Happier meals
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.
Having just watched a beloved family friend endure a debilitating bout of chemotherapy, I'm very skeptical about a new survey released by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS).
Last week I wrote about
I spent an hour sitting and visiting with a neighbor the other night, a neighbor nearing the end of her life, thanks to stage IV breast cancer that has spread to both lungs. We talked about all sorts of things -- how she should have been more vigilant about mammograms, how it's nice for her to know exactly what it is that will take her life, and how she can eat just about anything she wants now. We also talked about exercise.
Thursdays always seem to be big dining out nights. We've made it past hump day, and with only one work day left until the weekend, spending time out on the town with friends or co-workers is a great way to decompress.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men over 75. It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may then metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, usually the bones and lymph nodes. It can lead to pain, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and death.
The mind-body connection is something we frequently dismiss as being a bit too existential to really buy into, but the fact is that between these two parts of our being exists a very real relationship.
Multivitamins are a convenient way to get all of the major vitamins and minerals packed into one little pill, but they are not exactly the most soluble of food supplements. To get around this, many supplement manufactures have created powder drink vitamin formulas, serving to bypass this one issue. But the taste (and price) of some of these products may not be right for everyone. Fortunately, there is always one other option. Good, ol' fashioned food.
When it comes to being healthy, there are three basic rules to follow:
Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly our That's Fit fitness expert
The Food and Nutrition Department here in my area has adopted a Wellness Policy for the county, a policy that extends into the public school system. This is good news for me since my oldest child is in first grade at one of our city's elementary schools. So what exactly does this Wellness Policy do for Joey and his public school counterparts? Among other things, it influences the way these kids eat while at school. Here's how.
I think there's not a whole lot of difference between practicing healthy habits for general wellness and practicing healthy habits for the prevention of breast cancer. Just check out the points made in
Are you surprised at all when I tell you American obesity rates are soaring? Probably not. I wasn't when my husband told me about
The University of Florida's 











