veggies-related stories
Fattiest of Fat Foods, Where Fruit and Veggie Names Come from 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). Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!
Michelle Obama Hula Hoops For Kids' Health
Win McNamee, Getty Images
First Lady Michelle Obama has killer arms, is in the best shape of her life and loves living a healthy lifestyle. She is certainly leading by example as she encourages America's children to get fit, too. The First Lady recently held a Healthy Kids Fair on the South Lawn of the White House, where she gave some healthy advice to some very lucky kids. And she drew from her own experiences, not only as a mom, but as a child to her own mother. "When I was growing up, fast food was a treat," she said. "We had pizza ... once every semester when we got good grades." In very motherly fashion, she then told the kids to eat their veggies: "We don't want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it. Just eat it, right?"
Mrs. Obama isn't just taking on unhealthy eating habits though. She issued a challenge to kids to be more active every day. "Turn off the TV on your own. Get up and throw a ball. Run around the house. Don't break anything, but move," she says. It's pretty obvious advice, but advice that needs saying these days nonetheless. And, of course, she practiced what she preached by having a go with a hula hoop and jumping rope.
She's taken on a tough cause -- changing the diet and exercise habits that are the foundation of our country's obesity epidemic -- but the First Lady seems up for the job. What do you think? Can Mrs. Obama inspire America to change its unhealthy ways?
Click on the gallery below to learn about Michelle Obama's workout routine.
Michelle Obama might be known for her incredibly toned arms, but she isn't the only lady rocking gorgeous guns. Check out who has the best arms in Hollywood.
Try a New Spring Veggie
You can't blame winter anymore for a lack of quality fresh vegetables. Spring is here -- and so is an abundance of produce. FitSugar says we should challenge ourselves to try one new Spring veggie each week. Try steaming artichokes for a healthy snack, they recommend. Watercress is in season -- why not make a salad out of it? Another idea: Roasted asparagus, which makes a great side dish. And have you given any thought to fennel and mustard greens? FitSugar has -- see what they have to say about these two tasty treats.
Simple Steps for Eating More Veggies
It's almost impossible to go wrong when it comes to eating veggies. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, super low in calories and fat, calorie-for-calorie, they're just about as nutritious as it gets. They're also bulky and filled with fiber, so they do a great job filling you up, but won't fill you out, if you know what I mean.If you aren't a veggie lover, though, it can be tough to get those required five to nine servings (or more!) a day. Simple ideas include keeping washed and chopped veggies in your fridge at all times, dicing them up and tossing them into recipes or eating a side salad with every meal.
At AOL Health, however, they get a little more creative. Here are my favorites from their list of tips to eat more veggies every day:
- Open up three cans of your favorite beans and stir them together with a low-cal Italian dressing, then eat for lunch or as a side all week.
- Keep bagged spinach around and put it on everything -- even in your smoothies!
- Try a V-8 instead of drinking that soda you have every afternoon.
- Try thinking of veggies as a main dish rather than a side. Doctor them up to make them delicious.
How do you squeeze more veggies into every day?
Are Raw Veggies Healthier Than Cooked?
First, let's clear up that myth. According to Scientific American, cooking actually enhances the nutritional value of several different kinds of vegetables. Powerhouse antioxidants like lycopene and cartenoids increase when veggies like tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, spinach and peppers are boiled or steamed. On the other hand, my beloved broccoli might actually be healthier raw, since cooking destroys an important enzyme. And while cooking boosts the beta carotene in carrots, it lowers the overall level of polyphenols.
Confused yet? Me too. Scientific American cuts to the chase for us: Cooked and raw veggies both offer a boost in certain nutrients and antioxidants. If you're unlikely to eat vegetables at all unless they're cooked, then by all means, toss some extra broccoli into your stir fry. But if your idea of a great snack is a bowl of chopped, raw veggies, then go ahead and eat up. The more you enjoy your veggies -- cooked or raw -- the more that you'll eat.
Fitness Trainer Danielle Urtnowski Trains her Body and Brain
That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader. We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other. That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Adidas is giving gorgeous gym bags to each featured member. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: Danielle Urtnowski
Age: 34
Occupation: Personal Trainer & nursing student
How often do you exercise? Four to six times a week.
What type of exercise do you do? I always change it up from cardio on the BOSU to plyometric exercises using full body movement to incorporate more than one muscle group at a time.
What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? I have a large puppy who requires lots of exercise.
Vegetables - Love 'Em Like You Love Chocolate
Mmmm ... chocolate. Just reading the word is enough to make me start salivating like Pavlov's dog. We all have foods that just make us drool, but not too many people list "vegetables" as one of their biggest cravings. If eating your vegetables is more of a have-to than a want-to activity, try some of these tips. In time, you'll start to love -- and even crave -- vegetables.
- Choose babies. As vegetables mature, the flavors grow stronger. In some cases, that makes the mature vegetable more bitter than the "baby" version. Look for baby artichokes, carrots, turnips, Brussels sprouts and squashes. (Oh, and those so-called "baby" carrots in a bag are usually just regular carrots trimmed down. Look for true baby carrots with the greens still attached.)
- Opt for oils. Use small amounts of oil or fat to flavor your vegetables. Olive oil is a healthy choice and great for sauteing. Butter isn't great for your health, but if a tiny bit is the difference between eating vegetables and not eating vegetables -- then go for it. You can also try a butter substitute with all the flavor but without the calories and unhealthy fats.
- Try a new cooking style. There are more options for vegetables besides raw and steamed. Try blanching or roasting your vegetables.
