FitSugar

11 Foods You Should Add to Your Grocery List

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

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).

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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.

Source

Eating Hot Dogs Is as Unhealthy as Smoking Cigarettes, Says Doctors' Group

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:07:19 PDT

We know hot dogs aren't the healthiest food on the grill, but The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington DC group that promotes preventive medicine and a vegan diet, is implying with a new billboard advertisement that the dangers of hot dogs are as risky as smoking.

The billboard, located near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, shows a picture of hot dogs encased in a cigarette pack with the slogan: "Warning: Hot dogs can wreck your health." The billboard's location is no fluke since races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway encourage hot dog consumption - 1.1 million hot dogs were sold during last year's Indy 500. The doctors' group believes that hot dogs should come with a warning label, just like a pack of cigarettes, to let people know that consuming processed meats can increase a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. High in sodium, a diet full of hot dogs can also lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, says the group.

The group's registered dietitian believes, "A hot dog a day could send you to an early grave," and has research to back the claim up. A 2007 report by the American Institute for Cancer Research showed that consuming 1.7 ounces of processed meat (about the amount in one hot dog) per day can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent. Every year, about 143,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 53,000 die of it. Consuming processed meats such as hot dogs, deli meats, and (gasp!) the beloved bacon are linked to other types of cancer as well including prostate, leukemia, and ovarian cancer, as well as diabetes.

Source: The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Thinkstock

Which Fast Food Salad Dressing Is Healthiest?

Leta Shy — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:00:00 PST

Sometimes, there's no way to hide from the fast food drive-through. Luckily, most restaurants have a healthy menu for you choose from, although with the long ingredient lists on some of these products, "healthier" is relative.

Salad offerings at fast food restaurants are no different; although the base of lettuce and other vegetables is good news for your healthier eating pledge, large dressing packets can be your diet's downfall. Before you pour on the sauce, check out the calorie stats of salad dressings from five top fast food restaurants.

	Calories	Total fat (g)	Sat fat (g)	Trans fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugars (g)	Cholesterol (mg)
McDonald's Newman's Own Ranch	170	15	2.5	0	530	4	20
Burger King Ken's Ranch	190	20	3	0.5	560	1	20
Wendy's Classic Ranch Dressing	200	22	3.5	0.5	380	2	20
Jack in the Box Bacon Ranch Dressing	260	26	4	0.5	700	2	30
Taco Bell Spicy Avocado Ranch Dressing	80	8	1	0	120	0	10

Check out the healthier Italian dressing options after the break.