FitSugar

Gettin' Fresh With Freshology Gold Food Delivery

Nancy Einhart — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:30:02 PDT

Preparing healthy food at home is a tried-and-true weight-loss strategy - assuming you have the time, the energy, and an eye for portion control. A healthy-meal delivery service takes the guesswork out of the equation, but does it taste good?

Curious about how a strict regimen of premade meals could improve my eating habits, I jumped at the chance to try out a week's worth of Jillian Michaels Freshology Gold. This nationwide program delivers shipments twice a week and provides three meals a day, so you don't have to worry about what's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The new program incorporates many of Jillian's recipes, plus a workout DVD.

Read on to see what I ate and how it tasted, as well as calorie counts and pricing info.

No-Brainer or No Way: Could You Give Up Any of These White Foods?

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:18:51 PDT

While new research is popping up all over about the dangers of refined carbs - last week we learned white rice increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes - Americans continue to chow down. Giving up certain foods may seem like a no-brainer, but everyone has a favorite that is difficult to say goodbye to. I'm curious to know if you're able give up any of these white foods for good. Click through and cast your vote on each of the following foods!

The 6 Foods Every Runner Needs to Eat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:29:04 PDT

A runner doesn't need to follow a strict or special diet to be in tip-top shape, but there are a few foods every runner needs to fuel her workouts, improve performance, and speed up recovery time. Keep reading to find out which foods do a runner's body good.

Source: Thinkstock, Flickr User Veganbaking.net, and Flickr User janineomg

Eating White Rice Increases Your Risk of Diabetes, Study Says

Leta Shy — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:32:41 PDT

Chances are you already know to avoid those high-carb, low-nutrition white foods like white potatoes, rice, and bread. A new report from Harvard released this week further confirms that regularly eating white rice is not a good idea. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that each serving of white rice you eat a day increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11 percent.

The researchers reviewed data from 352,000 participants, including major studies in Asian populations, where participants ate up to four servings of white rice a day (compared to only one or two servings a week in Western countries). The results of the review found that those who ate the most rice increased their risk of developing diabetes by one and a half times, and in general each 5.5-ounce serving of white rice they ate increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11 percent.

Numerous studies have already shown that white breads, pastas, and rice lead to a spike in blood sugar levels, which is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. And since white rice is rapidly digested, you'll be more apt to be hungrier sooner (and therefore overeat) if your meal includes a big bowl of the grain. The new finding isn't a reason to avoid all your favorite white foods altogether, but a reminder that regularly choosing more nutritious foods like whole grain bread and pasta or brown rice helps not only keep you full but also reduces your risk of developing chronic disease. Ready to ditch the rice? Here are five grains you should be cooking with instead.

Jen, Katy, Pink, and More Share Their Healthy Eating Advice

Michele Foley — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:06:20 PDT

A lot of work goes into looking like one of Hollywood's top stars, and no one knows that more than celebrities like Jen Aniston, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Lauren Conrad, and Katy Perry. Learn what healthy eating tips these stars employ in their lives to look so fit!

3 Tips For a Healthy Lunch

Leta Shy — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:12:09 PDT

When it comes to a healthy and cost-saving lunch, nothing beats bringing your own. But even if you've got the brown-bag lunch routine down, here are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your lunches healthy and satisfying.

Add a salad: The easiest way to bring lunch to work is to add a heaping portion of greens to leftovers from dinner. Keep a bottle of salad dressing at the office, and even small portions of leftovers become an easy, cheap, meal. Plus, always adding fresh veggies to your meal ensures that you'll get much of the nutrients you need for the day.

Think balanced: A balanced meal is important any time of day but is especially key when you are trying to avoid that afternoon slump. Make sure that your lunch includes enough protein and fiber to keep you full throughout the day. Even though you're opting for home-cooked fare over takeout, keep things healthy by watching portion sizes and nutritional content in your midday meal.

Supplement as necessary: Sometimes I have almost all I need for a healthy lunch, but feel like something's missing. That's when I take a break to spend a couple dollars on something to add to my meal. Whether it's a cup of soup, a piece of fruit, or a few extras from the nearby salad bar, buying something to supplement your lunch is still cheap and helps keep your lunches exciting, especially when you've been eating the same thing over and over again that week.

How do you keep your lunch healthy?

