cinnamon-related stories
Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti
Recipe Rehab with Tanya Zuckerbrot, Nutrition & Supplements
Recipe may vary from photograph.
Photo: Dennis Gottlieb, Getty Images
On a cold winter night nothing is more enticing than the thought of curling up on the couch with a piping cup of hot chocolate and crunchy biscotti. But the reality is, this seemingly inoffensive treat can sabotage a full days worth of healthy eating. Would you believe that this one ounce serving of biscotti contains 250 calories! Besides, who eats just one? Continued over the course of a year, this could result in an extra 20 pounds of weight gain.
Besides the frustration of not fitting into your jeans, there are also serious health risks associated with weight gain such as coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Studies have shown that weight gain of as little as two pounds a year can increase your chances of those health risks by 5 percent.
Now the news isn't all bad, and anyone who has ever been on a diet knows that cutting out occasional treats entirely leads to a diet disaster.
Pair my Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti recipe with a sugar-free or diet hot cocoa for a treat that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without jeopardizing your waistline.
Best Breakfast, Signs You Exercise Too Much and More: Twitter Finds
Overwhelmed by all of the "Follow Friday" recommendations on Twitter? Each week AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit search the Twittersphere for the greatest diet and fitness Twitterers, and each week, we'll highlight the best-of their best tweets (no Twits here).
kerigans
ThatsFitca
SELFmagazine
lemondroptweets
Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
kerigans Just had my oatmeal made with LF milk, egg whites for extra protein, cinnamon and ground flax. Perfect way to start the day!!!
SELFmagazine What cool, crunchy snack is good for your figure... and your face? http://tinyurl.com/yz8err5
lemondroptweets What do you think about the new "trend" of mags using "plus-size" models? We like @marieclaire's "no fuss" style: http://bit.ly/3gLA2F
Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Cinnamon Health Benefits
Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
In addition to jazzing up dishes, cinnamon is a spice with many health benefits.
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce chances of both stroke and heart disease. The spice also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help fight infections and lice.
Cinnamon appears to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels and according to the USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center, cinnamon seems to make insulin more efficient at taking glucose out of blood and converting it to fuel for your body.
Studies also claim anti-viral benefits for a special cinnamon extract against Avian Flu H9, the Sendai virus, HIV and Herpes Simplex 1, Newcastle disease (in chickens) and the flu. The extract not only fights viruses, but it will also immunize against them.
To top it all off, cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
Cinnamon can be toxic in large doses. And please note that large, doughy cinnamon buns are not an ideal source of cinnamon.
Read more about this sweet spice on That's Fit:
Cinnamon is Good for You
Scents of the Season
Cinnamon Keeps Blood Sugar Down
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce chances of both stroke and heart disease. The spice also has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help fight infections and lice.
Cinnamon appears to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels and according to the USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center, cinnamon seems to make insulin more efficient at taking glucose out of blood and converting it to fuel for your body.
Studies also claim anti-viral benefits for a special cinnamon extract against Avian Flu H9, the Sendai virus, HIV and Herpes Simplex 1, Newcastle disease (in chickens) and the flu. The extract not only fights viruses, but it will also immunize against them.
To top it all off, cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
Cinnamon can be toxic in large doses. And please note that large, doughy cinnamon buns are not an ideal source of cinnamon.
Read more about this sweet spice on That's Fit:
Cinnamon is Good for You
Scents of the Season
Cinnamon Keeps Blood Sugar Down
Mulled Wine - How Many Calories?
Spending time in the great outdoors this winter? If you live in a place that gets true winter weather, you'll need a warm coat, some fleece-lined mittens, a quality pair of snow boots ... and something warm to drink. In my family, it's tradition to pack a thermos of mulled wine when we head out to the wilderness for our annual Christmas tree hunt -- the warm, boozy liquid really hits the spot when it's the kind of day that makes your nose run.
Red wine is considered the healthiest of the alcohols, and since red wine in the main ingredient in mulled wine, it's probably healthy too, right? What do you think?
