FitSugar

Oprah Winfrey vs. Organic Blue Corn Chips

partysugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:00:06 PST

In December Oprah Winfrey publicized her weight gain, admitting that she's put on 40 pounds in the past couple of months. Among other things, the powerful talk show host is blaming organic, multigrain blue chips for packing on the pounds.

"My drug of choice used to be potato chips," she said. "Now this year, it was organic, multigrain blue chips - but a bag of them. So you eat a bag of those a day and see what happens if you're not working out." While Oprah's endorsements are normally positive, the people behind her favorite brand of blue tortilla chips - Hain Celestial's Garden of Eatin' - aren't jumping up and down for joy. In a statement, a spokesperson for Hain Celestial, "gently suggested that Ms. Winfrey try the single serving size."

However, Oprah's already moved on from blue chips claiming that she'll now eat sweet potatoes instead. Only time will tell whether the sales of either will be impacted by Oprah's extraordinary influence.

One thing's for sure: If Oprah were to attack the already-struggling organics industry, it might be a blow too big for them to overcome. What do you think about the matter? Does Oprah's opinion of a certain food affect your decision to eat it?

Source, Source

New Terra Chips: Stripes & Blues

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 02:30:00 PDT

How very patriotic of Terra to introduce a red, white, and blue chip medley they call Stripes and Blues. They are much healthier than the Lays chips I ate as a kid since they are made with 3 kinds of harvested veggies, not just your average potato. The red chips are made from sweet potatoes, the blue chips are made from blue potatoes, and the striped chips are striped beets.

These Stripes & Blues chips take my favorite Sweets & Beets to an entirely new visual level. I love that they're made with no trans fat or cholesterol, and contain hardly any saturated fat (the kind that is bad for your heart). Plus these chips have a much zestier flavor so they don't need a whole lot of sodium.

To check out the nutritional info and see what these delectable chips really look like,

Serving Size	1 oz (about 14 chips)
Calories	140
Total Fat	8g
Saturated Fat	.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	110mg
Carbs	16g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	5g
Protein	2g
Ingredients	A seasonal mix of root vegetables (sweet potato, blue potato, beets), canola oil and/or safflower oil and/or sunflower oil, beet juice concentrate, sea salt.

Well I'm just amazed that these chips are actually as pretty as the photo on the outside of the bag, plus I can actually pronounce all the ingredients!

With only 110mg of sodium, these still taste salty and definitely satisfied my craving. Plus they have 2g of fiber (you can aways use more), 2g of protein, and 4% of your daily iron needs (I know it's not much, but every little bit counts).

I love that there are 3 different chips in this bag, so your taste buds never get bored. I definitely recommend looking for these chips in a health food store near you, or in the health food section of your grocery store.

Fit's Tip: Just remember, even though these chips are healthier than potato chips, they are still chips! So keep your portions under control.

Taste Test: Blue Diamond Baked Nut Chips

Susannah Chen — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:15:05 PDT

We've been confident that potato chip alternatives are soon to be a huge snack food trend, and sure enough, nearby grocery stores are have finally jumped on the black bean, lentil, and kale chip bandwagon. This weekend I spotted something new that I'd never seen before: Baked Nut Chips, by Blue Diamond Growers, the makers of those tasty smokehouse- and wasabi-flavored almonds.

Just looking at the bag made me feel healthy: "Irresistible snacking! Smart eating!" it declared. "Contains 20 grams of whole grain from brown rice, and 81 percent less saturated fat than potato chips." These crisps, made from almonds and brown rice, are also a suitable alternative to anyone allergic to wheat or gluten. Curious to try a chip made of nuts, I picked up two bags. They sounded full of promise, but were the puffy chip bags full of goodness - or disappointment? The moment of truth, when you read on.

What to Do For Cinco de Mayo If You're . . .

Tara Block — Sat, 05 May 2012 15:00:00 PDT

Happy Cinco de Mayo! And it doesn't matter what your relationship status is on the Mexican holiday, you can have a fiesta-filled evening with our tips for celebrating with friends, lovers, and family.

