Diet and Nutrition

Gluten-Free Resources for Celiac Disease Awareness Month

celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine in people of all ages. Depending on the severity of the reaction to the disease symptoms can include fatigue, diarrhea, and the inability to absorb nutrients. Celiac disease, also referred to as being gluten-intolerant, refers to an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, bulgur, couscous, barley, spelt and rye, to name a few. Gluten is not strictly in grains and can also be found in everyday products like toothpaste, ice cream and even ketchup. Worldwide, Celiac disease occurs in almost 1 percent of the human population, so for all of you sufferers out there you are not alone, and thankfully there are many resources to help you. (more…)

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Amy

Tune In: Alicia Silverstone’s Kind Diet on Rachael Ray

Tune in this Tuesday, October 20, 2024 when actress and environmental advocate Alicia Silverstone stops by the Rachael Ray Show.alicia silverstone and rachael ray

On hand to promote Silverstone’s debut as an author with her just-released The Kind Diet, an informative and accessible guide to leading a meat- and dairy-free life. The actress-turned-activist doesn’t just dish with Rach about her plant-based lifestyle, but she also dishes up a batch of her delicious Crispy Peanut Butter Treats with Chocolate Chips made without eggs or butter and with only five ingredients. (more…)

Posted on October 19, 2023 by heather

Help Someone Else Rather than Hurting Your Health

brooke randolph african orphanageI am sure you have heard the argument before that quitting smoking can help you save money. It is one reason used to argue for a tax on cigarettes. Recently, there have even been discussions of a tax on soda and possibly other unhealthy foods. Often our wallets are more important in motivating us than our own health.

Recently, I was able to visit Africa and help deliver supplies to orphanages that did not have electricity, beds, or even windows. They were enthusiastic, but a suitcase of children’s clothes just did not seem like enough. One orphanage told us that they are trying to raise money and just $2500 would build an entirely new building to house 30+ orphans. How could I not think about how much money I spend on frivolous things when there are children sleeping on concrete and not getting enough to eat? (more…)

Posted on October 18, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

How to Dine Out: Mexican

Mexican food can certainly be one of the more challenging cuisines when eating out, as there aren’t many low-fat items to choose from, and several dishes are full of fried foods. Add on calorie-filled margaritas and tortilla chips to start and you are already filling up on unneeded fat and calories before having even ordered your main course.strawberry salsa

Dishes at Mexican restaurants are usually on the larger side with the addition of rice and beans accompanying the meal. To help prevent overeating, I would first suggest ordering a house salad, which should entail tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and some avocado for your healthy fat. This starter salad will also help in the avoidance of eating the full entree when it arrives or you can ask for half the portion to be put in a to-go container.

Some terms that you should look to avoid on the menu are: fried, crispy, refried, breaded and cheese. Instead look for items that are baked or grilled and request sauces on the side so you can control the amount on your food. (more…)

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Amy

Soda Addiction No More

sodaTo protect against foreign bacteria that can cause traveler’s diarrhea, the doctor suggested that while I recently traveled in Africa, I drink mainly soda. (Beer was also approved, but it is not something I drink. Water was only OK if I personally broke the seal on the bottle, which cannot be guaranteed at restaurants with wait-staff.) I had given up soda, but figured this might be the only health reason to drink soda. I was a bit concerned that I might start craving it or have difficulty turning it down again once I returned to American soil.

It felt odd to order Fanta at the first restaurant. My reaction to soda was not a thrill of return or a desire for more. It felt sugary and heavy. After just a day, I was experiencing nausea, bloating, and low energy. I felt unhealthy. What I was craving was a shower and 64 ounces of water! (more…)

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

Do You Know What’s in Your Dietary Supplements?

Are you one of the 14 million Americans who takes dietary supplements? If you are taking supplements to help you lose weight, please do your homework first. According to this story in the New England Journal of Medicine, you may be getting way more than you paid for.pills

“A police offer who had been encouraged by his doctor decided to try a weight-loss supplement to help him shed his extra pounds. But instead of losing weight, he lost his job. His diet pills, which were imported from Brazil and sold in the United States, contained vitamin E, centella, senna, and cascara, among other “natural” ingredients. Not included on the label was the amphetamine detected in his urine drug screen. The now-unemployed sergeant is not alone. Such contaminated supplements represent an emerging risk to public health.”

