forward to hearing more of Michel Nischan's message, and anticipating an even bigger shift toward organic eating in the general population.
