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- Tips For Preventing Life-threatening Dehydration Among Older Adults
Maintaining adequate fluid balance is an essential component of health at every stage of life, yet can become more challenging as we grow older and more vulnerable to shifts in water balance that can result in dehydration.
Why does hydration matter? - Young Teens Need Calcium At Back-to-school Time
Young people, especially those in the critical bone-building time between the ages of 11 and 15, need 1,300 mg of calcium every day-at least three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk, in addition to other calcium-rich foods, advises the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The start of the school year is the perfect time to help tweens (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-19) start this healthy eating habit.
"Tweens and teens need almost twice as much calcium as younger children because this is when bones are growing their fastest," advises Dr. Duane Alexander, Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the NIH. - Take A "magic Carpet" Ride
A few years ago, a magazine editor asked me to write about the 10 "best" foods for families. How could I choose? No one food supplies everything the body needs, and each food brings its own unique combination of important nutrients. Then I came up with the idea of "magic carpet" foods, foods that are important because they "carry" other nutritious foods with them.
Breakfast cereal is one of my favorite magic carpet foods. A fortified cereal such as Whole Grain Total® is a terrific food on its own--it supplies fiber and 100 percent of the daily value for 12 different vitamins and minerals. Eat it topped with milk and fresh fruit, or layer it in a parfait with yogurt, berries and nuts, and you have an even more nutrient-packed meal. - Terrific Ways To Stay Hydrated And Healthy
Dehydration is among the most common heat-related dangers for children and adults, so making sure your family meets their daily fluid intake needs should be at the top of your "To Do" list.
Dehydration can cause dizziness, nausea and weakness. "The human body is made up of about 60 percent water and can experience dehydration with only a two percent water loss," says registered dietitian, Jennifer Seyler. "Getting enough fluid can help you feel and look good. Studies have shown positive effects in healthy individuals when proper hydration is maintained." - Going Nuts Over Nuts
I have been a registered dietitian long enough to see nuts go up and down the nutrition roller coaster. When I was a kid, I ate a lot of nuts, especially when they were left over after my folks' bridge parties! Then low-fat diets came in and nuts went out because they are high in fat. Today, nuts are in again, and nut lovers like me are thrilled!
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans put nuts in the same food group as meat because, like meats, they contain protein. But unlike meats, nuts also supply fiber, a nutrient that is essential for a healthy digestive tract. They are a top source of vitamin E, a vitamin that helps protect cells throughout the body from everyday damage. Nuts are rich in monounsaturated fat, a type of fat that is recommended in the Dietary Guidelines. - Noni: A Tahitian Fruit With A World Of Benefits
A fruit called noni is quickly becoming the apple of nutritionists' eyes. The healthy tropical fruit, which is relatively new to America, is about the size of a potato and has been eaten in Tahiti for generations, where it's considered to have beneficial health properties.
Noni is proven to support the immune system, contain superior antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals, increase energy, and allow greater physical performance levels. - Exotic Fruits: Enhancing Your Health
A berry with a strange name has long been the apple of many nutritionists' eyes. Called the seabuckthorn berry, the small, pungent fruit has an orange hue and a scent reminiscent of pineapple. The berry is found in the mountains of China, where it's been revered as a "holy fruit" and prized for its restorative health benefits.
Legend holds that the berry was used by Genghis Khan to give his soldiers and horses strength before and after battle. - Pack Meals That Make A Difference
Did you know that most children over the age of 8 are deficient in calcium and vitamin D intake, according to a recent study from the American Academy of Pediatrics? And that's not all. Most women-about 75 percent-also do not get enough calcium and vitamin D in their daily diet.
Deficiency in these two nutrients can lead to many health problems, and osteoporosis in particular. Each year, the United States alone spends $20 million on osteoporotic fractures. Ironically, osteoporosis is a largely preventable disease. If you take care of your bones from childhood throughout life with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices, you will not become one of the one in two women who suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime; nor will you have to deal with the hump your grandmother may have had. - How To Use Mypyramid To Improve Your Diet
The government's new MyPyramid food guide recommends Americans consume more lean proteins such as fish, as well as whole grains, low-fat dairy products and colorful fruits and vegetables. MyPyramid also recognizes the benefits of healthful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Seafood is one of the best sources of unsaturated fats called omega-3s, which, research indicates, are healthy for cardiovascular function, brain development and overall well-being.