The Hot Latin Diet Isn't So Hot
The Hot Latin Diet by Dr. Manny Alvarez promises to provide the fast track to a "bombshell body." Sounds good, right? Who doesn't want to look hot -- and Latin food has a pretty high yum factor. Alvarez is an OB/GYN and a medical contributor for Fox News. He claims that Latin Americans have a long life expectancy and lower levels of obesity. Alvarez believes this is because of seven Latin superfoods -- tomatillos, garbanzo beans, avocados, chilies, cinnamon, garlic, and cilantro. The book suggests two phases that introduce these superfoods into the diet.
Helene Charlebois, a Canadian registered dietitian reviewed the book and has some concerns. While she agrees that the seven foods Alvarez includes in the diet are health-promoting and good additions to your menu, she says that the plan lacks good science, clear directions, and easy-to-follow menus and recipes. She says that The Hot Latin Diet is not a plan that can be easily incorporated into your lifestyle.
Spice it up: Health perks of spices and herbs
Using spice has been linked to weight loss, and using herbs and spices in place of salt can benefit your blood pressure. In a recent study, researchers found that many herbs and spices can protect tissues from damage and inflammation -- both of which are problems caused by high blood sugar. So frequent use of certain spices and herbs may help those who are living with diabetes.
Spices and herbs are high in antioxidants. While it's not clear how much of each item is necessary to protect tissues, incorporating these ingredients in your meals in small amounts certainly can't hurt. The spices and herbs researchers found to be beneficial include cloves, cinnamon, allspice, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, marjoram, sage, and thyme.
The spice of weight loss is ... spice
Want to drop a few pounds? Add some spice to your meals -- any kind will do, as long as it's low in calories. According to Fit Celeb, adding zero-calorie spices to your meals can help you lose weight. In fact, in studies, participants who did just that lost an average of 30 lbs in six months, compared to two lbs in the control group. Wow. The key to the weight loss was attributed to the aroma of the dishes -- taking a moment to savour the smell of the food was key to participants' weight loss.
A few things to keep in mind: Butter is not a spice, and neither is salt -- both will likely cause you to gain weight rather than lose it. However, be sure to stock up on healthy, flavourful spices like cinnamon, dill, rosemary, curry powder and so on.
What's your favourite spice?
Cinnamon Sugar: Fight it, don't bite it
Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
This morning, my kids asked for cinnamon toast. So I made it for them. I used whole wheat bread, light butter with Canola oil, and a few sprinkles of McCormick's cinnamon sugar. My kids gobbled it down, which makes me happy for whole wheat purposes. My husband tends to think the rest of the equation -- the butter and cinnamon sugar -- is crap. I argued with him a bit, not trying to convince him butter and cinnamon sugar are good for our kids, just to let him know that our kids eat pretty darn healthy most days and there are far worse foods they could have ingested, with far more crap packed into them. Then I questioned myself. Then I did some research.Hungry Girl says in one of her Chew the Right Thing posts that cinnamon sugar is something we ought to fight, not bite. Now she's speaking mostly to us grown-up calorie-counting folks and not to the kids of the world, but here's what she says: "McCormick's Cinnamon Sugar has only 15 calories per teaspoon. So why are we telling you to 'fight it!'? Well, we just don't see why anyone should waste any calories at all on this sweet spice when there is a just-as-good no-cal version available. After all, when you're watching your weight, every single calorie counts. Fifteen calories here, 30 there, another 40 here ... it can all add up." HG doesn't mention sugar in her opinion but clearly, there's sugar in cinnamon sugar.
So what does the Hungry Girl suggest? San Sucre Cinnamon Sugar. It uses Splenda and makes a great sugarless cinnamon sugar blend, she says. No calories in this goodie either. HG's final piece of advice: "Cinnamon helps keep blood sugar levels low, so sprinkle away!"
You Are What You Eat: A Super Food run-down
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!
Sunday's Parade magazine lists some Super Foods we ought to embrace. Each one is packed with nutrients. And flavor too. Can't beat that combo. Check out these six.
