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Food Additives To Avoid

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

As we're all moving away from the unnatural these days we look for the obvious in the list of ingredients for trans fats (aka partially hydrogenated oils), but there are some additives that the Center for Science in the Public Interest also suggests that we should avoid all together that may have fallen through the cracks amidst all the trans fat talks. Here are a few that caught my eye.

Source

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Label Able: No Additives

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:05:00 -0800

We see the term No Additives a lot when buying food these days. Is it better for you or is it just good marketing?

What is an additive anyway? Additives are ingredients that are added (hence additive) to food to influence the texture, taste, preservation, flavor, color or nutrition. Additives can come from natural sources or artificially synthesized sources.

The term No Additives implies that a product has not been enhanced with the addition of natural or artificial ingredients. In meat or poultry it means the cut itself has not been enhanced with any natural or artificial ingredients-- it has nothing to do with how the animals were raised or what they ate.

Right now there are no regulations or guidelines by the FDA on the use of the term and so it has not yet been verified.

Fit's Tip: As with all labels that have not yet been verified to be true, it is best to stick with brands you trust or to talk to the manufacturer directly.

Don't Blow Your Healthy Habits at the Movies This Weekend

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:53 -0800

It's a big movie weekend, for sure. With New Moon finally out, I've already committed myself to spend an afternoon at the theater - the only complication is that I'm not so fond of the movie-theater fare. It's an admittedly challenging place to stick to healthy food choices, since there usually aren't any to begin with. Just in case you don't believe me, recent research is revealing just how unhealthy movie popcorn can be - and it's probably a lot worse than you think.

An article from WebMd highlights the Center for Science in the Public Interest's findings on the state of popcorn, which claims movie theater popcorn is just about as bad for you as "a pound of baby back ribs and a scoop of Haagen-Dazs ice cream or maybe two Big Macs" - and that's before you even add the butter. For the study, researchers sent samples of popcorn and toppings from three different movie theater chains and compared their findings to the chains' own nutritional information. What they found is likely to make you rethink how you view your movie treat.

The study's results show that the calorie count of movie theater popcorn ranges from just about 400 to 1,200 calories, and contains an alarming serving of saturated fat that's equivalent to three days worth of your daily recommended portion, and anywhere from 200 (in the smallest 6-cup size serving) to 1,500 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, the study revealed that both AMC and Regal theaters pop their popcorn in coconut oil, which has a saturated fat content of a whopping 90 percent. Cinemark theaters, which pops their popcorn in canola oil, earns the rep as the healthiest chain, with a significantly lower saturated fat content - ranging from 2 grams in the 420-calorie small size to 5 grams in the 910-calorie large popcorn bucket. But, keep in mind that popcorn is usually just a part of the order - add a soda or your choice of candy, and your order is easily nearing 1,700 calories.

To learn about healthier options at the movies read more.

To avoid a serious caloric overload on your movie outing, the solutions are simple. Opt to share a small, unbuttered popcorn, and request that it be popped without salt (according to the article, these chains will happily oblige), or knosh on something healthy before you head out. If you can, bring a small bag of almonds or a piece of fruit along. Be smart about your choices, and don't let one afternoon at the movies spoil your healthy habits. It's totally fine to indulge every now and then, but a 1,200-calorie serving of popcorn that packs more saturated fat than you need in three days is hardly a treat for your bod or health.

Gear Review: slotRadio by Sansa

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0800

I love my iPod, but there is a new music player vying for my heart: the slotRadio ($79) by Sansa.

The two-inch-by-two-inch clip-on music player comes with a data card with 1,000 songs from the Billboard music charts, with prearranged playlists by music genre. I tried the additional Health and Fitness mix, which includes the mixes for warmup, cardio, roadwork (cycling), power (lifting), yoga, cooldown, and the even more mellow spa mix.

To see what I thought of this music player, just read more.

I must admit I am a bit technically challenged - ironic since I am a blogger, I know. Even with my latent Luddite ways, I found the slotRadio super easy to use. The instruction manual was simply written with helpful graphics. Open the box, charge the radio, which took about an hour, put in your music card, and go. My inaugural run with the slotRadio was great. It clips onto your clothes and is so small and light you don't even notice it. The volume button is easy to find, as is the skip button. You can easily skip genres, too. I warmed up with Lady Gaga and Nelly and moved onto cardio with a few bands I have never heard of, like VHS or Beta. The slotRadio feels like a pop music education in a good way. This little player is a great way to introduce yourself to new music. However, I had to remove the foam covers from the earbuds to keep them from falling out of my ears.

