FitSugar

Kroger Selling Cholesterol Reducing Milk

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:15:00 PDT

Functional foods have no boundaries these days as household names such as Kroger are jumping on the bandwagon.

Starting today, Kroger will be selling a new, cholesterol reducing, fat-free milk. The new milk contains CoroWise plant sterols, an all-natural ingredient sourced from plants and found naturally in foods such as vegetables, seeds and nuts. According to a recent press release the milk will be priced competitively with normal milk. How does it work? Well, plant sterols look a lot like cholesterol from our bodies perspective. So when we digest a meal, the plant sterols compete with cholesterol, which means we ultimately absorb less of it.

Changes can be detected in as soon as two to three weeks after incorporation into one’s daily diet -- Clinical studies have demonstrated that plant sterols can reduce cholesterol levels up to 15 percent. This new milk, in combination with cholesterol reducing yogurt, should give consumers a few options in functional dairy products. Yippee!

Source

Make a Healthy Grilled Cheese Sandwich With These Simple Tweaks

Michele Foley — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:01:39 PDT

Happy National Grilled Cheese Day! Just because you're following a healthy diet doesn't mean you have to skip out on this classic sandwich. Check out these tips on how to make a healthier grilled cheese.

Start with the right bread: For many of us, grilled cheese meant a slice of American cheese melted between squishy white bread. Now that we're all grown up, skip overly processed white bread for a whole-grain variety instead. You'll wind up with more fiber, vitamins, and essential nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
Not all cheeses are the same: When you're concerned about your weight, cheese can seem like an off-limits food. Although cheese may deliver in fats, it's also a great source of bone-building calcium and protein. When building your sandwich, it's OK to indulge in a full-fat variety, but use a smaller serving - a little goes a long way when it comes to flavorful varieties like Asiago or Parmesan. If you're worried about cholesterol, look for low-fat or reduced-fat varieties, or choose goat cheese. Compared to cow milk cheese, goat milk cheese contains less fat, less cholesterol, and fewer calories. Whatever you do, steer clear of oily, processed American slices.
Don't stop at cheese: Unless you're a grilled-cheese purist, a sandwich is a great way to sneak fresh veggies into your diet. When making a grilled cheese, consider adding things like red peppers, tomatoes, or arugula. Fruit also works really well when paired with cheese; consider adding some apple or pear slices to your next concoction. Check out this recipe for roasted red pepper, portobello, and smoked gouda grilled cheese.
Hold the butter: Your sandwich does not need to be slathered in saturated fats, so skip the butter. Instead, try making your grilled cheese on a sandwich press, or lightly spray a sauté pan with your choice of cooking oil.

Going Vegan Could Mean Missing These Key Nutrients

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:41:38 PDT

Not eating animal products means a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and although it can also be used to lose weight, it's important not to skip out on valuable nutrients that often come from meat and dairy.

Vitamin B12
Most women need 2.4 mcg of this vitamin each day. It's essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system as well as healthy blood cells. Found mostly in poultry, beef, fish, and dairy products, this B vitamin has vegan sources as well including fortified cereals, fortified soy milk, kale, spinach, and nutritional yeast.

Iron
The RDI of iron for women is 18 mg, and while animal products contain iron, there are tons of vegan foods high in this mineral as well. The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body, which is why an iron deficiency often causes fatigue. Be sure to include fortified cereal, fortified soy milk, beans such as garbanzos and lentils, tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, potatoes, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and peanuts in your vegan diet.

Keep reading to find out what other nutrients vegan diets might be missing.

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).

Nutrition Myths That Can Cause Weight Gain

Shape — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:04:23 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Myth: Going Vegan Will Make You Lose Weight
"While various research shows that vegetarians and vegans, on average, consume fewer calories and less fat than omnivores (a 2009 Oxford study found that vegetarians weigh 3 to 20 percent less than their meat-eating counterparts, and a National Cancer Institute study found that subjects who consumed four ounces or more of red meat weekly were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause than those who ate less), these numbers may be misleading," says Rania Batayneh, MPH, a certified nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition for You.

Going vegan solely for weight loss can backfire, big time. If you aren’t vigilant with a vegan diet, it’s easy to lack in vital nutrients, vitamins, and proteins, which give you energy and help keep your metabolism stoked. Many first-time vegans may also find themselves reaching for more processed foods like vegan cookies, chips, or even ‘ice cream’ more often with such a restricted diet, and many end up packing on the pounds instead.

If you do decide to adopt a vegan diet, be sure to keep the ‘treats’ to a minimum and plan balanced meals (we love ‘Domestic Vegan’ Diva Jessica Olson’s tips for "going veg"). "Aim to get about 10 to 20 percent of your calories from protein (or about 1 gram per kilogram of body weight), replacing animal protein with healthy plant proteins, like those found in beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products," Batayneh says. "And, whether you are vegan or not, eating more green, leafy vegetables is great for your health and your waistline."

See which other diet habits may also being causing weight gain after the break!

3 "Skinny" Thanksgiving Sides (Sweet Potatoes and Stuffing Included!)

Self — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:02:58 PST

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

We have some alarming news about your Thanksgiving dinner plans. According to SkinnyChef.com founder Jennifer Iserloh, the average American consumes 3,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. That, Iserloh points out, is the equivalent of one pound of body fat, people. (Are you running in place yet?)