Coconut Milk
Coconuts are rich and saturated in fat. Sound scary? It shouldn't. The people in the South Pacific enjoy diets loaded with coconut oil, yet studies show that these people don't get heart disease. U.S. researchers are hot on the trail of this interesting fact, hoping to support the claim that the fatty coconut is a heart-healthy fruit. What they do know is this: Coconut flakes, coconut milk and cream, and coconut oil contain lots of an antiviral, antibacterial fatty acid called lauric acid. It's one of the immune-boosters babies get from breast milk.
Try this: Mix a can of coconut milk with a pint of chicken stock and some grated ginger for a healthy coconut chicken soup.
Grass-Fed Beef
All beef is a great source of iron, B vitamins, and zinc -- three nutrients most of us don't get enough of. But grass-fed beef (versus grain-fed beef) is best. It contains less fat, less saturated fat, more CLA (an anti-cancer fat), and more omega-3 fatty acids.
Try this: Use the very lean grass-fed beef for spaghetti sauce, chili, and meatloaf.
Nuts
Rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and antioxidants, moderate amounts of almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts are a good addition to a healthy diet. Walnuts too. They are one of the best vegetarian sources of the omega-3 fatty acids that fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Try this: Put nuts in a blender with a little olive oil, milk or water for fresh nut butter.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon regulates blood sugar, inhibits cancer cells, and is anti-inflammatory. Can't beat that.
Try this: Sprinkle cinnamon on French toast, oatmeal, or a cup of hot chocolate.
Raw Honey & Molasses
Great for a sweet tooth, these whole and natural sweeteners make for a healthy sugar substitute. Unfiltered, raw honey contains lots of phytonutrients and enzymes to aid digestion. Blackstrap molasses is a surprisingly good source of iron and many other minerals.
Try this: Honey is best unheated but molasses already has been boiled, so there's no reason not to cook with it. Use with baked goods like muffins and pumpkin pie.
Olive Oil
Olive oil's monounsaturated fats reduce inflammation. Its phenols fight cancer. And its vitamin E lowers the risk of heart disease, protects skin from damaging agents, and prevents nerve damage.
Try this: Gently sauté vegetables in olive oil, drizzle it on salads, or use it in pesto.
Sunday's Parade magazine lists some Super Foods we ought to embrace. Each one is packed with nutrients. And flavor too. Can't beat that combo. Check out these six.
Coconut Milk
Coconuts are rich and saturated in fat. Sound scary? It shouldn't. The people in the South Pacific enjoy diets loaded with coconut oil, yet studies show that these people don't get heart disease. U.S. researchers are hot on the trail of this interesting fact, hoping to support the claim that the fatty coconut is a heart-healthy fruit. What they do know is this: Coconut flakes, coconut milk and cream, and coconut oil contain lots of an antiviral, antibacterial fatty acid called lauric acid. It's one of the immune-boosters babies get from breast milk.
Try this: Mix a can of coconut milk with a pint of chicken stock and some grated ginger for a healthy coconut chicken soup.
Grass-Fed Beef
All beef is a great source of iron, B vitamins, and zinc -- three nutrients most of us don't get enough of. But grass-fed beef (versus grain-fed beef) is best. It contains less fat, less saturated fat, more CLA (an anti-cancer fat), and more omega-3 fatty acids.
Try this: Use the very lean grass-fed beef for spaghetti sauce, chili, and meatloaf.
Nuts
Rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and antioxidants, moderate amounts of almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts are a good addition to a healthy diet. Walnuts too. They are one of the best vegetarian sources of the omega-3 fatty acids that fight obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Try this: Put nuts in a blender with a little olive oil, milk or water for fresh nut butter.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon regulates blood sugar, inhibits cancer cells, and is anti-inflammatory. Can't beat that.
Try this: Sprinkle cinnamon on French toast, oatmeal, or a cup of hot chocolate.
