When it comes to restaurant fare and processed food it seems sodium lurks in unexpected places and unexpected quantities. The theory is that salt makes everything taste better, so more salt means tastier food, right? Not really, but you wouldn’t know that after seeing the amounts of sodium used in some of the entrées at some popular food chains. Take a look and see what meals you should avoid, especially if high blood pressure is a health concern of yours. Just to remind you that the upper limit of daily sodium is 2,300 mg a day, which is equal to about one teaspoon. Here's a list of the top saltiest dinners you can order.
Saltiest Burger: Hardee's 2/3 pound Monster Thickburger — 2,770 mg. Most of the sodium comes from the bun and the three slices of processed cheese which make up for 780 mg.
Saltiest Pasta: Fazoli's Rigatoni Romano — 3,180 mg. This dish is made with Italian sausage, meat sauce, and cheese, all of which have high amounts of sodium. Put them together and bada-boom, baba-bing, you've got one salty dish.
Saltiest Beef Entrée: Bob Evans Steak Tips and Noodles — 4,131 mg. Think beef stroganoff soaked in gravy. The steak on its own has 638 mg of sodium. That's some salty gravy.
Saltiest Frozen Dinner: Swanson Hungry-Man XXL Roasted Carved Turkey — 4,480 mg. The label on the box says that the meal is actually two servings, but what kind of hungry man is going to share?
We did not evolve for a sedentary lifestyle. We were made to be on the move, but if you can’t get up and stroll at your job you might considered adding in some standing time. Researchers at the University of Missouri found that after four hours of sitting an enzyme responsible for metabolizing fat and cholesterol all but turns off. Four hours of inactivity translates to a metabolic slowdown where your body stops using fat as energy and stores it instead.
The enzyme likes you to be on the move or at least on your feet. Since the average American spends almost eight hours a day sedentary, it is worth the time to figure out how to get back on your feet. On a long call? Why not stand up? Need to reboot your computer? Why not stand up? Keep those enzymes revved up!
Some of us have a love/hate relationship with running. Although it is the most accessible form of cardio since all you need is shoes, if that, but getting out the door to run can be quite a challenge. Sugar user megmccoy found this video that asks an important question — are you cheating on running?
Refined carbs are linked to so many unhealthy things, like obesity, acne, and even throat cancer, so avoiding them is certainly part of a healthy lifestyle. If you are trying to eat more whole grains like rice, oats, and barley, have you ever considered millet? Yes, it is the main ingredient in bird food, but it's great for people, too. You can find it at most health-food stores on the shelf alongside other grains (it is only about $2.25 a pound). If you've never tried millet, here are some reasons to give it a shot.
Millet isn't actually a whole grain, it's a seed, which means it's gluten free. It's also a great source of protein. Half a cup of cooked millet has 5.5 grams of protein. That's more than long-grain brown rice, which has 2.5 grams.
It can lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack because it's a great source of magnesium. This mineral can also help reduce the severity of asthma and migraines. One cup of cooked millet has 26 percent of your RDI of magnesium.
When cooked, it has a texture similar to couscous or rice. Adding extra liquid and cooking it a bit longer, gives the millet a creamier texture similar to polenta. Since it has a bland, slightly nutty taste, you can flavor with all types of herb and spices. You can add it to cooked cereals, casseroles, soups, and side dishes.
What else should you know about millet? To find out read more
Bicycle Built For More Than Two: SmartBike Hits DC Washington DC is strapping on a helmet and gearing up to offer a bike sharing program hailed as one solution in the battle against urban traffic congestion and the growing stress on the transit system.
Another day of food shopping, another weird ingredient. What in the world is malic acid? I found it on the label of Dannon Fruit on the Bottom yogurt.
It doesn't sound healthy to me, but I may just be thinking this because it also contains high-fructose corn syrup – an ingredient I don't like to find in my yogurt. To find out, just read more
Here's a list of the top saltiest dinners you can order.
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