Don't worry. We're not going to suggest that you skip the gravy or - gasp! - dessert (let's not get crazy here). Believe it or not, says Iserloh, despite that "pound of fat" comment, the average Thanksgiving meal is already fairly healthy. "It's all about portion size," she explains. "So remember not to overload your plate - your waistline will thank you, and it means a lot more leftovers throughout the week!"

Iserloh offers two simple strategies for making traditional sides "skinny," so your table (and thus your plate) isn't totally overloaded with calories:

Cut down on milk fat. Use skim milk when the recipe calls for milk or half and half. And, Iserloh assures us, you don't have to forgo butter all together - just cut the amount in half and use a little chicken broth if you need more moisture for whipped potatoes and stuffings.
Boost the flavor! When you cut the fat in half in your traditional recipes, use "flavor boosting" ingredients that are low-calorie. Iserloh recommends orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard and turkey bacon.

And now, the SkinnyChef's three recipes for trim and tasty Thanksgiving sides

A Reader Recipe: Asian Peanut Noodle Salad

Fit Community — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:48:49 PST

We love healthy versions of our favorite takeout foods, and so does FitSugar reader For The Love of Fiber, who posted this recipe for Asian peanut noodle salad in our Healthy Recipe group.

Here’s a nice vegetarian entrée with a healthy dose of fiber and tons of antioxidant-rich veggies! Inspired by a recipe I found in Shape Magazine a few years back, it’s really tasty and makes great leftovers for lunch. If you’re on a budget, peanuts can be substituted for macadamia nuts – no one will think any less of you. And if your preference is meat, swap out the tofu for some chicken breast. Serve with steamed broccoli and you have yourself a taste of the Far East in the comfort of your own home, minus the MSG. And I made this with Mara's Pasta - quite possibly the best-tasting whole wheat pasta on the planet. It's brand new and doesn't taste like cardboard. Pretty awesome.

Use organic ingredients when possible, particularly if you’re going meat-free with the tofu. Look for a quality brand that is organic and GMO-free. It’s worth the extra money.

Read on for the recipe.

Healthy Substitutions For Baking

Susi May — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:11:09 PDT

Baking is a great way to beat the chilly weather that comes with the change of seasons. Weekends are a great time to make sweet things with my sweet things - my girls love baking too. When making treats, I do try to make substitutes with healthy ingredients when I think I will not be sacrificing the texture and flavor too much.

I found some substitutions at the American Heart Association, and I think they're great. Definitely worth giving a try if you are trying to reduce your intake of saturated fat, the kind which can increase your LDL cholesterol.

Feel like trying to bake a little healthier? Keep reading for substitution ideas

A Reader Recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal With Cranberry and Pecan

Fit Community — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:45:07 PDT

Check out this recipe for pumpkin oatmeal with pecans and cranberries from FitSugar reader For The Love Of Fiber. She shared it in the Healthy Recipe community group.

This oatmeal is a powerful and nutritious breakfast for any Fall morning. Combining all of the flavors of the season with heart-healthy and glycemic index-friendly steel cut oats and metabolism-boosting cinnamon, this meal will keep you going well until lunch. Use organic ingredients when possible.

See the recipe after the break!

4 Surprising Diet Disasters

Prevention — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:15:23 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

The surprising ways you turn healthy foods into diet disasters
By Nancy Rones, Prevention

1. Your marinades pack a big fat punch
You're wise to choose skinless grilled chicken, but be careful with condiments. Barbecue sauce is filled with sugar, which equals calories (about 94 per 1/4 cup).

The healthy move
Ditch the high-sugar sauce and instead spice up chicken by marinating it with cayenne red-pepper sauce, or mix hot sauce with some fat-free yogurt and smear it on your sandwich for buffalo-inspired flavor. Another way to punch up the taste and nutrient power of grilled chicken sandwiches and turkey burgers: Try a topping of homemade slaw. Bagged shredded cabbage makes a convenient base; toss it with flavored vinegar or fat-free mayo and a little mustard. At 11 calories per 1/2 cup, raw cabbage offers filling fiber and vitamins such as C and B6, and as a cruciferous veggie, it contains cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Swap These Foods to Lose Weight Fast!

2. Your coffee is anything but "regular"
Sipping coffee or tea plain isn't the problem. In fact, both beverages have been linked to a number of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry also suggests that drinking coffee may reduce your chances of type 2 diabetes. But major calories and saturated fat come with added ingredients such as sugary syrups, honey, whipped cream, and whole milk (1 percent and percent aren't much better). For about the same 450 calories in a large Iced Mocha Raspberry Latte at Dunkin' Donuts, for instance, you can eat two slices of Pizza Hut's hand-tossed pepperoni pizza. And while honey may seem like a natural, healthier alternative to sugar, the fact is it has 21 calories per teaspoon versus sugar's 16.

The healthy move
For a low-cal, lower-fat drink that feels like a sweet treat, choose coffee beans in tempting flavors such as chocolate almond, hazelnut, or white chocolate, rather than using syrupy mix-ins after brewing, and lighten your coffee with fat-free milk. Teas, too, come in sweet vanilla, berry, and tropical fruit blends. And whether you use Splenda, sugar, or honey in your beverages, limit yourself to about a teaspoon.

Sneaky Names of Sugar on Your Food Labels

Make sure you're not committing the other two disaster when you read more!