FitSugar

BBQ Condiments and Fixings Quiz

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:50:57 -0700

When I go to a barbecue, I rarely eat a hamburger without cheese, or a hot dog without ketchup. The condiments and fixings just make the meal, don't they? They problem is they aren't void of calories, fat, or sodium, so take this little quiz to see how they measure up.

Take the quiz

Is Mayonnaise a Magnet for Salmonella?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

There are bound to be barbecues a plenty this Fourth of July weekend. With this tainted tomato scare, I for one definitely have salmonella on my mind. I typically associate mayo with food poisoning, since people tend to leave this condiment, and the food it's added to, out for long periods of time.

I was relieved to read in the NY Times recently that mayo doesn't really deserve this bad rap. Since most commercialized mayo is made with vinegar or other ingredients that make it acidic, it's actually less likely to spoil. Phew! According to a study published in the Journal of Food Protection, mayo added to foods may even help to prevent food poisoning. The reason mayo may become contaminated is if it's not properly stored, if it's mixed with low-acid foods like seafood or chicken, or if the mayo is homemade.

Fit's Tips: If you plan on hitting a BBQ this weekend (or any other weekend for that matter), be sure the mayo hasn't been left out. Also, check the ingredients. Hellmann's, Best Foods, Miracle Whip, and Kraft all contain vinegar, so they're a better choice than homemade mayo when it comes to spoilage. Steer clear of pasta and potato salads containing mayonnaise that have been left out for more than two hours. If it's above 90° F, then one hour is the limit.

Source

BBQ Condiment Quiz

FitSugar — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Hot dogs with the works. Cheeseburger with mayo and hot sauce. What would a BBQ be without the condiments? Before you squirt a mound of ketchup onto your dog, you may want to take this quiz.

Source

Take the quiz

BBQ Condiment Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Condiments are so much more than ketchup and mustard.

By definition, a condiment is "a substance applied to food in the form of a sauce, powder, spread, or similar, to enhance or improve the flavor. Condiments are typically smeared with knives, squirted, or spooned onto other foods."

With that in mind, let's see how these flavor enhancers compare nutritionally. Want to see? Then read more

2 Tbsp	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Heinz Ketchup	30	0	380	8	0	8	0
Heinz Organic Ketchup	40	0	380	10	0	8	0
Yellow Mustard	6	.4	112	.8	.4	.2	.4
Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard and Country Mustard	10	0	240	0	0	0	0
Beaver Honey Mustard	30	0	90	4	0	4	0
Mayonnaise	200	22	170	0	0	0	0
Bread and Butter Pickles (1 slice)	6	0	54	1.5	.1	.7	.1
Sweet Pickle Relish	39	.1	243	10.5	.3	4.8	.1
Frank's Red Hot (1 tsp)	0	0	200	0	0	0	0

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:02:00 -0700

Keeping up with Kim Kardashian's workout - Fresh Fitness Tips
Healthy snacks for when you're on the go - Shape
Richard Simmons is making a comeback with his retro aerobics - That's Fit
Details on last minute sign up for NYC marathon - Social Workout
Smartslip, the body shaper that tones while smoothing out jiggly bits - Vital Juice Daily
Put this fat burning condiment on your next burger - Vitamin G
Lindsay Lohan asked to gain weight for upcoming movie role - FitCeleb
What to order at T.G.I. Friday's - Daily Spark
Anti-fat crusader bares her soul and often skips breakfast - Never Say Diet

5 Saltiest Meals, With a Side Order of Hypertension

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Eating out is always a treat, but the problem with eating food someone else makes is that you have no idea how much sodium it's loaded with. 2,300 mg of salt (one teaspoon) is the recommended daily limit for healthy people, but if you have issues with high blood pressure, 1,500 mg is your limit. According to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease." This nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group wants to reveal five meals from popular restaurants that should get a ticket for their obscene sodium contents.

Red Lobster Admiral's Feast with Caesar salad, Lobster-topped mashed potato, cheddar bay biscuit, and a lemonade - 7,106 mg
Chili's Buffalo Chicken Fajitas complete with tortillas and condiments, and a Dr. Pepper - 6,916 mg
Chili's Honey-Chipotle Ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables, and a Dr Pepper: 6,440 mg

To see the rest read more.

Olive Garden Tour of Italy (lasagna) with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and a Coca-Cola: 6,176 mg
Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana with a breadstick, Garden Fresh salad with house dressing, and raspberry lemonade: 5,735 mg

They also list five kid's meals that have high sodium content. To see those foods, check out their website.

Healthy Eating Tip: Use Salsa as Salad Dressing

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:00:25 -0800

If you're looking to cut calories at lunchtime (or anytime really), ditch the fatty salad dressings and try topping your veggies with salsa instead. This south of the border condiment is incredibly low in calories; two tablespoons contains just eight calories. The tangy tomato concoction offers a spicy kick with plenty of flavor to go around, making salads anything but dull.