In fact, the MyPyramid system specifically recommends seafood such as trout or salmon. - Good News In Peanut Butter
More and more people are eating peanut butter for health but not all know the differences between traditional and "natural" peanut butter.
Both types must contain a minimum of 90 percent peanuts, with no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives. Some blends add a small amount of sugar or salt but nutrient content is very similar. - Saving Cash And Calories At The Office
During a hectic workday, grabbing food on the go from local restaurants, fast food outlets or, even worse, vending machines may seem convenient, but your waistline and wallet will definitely pay the price. In fact, according to research done by our website, a week's worth of purchased lunches contains almost six times the amount of fat and nearly three times the amount of calories than a week's worth of homemade lunches. In addition, a week's worth of purchased lunches costs more than double the price of a week's worth of homemade lunches.
In today's frantic work environment, beyond the many health benefits, a lunch brought from home can also be an excellent time-saver. Having healthy food on hand also alleviates the urge to snack on, shall we say, less than nutritious fare. - Surprise Kids With Fun, Healthy Lunches
With so many reports about unhealthy school lunches, moms and dads are left holding the (brown) bag when trying to come up with appropriate lunch ideas.
The Solution? Be sneaky. - The Abcs Of Women's Nutrition
When Dori Steele, 44, was recovering from surgery while also managing her busy lifestyle, she noticed her diet began to suffer. She worried that her body was not getting the vitamins and nutrients required for a complete recovery and for supporting her on-the-go schedule.
Steele is not alone. Women who manage busy lifestyles often find it hard to consume the necessary vitamins and minerals from diet alone, especially when skipped meals and dieting are the norm. Yet nutrients are essential for bone health, healthy aging, stress management, heart health and more. - Pointers For Picky Palates
If your family refuses to try healthy foods, read on. A few stealth-health tips can help you sneak some better foods into your family's diet.
Go With the Grain - The Juice Of Life
If you want to stay looking younger longer, listen to the latest buzz. The stuff that keeps queen bees strong can also help people.
The desire for healthy, fresh skin is universal and not merely the concern of the U.S.'s growing 50-plus population. In fact, according to Professional Beauty Market Intelligence, younger people are also using anti-aging products to prevent the signs of aging. - Making Smart Snacking Choices
An apple a day may not just keep the doctor away. It could stop guilt in its tracks, too. A recent survey commissioned by Dole Packaged Foods found that more than 35 percent of women say they feel guilty when they snack. That doesn't have to be the case, though, as long as people make smart snack choices. Many nutritionists say the key is to find delicious snacks, such as fruit, that let you indulge without the bulge-a fact that most people seem to understand, but don't necessarily apply to themselves.
According to the survey, most women provide healthful fruit snacks for their families, but they tend to keep the candy or baked snacks for themselves. Here's a look at some additional snack facts from the survey: - Confused About Seafood Choices?
Eat fish-it's good for you, especially those with high omega-3 content. But watch out for the mercury and PCBs found in some varieties. And did you check if that seafood is on the endangered species list?
No wonder people are confused by the conflicting health and nutrition advice regarding seafood. While medical consensus has been reached on the benefits of eating seafood-it has been proven to be beneficial in combating maladies ranging from depression to breast cancer-some very real concerns make it important to know which kinds of seafood are environmentally sound. - Packing Healthy School Lunches
The smart eating habits you teach your children at home shouldn't take a time-out when the kids go to school. The key is to fill your children's packs with healthy foods.
When putting together your child's lunch, consider the multitude of healthful alternatives that are available. For instance, if your child loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then select peanut butter that is labeled "all natural" and jelly that has no added sugar. If you are using lunch meat, select a meat that is low in fat (less than 30 percent), such as turkey. Beware of breads that are made with added sweeteners. Sweeteners can significantly boost calorie count. - Incorporating Organic Options Into A Healthy Lifestyle
More and more families today are choosing organic options as a part of a healthy lifestyle. This is especially true for moms who want to give their children a strong start in life by encouraging them to eat healthy, natural foods.
