FitSugar

11 Foods You Should Add to Your Grocery List

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Tired of eating the same old foods? Put a little excitement back into your diet with these 11 foods that nutritionist Jonny Bowden says are some of the healthiest foods on earth. You should have no problem finding these at the grocery store.

Beets: These are a rich source of folate, and the natural pink pigment may help fight cancer. Instead of boiling these bulbous veggies, sprinkle raw grated beets on your salad.
Cabbage: This veggie is full of sulforaphane, a chemical thought to boost cancer-fighting enzymes. Shred it and top it on your salads or sandwiches.
Swiss chard: This leafy green veggie is great for protecting your eyes from aging. Add chopped swiss chard to stir frys, pasta dishes, or sauté on its own.
Cinnamon: This spice may help to control blood sugar and cholesterol. So add a sprinkle on your cereal, yogurt, or coffee.
Pomegranate juice: This beverage is loaded with antioxidants and studies show it can lower blood pressure. Drink on its own or use this juice to make mixed drinks (hey, I know you had the same idea).

The list continues so read more

Dried plums: This dried fruit contains antioxidants and fiber. If you're looking for them at the grocery store, they may be unappealingly called prunes instead. Chop them up and add the bits to your oatmeal, baked goods, or just snack on them raw.
Pumpkin seeds: These little crunchy gems are loaded with the mineral magnesium, which is associated with a lower risk for early death. Look for trail mix and cereals that contain these seeds.
Sardines: These are an easy source of omega-3s that are virtually mercury-free and chock full of calcium. Need more reasons? They are also great sources of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese, as well as B vitamins. Look for sardines stored in olive oil or sardine oil. Enjoy them on their own, in a sandwich, or on your salad.
Turmeric: This tasty spice may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties so go ahead and add it to your favorite recipes for home fries, stir frys, casseroles, and rice dishes.
Frozen blueberries: Of course fresh is best, but frozen blueberries are available all year long. They may help improve your memory, so pour them in the blender and make smoothies, top them on your cereal or salads, and add them to baked goods.
Canned pumpkin: This veggie is low in calories, high in fiber, and loaded with vitamin A, which is great for your immune system. You can warm it up and add a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg to it, and it's a great alternative to the oh-so common side of mashed potatoes.

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Summer Fair Food Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:00:57 -0700

When Summer rolls around, we always make it to the fair so my girls can ride the ferris wheel, win a stuffed animal, and of course, eat some cotton candy. Food at the fair is not the healthiest, but in case you were wondering just how unhealthy, check out this nutritional breakdown.

	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Funnel cake with powdered sugar	356	16	40	300	49	25	5
Medium candy apple	280	0	0	102	60	49.5	2.2

To see the rest of these tasty items keep reading

Early childhood caries

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:51:12 -0700

Illustrations

Tooth anatomy

Baby bottle tooth decay

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a dental condition in which there is significant decay in a child's teeth, particularly the upper and lower cutting teeth (incisors).

Alternative Names

Bottle mouth (Bottle carries); Baby bottle tooth decay

Information

ECC used to be blamed on inappropriate bottle use, which is why it is sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay. However, it is now known that the tooth decay results from a combination of tooth strength, sugar exposure, and mouth bacteria. ECC certainly can be triggered by bottle use, but also by sippy cups and even sugary snack foods.

ECC is often triggered by frequent and prolonged exposure to liquids containing sugars. The worst types are juices, punches, soft drinks, gelatin, sugar water, or other sweetened liquids. Milk and formula can also contribute to decay, especially if the child is also getting sweets from another source.

Bacteria on the teeth uses these sugars as an energy source to form acids that attack tooth enamel. If there is an almost constant supply of sugar (such as an infant with a bottle of juice in his mouth most of the day), decay can occur on a continuous basis rather than just at feeding time.

Breast milk by itself is the healthiest food for babies’ teeth, day or night. It tends to slow bacterial growth and acid production. However, when breast milk is alternated with sugary foods or drinks, the rate of tooth decay can be faster than with sugar alone.

