That's Fit

Take one look at Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba and it's clear the girl is doing something right to maintain her sleek dancer's body. Whatever could it be, aside from the dancing, that is?

Inaba credits yoga and a diet inspired by her island upbringing for her trim figure.

"I was born on Hawaii and I'm Japanese, so I was raised to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and protein, whether it's soybeans or fish," says Inaba. Smart girl -- with some smart moves. Check them out in the gallery below.

Generally speaking, there are three basic speeds at which protein can be released: Slow, Medium, and Fast. Pretty straightforward, right? However, what might not be so obvious are the known effects each type of release will have on your body.

Here's a quick look at different types of protein sources and how their release speeds play a role in their functionality.

Slow Release

Sources: Whole food protein sources (chicken, beef, fish, etc.), casein protein

Effects: Causes a gradual increase and maintenance of blood-amino-acid levels for a long duration of time. Will also keep you feeling full for an extended period of time.

Medium Release

Sources: Milk-protein isolate, soy-protein isolate

Effects: Provides a bit less of a gradual increase of blood-amino-acid levels but helps them from eventually dropping rapidly. Will keep you feeling full for some time, but not quite as long as most slow-release protein sources.

Let's say you head out to a restaurant for lunch with your co-workers. Depending on the situation, you might not have a say in what restaurant you end up going to. And you don't really have a say in how the restaurants prepare the food. In fact, the only thing you do have control over is A) What you order, and B) how much of it you eat.

So let's say you end up going to a Asian restaurant like P.F. Chang's. Chinese food is notorious for being high in calories, sodium, carbs and fat, but surely there must be some healthy options. You browse the menu and come across one dish that that sticks out as healthy: The Citrus Soy Salmon Lunch Bowl. Heck, they even let you choose whether you want it with brown or white rice! So let's analyze this choice. Salmon is healthy. Citrus is healthy. Brown rice is healthy. Soy is high in sodium but low in calories and fat. Overall, for a restaurant meal, it sounds pretty good, right?

You tell me ...

There's a lot of talk these days about soy. Some people tout it as a great source of protein and other nutrients, while others fear that it may do more harm than good. So what's the verdict on this green bean: is it good or bad for you?

Very good, says an article in the recent issue of Muscle & Body magazine. First, the article dispels the following myths about soy protein:

• Soy protein is only for women
• It will lower testosterone levels
• It is a lesser-quality protein than whey and casein
  

Then, the benefits of soy are highlighted:

• Soy enhances muscle recovery and growth
• It increase nitric oxide (NO) production
• It enhances fat loss
• It improves heart health and protects against certain types of cancers

By the end of it all, it seems quite clear that soy joy is not an overrated or bad thing. Just the same, there exists a fair amount of opposition to much of what is suggested in the Muscle & Body article. Where do you stand on this matter? Is soy good for you or not?

You know which foods give you more energy, and you're aware of the foods that will pack on the pounds. But, can certain foods help your love life? According to a recent article on MSN, the answer is yes!

There's a reason people have turned to aphrodisiacs throughout the course of history -- while oysters alone won't turn you (or your date) into a raging sex machine, certain foods have been shown to have a subtle effect on "how amorous you're feeling."

Want to know what foods you should order on your next date? Check out the gallery!

There are plenty of folks who purposely seek out soy-based food products. But, there are some people who are trying to avoid it altogether, whatever their specific reasons may be. The tricky part is that it can sometimes be in foods you may not expect it to be.

Obviously, if a carton says that it contains soy milk, you have a clear understanding of what you are drinking. The same goes for a number of other soy-based foods; their packaging proudly displays their soy content. However, soy, in some form, can sometimes be found in many types of bread (something you may not realize until you read the nutritional label).

What's more, it's not just the standard, run of the mill type breads that may contain soy. Those fancy, minimally-processed, organic versions that can be purchased at health food stores? Yup, those breads too may contain some form of soy in them.

As always, the takeaway is to be sure to check the nutritional label on food. The flashy bubble letters are great for brand marketing purposes, but they can oftentimes be somewhat deceiving with regard to nutrition.

I just returned from ESPN the Weekend, at Disney World's Hollywood Studios. One of the highlights for me was when I stumbled across an interesting conversation between football all-stars Donovan McNabb, Chris Carter, Tony Gonzalez and a few others. The men were on an open stage being interviewed my Mike Greenberg of the Mike and Mike Show. What caught my attention was the taunting of Tony Gonzalez with strange veggie jokes. Why were they poking fun at this "lettuce man"? Little Miss Fitzness had to stop and listen.

The taunting was followed by Kansas City Chief tight-end Tony defending his vegan lifestyle. I was both surprised and impressed. Tony was bragging about his ability to jump rope and hit the weight room while his teammates were stuck in the mud the day after a game. He's beaten lethargy, increased his energy, and found many more fascinating benefits since he changed his eating habits. The nearly 250 pound tight end is not someone anyone would guess to be a vegan, but I think that's why he's so neat.

Soy products are a great way to incorporate lean protein into your diet, and you don't have to be vegetarian to appreciate the benefits. However, while many people are familiar with tofu, I get a lot of puzzled looks when I mention tempeh. While both are made from soybeans, they're as different as salmon and steak.

This chart breaks down the differences between tempeh and tofu, and basically it makes the conclusion that tempeh is less processed than tofu, contains more protein and fiber, and therefore is somewhat better for you. And, to be honest, I actually prefer the taste and texture of tempeh to tofu. However, if you're used to cooking with tofu, you can't just substitute tempeh instead.