The video screen features graphics of exercises and lets you know the next song up on the playlist so you can advance easily to find motivational music. The slotRadio is also a real radio. As an NPR junkie, I love that I can switch over to radio and catch up on news or Fresh Air while working out.

I enjoyed the Health and Fitness music card much more than the standard Billboard artist music card. Thankfully, the data cards are easy to change, and there are many options to choose from, including Christmas tunes, '80s and '90s music, Latin, and classical. The extra data cards cost $40. The slotRadio bundle comes with headphones, charger, and Billboard music card. These make a great gift for the musically impaired fitness fanatic in your life.

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E-Patients Explore Online Communities

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:32 -0800

Researching your health problems online can be a great way to educate yourself - or scare yourself silly. A whopping 97 percent of Fit readers 'fess up to doing some Internet sleuthing before heading to the doc. There's even a word for us: e-patients.

According to a new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, about 20 percent of e-patients use social-networking and similar sites to chat with medical experts and other patients.

Of course, we're big fans of community around here as a place to share information and links and get a conversation going. To find out more about the online health community revolution, read more.

Says Pew's Susannah Fox:

"They are posting their first-person accounts of treatments and side effects from medications. They are recording and posting those podcasts. They're tagging content. They are part of the conversation. And that, I think, is an indicator of where we could be going in terms of the future of participatory medicine."

In addition to connecting with fellow patients suffering from the same ailments, users are posting their health records online so they can track their test results, blood pressure, and other vital stats. All they're doing all this despite the fact that doctors are behind the times, with only about 17 percent reporting the use of online medical records.

When you're suffering from an ailment, it can be very reassuring to hear from other patients who've gone through the same thing; often, it calms me down and makes me realize I'm not alone. But do you see any danger in patients posting about their medical problems in online communities?

Meanwhile, don't forget to check out our FitSugar Community and join the conversation!

Label Able: Mono- and Diglycerides

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Reading ingredient labels has become a form of entertainment for me, weird I know, but I see a lot of ingredients I have never heard of, let alone can pronounce. I came across an ingredient so bizarre that it requires a hyphen: mono- and diglycerides. This food combination is considered one ingredient and can be found in beverages, ice cream, gum, whipped toppings, margarine, bread, and other baked goods. Just like partially hydrogenated oils, they're everywhere, and that's what makes me suspect.

To find out if they are healthy or harmful read more.

Mono- and diglycerides are a kind of incomplete fat, but they really have no caloric impact since they're added to foods in such tiny amounts. These not-quite-whole fats are common food additives used to blend ingredients together that don't naturally blend well, such as oil and water. Think of processed peanut butter like Jif. It contains mono- and diglycerides to give it a creamy consistency, and to prevent the oil from separating and sitting on the top. My natural peanut butter separates and I really don't mind. Just like hydrogenated oils, mono- and diglycerides increase the shelf life of foods, but they are on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list according to the FDA.

These fatty food additives may come from an animal source (derived from a pig or cow), a vegetable source (usually canola or soybean oil), or may be synthetically produced. Vegetarians and vegans should steer clear of them since manufacturers aren't required to list the source of their mono- and diglycerides. I'm not vegetarian, but I am trying to avoid processed foods so I'll be avoiding these incomplete fats because I think complete fats are just less engineered.

Meet Alpha Tocopherol, aka Vitamin E

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

If you eat processed foods, you eat food additives. There really is no way around that fact. Some additives are benign and might even be considered beneficial, while others you might just want to avoid. I recently came across the ingredients alpha tocopherol and wanted to know which side of the line it fell on. Here's what I learned.

Alpha tocopherol is a form of vitamin E that is added to oils to increase their vitamin E content and to prevent the oil from going rancid. It is found naturally in wheat germ oil, leafy greens, and egg yolks. You will find it most commonly added to vegetable oils like sunflower, corn and soybean or in nut butters.

So, although the name sounds intimidating, alpha tocopherol is A-OK to eat.