Single and Looking: Go stag or grab your best wing-lady and get yourself to the most popular local taco spot. Sit at the bar for maximum mingling while you enjoy margaritas and chips and salsa. Bonus points if there's a mariachi band and dancing!
In a Relationship: Have a romantic night in and cook up some delicious Mexican dishes, complete with homemade margaritas. You won't have to fight the crowds, and you could even entertain yourselves with other people's relationship drama by watching some telenovelas!
Hanging With the Girls: If you're looking to spend some quality time with your gal pals, you don't want to be shouting at each other in a packed Mexican restaurant. Instead, get the gang together and go somewhere that doesn't serve chips and salsa. My friends and I have gone out to sushi to celebrate, which can be way more fun than waiting in line for two hours.
Married and Need a Date Night: Desperately need to get out of the house and just do something? Don your most dramatic, sparkly dress and hit the Latin dance floor with your hubby! Research ahead of time restaurants and bars that have free salsa or tango lessons, and unleash your inner dancing queen.
Getting Over a Breakup: Have a party at your house so you're surrounding by supportive friends, and if the alcohol induces an emotional breakdown, you don't have to take a late-night cab alone. For added fun, tape a pic of your ex on a piñata and do some therapeutic bashing. And you never know if your friends will bring along some single hotties to help cure you from your breakup blues.

Photo by Carla Ten Eyck via Style Me Pretty

One Month Till Memorial Day Weekend! How to Get Bikini-Ready Now

Self — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:29 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

With spring in full swing, we've already said goodbye to the winter blues. But as you enjoy the milder weather and longer days, keep in mind that Memorial Day weekend is merely a month away - meaning it's almost time for bikinis and short shorts! So, is one month enough time to score your best body yet?

It sure is, says Jim White, registered dietician, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But you'd better get started now. "After all the shrieking and gasping about how 'time flies' and it's 'too soon' to be exposing that muffin top, it's time to get realistic and take action," he explains. "A month is not a tremendous amount of time to shed any accumulated winter fat, but before you break out into cold sweats, it is not unreasonable to lose 10 pounds or one dress size in that time."

To make sure you score your best bikini bod before you hit the beach, sign up for SELF's free Drop 10 plan - it'll have you slimmer and stronger than ever in only five short weeks! Then, follow White's basic rules for healthy eating. "Healthy eating is a must if you expect weight loss," he says.

Read on for the one-month plan!

What's the Deal With Blue Corn?

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:15:23 PDT

I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to blue corn chips. You'll often find this Tostitos alternative in the health food section, but are they really healthier than a regular corn chip? Actually, they are!

Tortillas and chips made from ground blue corn pack more nutritional punch than white corn. Corn comes in many colors, including white, violet, blue, and black. The blue hue comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in berries.

That's not the only benefit of going blue. Blue corn has about 20 percent more protein than the white variety, and it's better for your blood sugar. Since blue corn has a lower glycemic index, it's less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar, since the sugars are absorbed more slowly by the body.

In terms of calories, fat, and carbs, blue corn chips stack up similarly to yellow and white ones, so you'll still want to eat them in moderation. But at least you'll know you're getting something more from your snacks.

11 Ways to Cut Calories From a Sandwich

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:17:19 PDT

Want a balanced lunch that offers fiber and protein? A sandwich has your back, but choose the wrong add-ons and condiments, and it's a whole day's worth of calories in a few bites. Here are ways to cut calories from this favorite lunchable - they may not be huge amounts, but keep in mind that little bits definitely add up.

Whole-wheat pita (170) instead of two slices of whole-wheat bread (200): saves 30 calories
Spinach wrap (180) instead of a sun-dried tomato and basil wrap (210): saves 30 calories
Two pieces of Romaine lettuce (10) instead of a whole-wheat wrap (120): saves 110 calories
Go open-faced: Eat one side of a whole wheat roll (190) instead of the whole roll (380): saves 190 calories
Two ounces of sliced roasted turkey (60) instead of two ounces of sliced ham (70): saves 10 calories

Keep reading to find out other ways to save sandwich calories.

15 Salty Snacks Under 150 Calories

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:33:23 PDT

If you're craving something salty, don't reach for greasy potato chips. Here are 15 low-calorie healthy snacks that are sure to satisfy your salty desires.

Four-ounce snack-size container of low-fat cottage cheese: 81 calories, 459 mg of sodium
Salted cashews (16 nuts): 147 calories, 77 mg of sodium
One and a half cups of edamame in pods: 150 calories, 45 mg of sodium
Two and a half cups of oil-popped popcorn: 138 calories, 243 mg of sodium
A quarter of an avocado (80 calories, 4 mg of sodium) topped with one tablespoon salted sunflower seeds (47 calories, 33 mg of sodium): 127 calories, 37 mg of sodium

Continue reading to see 10 more salty snacks under 150 calories.

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.

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.