AOL Health has more tips for loving your vegetables.
Tell us ... what's your favorite vegetable? What's your favorite way to prepare it?
Go Back To Your Roots - Root Vegetables, That Is
Chances are your kitchen is filled with fruits and veggies that come from trees, bushes and gardens -- but don't forget about those that grow under the surface. Root vegetables -- like beets, radishes, turnips and carrots -- are just as delicious, equally nutritious and less expensive, which is always welcome during these tough times. Over at Calorie Lab, registered dietitian Karen Collins is raving about roots -- here are some things you should know about them:- They're high in nutrients. For example, beets and parsnips have high levels of folate, and Jicama and celeriac have vitamin C.
- They're cheap and readily available, even in winter.
- They're easy to cook -- you can steam them in the microwave or bake them.
- They taste good on their own -- just add a bit of olive oil and some spices and you've got a great side dish.
For more dirt on roots, head over to Calorie Lab and let us know how you like to prepare yours.
Veggies - Healthier Raw or Steamed?
We steam our veggies here at my house. I've always heard it's better than throwing them in a pot of boiling water on the stove. But what about raw veggies? Does steaming win or is raw better?Steaming is still tops, says RealAge. New research indicates that the process might improve the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of certain produce, like beets, okra, carrots, eggplant, green beans, asparagus and cauliflower.
Keep in mind that raw or steamed, veggies are key for a healthy diet. Try to get five servings per day if you can. Once you master this feat, then you can shop for that steamer, which I assure you is one easy-to-use kitchen tool.
Eat Red This Valentine's Day
Ever thought about going red with your fruits and veggies in honor of Valentine's Day? It's a healthy thing to do -- and can be the perfect prep for that big meal you might be sharing with your sweetie once the sun sets.
There are lots of antioxidants in red produce, which means extra protection against all sorts of disease. Can't beat that, so why not show yourself some love this Valentine's Day and throw back some of these super red foods: tomatoes, red peppers, apples, strawberries and raspberries. And let us know in comments what other red foods you might try. Red beans, maybe? How about red cabbage, red wine or watermelon? You tell us.
A More Nutritious - More Filling Soup
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
On a chilly winter day, hot soup often hits the spot. My problem with soup is that it rarely fills me up. Mind you, I'm a little lady and I still don't find a bowl of soup satisfying. I can't imagine how hungry a big guy would be without adding a large sandwich on the side.
I have a solution, though! For a long time, I've been adding other ingredients like cooked vegetables to canned soups to keep the calories low, the meals hot and my tummy full. It's really easy and quick and actually allows soup to become a meal in itself.
I've added my Easy to Make - Soup Dinner recipe to the online recipe book at Fitzness.com on page 32. I hope you'll give it a try!
President Obama - Fit for a Burger and Fries
Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Check out this video of President Barack Obama boarding Air Force One for the very first time. I know opinions on the man vary, but I must say he seems like a very nice guy, warm and caring and similar to us common folk in so many ways -- diet included.
President Obama loves a good burger and fries. And it's just what he ordered for his first pre-inauguration in-flight meal. He takes his burger cooked medium-well, with a little Dijon mustard, lettuce and tomato. That's not all. He also asked for some salad or veggies. Good thinking.
We know our President is a good thinker when it comes to fitness -- heck, the guy worked out the morning of his inauguration. Now we know he fills his plate with greens too. He's a balanced guy, who can afford some red meat and fried taters now and then. We just hope it's not all the time. And we hope he's kicked that smoking habit too.
For more Air Force One moments, tune in to National Geographic's new TV series On Board Air Force One beginning tomorrow, January 25, at 8 PM.
Health Conscious People - Do They Eat Foods They Hate?
When you hear about people who are health nuts, you might imagine them choking down bitter-tasting leaves and weird juicer concoctions they can barely stomach. And this image might be actually true. Recent surveys out of Britain show that most health-conscious people regularly eat foods they hate because they're good for them. In fact, one-third eat at least one thing they hate each week.
People, it doesn't have to be this way. There are literally thousands of foods out there that are good for you. Life is too short to to be gulping down what you can't stand, so do yourself a favour and find something equally nutritious that you actually like.
I'm curious to know ...
(via Calorie Lab)
Simple & Quick Healthy Food - Really!
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
We all know that people tend to use time as a so-called "legitimate" reason to eat poorly. Those people never like me much. Why? Because the excuse is lame and doesn't hold water, and I'm fairly upfront about it. The truth: Bananas are quicker to peel than any package can be opened. Apples don't even need peeling!
Cooked food can also be insanely quick. In fact, I always keep giant bags of various frozen vegetables in my freezer so I can toss them in a bowl and heat them in the microwave in under five minutes. Is it gourmet? Not really. Do I care? Hell no!
What matters most is that we choose fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains. Those are a few of the things that are vital not only to weight maintenance, but they support a nourished, energetic and disease-free body. If you are hell-bent on eating poorly than just get on with it. But if you truly want to make fitness happen and change your life, you're going to have to kick excuses to the curb.
Quick & Easy Way to Prep Veggies (VIDEO)
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Isn't it amazing how chefs make the cutting and chopping process seem so pretty and perfect? I have often wished I had those skills, but now I do ... cause I watched this video. Tune in and let Wellness Chef Laurie Erickson show you how to do it right. Amazing how simple she makes it seem.
SportsHealthExercise.org is jam packed with tons of amazing fit tips, videos and recipes.


