If you're not into spicy salsas, try a milder roasted corn or bean salsa to dress a green salad. I find that sweet corn salsa goes great with smoked salmon and cucumber. Or, mix a chunky tomato salsa into a combination of black beans and corn for a lettuce-less salad. You won't even miss the dressing.

Another Reason to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup: Mercury

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

The Corn Refiners Association has been hard at work trying to change our perceptions about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), but they may have a new public relations battle on their hands. Two new US reports found mercury in both commercial samples of HFCS and products that listed high fructose corn syrup as the first or second ingredient.

Almost half the commercial samples of the corn sweetener tested positive for mercury, and almost a third of the tested food and beverage products contained detectable levels of the heavy metal as well. The products include beverages and foods manufactured by Quaker, Hershey's, Kraft, and Smucker's. The highest levels of mercury were detected in dairy beverages like chocolate milk, dressings, and condiments (BBQ sauce), followed by snacks and desserts, including cereal bars.

To see how mercury ended up in this corn-derived sweetener, read more.

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can lead to organ and heart damage, as well as impair the immune and nervous systems. While high mercury levels have been associated with eating too much of certain kinds of fish, like in Jeremy Piven's case, finding mercury in HFCS is a bit startling for the average consumer. The mercury found in HFCS is a byproduct of the caustic soda used, among other applications, to separate the starch from the corn kernel. While many processing plants that manufacture this industrial soda have altered their methods to eliminate the use of mercury, four plants in the US still employ the old mercury-based technology.

If you already avoid HFCS, this is no time to stop. Keep reading labels and be sure to visit the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy to read their very detailed report on this matter.

Source

Add Almond Butter to Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0800

When you're preparing for a day that will bring a strenuous workout or a busy morning with no time for a mid-morning snack, it's especially important to eat a filling breakfast. Oatmeal is great for these occasions, and stirring almond butter into your bowl is a delicious way to add a lot more filling protein, fiber, and flavor.

Almond butter is a healthy and tasty alternative to the old favorite, but currently controversial, peanut butter. Both nut-based condiments are calorie-dense, and they're so yummy that it's easy to get carried away. Measure one serving (2 tablespoons) of almond butter before stirring it into your warm oatmeal, and start your day knowing that your stomach grumbles won't get in the way.

Source

Reality Check: Gwyneth Paltrow's Detox Diet

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

There are many ways to usher in the New Year. After a couple weeks of nonstop holiday celebration replete with rich foods and plenty of drink, many folks decide that the best way to begin anew is with a detox cleanse. I firmly believe there really is no need to detox, but if you insist on doing a cleanse, you can detox without starving yourself. This issue is a place where Gwyneth Paltrow and I have agreed to disagree.

Although her daily diet is incredibly healthy, Gwyneth believes in the New Year detox. After collapsing last January at the end of a five-day live-food fast, she is at it again following a week long cleansing regimen. This time, though, she is following the advice of detox specialist Dr. Alejandro Junger. Gwyneth is also sharing the details, recipes and all, on her website goop.com.

The lovely, leggy blonde and mother of two writes:

It is that time of year, folks. I need to lose a few pounds of holiday excess. Anyone else? I like to do fasts and detoxes a couple of times during the year, the most hardcore one being the Master Cleanse I did last spring. It was not what you would characterize as pretty. Or easy. It did work, however. As I do not wish to subsist on lemon water in the middle of winter, I asked my doctor, a detox diet specialist, for the guidelines he uses to achieve a good detox that is not as hallucinogenic (in a bad way) as the Master Cleanse. He actually thinks that the Master Cleanse can be dangerous because the liver is not supported by the nutrients it needs.

To see what she is eating and why, just read more.

While her explanation sounds sensible, just reading over the menu left me feeling hungry and deprived. The majority of the meals are liquids - smoothies, soups, or juice with hardly any grains (read: carbs to fuel your brain) in the meals. The simplest way to explain is to list the foods she will be avoiding for seven days:

No dairy
No grains with gluten
No meat or shellfish
No processed food including all soy products
No fatty nuts
No produce from the nightshade family - potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant
No condiments
No sugar
No alcohol, caffeine or soda

While jumping back into my healthy habits might be a bit jarring this first full week of the year, I am simply going to return to my old health habits of eating well balanced meals and exercising regularly to cleanse myself of my holiday debauchery.

Gwyneth concludes the detox edition of her newsletter like this: "I will be suffering along with you to kickstart my year a bit lighter." I, for one, do not wish to "suffer" with Gwyneth. I want to enjoy every minute of 2009 and eating just soup is not my idea of health or fun.

Source