Raw Honey & Molasses
Great for a sweet tooth, these whole and natural sweeteners make for a healthy sugar substitute. Unfiltered, raw honey contains lots of phytonutrients and enzymes to aid digestion. Blackstrap molasses is a surprisingly good source of iron and many other minerals.
Try this: Honey is best unheated but molasses already has been boiled, so there's no reason not to cook with it. Use with baked goods like muffins and pumpkin pie.
Olive Oil
Olive oil's monounsaturated fats reduce inflammation. Its phenols fight cancer. And its vitamin E lowers the risk of heart disease, protects skin from damaging agents, and prevents nerve damage.
Try this: Gently sauté vegetables in olive oil, drizzle it on salads, or use it in pesto.
Sweet!
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Something sweet? Yeah, that would be nice. But chocolate is a bit too much, save for maybe dark chocolate. Sugar-laden treats like Nerds and Gummy Worms, though delicious, will throw blood sugars into a tailspin, subsequently leading to weight gain. Okay, what about sugar substitutes, like Equal or Splenda? Always a viable option, but many people don't like the idea of using chemical substitutes. So, where does that leave us? And how do we satisfy that sweets craving?
The answer: Cinnamon.
The positive effect that cinnamon appears to have on blood sugars has been a topic of discussion on blogs, forums and medical medical magazines for quite some time now. All reports of using cinnamon have been good thus far, but the evidence supporting its actual benefits for people with diabetes has been somewhat scarce. However, in a study out of the USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center, researchers found that cinnamon seems to make insulin more efficient at taking glucose out of blood and converting it to fuel for your body.
Life Fit with Laura Lewis: Scents of the season
Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday and Thursday for further discussion on the week's topic. For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.There is a certain smell to the holiday season ... cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. The holidays are most definitely a feast for the senses. From yummy spice wine and peppermint spiced cocoa, to delicious potpourri simmering on the stove top, this time of year is packed full of nostalgic aromas.
This week we will take a peek into the natural healing applications of these delicious spices, as well as some tidbits on how to incorporate them into your holiday cuisine.
Let's start with cinnamon. Cinnamon is derived from the aromatic bark of a tropical evergreen tree called the Zeylancium originally found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The spice is cultivated from the dried inner bark and can be purchased in rolled quills, in broken pieces called quillings or as a powder. Because this spice is so powerful it should only be consumed in the aforementioned forms. The bark of the cinnamon tree does produce an essential oil, but this oil is so powerful it can be toxic if consumed in this highly concentrated form. Only use the essential oil under the direction of a highly trained and certified aromatherapist or naturopathic physician.
The cinnamon spice--the variety purchased at your local super market--offers many surprising health benefits. Did you know that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in people with type II diabetes? Cinnamon also supports digestive functions, which makes it a create addition to your morning oatmeal. This spice constricts and tones bodily tissues, relieves digestive congestion, pain and stiffness from muscles and joints and also relieves menstrual discomfort. Cinnamon's anti-inflammatory compounds can aid in reducing pain caused by arthritis. And, this powerfully healing spice also assists in killing the E. coli bacteria and other bacteria that can cause illness. Cinnamon is also a powerful agent in fighting candida.
In ancient times, cinnamon was so highly regarded, due to its medicinal properties, that it was considered to be more precious than gold. Ancient Egyptians used the spice during the embalming process. And like today, cinnamon was often used to flavor drinks.
In the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, cinnamon is used to flavor traditional, non-sweet dishes, but elsewhere is more often used in desserts and specialty beverages ... such as my favorite Cinnamon Spice Latte for Starbucks! Cinnamon can be added to potpourri, incense and is even a popular male aphrodisiac! Oils from the Zeylancium berries are often used to add fragrance to candles.
Enjoy this wonderful recipe along with 25 tips for using cinnamon!
Homemade Granola
- 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- .5 cuo of sunflower seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- .25 teaspoon of nutmeg
- .25 cup of butter
- .5 cu toasted wheat germ
- .25 cup of brown sugar
- 1 cup raisins
- .25 cup honey
- .5 cup dried fruit bits of your choice
Nutritional information per serving: Calories 270, Protein 6g, Carbohydrates 40g, Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium 54mg, Dietary Fiber 4g.
