FitSugar

Food Tips for Your Road Trip

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Staying healthy on a road trip can be a serious challenge. Don't worry - Diet.com has got your back. Here are a few of their suggestions to make sure your diet can stay on track while you are on the road.

Plan ahead just as you do at home. Consider where you are going and what your best choices are and plan regular meals. A good game plan will prevent you from making bad choices.
Pack healthier fare in your car. Bring a cooler and pack it with cut-up fresh fruit and veggies, string cheese, yogurt, sandwiches and water. Stop at a rest stop along the way and enjoy!
Use Google maps to search restaurants along the way or at your destination. This will help you identify healthier places before you settle on the first restaurant you see.
- Do some research and check fast food restaurant websites, many have full nutrition information available to help you make better decisions. Check out these FitSugar nutritional breakdowns to help you.
- Save 100’s of calories by skipping the mayo or special sauce. Order mustard instead.
- Choose fresh veggies whenever possible and opt for a side salad (with fat-free or low-fat dressing on the side) instead of fries.
- Choose a grilled or broiled chicken sandwich over crispy or fried items. Really, you should avoid fried food in general.
- Limit sodas and juices and choose water instead.
- Order a kids meal for instant portion control! You too can enjoy a Happy Meal and keep the prize!
- Choose whole wheat bread when available for sandwiches.
- Order dressing and sauce on the side so you can moderate how much to use. Avoid cream based dressings they are considerably more fattening than vinaigrettes.
Hope these help and have fun on the road. Drive safely and buckle up!

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Omega Chocolate Truffles

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 17:30:00 -0800

Always forgetting to take your supplements? Me too. But it's a rare day when I forget dessert.

Now you can kill two birds with one stone. Flora makes Bija Omega Truffles, which are made with a rich blend of premium organic ingredients and 8 grams of omega-3 & omega-6 fatty acids (the good ones).

There is increasing evidence that chocolate contains surprising amounts of minerals, potent antioxidants and other phytonutrients. And adding healthy fats to your diet can help reduce your cholesterol and your risk of coronary disease.

Dessert that's good for you? Count me in. They're available in three mouthwatering flavors: Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Hazelnut, and White Maple.

Each package comes with four truffles so you can really indulge and feel good doing it. Look for them in the cooler at your favorite natural food store.

Doubling Up: Water Cooler Squats

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0700

You know how much I love multi tasking and when I can combine two things I love, all the better. So I have taken to doing a classic squat while filling my water bottle. Squats and hydration combined, what more could a girl want out of a trip to the office kitchen.

You should try it too, especially if your water cooler is in an inconspicuous spot. Also it helps to not be afraid to look a little un-cool by the cooler. So, instead of bending over with straight knees and rounding your back, stick your booty out and bend your knees and squat. In this situation having a bigger water bottle is a bonus because you will need to hold the squat longer while your big bottle fills up. If you are tall, then you will have to squat a little deeper, but don’t let your pelvis go below your knees.

Do you want more specifics on how to perform a squat? Check out this post: You Don't Know Squat. It should answer any of your questions on technique. If you aren't sure how much water you should be drinking daily, you need to enter your stats in the Fit Calculator and find out.

A little impromptu thigh work and getting some thirst quenching water simultaneously – now that is what I call doubling up.

You Asked: Burning Lungs From Running in the Cold

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:50:49 -0800

Hi Fit,
I recently started running outdoors and am really enjoying it. It's started to cool off, and breathing in the cold air really burns my throat and lungs when I jog. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this?
- Winter Runner

Ahhh, the cold weather is moving in, and I give you credit for continuing your outdoor runs even though the temps have dropped. Running in the crisp air can be so exhilarating to your body and your mind, but your lungs are another story. I have some ideas about how to make your respiratory system happier, though, so continue reading

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:50:01 -0800

Autumn is upon us, and if the cooler weather is inspiring you to snuggle up with your honey, remember to take care of yourself. Regularly splitting a bottle of wine with your sweetheart can impact your weight. Here are a few other ways your relationship could be increasing your waistline. Check out our favorite FitSugar stories from the week and find out how a few celebs are battling the bulge. We also have a great workout for you to try by celeb trainer David Kirsch.
Source: Getty

View Slideshow ›

Green Tea Lime Cooler

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

After days of fog, the SF bay area has been hit by a serious heat wave. Yesterday, my ability to concentrate started to wane in the early afternoon and I wanted a caffeinated pick me up; but hot tea seemed too hot. I improvised a green tea with lime cooler and boy did it hit the spot. So much so, that I wanted to share it with you all. It is as easy to make as it is to drink and it is great way to blend citrus with green tea increasing the amazing antioxidant levels even more!

