Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography, Flickr

Ever thought about going vegetarian, or maybe just cutting some of the meat out of your diet? There's no time like the present, especially now that the American Dietetic Association has changed its stance on going veg from tentative (good for adults, maybe not for kids) to full-fledged!

According to a recent article in the ADA Journal, the ADA's current position is that, as long as appropriate planning is involved, vegetarian and vegan diets "are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." It goes on to endorse a plant-based diet for those in all stages of life, including infants, children, pregnant and lactating women and athletes.

That doesn't mean that vegetarianism doesn't present some challenges. While you certainly can get the appropriate nutrients from a vegetarian or vegan diet, it can be difficult to get as much Vitamin D and B12 as necessary. Whether you get it through food, like leafy greens and tofu, or supplements is up to you.

Source

About 20 percent of Americans are prone to canker sores -- painful mouth ulcers that spring up for a short while and then disappear. Luckily, there are ways to prevent and treat them. Here are just a few:

1. Keep That Mouth Clean. If you develop a canker sore, use an antimicrobial mouthwash (like Listerine) to prevent them from becoming infected and lessen the severity of pain.

2. Put Down the Wasabi. Avoid eating hot, acidic and/or spicy foods, as they may exacerbate pain and work to lengthen the sore's sojourn on your mouth.

3. Lube Up. Apply over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream to the infected area. If this doesn't help, ask your dentist or doctor, who can prescribe an antibiotic.

4. Chill Out. Because stress can trigger or worsen an outbreak, engage in stress-reducing activities.

5. Boost Your B12. Research shows a potential link between a deficiency in this vitamin with the outbreak of canker sores.

If symptoms don't go away in two weeks, go see your dentist or doctor. Although canker sores are, by themselves, relatively harmless, they may sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem, such as gum disease or even oral cancer.

Source

There are plenty of ways to tell if you have an unhealthy diet. But how do you ultimately discern if yours is healthy or not? According to Everyday Health, here are the seven signs you have a healthy diet:

• You don't skip meals. This is a big no-no -- especially if it's breakfast!
• You eat lots of fibre, found in beans, fruits, veggies and whole grains
• You choose meats that are leaner -- like chicken, fish and turkey -- and you don't eat the skin.
• You get your RDI of calcium and vitamin D every single day, either by eating low-fat dairy or taking supplements
• You eat foods that are fortified with vitamin B12
• You choose healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruit and low-fat cheese over chips, cookies and other junk foods.
• You drink lots of water -- 64oz a day to be exact.
  

So, is your diet a healthy one? Why or why not?

Source

I've written before about how Madonna seems to be a healthy celebrity because she is very active and supposedly eats well. But the pop superstar recently freaked out fellow passengers on a trans-Atlantic flight with her seemingly un-healthy behaviour -- not only did she not eat a single thing on the 7-hour flight, but she injected herself with vitamins in her arms. It's believed that she injected vitamins B6 and B12 to boost her energy.

Nutritionists in Britain have criticized her behaviour, saying, "Vitamin injections are an extreme and dangerous fad which has come from the US - it is not very popular over here yet and hopefully will not take off."

I for one don't understand why she can't just swallow her vitamins like everyone else. I also don't understand why she wouldn't go to the bathroom to give herself an injection -- I'm not an etiquette expert but that seems to be fairly bad form. And seven hours without eating? That's a bit extreme. What do you think?

Source

Ah the hangover. Nature and your body's way of telling you you've gone way overboard. Unfortunately for some of us, it's a lesson we just can't seem to learn. I spent 8 hours driving home from a long weekend getaway yesterday and every one of my friends and I were feeling pretty rough in the car. I'm not naming names, but some had to pull over for a speedy emergency roadside pit-stop (I will say that it wasn't me!).

If you've known the pain of too much drinking and want help for similar situations in the future, or are currently suffering and need aid now, take a look at this article on natural remedies for the dreaded hangover. Sleep and gentle exercise are two easy suggestions, but if that won't cut it the piece also suggests trying B vitamins (B6 and B12) as they help flush out your overworked liver. For a few more ideas, you can see the article here. Of course, the best plan is moderation (but we all know that sometimes even the best of intentions can be ruined by a party that turns into a runaway).

Have you got any great hangover cures that you swear by?

Source

Are you a pork fan? I wouldn't say that I am, aside from the occasional cut of pork tenderloin or maybe if I'm feeling naughty, some bacon. But the folks at Glee Magazine think I should give it another chance. Their reasoning? It's a (usually) lean source of protein, it's got iron and vitamins B1 and B12, it's typically low in sodium and it's far less fatty than some other meats, such as beef. Lean pork can be substituted into many of your favorite meals for a healthier alternative. Such as? How about Pork Lasagna or pork tacos?

It's a good idea to buy organic when it comes to any sort of meat to avoid the nasty hormones that many cuts of meat have in them.

Source

How much do you know about B vitamins? Most people know that they're important, and maybe that they can help boost your mood, but they do so much more than that. B vitamins have been linked with lower blood pressure, weight loss, reduced migraines, and prevention of birth defects (to name just a few). Basically, B vitamins are necessary for life.

Take this quiz to see what you know about B vitamins, and what you don't. I learned a lot actually. Experts recommend getting the majority of your B's through a healthy diet, but supplements can also be effective as long as you take a B complex and not just individual B vitamin supplements (unless of course your doctor says differently).

Source