But an organic lifestyle is about more than just the food you eat and it's more than just a trend-it's about taking charge of your health and developing smart habits for your family. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Hartman Group found 58 percent* of moms use or are open to using organic products for their baby. - Give Thanks For The Foods You Love And A Smaller Waistline
Holiday plans don't have to go hand in hand with weight gain.
Experts say moderation is the key to getting through special occasions without overindulging or missing out on the foods you love. Enjoy yourself while maintaining your weight-without giving up your favorite things. - Get The Whole Fruit In Your Juice
Exotic superfruits, such as the mangosteen, are gaining attention for their nutritional properties. Previously limited in availability in the U.S. due to agricultural regulations, these sensational fruits are now in several products.
Coveted for its taste and potential health benefits, the mango-steen is the size of a peach with a dark purple rind and white center. It's home to powerful phytonutrients known as xanthones and flavonoids, and appreciated for its antioxidant benefits. Research shows xanthones may help boost immune-system health, promote joint flexibility and maintain intestinal health and regularity. - Sweet Ways To Manage Sugar Intake
More people are making personal choices about sugar consumption. Some-diabetics, for example-must watch sugar intake as part of their carbohydrate-controlled diet. Others practice moderation in all areas of their diet and simply prefer to eat less sugar. According to a recent Dieting Monitor, 60.8 percent of consumers said they were trying to cut down on sugar. As a result, many adults are seeking alternatives to snacks that typically contain sugar, but they still want fun treats that taste good. Today there are more products out there to meet that demand.
Sugar-free cookies offer another choice for sugar-conscious people who want a sweet-tasting snack, and there are a number of varieties on the market. New recipes and baking technologies have dramatically improved their taste. In fact, Murray® Sugar Free made news recently when it released taste tests that showed that their sugar-free chocolate chip cookies taste as good as original Chips Ahoy! cookies. Products like these can be a great way for consumers to bridge the gap between satisfying their sweet tooth and eating desserts and snacks with less sugar. - Natural Packaging For Organic Products
Here's food for thought: two recent national polls confirm that more and more American shoppers are choosing organic foods.
Food industry groups report that in the U.S., the organic segment is the fastest-growing consumer group. In a recent national survey by the Food Marketing Industry, 41 percent of Americans self-identified as organic consumers. Those numbers were confirmed in a national survey recently conducted by Newton Research. In that survey, 42 percent of consumers purchased organic foods last year. Overall in the U.S., the organics market is expected to top $42 billion in annual sales by 2009. - Positive Thinking: Berries On The Brain
"Losing your mind" is the tongue-in-cheek term used to describe the loss in memory that we experience as we age. Although a decline in memory is a normal aging process, researchers are looking for ways to delay its onset or progression or, better yet, prevent it altogether. So far, the best strategies for preserving brain health appear to be the very same ones that may also protect against other chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer: a healthy diet and exercise.
New research shows that eating delicious foods such as strawberries may help prevent the decline in learning and motor skills commonly seen with aging. In a new study out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, researchers sped up the aging process in laboratory animals and then added strawberries to their meals. These additions to their diet helped preserve the animals' ability to learn, remember and relearn different patterns in a maze. - Best Ways To Keep Your Shape
I still remember the moment that I started exercising regularly. I was in my late 20s and a graduate school classmate told me that staying in shape was a fight against gravity after age 30. That message really hit home-I have been working to keep my shape every since.
"Staying in shape as you get older is all about balance-nutritional, physical, emotional and spiritual," says Lisa Dorfman, MS, RD, a Miami-based national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "As you age, your focus on each of these areas may fluctuate, but your goals should remain the same. Try to eat a healthy balance and variety of foods, participate in challenging yet enjoyable exercise and attain emotional and spiritual peace and tranquility." - New Soybean Used To Help Make A Healthier Oil
A particular kind of soybean is helping farmers meet both the demands of consumers and requirements set out in new federal regulations.
Soybean oil represents two-thirds of all food oil consumed in the United States. Food companies have used soybean oil because it is plentiful and low cost, it's low in harmful saturated fat and has a taste and texture desired by consumers. - Snack Healthy At Work
Successfully managing your weight requires some work-especially at work.
Most working people spend more than one-third of their day at work, so those watching their weight usually have to find alternatives for the less-than-nutritious snacks surrounding them in the workplace. - Enjoying Family Meals...with Or Without Kids
I grew up eating meals with my family, and my teenage sons are growing up with the same tradition. Granted, my husband and I don't always enjoy eating breakfast at 6:30 a.m. or waiting until 9:00 p.m. for dinner, but we feel that eating as a family is extremely important. Family meals are essential even for adults with active teens or grown children.