Click through the gallery for some recipes including tempeh. If you have a favorite recipe of your own, be sure to leave a comment!

Soy has come under some scrutiny lately, largely due to a recent review of studies conducted by the American Heart Association on the protein source's efficacy in protecting or improving cardiovascular health. The results of the study found no conclusive link between soy and such health benefits.

Additional studies also put soy in the hot seat. For women, soy was revealed to be almost worthless in alleviating menopause symptoms. Then, in a different study, researchers allegedly discovered that a diet rich in soy may actually lead to thyroid problems.

It seems as though the official verdict is still not in on soy, as there is still plenty of evidence to the contrary of that which was just mentioned.

Feel free to weigh in with your own opinions and/or links to studies and research on the health benefits (or lack thereof) of soy.

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!

Consuming 25 grams of soy daily may be just the thing for reducing your risk of osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, Alzheimer's, certain cancers, and kidney disease, according to Psychology Today. Enough to convince you that soy, from the soybean plant native to southeast Asia and part of the legume family, belongs on the Super Food list? Need more proof? How about this?

In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supported the claim that eating the protein as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. Yep, soy is a pretty powerful package, some say. It's nature's only plant source with all eight essential amino acids, reports Runner's World, and it's a denser form of protein than any other bean. Low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6, it's a staple of healthy Asian diets for a reason. An important protein source for vegetarians and key ingredient in many infant formulas, soy might also have a downside.

"We've learned that soy isn't a miracle food after all," says sports nutritionist Lisa Dorfman, author of The Vegetarian Sports Nutrition Guide. "Even so, soy foods remain a healthy alternative to high fat proteins."

Thyroid conditions affect as many as 25 million Americans, oftentimes making daily life very arduous. With that being the case, you can probably imagine how tough it sometimes can be for these same people to endure a workout. All of this can be extremely frustrating, as the best of intentions to be healthier can sometimes be thwarted by your own body. Thankfully, if you have a thyroid condition, there are some easy lifestyle changes that may help get you through your day.

Avoid the Tap. Unless your tap water is filtered, you may be ingesting too much fluoride, which can hinder thyroid function. Opt instead for bottled water.

Get Your Selenium. Since your body needs this mineral to produce thyroid hormones, it's vital that you are taking in adequate amounts. Selenium can be found in abundance in rice, Brazil nuts, and tuna.

Get your Iodine, Too. This trace mineral is also required for thyroid hormone production. Get your fill of it easily from table salt and seafood.

Cut Back on Soy. Isoflavones in soy can interfere with the production and use of thyroid hormones, so you would do well to keep your soy intake to a minimum.

If any of you suffer from a thyroid condition and have any additional tips or comments, please feel free leave them in the section below.

Ahh -- soybeans, soy milk and soy products are soooo good. There's nothing like adding some toast soybeans to that low-calorie salad dressing to give that meal some kick, right? If you're no fan of dairy, soy milk makes for an excellent alternative also.

New research out recently concluded that a soy may even prevent belly fat in women who have gone through menopause as well. So, soy can help you keep fat off in the worst place it could possibly collect? That's what the study is saying, although it's just preliminary data.

The study zeroed in on isoflavones, which occur in soy products and are structurally similar to estrogen. Hence, they bind to estrogen receptors in fat tissue. The study looked at 18 postmenopausal women, and the one who drank a soy-containing shake every day for 90 days gained less abdominal fat than ladies who drank a milk-containing shake every day during the same period.

Are you ready to bust out that soy shake every morning? Try substituting soy milk for even skim milk in that fresh fruit smoothie -- for starters.

When most people think of health foods, they often think of soy-based products like soy milk and tofu. But is soy really healthy? Did anybody check the facts before labelling soy as healthy? Dr. Mercola did and he has some pretty strong things to say about soy. Check out his thoughts on soy by clicking here and here.

Dr. Mercola wants everyone who thinks soy is healthy to check out The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food by Dr. Kaayla Daniel. In it, she reveals some startling things about soy. Like? It apparently impedes sexual maturation in boys and speeds it up in girls. It also supposedly can cause thyroid problems and endocrine disruption in adults. And if it's given to infants, it's hormonal effects can be irreversible.

Hm. These are some pretty strong allegations. What do you think?

Young vegetarians don't make up a huge segment of the population -- a 2005 independent poll totaled them at about three percent -- but they certainly are a growing group. And their choice to ditch meat, and sometimes eggs and dairy too, is becoming quite a popular topic of discussion as some wonder if these kids are getting the nutrition they need from plant sources alone.

It's definitely possible for youngsters to nourish their bodies via vegetarian methods, according to the experts quoted in this article. It's easier than ever, really, because nowadays, grocery stores and even fast-food chains are providing good selections of vegetarian foods. And as a society, we are becoming more and more aware of what it takes to achieve a balanced and healthy diet.

Still, human teeth and digestive systems prove we were designed to eat both animal and vegetable foods, says Kaayla Daniel, a clinical nutritionist in Albuquerque and author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food. She isn't against kids' rights to choose. She does suggest they eat fresh dairy and eggs, though. Excluding these items, she says, can lead to serious deficiencies of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.

If you're having trouble conceiving, check your fridge -- new studies show that eating soy may compromise the quality and quantity of sperm in men. This study was done at the Harvard Public School of Health in Boston, and examined the soy eating habits of a number of men who were having trouble conceiving with their partners.

However, this study contradicts previous findings that soy was good for fertility in men. Though in an interesting twist, the previous study was funded by the soy industry. Which study are you most likely to believe.