FitSugar

Trick Your Palate Into Eating More Veggies

Heather Dale — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:57:53 PDT

Eat your fruits and veggies is a catchphrase we always hear. But if you had to choose between fruits or vegetables, what would you pick? When I think of fruit I think of it as more of a treat rather than an important food group, whereas with vegetables, I eat them because I have to, not because I particularly want to. Fortunately, I've managed to marry the two into my diet quite successfully.

Thankfully, I'm not deviating that far from the norm with my preference of fruit over veggies; as Newsweek reports, the desire for sweetness is actually hardwired into humans. Steven Munger, an associate professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Maryland who is quoted in the article says that if we look back to the days of primal survival when humans were required to make quick decisions about what to eat out in the wild, something sweet usually proved to be a safe food option - not to mention lots of calories to be later burned off as energy. I guess you could say our sweet tooth cravings date way back before the invention of chocolate sundaes, M&M's, and cotton candy.

As important as fruits are in our diet, it's important to make sure we're eating lots of veggies because their health benefits are endless. Aside from providing us with vital nutrients and minerals for our health, they also reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.

Here are a few fun ways to trick your taste buds into liking veggies.

Foggy Brain Quick Fixes

Heather Dale — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:40:13 PDT

Do you ever get the feeling that your brain has a thick layer of fog surrounding it? You feel extra tired and unable to focus? I refer to this sensation as "foggy brain" because it feels like something is interfering with my mental clarity.

Possible main culprits for that fogged over feeling include lack of sleep, eating fried foods, drinking too much caffeine and soda, stress, and a possible food intolerance or allergy. The good news? There are some quick fixes to make your brain feel better so you can get back to work . . . and play!

Alter Your Diet - March is National Nutrition Month so try to be extra mindful of what you're putting into your body. Steer clear of processed and sugar-filled foods and eat lots of brightly colored fruits and veggies. Eating nutrient-rich food is important because as soon we eat, our bodies need to break down the food so that these nutrients can be absorbed by our blood and used to refuel our body (and brain!) to function optimally. If you consume sweets, your blood sugar level will spike and the drop, causing fatigue and moodiness. When it comes to carbs, it's best to stick with whole grains since your body slowly utilizes them as a source of energy, while keeping your blood sugar levels stable.

Find out what else you can do to make your brain feel better.

10 Reasons Lemon Juice Is a Superfood

Heather Dale — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:10:08 PDT

Saying that lemons are a superfood is an understatement. Their medicinal properties are never ending and they add abundant flavor to a variety of dishes. Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamins C and B, proteins, carbohydrates, and phosphorous. The flavanoids within the juice are said to contain antioxidants, which is why it's so useful in treating so many ailments and conditions. We've already discussed how it can cure you of the hiccups and wake up your liver and help flush out toxins in the morning, but here are 10 more health benefits associated with lemons:

Constipation and diarrhea relief. Lemons help cleanse the digestive track and allow food to digest properly.
Lemons aid in the production of antibodies in the blood that attack invading microorganisms and prevent infection.
Lemon is found to be anticarcinogenic, which can lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
Because of its high potassium content, lemon controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea, and provides relaxation to mind and body.

Continue reading to see the rest of the list.

Cure Your Hiccups With a Spoonful of Lemon Juice

Michele Bell — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:00:08 PST

You've stood on your head. You've held your breathe and chugged a glass of water. You've even tried hopping up and down with your head tilted to one side. Or maybe a quick jolt of fear is enough to scare them out of you. Whatever it is, people seem to have their surefire remedy for the occasional case of the annoying hiccups. Some swear by a spoonful of sugar, a swallow of vinegar, or a loaded ladle of peanut butter. My go-to is a slice of lemon or a spoonful of lemon juice. It's a trick my dad taught me in childhood, and it works wonders for my babes and yours truly. It actually tastes kind of good and it's low-calorie and fat free unlike the sugary and nutty options.

The next time you're sounding a bit like a drunk mouse, give my citrus trick a go and let us know how it works out for you!