The bottom line is you really have to be careful with what you trust as “safe.” In August 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found more than 140 supplements that contained undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. DRUGS! These represent only a fraction of the contaminated supplements on the market. (more…)

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Rebecca

Tara Reid Gets Fit for Playboy

tara reidWhen American Pie was released in 1999, Tara Reid became a sensation almost overnight thanks to her All-American Girl looks and body. But fast-forward about five years, a botched tummy tuck and breast augmentation, a few stays in alcohol rehab treatment centers and a battle with anorexia and you have the script for an all-too familiar, albeit sad and tragic, story of Hollywood fame and fortune gone seriously wrong. (more…)

Posted on October 16, 2023 by heather

Top 10 Fittest Cities in the U.S.

washington dc capitol buildingWashington, D.C. may be more famous for political gridlock, but apparently the capitol city knows how to get one thing done correctly – fitness.

The second annual list of America’s fittest cities published by the WellPoint Foundation has been released, and Washington, D.C. has landed itself in the top spot. It made its way up from fourth place in 2024.

The WellPoint Foundation collected data from the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. There is only one other year to compare the statistics, but what the second year allows the researchers is to evaluate the progress or regression of the areas examined. (more…)

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Jason

Healthy Halloween Recipes for Kids

witch treatsReduce the sugar high that’s just waiting for your little trick-or-treaters this Halloween by making homemade goodies, instead of buying bags of candy or grocery store cupcakes. These are the perfect way to treat the kids to some festive snacks without nose-diving into fat, sugar and calories.

Plus, you can put their busy little hands to work to help you prepare these for their school parties or for a fun-filled Halloween night at home.

Trick or Treat Trail Mix

A simple snack to fill goody bags, or just keep handy during a scary movie, this trail mix takes minutes to prepare. Pretzles, reduced-fat cheese crackers, dried fruits, nuts and a few M&M candies will have them asking for more!

Sugar-Free Dirt and Worms

This is a funny little snack that sends imaginations running wild. Fill tiny flower pots or Halloween paper cups with pumpkin pudding, homemade granola and sugar-free gummy worms you make yourself for an unforgettable treat. (more…)

Posted on October 15, 2023 by Natalie K

The Mathematics of Weight Loss

Weight loss is often shrouded in mystery. Thousands of diets with variations on what it takes to lose weight proves this. While it’s not necessarily quite as simple as calories in, calories out, that is a very important starting point to getting yourself to your weight loss goals.weight scale

So much of weight loss comes down to simple math. We already know that Americans consume too many calories every day. I came across data for the period of 2000-2002 that states Americans at that time consumed 3,790 calories a day (UN Food and Agriculture Organization). When you consider the fact that the average man only needs about 2,000 calories to sustain his weight, slightly less for women, it doesn’t take a mathematician to see the dilemma.

There are approximately 3,500 calories in a pound of stored body fat. So, if you create a 3,500-calorie deficit through diet, exercise, or a combination of both, you will lose one pound of body weight. (more…)

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Jason

Five Healthiest Foods for Fall

apple bushelAfter the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables all summer long, fall might seem lacking in variety. However, with a little research, there are some great fresh fruits and vegetables that are at the peak of flavor and nutrition in the colder months. Not only do they taste better, many of them are grown locally, and local produce is always a great choice. If it’s not shipped in, odds are pretty good that the fruit is more fresh and it’s also a great option to keep your food budget in check, a win-win situation. Add these cold weather choices to your meals for great taste and exceptional benefits to your diet.

1. Apples – Studies have shown that apples can help lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, and prevent several diseases, including cancer. Apples peak in the fall, and the flavor can’t be beat. They are full of fiber, around 5 grams per fruit, and are comparatively low in calories. (more…)

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Carmen