Prevention:

DO NOT fill your child's bottle with fluids that are primarily sugar such as punch, gelatin, or soft drinks.
DO NOT put your child to bed with a bottle.
Give children age 6 - 12 months only water or plain milk to drink between meals.
Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals.
Start routine dental care at age 12 - 15 months.
Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers and DO NOT dip the pacifier in honey, sugar, or syrup.
After each feeding, gently wipe your child's teeth and gums with a clean washcloth or gauze to remove plaque.
Begin toothbrushing as soon as your child has teeth. Brush your teeth together at least at bedtime. If you have an infant or toddler, place a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a washcloth and rub gently on their teeth. Older children can use a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles. You will need to supervise and assist. Use a very small amount of toothpaste (no more than the size of a pea).
Begin flossing teeth of children when all of the primary (baby) teeth have erupted (usually around age 2 1/2).
If your baby is 6 months or older, use fluoridated water or a fluoride supplement if you have well water without fluoride. Tap water is better regulated than bottled water with fluoride.
Inspect your child's teeth regularly and begin dental visits when all of the baby teeth have erupted or at age 2 or 3, whichever comes first.

References

Azevedo TD. Feeding habits and severe early childhood caries in Brazilian preschool children. Pediatr Dent. 2005;27(1): 28-33.

De Grauwe A, Aps JK, Martens LC. Early Childhood Caries (ECC): what's in a name? Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2004 Jun;5(2):62-70.

Douglass JM, Douglass AB, Silk HJ. A practical guide to infant oral health. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Dec 1;70(11):2113-20.

Nainar SM, Mohummed S. Diet counseling during the infant oral health visit. Pediatr Dent. 2004 Sep-Oct;26(5):459-62.

Ribeiro NM, Ribeiro MA. Breastfeeding and early childhood caries: a critical review. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004 Nov;80(5 Suppl):S199-210.

Seminario AL. Early childhood caries. Acta Medica. 2003; 46(3): 91-4.

Touger-Decker RJ. Position of the American Dietetic Association: oral health and nutrition. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Aug;107(:1418-28.

Review Date: 4/10/2008

Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy, ELS. Previously reviewed by Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP., Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (7/26/2007).

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Comfort Food Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Who doesn't love comfort food? You know, special foods you make when you are sad that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Comfort foods are usually warm and soft, and are also high in carbs, sugars, or fats. They're not necessarily the healthiest food we can eat, but because we have such emotional ties to comfort foods, they're definitively not something we should avoid.

Indulging in comfort food is good for the soul, but since it's not usually good for your waistline, you may want to know their nutritional value. If you're curious to know how many calories are in one of your Grandma's famous chocolate chip cookies, then read more

Food, Serving Size	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
1 slice of cheese pizza	272	9.8	33.6	1.8	4.1	12.3
1 cup of homemade mac 'n cheese	330	12	39	1	9	14
1/4 pint of Ben & Jerry's (cookie dough)	270	15	32	0	24	4
1 cup mashed potatoes	237	8.8	35.5	3.2	3	4.2
1 chocolate chip cookie (about the size of a small plate)	400	21	53	2	36	4
1 large order of McDonald's French Fries	570	30	70	7	0	6
1 brownie (1/20 of box mix)	170	8	22	1	15	2
Cheeseburger	300	12	33	2	6	15
Milk chocolate (1.5 oz bar)	230	13	25	1	22	3
1 hotdog with bun	315	18.5	29	.5	9	10
Grilled cheese	420	27	26	1	0	16
1 cup tomato soup	151	1.4	33.7	3	20.4	4
Meatloaf (3 oz)	188	12.9	9	.8	2.3	11.3

Are there other comfort foods you love that weren't on this list? Tell me about them in the comment section below.

Dunkin' Donuts Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:06:22 -0700

Okay, okay, we all know that Dunkin' Donuts is not the healthiest place in the world. Besides donuts, they do offer other choices. Let's take a peek and see how they measure up.

