Posts tagged Nutrition at That's Fit

Posts with tag nutrition

Watermelons and the Viagra effect

Posted: Jul 2nd 2008 9:00AM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health

As people sit down to enjoy July 4th cookouts this weekend, they're sure to find a slice of watermelon on their dinner plates. Watermelon is the perfect summer fruit -- sweet, juicy, and refreshing. Not only is watermelon a great hot weather taste, however, it's also amazingly good for you.

Among its many phytonutrients, naturally occurring compounds that interact with the body to improve health, is one called citrulline. Researchers are just getting to know this particular nutrient, but what they've discovered is that it can give your body a boost, in more way than one.

Citrulline increases nitric oxide levels in the body, which opens up the blood vessels, just like Viagra, they say. Though researchers also say that citrulline isn't "organ specific" like Viagra, it does increase circulation body-wide. Seems like a good enough reason to try a slice, doesn't it?

Poor diet during pregnancy can cause long-term damage

Posted: Jul 1st 2008 8:40PM by Maggie Vink
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Healthy Kids

It isn't surprising that pregnant women are supposed to eat healthfully. Good nutrition will help a baby develop properly. But did you know that poor nutrition can not only negatively effect a baby's development, but it can also cause long-term damage?

A study by the Royal Veterinary College and London's Wellcome Trust, shows that when pregnant rats are fed fatty, processed foods during pregnancy, their offspring have high levels of fat in their bloodstream and around major organs -- even into their teenage years.

Fat gathered around internal organs has been linked to development of type II diabetes. Male rats tended to have higher insulin levels and normal blood sugar, while female offspring tended to have low insulin, high blood sugar, and tended to be more overweight.

While further research is obviously necessary, this is just one more link between healthy diet and a healthy life.

Make time for breakfast

Posted: Jul 1st 2008 8:10PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Fitness, Food and Nutrition, General Health, Women's Health, Men's Health, Diet and Weight Loss

Not a breakfast person? Well, if you want to lose weight and decrease your risk for metabolic syndrome, you may want to force yourself to be.

An analysis of government data on 4,200 adults revealed that that people who ate breakfast regularly tended to eat fewer calories overall during the day. And, a separate study out of the University of Connecticut found that eating three eggs daily can cut your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity -- three known risk factors that, along with others, are classified as metabolic syndrome.

So, if your usual breakfast is nothing more than a quick cup of coffee, it may be worth your while to take the extra ten minutes to cook yourself up some eggs.

Why you should never pair alcohol and energy drinks

Posted: Jun 30th 2008 8:00PM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health

My husband loves energy drinks. More specifically, he loves the jolt he gets from an energy drink. While I could never picture him trying to mix an energy drink with alcohol (that would defeat the purpose after all), I can see where someone else might give it a try. But the folks over at CNN tell us that mixing energy drinks and alcohol is a bad idea. The combination stresses the nervous system and can lead to heart palpitations and difficulty breathing.

And since it's nearly the Fourth and we're talking about alcohol, studies have also found that when alcohol is mixed with diet soda, it enters the bloodstream at a much faster rate than when mixed with a regular soft drink. So if you're going to have a drink or two this weekend, you might want to splurge on the extra calories in a regular soda and have a snack as well. The sugar and extra food will slow down the rate the alcohol leaves your stomach.

For more tidbits on what foods work well together and what don't, check out Real Simple's article on food pairings.

Happier meals

Posted: Jun 30th 2008 2:26PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health, Women's Health, Men's Health, Diet and Weight Loss, Healthy Kids

We are what we eat. Sure, we've been hearing that since we were in grade school, but it's a health maxim that, for whatever reason, never really seemed to stick. For proof of this assertion, visit any 7-11 and count the number of Big Gulp purchases that are made in ten minutes.

There is an enormous amount of evidence to support the existence of a food/well-being connection. Some foods affect how we handle stress (such as blueberries, which have been shown to reduce cortisol levels), while others have a direct impact on our mood (such as fish, dark chocolate, and sunflower seeds). Others, like potassium-rich bananas, regulate blood pressure, while high-protein eggs help build strong muscles and almonds increase blood flow, thereby improving sexual function.

These are only a few examples of how we truly are a direct result of what foods we consume. With this in mind, then, maybe it's time we thought about renaming the "Happy Meal," since its high-fat, high-carb content can lead to a very unhappy level of cholesterol and blood sugar. Maybe doing so will help the youth of today to better understand what You Are What You Eat really means and will therefore influence their dietary decisions.

Like cognition-improving walnuts, it's some food for thought.

Are 100-calorie snack packs banging you for your buck?

