Diet and Nutrition

Don’t Let Confusing Trends Sabotage Your Health

Maruchy Lachance is president of Running Ninja!, a lifestyle brand for runners by runners. Running Ninja! offers a wide variety of apparel and gifts for runners to keep you happy and inspired while you’re on the run.

If you are like me you may sometimes become overwhelmed by the constant stream of health information that we are exposed to daily. One day you are advised to load up on vitamin B and the next day the magic bullet of good health is green tea. After growing tired of trying to keep up with all these health trends, I finally decided to practice what I have always been told is the secret to a good life – moderation.

There are many reasons people can’t commit to a healthy lifestyle, but I’m convinced that the main one is when they are pulled in different directions. What is the point of sticking to any type of weight management or fitness program if in a week they will find that whatever it is you are doing is all wrong? (more…)

Posted on September 18, 2024 by GuestBlogger

Arsenic in Your Apple Juice: Dangerous or Perfectly Safe?

If you are one of the many parents now second guessing your decision to pack a juice box in your child’s lunch tomorrow, you are not alone. In a recent episode of the Dr. Oz Show, national health guru Dr. Mehmet Oz claimed that apple juice not only contains arsenic, but levels much higher than what is deemed safe for our drinking water.

According to an independent study conducted on behalf of the Dr. Oz Show, ten of the three dozen apple juices sampled came back with an arsenic level higher than the amount allowed in drinking water. Of these, Gerber, Juicy Juice, and Mott’s were three of the highest with 36 parts per billion, 22 parts per billion, and 16 parts per billion reported, respectively.

Yet, despite these results, the FDA wants you to feel assured that pouring a glass of apple juice is still safe to do. In fact, the FDA claims there is no public health risk associated with drinking apple juice and that they have been performing safety checks for years to ensure that what we drink is indeed safe.

A safety level for arsenic has not been set for juices and although this may seem alarming, the FDA states that the type of arsenic primarily found in juices is organic arsenic, an essentially harmless form. In the case of water, the primary source is inorganic arsenic which is the form typically considered to negatively impact health when consumed in large quantities.

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Posted on September 18, 2024 by Kati

Healthy Fall Produce Recipes for Crisp Days

Summer is fun – especially going to the beach and other water events – but fall is my favorite season. Wearing jeans, watching football, and the crisp fall weather all comes together to create a delightful time.

One of the stand out features of the fall is the availability of fall produce – the cooler days make it perfect to turn on your oven and slow roast the heavier squashes and comfort soups for which the season begs. Try some of these terrific, tasty fall dishes that won’t break the calorie bank but will satiate your taste buds and warm you from the inside out.

Puree butternut squash in small batches in your blender to make this Butternut Squash Soup recipe from Elana’s Pantry. Top each bowl with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt to lend depth of flavor.

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Posted on September 17, 2024 by Carmen

Food Companies Change Child Marketing Standards

A group of major food companies, including General Mills, ConAgra Foods and Kellogg, have announced that they will be voluntarily setting new advertising standards in order to cut back on marketing unhealthy foods to children. This comes after rejecting similar guidelines proposed by the federal government.

Under these new self-imposed standards, the food companies can still market their products to children, but only if they meet specific nutritional criteria. If they still want to market to children, some foods may have to make their ingredients more healthful.

“Now foods from different companies, such as cereals or canned pastas, will meet the same nutrition criteria, rather than similar but slightly different company-specific criteria,” said Elaine Kolish of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, a group formed by the food industry. (more…)

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Jason

Walnuts May Prevent Breast Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. While it’s often very treatable when caught early enough, the best thing is to find ways to avoid it altogether. One way is to consider what you eat. Recent research has found that consuming walnuts may be a way of preventing breast cancer.

Researchers examines the effects of a diet containing a small amount of walnuts over the lifespan of mice. It was the equivalent of two ounces daily for humans. What they observed was the walnuts slowed the development and growth of breast cancer tumors in the mice.

“We think now that diet can prevent 30 to 60 percent of all cancers,” said lead researcher Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., professor at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “The healthy diet that we should be eating is what we know is healthy – a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Walnuts can be an important component of that diet.” (more…)

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Jason

Weight Watchers Not Designed for Type 2 Diabetics

Those suffering from type 2 diabetes are often looking for a healthy plan that can help them lose weight and manage their diabetes at the same time.

While Weight Watchers is one of the most popular diet programs available, it is not designed for those with diabetes. Weight Watchers has been around for over 40 years, and the program embraces several principles of healthy living. However, because the program is not for diabetics, you should seek advice from your health care professional for adaptations that can be made to the program.

One thing that can make Weight Watchers somewhat difficult to follow for those with type 2 diabetes is the fact that you cannot convert the PointsPlus system into diabetes exchanges or grams of carbohydrates. Another is that Weight Watchers recommends those with diabetes choose foods with a low glycemic index. If you choose to follow a low GI diet, you really have no need for the Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan.

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Posted on September 16, 2024 by Descygna

5 New Recipes to Enjoy Dried or Fresh Figs

Matthew Kaplan is the Editor for FaveDiets.com, a free online resource featuring hundreds of free healthy recipes, healthy cooking tips and loads more. Be sure to check out FaveDiets on Facebook and on Twitter.