1. Enjoy fruits, vegetables and milk at most meals. When one parent eats them, chances are that the other parent, as well as children, will eat them also. Set a good example, especially for teens-parents influence teen food choices more than friends do. - New Survey Reveals American Eating Habits
Americans tend to overindulge and, as such, they tend to suffer the consequences of that behavior, too.
According to a U.S. survey of 16,000 men and women aged 21-60 commissioned by Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength, most people at one time or another have regretted overindulging while eating, drinking and socializing. In fact, more than 72 percent of respondents acknowledge they have said, "I'll never eat or drink like that again." Furthermore, many of those surveyed find small and somewhat socially unacceptable ways to get immediate relief, with 61 percent admitting they have unbuttoned their pants or belt after a big meal. But there are more civilized solutions. - Clean Water-an American Success Story
Water is essential to life. And clean drinking water is essential to good health.
But though water covers 70 percent of the Earth's surface, less than 1 percent is fresh water available for drinking. - Natural Nutrition, Natural Energy, Natural Health
When you were a kid, your parents told you to eat your vegetables. However, there's something even healthier than ordinary vegetables. Tiny plants called microalgae provide health benefits few things we eat can match.
Microalgae are a diverse group of over 30,000 species of microscopic plants that have a wide range of physiological and biochemical characteristics and naturally contain high levels of nutrients. They are the most primitive form of plants. These organisms generate energy from sunlight by a similar photosynthetic process as that of higher plants. Because of their simple cellular structure, though, microalgae are far more efficient at transforming sunlight into fuel. In addition, because they grow in aqueous suspension, the microalgae have more efficient access to water and nutrients. - Frequent Family Meals Provide A Host Of Benefits
A new program to get families to eat together may have your family looking forward to its "salad days."
Family Day-A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ is a growing national effort to prevent substance abuse in kids and teens by encouraging increased parent-child communication through the simple act of having dinner together frequently. - Healthy Cooking Made Easy
I've been cooking healthy for so long that it has become second nature. The downside is I often cringe at my friends' cooking-too much butter or oil, oversized portions of meat and too few whole grains and vegetables.
Healthy cooking can be easy if you use just a few simple strategies that can become part of your cooking habits: - Study: Pecans Good For You
There's good news for health nuts. The medical journal "Nutrition Research" reports that adding just a handful of pecans to your diet each day may be good for your heart.
Researchers at Loma Linda University found that eating about 20 pecan halves each day inhibits unwanted oxidation of blood lipids (fats), thus helping reduce the risk of heart disease. The researchers suggest that this positive effect was in part due to the pecan's significant content of vitamin E-an anti-oxidant that protects blood lipids. - Bring Family And Dinner Back Together
In today's busy, fast-paced world, family dinner is more important than ever. Dedicating the dinner hour to family time allows parents and kids to catch up and enjoy a delicious meal together. Yet many parents struggle to find a convenient, easy-to-serve dish that they can feel good about and that their kids will love.
Increased attention to better-for-you options such as whole grains, fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables has parents thinking about alternative food choices. Yet many of these options are often met with a less-than-enthusiastic response by children and preparing these dishes can take precious time. - Bring Family And Dinner Back Together
In today's busy, fast-paced world, family dinner is more important than ever. Dedicating the dinner hour to family time allows parents and kids to catch up and enjoy a delicious meal together. Yet many parents struggle to find a convenient, easy-to-serve dish that they can feel good about and that their kids will love.
Increased attention to better-for-you options such as whole grains, fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables has parents thinking about alternative food choices. Yet many of these options are often met with a less-than-enthusiastic response by children and preparing these dishes can take precious time. - Heart-healthy Holiday Fare From Australia
There's good news for those who want to create a holiday feast that's both memorable and heart healthy.
A growing number of cooks are over the top about an ingredient from Down Under. It's a new Australian premium extra virgin olive oil called redisland Australia. - 10 Ways To Minimize Calories & Maximize Enjoyment
Those of us who have been to college recall the dreaded "Freshman 15."