Posted: Jun 19th 2008 2:30PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health, Women's Health, Men's Health, Diet and Weight Loss, HealthWatch

If someone were to try to sell you a product you normally buy -- but, they offer you less of the product and at a higher cost -- would you buy it?

Of course you wouldn't. Or would you? In fact, maybe you already have, but just don't realize it. Well, if you've purchased a box of 100-calorie snack packs recently, I'm sorry to say that your mistake cost you. Quite a bit, actually. The Center for Science in the Public Interest recently released some figures on this matter, revealing that consumers are spending a great deal of money for the convenience of pre-packaged portions.

Here's a quick look at how much more some of these 100-packs are actually costing you (based on how much bang you are getting for your buck).

Chex Mix - 248 percent
Goldfish Pretzels - 196 percent
Oreo Cookies/Thin Crisps - 187 percent
Pringles - 163 percent
Doritos - 148 percent
Cheetos - 118 percent

And so on and so forth. (For a look at the entire list, click here).

Frankly, I'm not much of a fan of these 100-calorie snack packs for any reason, price gouging certainly notwithstanding. They offer almost no nutritional value, not to mention that they usually contain a fair amount of sugar and sodium. And, let's face it, how many people actually eat only one of those damn packs? It's very easy to turn 100 into two or three hundred calories, while at the same time spiking blood glucose and insulin levels. Not a good thing if weight loss is your goal. And if saving money is your other goal, there's reason number two not to buy these 100-calorie crap packs.

We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs: Britney Spears trying Posh's diet

Posted: Jun 12th 2008 3:00PM by Kristen Seymour
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health, Diet and Weight Loss, Celebrities, We Love To Gawk At Fit Celebs

It's no secret how Victoria Beckham stays so very thin -- the girl doesn't eat much. It's not through physical activity seeing as how she hates wearing any sort of flat shoe. Not exactly a healthy role model for weight loss, but unfortunately Britney Spears seems to have picked up on some of the ways Posh stays slim and is trying to follow that diet.

According to the Daily Mail, a source in L.A. says, "She's been eating steamed fish and edemame beans. She was told that's how Victoria stays so slim." Doesn't sound so bad, right? Just wait -- it gets worse.

"She is also drinking goji berry juice and seaweed shakes to stave off hunger and starts each day with a cup of hot water and lemon." I hope Britney and her trainers realize that Posh may be slim, but she's not healthy -- I'm happy to see Britney hitting the gym, and if she keeps that up and eats healthfully, she should be in great shape before you know it. No need to resort to seaweed shakes (unless she likes them, but I think it sounds gross!).

Summer Slimdown Guide: Five foods that make you feel fat

Posted: Jun 12th 2008 9:00AM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Not only do nutritious foods -- such as fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains -- help you lose extra pounds or maintain a healthy weight, they also help you feel lighter and healthier.

A healthy diet promotes good digestion, which will help you avoid bloating and constipation. And eating foods that are low in fat, sugar, and salt will help you avoid water retention and energy-sucking sugar crashes.

So while you stick to your healthy menu this summer, beware of those foods that will not only add extra calories to your day, but that also could make you feel bloated, heavy, or lethargic. They include:

sugary sweets
excessive alcohol
white or processed grains
foods that are high in sodium
anything deep fried

Check out our Summer Slimdown Guide for more about these five foods and other tips to help you get in shape (and stay there) this summer!

Daily Fit Tip: Find a pick-your-own farm

Posted: Jun 10th 2008 6:00AM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Daily Fit Tip

When it comes to good nutrition, you can't beat freshly picked fruit and vegetables. You don't have to be a gardener to get them either.

Continue reading Daily Fit Tip: Find a pick-your-own farm

Get beach-ready with these 15 tips

Posted: Jun 4th 2008 10:00AM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Fitness, Food and Nutrition, General Health, Healthy Habits, Diet and Weight Loss

The heat is ON! Summer weather has finally arrived. If you aren't ready to bare all, it's not to late to get toned up before the true beach season really starts. Take some advice from Prevention and try one of these 15 tips for slimming down by summer. Some of my favorites include:

chew gum when the munchies strike
eat more fiber
leave some food on your plate
go outside
drink plenty of water
eat more (healthy) fats
dance

Want some more advice on how to take it off (the pounds, that is) this summer? Check out AOL Body's Summer Quick Fix for tips and tricks for a healthier life. And consider munching on the following less-than-200-calorie snacks this summer.

Gallery: 11 snacks under 200 calories

Don't buy it

Posted: May 30th 2008 8:38PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, General Health, Women's Health, Men's Health, HealthWatch, Healthy Kids

Just a word or two on those 100-calorie snack-packs ...