Cleaner Eats: Spritz Up the Produce

Michele Bell — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:25 PST

Wouldn't it be nice to live on a farm with your own garden patch out back? You could walk out the door, pick your tomatoes, and never worry about a pesticide ever touching your salad. But alas, most of us don't have that luxury. In that case, the best advice is to buy organic, especially when buying the dirty dozen, or to give your veggies and fruit a good wash before popping them in your mouth. While scrubbing a potato is quite easy, it's the more fragile berries and delicate leaves that often leave me scratching my head instead of the food. Thanks to Dr. Oz, I've got a new trick up my sleeve.

As simple as saying 1, 2, 3, you can concoct your own solution in a bottle and keep it handy on the counter top for easy produce washing. Every time you get home from the grocery, you can spritz it on your food, let it sit for five minutes, and rinse it off.
Want to see how to make it?

Health Tip: Toss Your Brush and Cold Away

Michele Bell — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:00:11 PDT

I hate to say it, but it's cold season. Yours truly has already succumbed to the scratchy throat, runny nose, and deep coughing that is sure to drive those around me crazy. Not one to get too down on the negatives, I found a silver lining in this cold of mine. A trip to the doctor was productive on two counts - I got a prescription for my nasty hack, and I got a useful tip from my doctor worth sharing.

When illness strikes, it's time to toss the toothbrush. The sickly germs will be better suited for the trash can than your mouth. An infected toothbrush makes it all too easy to make yourself sick again. Besides that, we're advised to change our bristles every three to four months anyway, right?

Do you change your toothbrush when you're not feeling well?

While You're at It, Pack Yourself a Lunch

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:40 PDT

Some of life's lessons need to be taught over and over again. For me the importance of packing a healthy lunch is one of them. Riding on the back-to-school momentum, I thought I would remind you all (like I was reminded by a dietitian at a mommy and kids Luna Bar nutrition event) to make yourself a lunch. Especially all you mothers out there.

Every mother is a working mother. Whether you spend your day behind a desk or behind a steering wheel, all moms need proper fuel to make it through the day. Oh how low blood sugar can make a mom snap! If you're driving around all day erranding in between drop-offs and pick-ups, soccer practice, and ballet lessons, you need lunch, too - even if it's not a scheduled hour. When packing lunches for your brood, make a lunch for yourself and keep your freshly packed midday meal with you for when the hunger pangs start. While your palate might be more sophisticated than you kids, you can always fill your lunch box with leftovers from the previous night's dinner. In a pinch, peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread with carrot sticks is better for you (and cheaper) than drive-through.

Did you pack yourself a lunch for today? Tell me, what's in your lunch box?

5 Healthy Morning Must Dos

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:50:33 PDT

Wake up and start your day off on the right foot. Here are five things you should do before work to jump-start a healthy day. And once you get to the office, here are a few ways to make your work life productive too.

Source: Thinkstock

Health Tip: Replace Contact Lens Case Every Three Months

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:00 PDT

You only get one pair of eyes so it's important to care for them as best you can. If you wear contact lenses, here's one thing you can do to keep your lenses clean and prevent eye infections. Every three months (at least) replace your case with a new one. In between replacements, disinfect the case after every use by rinsing it with your sterile contact lens solution. Then leave it open to air dry to prevent bacteria from growing. When was the last time you changed contact cases?

Health Tip: Take a Walk After You Eat Like Rosario Dawson

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:47:00 PDT

I'm a fan of taking a walk after dinner, but why limit your postmeal strolls to just after supper? Roasrio Dawson says, "It's great to take a walk after you have a meal." So, if you have time, take a little walk after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Not only will it burn some calories and help with digestion, but it's a way to get some fresh air and enjoy the pleasant Summer weather. Since exercise curbs your appetite and can give you an added boost of energy, walking after eating can also prevent you from mindlessly snacking in between meals. Another bonus? Walking is free and calms the mind, so it's an inexpensive way to relieve stress, which can lower blood pressure. Try walking just 10 minutes after each meal, and you'll immediately notice the benefits.

Getty