To see the recipe, just read more.

Green Tea Lime Cooler
Inspired by Peet's Green Tea Cooler

This recipe serves one, but is easily doubled. You can make a pitcher as well.

Ingredients

1 green tea bag
juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 to 1 teaspoon agave nectar
handful of ice

Directions

Boil water and steep green tea in about 1 and 1/2 cups boiling water for about five minutes.
Add in lime juice and agave nectar (or sweetener of your choice). Stir until mixed.
Add a handful of ice.
Drink up and enjoy!

Print recipe with images | without images

5 Things to Pack in Your Beach Cooler

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

The long, relaxing days on the beach spent with friends and family make Summer memories that take us through the colder months. Make those beach days last by packing a cooler full of healthy items; you'll be able to refuse a second trip to the ice cream truck, and you won't have to head home early from a grumbling tummy. Healthy beach preparation will be a cinch when you remember to have these five things on hand. And don't forget the sunscreen!

Water: Bring a reusable water bottle or two full of cold water to prevent dehydration and headaches. Need some variety? Fill one of the bottles with refreshing unsweetened iced tea.
Fruit: Toss a fruit salad in Tupperware, bring along some in-season cherries, or pack a bunch of easy-to-eat grapes.
Veggies and hummus: Spoon hummus into a small container and cut up veggies, like peppers and carrots, for dipping. Cherry tomatoes are also delicious, especially in Summer.
Sandwiches: Use whole wheat pita instead of bread to reduce the soggy factor, and stuff it with mayo-free fillings like veggies and sliced deli meat. Remember, you don't want to put warm food directly in the cooler. If you want a grilled chicken sandwich, prepare the chicken the night before, let it cool, and refrigerate so it's good to go in the morning.
String cheese: Include a couple sticks of reduced-fat string cheese for a satisfying, slightly salty snack.

What's in your cooler?

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Body Knowledge: Cold Hands, Warm Core?

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:31 -0700

The cooler temps of late Autumn spark what we call in our house the thermostat wars. Although the preferred temps in my home seem to vary greatly by gender, there is no clear-cut answer which sex tolerates cold better. Studies have found that women have a higher core temperature than men, but colder hands. I can vouch for the cold hands thing - can you? Although a warmer core temp means women are better able to protect their vital organs, all housed in the torso, cold hands mean less blood flow to extremities, creating an increased perception of cold. Then there is the theory that Aunt Ruby affects a woman's perception of cold. The changes in body temperature that accompany the menstrual cycle can affect the way a woman perceives cold temperatures. This theory is still under debate, but might be something to pay attention to when you reach for socks in the middle of the night.

Cooked Leafy Green Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:31 -0700

In the Summer months, I crave cool, crispy raw salad greens, but when cooler temps roll in, I'm all about cooked greens. I often sauté them in a little olive oil with garlic, and they're flavorful, low in calories, and full of vitamins and nutrients. If you've ever wondered just how nutritious they are, I made a little chart so you can find out.

To see the breakdown, read more.

1 cup cooked	Calories	Fiber (g)	Vitamin A (IU)	Iron (mg)	Potassium (mg)	Folate (mcg)
Your RDI (just to compare)	around 2,000	25-30	2,333	18	4,200	400
Spinach	41	4	18,867	6.4	839	263
Mustard spinach	29	4	14,761	1.4	513	131
Kale	36	3	17,709	1.2	296	16.9
Swiss chard	35	4	10,717	4	961	15.7
Broccoli raab (1 bunch cooked)	144	12	19,812	5.5	1,499	310
Escarole	95	5.8	1,843	1.4	530	172
Mustard greens	22.4	3	2,100	1.08	301	108
Turnip greens	33	5.7	4,199	1.3	333	196
Watercress	15	2	2,823	.36	449	8

Not sure how to use cooked greens? Try indian spiced chard or simple sautéed escarole, and this is how I like to prepare kale. If you have a tasty way to cook greens, please share it in the Healthy Recipe group.

Source: Flickr User PetroleumJelliffe

Healthy Ways to Liven Up Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Now that cooler temps are moving in, there's nothing like warming yourself up with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Full of whole grain fiber, this breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning. Buying plain oats is healthier than buying packets that are already sweetened, and less expensive too, but that doesn't mean you have to go without flavor.

Add these delicious morsels to your half-cup serving of oatmeal.

One small banana (diced), two tablespoons vanilla yogurt, and one tablespoon walnuts.
Half a diced pear, one tablespoon pumpkin seeds, and one tablespoon of GoLean Crunch cereal or granola.
Half a diced apple, two chopped dates, 10 chopped almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For other tasty ideas, keep reading