Spring Vegetable to Try: Green Garlic

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:07:51 PST

When green garlic first appears at the farmers market, you know that Spring has sprung. Picked before the bulb is fully mature, green garlic resembles a large scallion, with a small white base and a dark green stalk. The green garlic season is short (only a few weeks), so make sure you pick a bunch up when you see it, to enjoy the mild, slightly sweet baby garlic stalks.

Green garlic is still technically garlic and contains all the amazing health benefits found in a mature bulb. Garlic is notable for its immune-boosting qualities: allicin, the sulfur compound found in garlic, responsible for its pungent smell and taste, is a natural antibiotic and can help the body block infections. If you suffer from anemia or low iron levels, garlic also helps to keep iron levels high. Most people know that vitamin C helps increase iron metabolism, but garlic contains the protein ferroportin that carries stored iron from inside a cell to outside of the cell, assisting the body as needed.

Find out even more health benefits and how to cook with green garlic after the break!

Do This, Not That: Simple Tweaks to Save Calories on Weekend Activities

Michele Foley — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:09:21 PST

The weekends are made for relaxing, catching up with friends, and finishing any last-minute errands before Monday rolls around. All good things, but popular weekend activities like eating out, heading to the movies, or hitting the bar aren't always the healthiest ways to spend your day. If you're looking to shave a few calories off of your normal weekend rituals, look no further! Here are five common calorie-filled weekend activities and alternative - but complementary - things to do in their place.

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Cooking Tofu

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:49:06 PST

If you haven't had properly cooked tofu, I can understand why you wouldn't be a fan of the sometimes squishy, flavorless, white chunks. Even if you're not a vegetarian, it's time for you to fall in love with this meat alternative, since it's an inexpensive, low-fat, and low-calorie way to get protein into your diet without adding cholesterol.

1. Tofu Doesn't Have to Be Soft, Squishy, and Flavorless
Tofu comes in many varieties: silken, soft, firm, extra firm, and super extra firm. If you're turned off by the gelatinous texture, choose super firm or super extra firm. Another plus to buying a denser consistency is that it's higher in protein per serving (10 grams compared to six grams for soft tofu). Make sure to press out the excess water in tofu before using it to reduce the mushy texture. Pressing out excess water also makes it easier for tofu to absorb sauces or marinades, making for a tastier dish.

2. Tofu Isn't Like Other Meat Alternatives
If you've tried tempeh or seitan before and were not a fan of the grainy, chewy texture and the slightly earthy flavor, know that tofu is completely different. Made from soy milk, tofu has a smooth, spongy texture, and virtually no taste whatsoever. What you might like better about tofu is that it'll take on the flavor of whatever you add to it.

3. Tofu Doesn't Have to Be Cooked
What makes tofu such an easy source of protein is the fact that it can be eaten raw. Keep marinated tofu stored in the fridge to add to fresh salads or sandwiches, or add diced tofu to soups, quiches, tomato sauce, or pasta. Use a salad dressing as an easy marinade, or soak in soy sauce, ginger, and cumin. If you want a drier, chewier consistency, bake or panfry the marinated tofu (here's one of my favorite tofu recipes: cucumber tofu rolls).

Healthy Fast Food Choices For Kids on the Go

LilSugar — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:15:07 PST

Gone are the days when McDonald's and Burger King were the only fast-food options for families looking for lunch on the run. Now parents have a plenty of choices when striving to feed kids quickly, without sacrificing quality and nutrition in the process.

But beware of hidden pitfalls, like seemingly healthy meals that are actually loaded with fat and calories or lacking all nutritional value. We break down what's best to buy and what to skip to keep little ones' engines fueled.

Cosi
California, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin
A parent favorite for its signature flatbread and wide variety of sandwiches, soups, and salads, Cosi also offers a special kids menu. While it's fairly basic, appealing offerings include a gooey grilled ham and cheese, PB&J, and a turkey sandwich. There are also pizza and dessert options.
What to Pick
The low-cal turkey sandwich with a side of carrots is your best bet, but any of the sandwiches stay within a reasonably healthy and well-balanced nutritional range.
What to Skip
With a whopping 777 calories and 50 grams of fat, the Mississippi Mud Pie is an unnecessary indulgence for kids and parents alike. If they're craving something sweet, opt instead for a raisin oatmeal cookie - it's big enough to share.

Three more healthy fast options.