Equally feared are the "holiday heavies"-the 5 to 10 pounds many people gain between Thanksgiving and New Year's when healthy eating and exercise behaviors are put aside as easily as last year's fruitcake. - Berries That Promote Good Health
For two weeks every year, the people of the Himalayas celebrate the goji berry. In the Amazon jungle, the acaí berry is hailed for its life-sustaining powers. For generations, the Himalayan goji and Amazonian acaí have been associated with health and long life.
While these exceptional berries have been popular for centuries in parts of the world, they are just starting to make their debut in the United States-and in a big way. Consumer demand for goji and acaí berries has surged over the last year because of their numerous health benefits and exotic flavors. In fact, a leading global supplier of the acaí berry in Brazil has opened a new factory to allow the company to keep up with demand in the U.S. - What Parents Should Know About Their Child's Nutrition
The more parents learn about the effects of food on children's behavior and health, the better equipped they may be to give their children the food they need to grow strong and healthy.
The first thing many parents need to do is sort out some of the misconceptions that people currently have about some foods. - Dining Healthier Never Easier
If you're health-, weight- or nutrition-conscious or looking to improve your diet while still dining out, you may be interested in a new Web site to help you make smart choices, even when you don't eat at home.
Recent polls show that three out of four Americans say they want to dine out more healthfully. This and other healthy lifestyle trends have resulted in menus becoming more diverse than ever before-catering to many customers' desires for lower-fat, lower-calorie options and more high-fiber, fresh fruit and vegetarian selections. - America's Appetite For Natural Products Grows Stronger
More than ever, consumers are informing themselves about what's in the items they're buying. According to a recent study, 57 percent of consumers now purchase natural products.
To meet this growing demand, manufacturers are producing a greater variety of minimally processed products. - Low-fat Popcorn Considered Smart Snack Option
When it comes to 100-calorie snacks, not all are created equal. While many offer portion control and convenience, they might not have good nutritional value. Nearly 90 percent of surveyed dietitians consider most prepackaged 100-calorie snacks to contain "empty calories." Three-in-four dietitians believe the products aren't filling or satisfying and almost half said they likely wouldn't recommend these products.
Many consumers have turned to these 100-calorie products to manage their weight. According to IRI Data, sales of 100-calorie snack foods went from $0 to $150 million in less than two years. Given this trend, food manufacturers have created 100-calorie packages of popular cookies, crackers and chip products in hopes of answering consumer needs. - Regular Milk Or Organic Milk? Which To Choose
Mom was right when she told you to drink milk. A study recently published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that children with low dietary calcium intake--in other words, kids who consumed less milk and other dairy products--had lower bone density and more bone fractures. Not only that, milk-avoiding children were more overweight and exercised less.
Okay, the choice between milk and no milk is easy, but what about organic milk or milk labeled "hormone-free" versus regular milk? Is organic milk worth the extra cost? - Is Your Nutrition Bar Right For You?
Thirty-three million households buy nutrition bars and shakes. but are they getting the nutrition that's right for their lifestyles? While many nutrition bars are portable nutrition power- houses, a few popular bars have as much or more sugar than a doughnut. Most consumers do not know this fact, according to a recent survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by Kelton Research to better understand consumers' behaviors, habits and knowledge of nutritional content in the nutrition bar category.
The survey, commissioned by Atkins Advantage® nutrition bars and shakes, showed that consumers are not aware of the wide range of sugar content in nutrition bars. Fifty percent of respondents incorrectly thought that a Krispy Kreme® doughnut (10g of sugar) had more sugar than PowerBar® Performance's top-selling Chocolate flavor (18g of sugar) and Clif Bar's® top-selling Crunchy Peanut Butter flavor (18g of sugar). Conversely, all the Atkins Advantage® nutrition bars are lower in sugar, each having 3g or less of sugar. - Mom-rd Helps Parents Make Smarter Family Food Choices
While parents want to feed their families well, many feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding what to put on the table. According to a new survey commissioned by Wendy's, 80 percent of moms would like their kids to eat healthier. But between picky eaters, busy schedules and conflicting or changing nutritional advice, a lot can get in the way. Moms often don't know who to trust or what to believe, and they want a reliable source to guide them.