Source

Label Able: Malic Acid?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Another day of food shopping, another weird ingredient. What in the world is malic acid? I found it on the label of Dannon Fruit on the Bottom yogurt.

It doesn't sound healthy to me, but I may just be thinking this because it also contains high-fructose corn syrup – an ingredient I don't like to find in my yogurt. To find out, just read more.

I found it interesting that this food additive is centuries old. Malic acid was first isolated from apple juice in 1785 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele. He decided to name it "acide malique," which comes from the Latin word for apple, mālum. Malic acid is actually a natural compound that's found in tart or sour foods. Besides apples, it's also found in cherries, tomatoes, and grapes, and it can be found in wine. It's used as a food additive to give foods and candies a tart flavor. Sometimes it's added along with citric acid to foods such as Jolly Ranchers, SweetTarts, and salt and vinegar potato chips. It may also be added to dairy products, processed fruit, condensed milk, soups, beer, malt beverages, and processed meat. Be warned - if you eat too much, it could irritate your mouth.

Parenteral electrolyte combination (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:09:37 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Provides your body with needed electrolytes when you are dehydrated or cannot eat food by mouth. You also may need this medicine if you have certain metabolic or nutrition problems, or serious medical problems such as AIDS, cancer, or burns.

Brand Name(s)

Isolyte E, Plasma-Lyte M, Ionosol B/5% Dextrose, Normosol-R w/5% Dextrose, Isolyte R w/Dextrose, TPN Electrolytes II Multiple Electrolyte Additive, Isolyte S, Isolyte H w/Dextrose, Ionosol T/5% Dextrose, Ionosol T and 5% Dextrose, Isolyte P w/Dextrose

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

This medicine is ordered by a doctor to provide nutrients that your body needs. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, there is no reason why you should not receive this medicine.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.You may need to mix this medicine with another solution before using it.
Do not use this medicine if the liquid looks cloudy or has solid pieces floating in it. Do not use the medicine if it is leaking from the bag or container. If your medicine comes in a single-dose vial, throw away any medicine that is left over after you have removed your dose from the vial. Carefully follow all instructions for preparing and using this medicine.

If a dose is missed:

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets. Follow any special instructions about how to throw away empty medicine bottles, tubes, or bags.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking corticotropin or other steroids such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®. There are other medicines that may interact with parenteral electrolyte combinations. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.
Do not use any other mineral supplements or electrolytes (such as GoLYTELY®, Pedialyte®, or Gatorade®) without asking your doctor first.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Your electrolyte needs may be different than normal.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have a history of breathing problems, diabetes, liver problems, or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or if you are on a low salt diet. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had recent problems with swelling or retaining (keeping) fluid, or a recent surgery or serious injury. Tell your doctor if you have ever had problems with the levels of sodium (salt) or potassium in your blood. Make sure your doctor knows about any other health problems you may have.
Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Giving this medicine too quickly may be dangerous, even life-threatening. Follow the instructions from your doctor or pharmacist when using this medicine. Always use the IV pump and other equipment as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Confusion, weakness, trouble moving, or seizures.
New coughing or trouble breathing.
Heartbeat that is uneven or too fast.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.
Pain, redness, or swelling where the medicine is given.
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, or rapid weight gain.
Trouble urinating, or a change in how much or how often you urinate.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.
Muscle cramps.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Source Doc: 45_5302

Should You Avoid Modified Corn Starch?

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

When I was checking out all the yogurts at the grocery store to do the yogurt breakdown, in the list of ingredients on many of the containers, I saw modified corn starch. Although it sounds super unappetizing and something I wouldn't want to eat anyway, I'm wondering, is it something that's unhealthy?

To find out read more

Modified corn starch (also called modified food starch) is an additive that's made by treating starch, which modifies one or more of its physical properties. This change may affect the texture, how fast it dissolves, or how easily it can be digested. The starch can come from corn (as stated) but can also be made from wheat, potato, rice, or tapioca. It's added to foods to act as a thickener, to acquire a certain texture, or to keep foods moist.

Modified food starch is typically added to processed foods such as sauces, pie fillings, and gravies. They're not healthy in the respect that they don't add any nutritional value to food, but they aren't harmful. People who have gluten allergies should stay away from this ingredient though, unless a food containing it is labeled "gluten free."