In the fruit world, few fruits are as overlooked as figs. Outside of the ubiquitous Fig Newton, few of us consume figs with any regularity. This is too bad, as figs are bursting with flavor and nutritional value. Whether from fresh figs and dried figs to fig recipes, reconsider adding figs to your healthy eating routine. Here are five reasons why you should be eating figs.

Fresh figs are a seasonal delight

If you have never had a fresh fig before, then you are in for a real treat. They taste very similar to dates or raisins, and are overflowing with sweetness. Prime season for fresh figs is during the tail end of summer and early fall, so be sure to snap up some fresh figs the next time you see them in stores.

Dried figs are always an ideal treat

If you can’t find fresh figs near you, then reach for some dried figs. Available just about everywhere year round, dried figs are like a much more flavorful version of a raisin; Or like a less sweet version of a date. I love keeping some dried figs on hand as a quick afternoon snack, as it cures my sweet tooth better than most other dried fruit varieties. (more…)

Posted on September 16, 2024 by GuestBlogger

The Whole Truth About Whole Grains

Mary Hartley, RD, MPH, is the director of nutrition for Calorie Count, providing domain expertise on issues related to nutrition, weight loss and health. She creates original content for weekly blogs and newsletters, for the Calorie Count library, and for her popular daily Question-and-Answer section, Ask Mary. Ms. Hartley also furnishes direction for the site features and for product development.

Whole grains are a complete package. They’re tasty, nutritious, filling, and versatile. Yet, 93% of us don’t meet the three ounces a day requirement. In fact, the average American only eats about one ounce.

Whole grain is the seed of plants in the grass family – such as rice, corn, oats, barley, rye, and amaranth. The seed, called a kernel, has three layers: bran, the tough outer layer; endosperm, the starchy inner layer; and germ, the kernel’s reproductive machinery deep inside the endosperm.

Each layer has a unique nutritional value. The bran is rich in fiber; the endosperm is energy from starch; and the germ is flush with vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated oils. The fibers in the bran and endosperm work to cleanse the GI tract and to promote fullness and the slow release of blood sugar over time.

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Posted on September 15, 2024 by Calorie_Count

Olive Garden Cuts Calories with Encouragement from Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama SpeakingThanks to Michelle Obama’s initiative to fight childhood obesity Darden Restaurants has pledged to improve the nutrition in the menus of their restaurants. Darden is the owner of Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Season 52. Darden promises to cut the calories and sodium from dishes in their national restaurants, and to totally overhaul their kids’ menus.

From now on, all kids’ meals will come with a side of vegetables or fruit and low-fat milk unless a substitute is requested by an adult. “We think it’s the most comprehensive health and wellness commitment in the industry,” said Drew Madsen, president and chief operating officer of Darden. However, his company’s promise is part of a nation-wide trend in the restaurant industry towards serving healthier options. Burger King, IHOP and McDonald’s have all said they will be replacing fries with fruit in meals for children and removing photos on menus of less healthy offerings.

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Posted on September 15, 2024 by Health Buzz

Fat Man Sues White Castle Over Small Booths

A 64-year-old stockbroker from New York is suing White Castle because their seating does not accommodate his bulky frame. I didn’t know whether to laugh, shout or cry when I saw this story (I guess crying would be a little pathetic, wouldn’t it?).

It’s difficult to understand how anyone could take Martin Kessman’s side. Do you even have to be a legal expert to see this for the ludicrous and frivolous lawsuit that it is? Then again, I am certainly not a lawyer and it wouldn’t be the first time common sense does not prevail.

It also begs the question: shouldn’t Kessman take this as a sign that he needs to maybe not go to White Castle so much? Maybe if he just cut down a little, he’d fit in the seat just fine in a few months.

Kessman’s lawsuit is seeking financial damages against White Castle, the fast food chain known for its mini burgers. He claims that the White Castle he goes to is in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act because the seating cannot accommodate a customer of his size.

The lawsuit also claims that in April 2024, Kessman hit his knee on a metal post while trying to squeeze himself into the seat at the White Castle in Nanuet, New York. (more…)

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Jason

Top 5 Vitamins That Protect Against Cancer

By Michelle Schoffro Cook for Care2.com

The best way to beat cancer naturally is to adopt a lifestyle to prevent it. Healthy, nutrient-rich food is an essential part of any anti-cancer plan. Here are my picks for the top 5 vitamins that help protect against cancer. Stay posted next week for the Top 5 Minerals that Help Protect Against Cancer.

1. Beta carotene
This precursor of Vitamin A is found in most orange and green vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and other leafy green vegetables. An amazing nutrient, it has been shown in research to protect the lungs against toxins that are linked to lung cancer.

Another study found that ex-smokers who ate green and yellow vegetables high in beta carotene daily decreased their risk of stomach and lung cancer.

2. Vitamin B6
This B-Vitamin is essential to maintain a healthy immune system and helps protect the respiratory tract from pollution and infection. In studies it has helped protect against cervical cancer. Vitamin B-6 is primarily found in carrots, apples, organ meats, bananas, leafy green vegetables, and sweet potatoes.

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Posted on September 15, 2024 by GuestBlogger