Wendy's has teamed up with the American Dietetic Association to create a program to give parents the nutritional information they need to make smart family nutrition choices. The Mom-RD program connects parents with registered dietitians-certified experts in nutrition-to offer tips, ideas and easy-to-understand factual information on food and family nutrition. The program's first step is an interactive Web site, www.Mom-RD.com. - How To Keep Your Snacks Healthy
Health experts are warning about the dangers of trans fat, a deadly hidden fat found in many of our favorite foods. Unlike other fats, trans fat, also known as partially hydrogenated oils, has no nutritional benefit. Worse, it causes problems. Along with clogging arteries, trans fat raises bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the risk of heart disease. Trans fats also lower the percentage of good cholesterol (HDL) found in the body. The deadly fats are found in most processed foods including candy bars, fried foods, crackers, snack foods and commercial baked goods such as cookies, pies, cakes and breads.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the average American consumes nearly six grams of trans fat each day. Even eating the suggested daily amount, which is less than five grams-the amount found in one piece of fried chicken and a side of French fries-has been linked to a 25 percent increase in the risk of heart disease. Plus, a recent study from Harvard Medical School found that trans fat leads to weight gain more than any other type of fat. - A Diet You Can Live With
Here's food for thought: A healthful diet doesn't have to be dull. You can keep your weight down and your energy and sense of well-being up while enjoying such delicious dishes as this:
Oat Bran Pancakes - Drink Milk, Get Tuition
High school seniors may find healthy nutrition habits can help them pay for college.
The 2007 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) recognizes 25 high school senior student athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service and leadership with college scholarships. - Drink Milk, Get Tuition
High school seniors may find healthy nutrition habits can help them pay for college.
The 2007 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) recognizes 25 high school senior student athletes who excel in academics, athletics, community service and leadership with college scholarships. - Jump-start The Day With A Balanced Breakfast
Studies continue to validate the importance of eating breakfast for children, teens and adults. Not only do breakfast eaters, young and old, maintain healthier body weights, but they also enjoy benefits beyond the waistline. Kids who skip breakfast rarely make up for the missed nutrients during the day, and kids who eat breakfast experience fewer discipline problems and more academic success than their non-breakfast-eating counterparts. Additionally, studies show that teenage girls who frequently eat cereal weigh less on average than those who do not.
But to reap the greatest benefits of breakfast, it's important to not only make the time to eat, but also make a smart choice. Prominent registered dietitian, author and educator Kathleen Zelman shows how to jump-start the day with a healthy breakfast. - Seven Healthy Snacks To Try This Week
It's okay to snack. In fact, many of us should snack as a way to eat all the foods we need each day.
"The latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults get three daily servings of dairy, two cups of fruit and 21/2 cups of vegetables, along with plenty of foods made with whole grains," says Jennifer Anderson, Ph.D., R.D., Professor and Extension Specialist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. "It's hard to eat that much in meals alone." - Blueberries Stack Up For Breakfast And Beyond
Any time you want to make a quick breakfast that will give your day an excellent start, simply layer a few ingredients for a Super Breakfast Parfait! Stack fresh blueberries, yogurt and granola in a glass or bowl-or make your parfait in a disposable cup to take with you.
Create your own favorite blueberry parfait combos for breakfast, snacks or dessert. Stack blueberries with ricotta cheese, a little jam and crushed cereal. For a quick dessert, layer fresh blueberries with banana slices and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. - Setting The Record Straight On Caffeine
For thousands of years, people have enjoyed foods and beverages containing caffeine. Despite its proven safety, however, common myths about the health effects of caffeine are persistent. Extensive scientific research regarding the potential health effects of caffeine has been conducted. The overwhelming scientific evidence on caffeine demonstrates that moderate daily caffeine consumption (about 300 milligrams per day) is safe. As with almost everything in the human diet, moderation is key.
Test Your Caffeine Knowledge - Cranberries Offer Important Health Benefits
For centuries, the cranberry has been a popular folk remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs), a common but not often talked about health problem. In the early 1980s, a study found out how this folk remedy works.
The study done on mice demonstrated that cranberries keep bacteria that are responsible for urinary tract infections from sticking to the urinary tract cells. - As A Source Of Vital Folic Acid, Rice Is Nice
According to a report published in the American Journal of Public Health, Americans should consume more of the B vitamin folic acid for better health. Yet less than half of women of childbearing age and under 5 percent of those 65 and older consume the FDA-recommended 400 micrograms daily.
Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration mandates folic acid fortification of U.S. grain products such as enriched white rice to improve health and help prevent birth defects. Enriched white rice is also low in calories, fat free and a good source of iron. It is gluten free and nonallergenic, low cost and easy to prepare. - Dieting Gets Personal
Whether you're looking to shed pounds or lose inches, the first step is to find a diet that fits.
"People tend to choose diets based on what has worked for their friends, often without taking into account what will work for them," says Dr. Howard Rankin, Ph.D. "The key is to think about your personal tastes, diet needs and schedule, and then choose a diet accordingly." - Living Well
No matter whether you're just starting a diet or have been steadily losing for weeks, watching your waistline is always a challenge. That's because of daily diet temptations that make it easy to fall off the wagon.
Now there's a delectable solution to the dessert dilemma: a new line of treats that will appeal to everyone from finicky kids to consumers with sugar-related health problems to the sophisticated palate of adults seeking a delicious yet calorie-friendly dessert. Weighing in at a mere 70 calories per serving are three additions to the Kozy Shack By Request® No Sugar Added pudding line: Apple Pie a la Mode, Cherries Jubilee and Black Forest. - Five Easy Ways To Control Your Portions
I was no exception when it came to gaining the "freshman 15." It took me several years to lose the weight on a program that is based on portion sizes. Even today, I automatically think about portion size whenever I eat.
Portion control is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, but controlling portions can be hard to do. Dr. Barbara Rolls, a Penn State University researcher and author of "The Volumetrics Eating Plan," shares her favorite methods for controlling how much to eat: - A Smooth Approach To Burning Calories
Chew on this for a moment. While many people think that not eating is the secret to a successful diet, I believe that's a misconception. Though we've been taught to deprive ourselves, it is counterproductive. You lose energy and it may actually lead to overeating. Plus, promising to eat less is often among the first resolutions to be broken.
Instead, to achieve your ideal body weight, you might try eating more often. It may sound counterintuitive, but eating frequently keeps energy up and helps burn fat, not muscle. - Eat Great And Lose Weight With Suzanne Somers'
Suzanne Somers, actress and best-selling author of 16 books on physical and emotional health, has devised a unique weight-loss and lifestyle plan that boosts your metabolism by regulating blood sugar levels. The Suzanne Somers Weight-Loss Plan, offered exclusively on eDiets.com®, focuses on combining the right foods at the right time to fuel your fat-burning metabolism and help you lose weight in a natural way. While following the plan, which includes a plethora of original recipes, you will learn the eating patterns that work best for your particular body.
Suzanne Somers suggests the following tips for weight-loss success: - Healthier And Faster Grocery Shopping
Your computer mouse can be your secret weapon for healthy food shopping. Before setting foot in the grocery store, save time by arming yourself with a list of tasty, heart-healthy foods. It can be a great first step in creating a sensible eating plan for you and your family.
From the many health claims on labels to the sheer volume of products on shelves, making wise food selections can seem overwhelming. For help in making informed choices quickly and reliably, look for the American Heart Association's red heart with a white check mark on food packages. - Follow Your Heart To More Healthful Eating
February is a month of heartfelt observances. While many celebrate Valentine's Day, it's also American Heart Month, a time to remember that more than 70 million Americans live with some form of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
To inspire positive changes in the hearts (and meals) of Americans, registered dietitian Barbara Dixon suggests focusing on adjustments that are easy to sustain over the long term, such as incorporating healthy proteins and whole grains. "Whole grains are important because the fiber found in unrefined whole grain foods can help lower blood cholesterol, which is key in preventing heart disease and stroke," says Dixon. - Bring More To The Table With Nutrient-rich Foods
For most people, healthy eating means counting calories and cutting favorite foods from their diet. A more positive way of looking at healthy eating is to focus on the beneficial nutrients in foods and sidestep the natural tendency to label foods "good" or "bad" based on fat or calorie content.
"Positive attitudes about food, ones that take into account personal tastes and enjoyment, will encourage sensible eating patterns that can be maintained long term," said Andrea Garen, registered dietitian with Dairy Council of California. "Feeling good about food and activity choices is the best strategy for maintaining a healthy weight and lifelong good health." - Tips For Saving 100 Calories
It doesn't sound like much-100 calories. But cutting out 100 calories each day could help prevent weight gain, an important goal of America on the Move, a national program to help Americans live healthier lifestyles. You might even start shedding pounds!