Food	Calories	Fat in grams	Cholesterol	Sodium in milligrams	Carbs in grams	Protein in grams
Plain bagel	320	2.5	0	650	62	12
Everything bagel	370	6	0	650	67	14
Multigrain bagel	380	6	0	650	68	14
Cinnamon Raisin bagel	330	3	0	430	65	10
2 oz Plain Cream Cheese	190	17	55	190	4	4
2 oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	170	15	45	340	4	2
2 oz Lite Cream Cheese	120	9	30	280	5	4
Banana Walnut Muffin	540	25	65	520	69	10
Honey Bran Raisin Muffin	480	15	60	480	79	8
Cranberry Orange Muffin	440	17	65	480	66	8
Blueberry Muffin	470	17	60	500	73	8
Reduced Fat Blueberry Muffin	400	5	60	490	78	8

Well that wasn't so bad. Wait until we get to the breakfast sandwiches. You may go into cardiac arrest just reading this. Want to see? Then read more

Food	Calories	Fat in grams	Cholesterol	Sodium in milligrams	Carbs in grams	Protein in grams
Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich	690	45	180	630	45	25
Bacon Egg Cheese Bagel Sandwich	540	18	200	1400	69	18
Sausage Egg Cheese Bagel Sandwich	660	35	225	1450	63	28
Egg Cheese Sandwich	470	15	190	1120	65	20
Egg Cheese English Muffin Sandwich	280	9	140	1010	34	15
Supreme Omelet on a Croissant	590	38	260	1040	42	21
Southwestern Chicken Panini	420	10	45	970	57	23
Meatball Panini	480	19	40	1180	56	22
Turkey Pesto Sandwich	530	23	65	1630	46	33
Vegetarian Sandwich	420	21	5	480	51	9
Caesar Salad	390	33	35	980	14	10
Chicken Caesar Salad	520	36	85	1520	16	34
Garden Salad	240	12	30	430	24	12
Mediterranean Salad	220	11	315	760	23	10
1 cup Broccoli Cheese Soup	180	13	40	71310	10	7
1 cup Chicken Noodle Soup	140	3.5	45	840	20	8
1 cup Clam Chowder Soup	230	11	30	990	20	10
1 cup Timberline Chili With Beans Soup	230	8	35	890	260	15

America runs on Dunkin'? I sure as hell hope not. Get this, Rachael Ray is now the spokesperson - let YumSugar know how you feel. She's going to lead the company into developing "better for you" food and beverage options. Way to go Rachael!

Newman-O's: Like Oreos, but Healthier

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Who didn't fall in love with Oreos as a kid? They are a symbol of childhood foods, along with Wonder Bread. Unfortunately, they are just a memory for me now; I waved bye-bye to all that unhealthy food of my childhood.

Now, that is not to say I still don't get a hankering for an Oreo, but lucky for me (and you if you like an edible version of memory lane to satisfy your sweet tooth) there are Newman-O's, a healthier alternative.

While a cookie is still a cookie and not the most optimal food on the planet, these Newman-O's are slightly better for you and they taste just like Oreos. I think I actually prefer the Newman-O creamy center since it doesn't taste fake like Oreos do. Maybe because Oreos are made with high fructose corn syrup and artificial vanilla. Newman-O's are made with organic sugar and contain no partially hydrogenated oils or trans fat. Oreos have a little disclaimer on their website that says if a product has less than .5g of trans fat, they can write "0g trans fat" on their label. How misleading is that?

Another great thing about Newman-O's is that they're made with organic unbleached flour. Oreos are made with enriched wheat flour. You know what that means? It's highly processed, stripped of its nutrients, and then some of the nutrients are added back in, just so they can say it's "enriched." I frown upon their sneaky ways.

Oreos may be less expensive than Newmnan-O's, but they're also made with cheaper, less-nourishing ingredients. Want to see how they compare nutritionally? Then read more


Serving Size	1 oz (2.5 cookies)	1 oz (2 cookies)
Calories	134	160
Total Fat	5.8g	4.5g
Saturated Fat	1.7g	1.5g
Cholesterol	0mg	mg
Sodium	159mg	85mg
Carbs	20.9g	20g
Fiber	.8g	1g
Sugar	11.7g	10g
Protein	1.7g	2g

Fit's Tips: There isn't a dramatic difference nutritionally, but there's a HUGE difference in their ingredients. Now I'm not saying that Newman-O's are the healthiest thing on the planet, but at least it's good to know that there's a healthier alternative out there for the Oreo-lovers in all of us.

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