FitSugar

5 Things About Salt

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:30:00 PST

Since the FDA is considering regulating sodium in processed foods, I have been hearing more and more about the reasons why. Here are five things to ponder about the sodium content in your diet.

Seventy-five percent of the salt we consume comes from processed food and food from restaurants, not from the salt shaker.
Your tongue cannot adequately discern how much salt is in your food. If the salt is on the surface of the food, like a potato chip, it will taste salty. However, when the sodium of a serving of frozen mac-n-cheese is 500 mg chances are your tongue will not register that this portion of food contains 25 percent of your RDI (recommended daily intake) of sodium. You really need to read the nutritional label on processed foods to know.
Processed foods in the US generally contain more sodium than the same product in the UK. McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets is a great example – in the US they contain more than twice as much sodium as the United Kingdom version. Breakfast cereal is not exempt either – Kellogg’s Special K (advertised as "super healthy") has 58 percent more sodium per serving in the US version than the UK cereal.

There are two more reasons so

Not only does sodium content of specific products vary widely country to country, within the same type of product, like different types of canned tuna and corn chips, the sodium content can be drastically different. Once again I remind you to read the label.
Sodium is added to processed food to prevent it from spoiling. The salt draws moisture out of food so bacteria can't grow. It also helps to thicken soup and reduce dryness in crackers and pretzels.

Source

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On

Business Insider — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:21 PDT

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips.

No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt - or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst budget-sucking health trends that still persist today.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may be nature's version of Gatorade but some brands have already caught fire for over-hyping its nutrient content. Vita Coco agreed to settle a $10 million class action lawsuit over an independent study that showed the drinks didn't pack near as many electrolytes as advertisements implied. Some coconut waters are also loaded with added sugar, which will do nothing to help your waistline.

Alternative: Pick up your own young green coconuts on the cheap from an Asian produce market. Just crack them open with a cleaver and pop in a straw.

"All-Natural" Foods

30 percent of Americans bought more natural foods in 2011, according to a Rodale study. But what are we really paying more for? There's no clear cut regulation on what makes food "natural," which means just about any company can slap that label on its packages, add a fancy green theme and jack up the price.

Says Andrew Schrage of MoneyCrashers: "Before buying any food that is touted as being 'all natural,' take a look at the ingredient list before you check out. Keep in mind that butter and salt are indeed natural ingredients. So stocking up on natural foods may not achieve anything other than increasing your grocery bill."

Read on for more.

Have You Ever Taken Raspberry Ketone?

Leta Shy — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:20:43 PDT

If you're a Dr. Oz fan, you may have heard of the latest news in weight loss - raspberry ketone. The supplement, according to a weight-loss expert on The Dr. Oz Show, will help your body "think it's thin" and burn body fat in as little as five days of taking the supplement daily.

Raspberry ketone pills are derived from raspberries, which are known for having metabolism-boosting properties. According to Dr. Oz's show, raspberry ketone pills contain the concentrated benefits of 90 pounds of raspberries, so just 100 mg a day of the supplement will supposedly help your body burn fat.

So, does it work? Studies have found that it does (at least in mice!). One study found that mice fed a high-fat diet did not gain weight after regularly being given a dose of the supplement; another study found that raspberry ketone, in mice, increased the amount of adiponectin, a hormone that "naturally tricks your body into acting like it's thin," according to Dr. Oz.

In general, raspberry ketone pills are known to be safe, but of course finding the right, trustworthy brand is key (especially since dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA), and it's important to note that no long-term studies have been done in humans. And while Dr. Oz touts the benefits of raspberry ketone, even he is quick to note that taking the supplement isn't a substitute for diet and exercise, but rather a way to help "get you over the hump" when starting a weight-loss routine.

Are you buying the so-called benefits of raspberry ketone? Let us know if you've tried it and what you think in the comments!

Source: Flickr User Muffet

Generic vs. Brand-Name Drugs: Are They Both the Same?

Emily Co — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:45 PST

We often hear recommendations to buy generic, because they are pretty much the same as brand-name drugs, and are cheaper to boot. But many still stick with a brand they know, because after all, no one wants to take a gamble with their health. Here is a breakdown of facts you should know:

How They Come About: Generic brands start surfacing when the patent of the brand-name drugs expires. Patents can last up to 20 years, and after they expire, other drug makers are allowed to come out with generic versions, which the US Food and Drug Administration rigorously regulates. The generic drugs are required to have the "same high quality, strength, purity and stability as brand-name drugs," according to the FDA website.
Why the Cost is Less: Generic drug producers charge a lower cost, because they are spending a lot less on marketing, advertising, and are not investing heavily in research and development.
Different Looks and Names: You might be used to the look of your brand-name drug, so if the generic has a different appearance, this might cause some confusion. Although the contrast might be great, the generic drugs still perform the same functions. Brand-name drugs often give themselves catchy names, which are different from the original drug name, so bear in mind that a different name doesn't mean a different drug.

For more information on generic vs. brand-name drugs, read on.