First, take a look at what you drink. Coffee drinks, smoothies and bottled tea might be adding a lot of calories. - Beautiful, Nutritious Kiwifruit: Pick Of The Season
The fuzzy, succulent, delicious kiwifruit is just bursting with nutrition and flavor. As beautiful as it is tasty, with its gorgeous brown rind and luscious green, seeded fruit, the kiwifruit can add zest to any meal.
To promote the nutritional benefits of fresh produce this winter, Weight Watchers® continues Pick of the Season, a public health initiative spotlighting seasonal fruit and vegetables, with recipes for kiwifruit. - The Sweet Truth About Sugar
It seems sugar has gotten a bad wrap.
The majority of consumers wrongly think that a teaspoon of sugar has a whopping 70 calories, according to a study by The Sugar Association. The truth is that sugar has just 15 calories per teaspoon. - Nondiet Secrets
Many people may be surprised to learn that some of the world's top models actually add food to their diets to slim and revive themselves. Bodies have the uncanny ability to totally regenerate, even when they've been abused by a year of stress, junk food, worry or even disease.
Says Lizanne Falsetto, former model: "The most powerful thing we can do for our bodies, minds and spirits is to fuel with pure food. Our society teaches 'losing weight' as a positive when in fact most diets rob our bodies of needed balance and drain our natural vibrancy. I never starve myself. The natural by-product of good nutrition is a slim and healthy body." - Health Info You Can Trust
Have you spent hours on the Internet looking for medical problems to match your symptoms? Have you gone to the doctor armed with the latest research on your condition? We have amazing access to health information, thanks to the Internet and the thousands of organizations that make information available. How can you tell if information is trustworthy?
Find out who runs the site. Sites run by well-respected national organizations such as the American Cancer Society are generally dependable. "Any good site should make its sponsorship, source of financial support and sources of information very visible," suggests Jill Shuman, MS, RD, ELS, a lecturer at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and a Boston-based science writer. - The Next Big Fruit
The good news about the health benefits of consuming antioxidant-rich fruit has encouraged people to try new varieties. If 2006 was the year people discovered the pomegranate, 2007 may be the year of the black currant.
Black currant ranks among the top on the ORAC scale-a measurement of antioxidant levels in food. The fruit has been popular in Europe for ages not only for its antioxidant properties but because of its high levels of potassium, iron and vitamins C, B6 and E. It has three times the vitamin C of oranges. - California Raisins: A New Wrinkle In Nutrition
A growing number of people who want natural nutrition are reaching for California Raisins.
Everyone knows that raisins are a great-tasting snack and a delicious addition to many recipes, but did you know that raisins are packed with nutrition? March is National Nutrition Month and a great opportunity to highlight the many ways that California Raisins can add flavor and nutrients to a healthy diet. - Tips On Turning Preschoolers Into Healthy Eaters For Life
Getting children to eat healthy is a challenge most parents face early on; however, with a few simple steps, parents can help their children develop good eating habits that will last a lifetime.
Parents can lead by example and act as healthy role models for their children. Sticking to mealtime and snack routines, and offering children a variety of food choices, will also help children establish healthier eating habits. - Meat-it's What's For Diets, Too
If you're trying to lose weight, adding lean meats to your diet could help you meet your objective.
Research from the British Nutrition Foundation suggests that since higher-protein diets help people feel fuller quicker, they might actually help dieters consume fewer calories overall. Additionally, protein helps maintain lean muscle in the body, which can also help reduce unwanted fat. - The Recipe For Keeping Kids Fit
Studies show that children are more likely to eat foods that they help prepare, so kitchen time can be an ideal opportunity to get kids thinking about nutrition.
With this idea in mind, members of the Junior Leagues hope to raise awareness and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues with the second annual Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen program, an international childhood obesity and nutrition education initiative. - Probiotics: What You Should Know
While Europeans have embraced them for decades, Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the health benefits of probiotics, now sold over the counter in most pharmacies. Patricia Raymond, M.D., board-certified gastroenterologist, answers some commonly asked questions about probiotics:
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