April 26th, 2012
According to a new study by researchers at San Diego State University, eating 50 Grams of dark chocolate (11 Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Kisses) can lower your bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol and even reduces blood sugar levels. The study stated that specifically dark chocolate was beneficial in achieving these results because of the amount of flavanol in that particular type of chocolate.
However, the study goes on to say to be sure and eat chocolate in moderation. Just because it has some benefits to your health, it still has an extremely high fat and caloric content.
Source
Tags: Blood Pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, flavanol, glucose, hdl, health, ldl
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April 18th, 2012
Nuts have a terrible reputation in comparison to other “health” foods due to their high calorie and high fat content. When I recommend nuts as a desirable and healthful snack alternative, clients often exclaim, “ Aren’t nuts high in calories AND fat?”! It is true that nuts are high in fat and thus calories, but their health benefit outweigh their caloric load. I personally eat a cup, yes a whole cup (albeit an oversized portion), of whole roasted almonds almost daily. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: allergy, cutting calories, diet, health, Healthy Balance, Nutrition, nuts, The Rite Bite, tree nuts
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April 17th, 2012
According to a new study, the answer is “probably not.” Throughout the years, the effects of fish oil on heart health has been questioned. Some research has shown that it is incredibly effective in the prevention of heart attacks and heart disease. On the other hand, recent research shows that taking fish oil on a daily basis has no real effects on the overall health of your heart. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: cardiovascular disease, diet, Exercise, fish oil, health, heart, heart attack, heart disease, Nutrition, omega 3, Stroke, supplements
Posted in General, Nutrition | 3 Comments »
April 17th, 2012
Below is a great article by Jane Black, food writer for the Washington Post-
With rates of obesity and diabetes at epidemic levels, you’d think it would be enough to simply tell people what they need to do. But the messages about how to eat healthfully — buy local, eat seasonally, shun industrial meat — can be overwhelming and unrealistic for both low-income and time-stressed, middle-class families. Moreover, much of today’s dietary advice ignores a fundamental truth: Most Americans seek out fast and processed foods, not for the price, but for the convenience and the taste. A recent study in the journal Population Health Management revealed that households earning $60,000 a year ate the most fast food. Households bringing in $80,000 were actually more likely to “have it their way” than those with $30,000.
Until now, mainstream “solutions” to the obesity crisis, and to the broader problem of how to forge a healthier American diet, have focused on making fresh food more affordable and accessible. But as I saw last year while reporting a book on what people eat, and why they eat it, in Huntington, W.Va., many Americans do have access to, and can afford, better food. They just choose not to eat it. Or rather, they choose not to take the time to shop for it, to plan and cook their meals, when they can hit the drive-through or have a pizza delivered or pop a Stouffer’s entrée into the microwave. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: change, cutting calories, diet, diets, fast food, Fruits and Vegetables, habits, health, losing weight, Nutrition, The Rite Bite, weight loss
Posted in General, Lifestyle, Nutrition | 1 Comment »
April 16th, 2012
Energy density is defined as the amount of calories that a specific volume of food provides. The goal is to maximize the volume of food while maintaining or minimizing the number of calories. For instance, compare a 144 gram breakfast of two (2) chocolate doughnuts versus a 450 gram breakfast consisting of ¾ cup high fiber cereal with sliced bananas, 1 cup fresh fruit, one scrambled egg, 1 turkey sausage link, 1 slice whole wheat toast, and a teaspoon of jam. Both breakfast are 500 calories, but the energy density is only 1.1 calories/gram (500 calories ÷ 450 gram volume) for the larger, more substantial breakfast whereas the doughnuts are 3.5 calories/gram (500 calories ÷ 144 gram volume). Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: body fat, cutting calories, Diabetes, diet, Exercise, Exercise Benefits, Fruits and Vegetables, health, Healthy Balance, Holiday Nutrition, losing weight, Nutrition, Setting Goals, The Rite Bite
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April 13th, 2012
Ever tried losing weight? How successful were you? Did you attempt the flavor of the month diet, i.e. fad diet? As a dietitian, I advise strongly against any dietary practices that offer quick and easy results. For sustainability, it is recommended that you lose only one to two pounds per week by making healthy lifestyle changes. New research supports this philosophy as well. Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2006 to determine successful weight loss strategies of obese participants. Of the 2,523 obese individuals that attempted weight loss, successful weight loss was associated with eating less fat, exercising more, participation in commercial weight loss programs, and prescription weight loss medications. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: cutting calories, diet, Exercise Benefits, Fitness, Fruits and Vegetables, health, losing weight, Nutrition, registered dietitian, Setting Goals, weight loss tips
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April 10th, 2012
Did you know April is Donate Life Month? More than 100,000 men, women and children are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the United States. Unfortunately, every 10 minutes another name is added to the transplant list, and on average, 18 people die every day waiting for a transplant. Organ donation is a very special gift to our family. In 2001, my husband Dave received a gift that gave him a second chance at life. At age 40 he learned that he had end stage renal disease. Since he was born with a genetic kidney disease, we knew that someday he may face serious health concerns. We just never thought the health of his kidneys would be challenged so soon. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Donate Life Month, The Rite Bite
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April 9th, 2012
This past Friday, while tens of millions of American’s were out trying to get ready for the Holiday Weekend, two giants in the food industry were settling a lawsuit. A 6-member panel ruled in favor of Fresh Del Monte, in the amount of $13,150,000. The sister companies had been engulfed in a legal battle, one way or another for the past four years. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Fruits and Vegetables
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April 9th, 2012
Have you checked out the line of fruit products produced by Del Monte Foods lately? Their product line includes: Fruit Natural Cups, Del Monte Super Fruit Cups, Fruit Bowls, Ready to Blend Fruit Smoothie Kits, Sun Fresh Jars, and Orchard Select Jars. Each of these products, and their nutrition labels, can be viewed on Del Monte’s fun, interactive website. According to the online nutrition label, the Fruit Natural cup contains 100% vitamin C and 70 calories per serving. However, it you want to view the list of ingredients it is nowhere to be found! Read the rest of this entry »
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April 6th, 2012
Below is a great article by Dr. Arthur Agatson:
Remember when a total cholesterol reading of under 200 was the standard for judging cardiovascular health? Today, of course, we know that it’s the components of cholesterol (LDL, HDL, the size of those cholesterol particles, and triglycerides) that are much more predictive of heart health. Well, our understanding of total weight and its effects upon your heart has evolved in similar fashion. It’s not your total weight but the characteristics of that weight—how much is fat and where it’s deposited—that matter most.
Surprised? Thank the scientists at the Mayo Clinic, who are behind this recent discovery. After comparing various health markers with the weights and body mass index numbers of thousands of adults, they found that more than half of those with normal weights and BMIs actually had “high body-fat percentages as well as heart and metabolic disturbances.” In other words, they had the same risks of coronary disease,
diabetes, and other chronic illness as people who weighed much more.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: body fat, Exercise, Fitness, Fruits and Vegetables, health, losing weight, National Nutrition Month, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Setting Goals, Sleep, weight loss tips
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