You Are What You Eat: Cinnamon Divine
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!
Every time I walk into my local grocery store, scents of cinnamon drift my way, compliments of spiced-up holiday decorations strategically located just inside the sliding doors. On most school-day mornings, I make my boys slices of cinnamon toast. They always ask for more. And when I buy my favorite Yankee candles, I always grab the cinnamon varieties. I burn them whenever I'm home. I especially love them at Christmas time.
Think warm mugs of apple cider sprinkled with cinnamon, baked apples with crushed nuts and cinnamon on a cold winter day, or a cool glass of spiced tea on a hot summer afternoon and you're likely to conjure up visions of a Super Spice that's good for all seasons. Not only is cinnamon good, though. It's also quite healthy.
Every time I walk into my local grocery store, scents of cinnamon drift my way, compliments of spiced-up holiday decorations strategically located just inside the sliding doors. On most school-day mornings, I make my boys slices of cinnamon toast. They always ask for more. And when I buy my favorite Yankee candles, I always grab the cinnamon varieties. I burn them whenever I'm home. I especially love them at Christmas time.
Think warm mugs of apple cider sprinkled with cinnamon, baked apples with crushed nuts and cinnamon on a cold winter day, or a cool glass of spiced tea on a hot summer afternoon and you're likely to conjure up visions of a Super Spice that's good for all seasons. Not only is cinnamon good, though. It's also quite healthy.
The 5: healthy things about cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of those spices that can liven up many dishes, and while tasty things often aren't good for you, this is one exception -- cinnamon is exceedingly healthy. It has a number of benefits, according to The Healthy Snacks Blog, including these top five:
1. Cinnamon has antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. This means it can help fight yeast infections, lice and ulcers.
2. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce your chances of strokes and heart disease.
3. Cinnamon can help lower bad cholesterol and it can help manage blood sugar levels and diabetes.
4. Cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
5. Smelling Cinnamon can improve your memory.
How do you use cinnamon in your diet?
1. Cinnamon has antifungal, antibacterial and antiparasitic properties. This means it can help fight yeast infections, lice and ulcers.
2. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce your chances of strokes and heart disease.
3. Cinnamon can help lower bad cholesterol and it can help manage blood sugar levels and diabetes.
4. Cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron and calcium.
5. Smelling Cinnamon can improve your memory.
How do you use cinnamon in your diet?
Some spices are tasty, and some improve heatlh
Instead of eating all those meals with mountains of included sodium levels, have you ever considered fixing "tasteless" foods then spicing them up with various spices to get those taste buds really going?As some like to say, "there's no such thing as too much pepper" -- something I agree with. Try pepper on everything (except maybe fruit). Red potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, enchiladas and soup and you will be surprised how much this simple and inexpensive ingredient can wallop those foods with flavor without needing to add a bunch of processed flavoring.
In fact, I always looks for "low sodium" foods when shopping. I then add my own pepper, garlic, thyme and other spices to suit my taste -- all without consuming 1,000 milligrams of sodium per sitting in the process. Ever try cinnamon on plain, unflavored yogurt? Mmm.
Cinnamon is exceedingly good for you
If you fix that morning whole-wheat toast on most mornings, how about grinding up some fresh cinnamon to sprinkle on top? Don't add that white sugar, but just some cinnamon (and maybe raw cane sugar if needed). Cinnamon makes a tasty addition to many foods of course, and there are many health benefits that have been tied to cinnamon as well, including lowering cholesterol (the bad kind) and blood sugar levels (helpful for diabetics).
But, don't be of the mind that more is better. According to a new study, cinnamon in amounts less than one-fourth of a teaspoon taken daily are helpful -- but don't add it to everything you eat. Not that any of us would do that, anyway. A fruit smoothie with cinnamon doesn't really....wait -- that does sound good!
