Eat Healthy when Traveling
Whether you are planning a fun family vacation this year, or just going on a business trip, here’s some healthy snacks that won’t make you gain weight while you are on the road or in the air. A lot of these suggestions are geared toward road trips, since they will require you to have a cooler, but a lot of these will work for travel days at the airport as well! Sandwiches Nut Butters – I can’t help but love Almond Butter and Creamed Honey Sandwiches! What about Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches? You can make these sandwiches ahead of time on whole wheat bread, and keep it in an air tight container until you are ready to enjoy. They can get a little messy, especially with kids, so make sure you bring something to clean up with afterwards....
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Healthy Lifestyle = “Hot Body”!
Check out what a healthy lifestyle can do for your body! Pippa Middleton The world watched the Royal Wedding, and we couldn’t help but notice Kate’s younger sister, Pippa Middleton. The big question that everyone wanted to know was, “How did she get that picture perfect body?!” Pippa has an active lifestyle, which includes running in marathons. Gisele Bündchen Think models are just born with the bodies they have? Just like everyone else, they have to work for their sleek figure. See those sweat stains on her shirt? That’s what I am talking about! She may have been born beautiful, but that body being in shape came from eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis. Hugh Jackman Not only does Hugh Jackman workout to prepare for movie roles, but he also does a great job of exercising with young daughter...
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USDA’s Food Pyramid Replacement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated their food recommendation with MyPlate, which is supposed to be a more accurate and easier to follow compared to it’s successors. History Lesson First, let’s quickly recap where we have been, so you can better understand – or appreciate? – where we are now. You be the judge. 1956 – The USDA came up with the basic four basic food groups: •Grains: bread, cereal, rice, pasta •Protein: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts •Fruits & Vegetables •Dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt 1992 – The USDA made some adjustments to the basic four food groups, and even provided a visual for the first time. This version now provides recommendations, which were under a lot of criticism. Some servings were the minimum recommendations, while other servings were the maximum recommendations. It was confusing and...
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10 Health Benefits of Watermelons
When I think of Summer barbecues, one of the first fruits I think of is a refreshing Watermelon slice! To celebrate Summer, I have listed some amazing health benefits that Watermelons come with, something we can all enjoy! Watermelon Health Benefits 1) Watermelon is rich in a carotenoid antioxidant in it called lycopene, which is something tomatoes are famous for. Something you may not know, watermelon has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable -including tomatoes -which are known to help reduce the risk of several types of cancers. 2) Watermelons are very low in calories, about 46 calories per cup. This is one of the many reasons that makes watermelon a great snack to have throughout the day, especially if you have a weight loss goal. 3) Watermelon contains arginine which is an amino acids that can help...
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Why Fiber is Important for your Health
You shouldn’t underestimate the health benefits from Fiber. Check out why Fiber is an important part of your health, how different types of fiber affects your body, the recommended amount, and which foods are high in fiber. Health Benefits of Fiber • Helps lower the risk of heart diseases and some cancers • Fiber aides in digestion •Fiber encourages hydration • Increases Satiety •Helps lower overall cholesterol levels Different Types of Fiber Soluble Fiber – This type of fiber binds with fatty acids in your stomach and as it travels down the GI tract. The soluble fiber prolongs digestion, slows the absorption of sugars and fats, and helps regulate blood sugar. Studies also show that soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol (harmful type of cholesterol) and reduces the overall cholesterol count. Prebiotic Soluble Fiber – This type of fiber feeds the protective bacteria in...
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Unhealthy Products Marketed as Healthy
It seems to be a common occurrence to see an obviously unhealthy product marketed as healthy. This type of advertising is what I call a “Marketing Scam”. You will see these ridiculously cheesy advertisements on TV commercials, radio, and even grocery store coupons! You will see the sugar infested products touted by Celebrities and Perfect Moms alike. The Marketers will tell you exactly what you want to hear. You want to think that sugar coated cereal is high in fiber and that it is now healthy for you, so the Marketing companies will tell you it is a great breakfast for you and your family. Unfortunately, a spoon full of processed sugar with a carefully placed multivitamin on top in a glossy print ad doesn’t make the sugar become healthy. I have listed just a few products that are extremely unhealthy but they are...
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Top Foods to Buy Organic
I understand that you can’t always buy every single thing Organic, whether it’s because of a budget or just availability. Find out which foods you should always buy USDA Organic, and which ones you can buy Conventional without worrying about harmful pesticides. The Environmental Working Group compiles data from the FDA and USDA tests which measure how much pesticide is left behind in Conventionally grown produce. Based on data collected from these tests from 2000 to 2008, the Environmental Working Group put together a list of foods that contain the most and the least amount of pesticides. The Dirty Dozen This is a list of foods that are at the bottom of the barrel, which means they contain the most amount of harmful pesticides. It’s best to buy the following produce Organic, even if you are on a budget....
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Best and Worst Food at Chili’s
You can enjoy delicious food at Chili’s that won’t be an entire week’s worth of calories! You can also order a meal that is your entire day’s worth of calories – and then some! You just need to know what to order and what not to order. Chili’s has a “Guiltless” line of food that may not be completely healthy (hey, it’s not your delicious homemade food, ok?!), but it is still a much better choice when you compare it to the other meals on the menu. I guess you can consider this a little splurge, but not completely over doing it? What does “Guiltless” Mean? If you check out the Chili’s menu, this is what they have to say about their Guiltless line of food: “Guiltless Grill choices for your healthy lifestyle are featured on HealthyDiningFinder.com and meet...
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Are Genetically Modified Foods Safe?
I will go over what it means for food to be Genetically Modified (GM), the pros and cons, and let you weigh the benefits and risks. I believe that it’s important to learn the facts and allow yourself to make an educated decision. Genetically Modified Defined This statement, from the World Health Organization (WHO), explains what “Genetically Modified” means: ” Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.” What does this all mean? Anything that isn’t completely natural, and has been modified through scientific means, is...
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Top Sources of Protein for Vegetarians
Protein, in addition to helping create strong muscle and bones, creates the building blocks for antibodies, hormones, neurotransmitters, and essential for the metabolism. I prefer to get my protein from a variety of sources, not just from meat, dairy, and eggs. Here’s a list of Vegetarian protein sources, which can help you with getting plenty of protein throughout the day, and enjoying a variety of protein sources – even if you aren’t Vegetarian. Beans and Legumes Lentils- 1 cup, 18 gm Black Beans- 1 cup, 15 gm Kidney Beans- 1 cup, 13 gm Pinto Beams- 1 cup, 12 gm Chickpeas- 1 cup, 12 gm Nuts and Seeds Chia Seeds- 2 tbsp, 4 gm Peanut Butter- 2 tbsp, 8 gm Almond Butter- 2 tbsp, 5 gm Sunflower Seeds- 1/4 cup, 6 gm Hemp Seed- 4 tbsp, 15 gm Quinoa- 1...
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