Researchers Call For a Tax on Sugar

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:37:19 PST

According to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, sugar is as dangerous as alcohol and tobacco. And just like other legal vices, they think regulators should put restrictions on its sale and availability by taxing any processed foods that have added sugar, including soda, some juices, chocolate milk, and sugared cereal, as well as proposing age limits when it comes to buying sugary foods.

In an article published today in the journal Nature, UCSF doctors feel the rise in obesity, diabetes, and other diseases has gone too far, and it's time for the government to get involved. The research team also feels sugar should be removed from the FDA's Generally Regarded as Safe list.

The idea of restricting sugar isn't a new thing. The debate on issuing a soda tax has been discussed for years, as well as limiting sugary foods when it comes to food stamp programs and availability of chocolate milk and sodas in schools. But a tax on sugar in general? Not everyone is in agreement. Since there's no evidence that such health issues as obesity and diabetes are caused by a single food or nutrient, some nutritionists don't believe taxing sugar will even be effective. Instead of focusing solely on sugar, cofounder of the Yale Prevention Center says, "The focus should be on the overall nutritional quality of foods, not just one nutrient." What do you think?

The FDA Releases New Sunscreen Rules - Test Your Knowledge

Leta Shy — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:17:04 PDT

Just in time for Summer, the FDA has released new regulations for sunscreen. The changes are the first in over 30 years and include new wording and mandatory labeling that the organization hopes will make it easier for all of us to stay safe in the sun. And while we won't be seeing the new labels on shelves this season - manufacturers have a year to comply - it's never too soon to take the guidelines into consideration the next time we make a trip to the sunscreen aisle. Do you know the new rules? Take our quiz to see!

Take the Quiz

Got Milk? The Facts About Raw vs. Pasteurized

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:32:22 PDT

Raw milk and cookies, anyone? Dairy is a major component to most tots' diets, and in the US, almost all dairy products are only available in pasteurized form, as regulated by the FDA. Yet, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and numerous other health organizations are unanimous in their position that raw milk should not be consumed, a movement supporting the fresh, cold drink is gaining momentum, and the demand has increased over the past several years.

Take our quiz about the great milk debate, and let us know: do you allow your kids to consume unpasteurized products?

Take the Quiz

What's in a Word? Decoding Sunscreen Terminology

Heather Dale — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:26:58 PDT

While sunscreen companies work on rolling out their new bottle labels - thanks to the new regulations put into place by the FDA - there are still some basic sunscreen terms that are confusing to many. For instance, what's the difference between UVA and UVB? And is water-resistant just as effective as waterproof? Let's get all of our "burning" sunscreen questions answered!

SPF: SPF stands for "Sun Protection Factor." According to WebMD, SPF is the ability of a sunscreen to block UVB rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which can penetrate skin more deeply. The number, however, doesn't indicate how long a person can be outside in the sun before suffering from a burn. Some doctors argue that ditching your bottle of SPF 30 for a higher SPF may lead to a false sense of security about staying in the sun longer without reapplying. With the new regulations about labeling, the FDA has proposed a rule that would ban companies from labeling its sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. Research suggests that there aren't any additional benefits once the SPF gets that high.

Find out what other sunscreen terms mean.

10 Beach Bag Essentials For Baby

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 04:10:30 PDT

A day at the beach sounds like the perfect way to spend a Summer day – that is until mama thinks about everything her lil one needs to make it through the day. Just the thought of pulling it all together is enough to make some moms abandon the sun and surf until their tots become teens. Before jumping ship, take respite in knowing that we've thought it through for you. You remember the umbrella and towels, and we've put the rest of your list together!

Sunscreen

This year's list of the safest sunscreens is packed with brands that can be purchased at your local drugstore. Given the FDA's new regulations of sunscreens that go into effect next year, beware of lotions containing the word "waterproof" and don't be swayed into buying a tube that boasts an SPF over 50. According to the FDA, neither is actually true. Most importantly apply the sunscreen to your tot before you leave the house, and reapply often throughout the day.

Shoes

Sand gets hot after baking in the sun all day. Protect lil toes from scorching sand with a pair of waterproof beach or sand shoes that keep feet safe and covered throughout the day.

Toys

A bucket and shovels are a great start to a day at the beach, but there's so much more that can be played with in the sand. From plastic cars and trucks to make-believe cupcake kits, sand toys have come a long way. While you're at it, don't forget to add a beach ball to your bag – they collapse easily and can provide hours of fun while playing in the sun.

Keep reading to see the rest of your beach bag essentials.

DrSugar on Cancer Myths: Nonstick Pans and Microwaving Plastic

DrSugar — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:34:15 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's debunking a couple of cancer myths centered in the kitchen.

Based on a few questions we have received, I will be discussing two popular myths about cancer risks in the kitchen, the first regarding cooking with nonstick pans and, the second, microwaving plastic containers. I must admit, doing the research for this week’s column was a real eye-opener for me and hopefully the findings will be informative for you! To learn more about these cancer "myths," keep reading!