You've seen them, I'm sure. You may have even tried them. The marketing mavens over at Nabisco have effectively branded them as "Smart Packs." If you visit the Nabisco website, you'll also see that they've started what they call a "Snack Purple" initiative, audaciously assigning a color to this food as if it were a legitimate awareness campaign.

But, tastelessness aside (not the food, but the marketing of said food), the bigger problem with these 100-calorie packs -- be them Oreos, Lorna Dunes, Teddy Grahams, Ritz Crackers, or Chips Ahoy Cookies -- is that they have almost no nutritional value. Though you may be keeping your calorie count down by eating one of these packs instead of a traditional size bag of cookies or crackers, you're still consuming empty calories. A much better option would be to eat an apple. This truly healthy snack will only cost you about 65 calories, while at the same time providing you with a fair amount of fiber, potassium and a healthy amount of vitamin A.

So, "Snack Purple" if you want. Enter all the sweepstakes, buy all the purple shirts, watch all the uplifting video stories on their website, and eat those 100-calorie packs. But I urge you, do it because you like the taste of cookies and crackers, not because you've been led to believe that you're making a healthy choice.

Daily Fit Tip: Eat your sunscreen

Posted: May 30th 2008 12:28PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Daily Fit Tip

First off, lets just be clear: no matter what you eat, you still need to use topical sunscreen. No matter what.

Okay, now that we're clear on that, let's get to the whole "eating your sunscreen" thing! The sun wreaks havok on our skin when the UV rays cause increased free-radicals that run rampant and leave nothing but damage in their wake. Some foods, particularly those high in antioxidants, can help to protect us from the sun by "mopping up" those nasty little bad guys and leaving our skin feeling younger, healthier, and (perhaps most importantly) cancer-free.

Gallery: Eat your sunscreen with these 5 foods

A good egg: How to buy one

Posted: May 27th 2008 9:00AM by Bethany Sanders
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Eggs used to get a bad rap, but these days they're a welcome addition to a healthy diet. In the past, doctors worried about the cholesterol in eggs. But research has found that though eggs do contain a healthy dose of cholesterol, eating one to two eggs a day doesn't affect a person's cholesterol levels at all.

On the contrary, eggs are a fantastic source of choline, a necessary B vitamin that reduces inflammation in the body. Eggs, which are high in protein, have also been linked to helping people lose weight. They're also inexpensive, easily accessible for most people, and are available year round. (As always, if you have a health condition you should follow your doctor's advice when it comes to nutrition).

There are a lot of different eggs out there -- brown, organic, those with extra omega-3s -- so if you're looking for some advice on how to buy the perfect egg, Yahoo's got it.

Jumpstart Your Fitness: 40 must have foods

Posted: May 26th 2008 7:30AM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Jumpstart Your Fitness

Okay, so the article I'm basing this post on is titled "40 must have foods for the 40 yr old body" but I say why not 40 must have foods for everybody? They're all pretty basic and straight-forward foods that anybody can eat -- why wait to eat these things until you're 40, or feel like it's too late if you're already out of your 40s? I say all food is for everybody! Haha. Well, it is. And especially since these foods are categorized into groups like "immunity boosters" and "bone builders" -- I'm 30 years old and I want a boosted immunity and strong bones just as much as the next person!

So that's my rant on why I dropped the "for 40 yr olds" off the title and out the equation. As far as I'm concerned the following 40 foods are must haves (to some extent) for everybody. Wild salmon and kiwis here I come! (Ew, those don't sound good together at all ... ) .

Gallery: The 40 healthiest foods

Continue reading Jumpstart Your Fitness: 40 must have foods

Skins to win

Posted: May 13th 2008 6:56PM by Chris Sparling
Filed under: Fitness, Food and Nutrition, Women's Health, Men's Health, Diet and Weight Loss

When I eat a kiwi, I do everything in my power to remove every bit of the skin. Frankly, I'm disgusted by the texture of it, I don't know why. However, an article in the most recent issue of Women's Health magazine suggests that when we don't eat the skin of a kiwi -- as well as many other fruits -- we're squandering a great deal of their antioxidants and healthy compounds.

Here is a quick breakdown of what we''re missing by removing the skin from our produce:

Apples - A Cornell University study revealed that 87 percent of an apple's cancer-fighting phytochemicals are found in the skin, not the crunchy white flesh inside

Eggplant - Remove the skin of this favorite vegetable of many Italian grandmothers (mine notwithstanding) and you remove 300 milligrams of brain-cell preserving antioxidants in the process

Continue reading Skins to win

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