FitSugar

Dunkin' Donuts Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:06:22 -0700

Okay, okay, we all know that Dunkin' Donuts is not the healthiest place in the world. Besides donuts, they do offer other choices. Let's take a peek and see how they measure up.

Food	Calories	Fat in grams	Cholesterol	Sodium in milligrams	Carbs in grams	Protein in grams
Plain bagel	320	2.5	0	650	62	12
Everything bagel	370	6	0	650	67	14
Multigrain bagel	380	6	0	650	68	14
Cinnamon Raisin bagel	330	3	0	430	65	10
2 oz Plain Cream Cheese	190	17	55	190	4	4
2 oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	170	15	45	340	4	2
2 oz Lite Cream Cheese	120	9	30	280	5	4
Banana Walnut Muffin	540	25	65	520	69	10
Honey Bran Raisin Muffin	480	15	60	480	79	8
Cranberry Orange Muffin	440	17	65	480	66	8
Blueberry Muffin	470	17	60	500	73	8
Reduced Fat Blueberry Muffin	400	5	60	490	78	8

Well that wasn't so bad. Wait until we get to the breakfast sandwiches. You may go into cardiac arrest just reading this. Want to see? Then read more

Food	Calories	Fat in grams	Cholesterol	Sodium in milligrams	Carbs in grams	Protein in grams
Maple Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich	690	45	180	630	45	25
Bacon Egg Cheese Bagel Sandwich	540	18	200	1400	69	18
Sausage Egg Cheese Bagel Sandwich	660	35	225	1450	63	28
Egg Cheese Sandwich	470	15	190	1120	65	20
Egg Cheese English Muffin Sandwich	280	9	140	1010	34	15
Supreme Omelet on a Croissant	590	38	260	1040	42	21
Southwestern Chicken Panini	420	10	45	970	57	23
Meatball Panini	480	19	40	1180	56	22
Turkey Pesto Sandwich	530	23	65	1630	46	33
Vegetarian Sandwich	420	21	5	480	51	9
Caesar Salad	390	33	35	980	14	10
Chicken Caesar Salad	520	36	85	1520	16	34
Garden Salad	240	12	30	430	24	12
Mediterranean Salad	220	11	315	760	23	10
1 cup Broccoli Cheese Soup	180	13	40	71310	10	7
1 cup Chicken Noodle Soup	140	3.5	45	840	20	8
1 cup Clam Chowder Soup	230	11	30	990	20	10
1 cup Timberline Chili With Beans Soup	230	8	35	890	260	15

America runs on Dunkin'? I sure as hell hope not. Get this, Rachael Ray is now the spokesperson - let YumSugar know how you feel. She's going to lead the company into developing "better for you" food and beverage options. Way to go Rachael!

Food Review: Sticky Fingers Blueberry Scone Mix

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:05 -0700

I love a good baked good. And even though I resist the croissants, scones, and muffins that stare at me through coffee shop windows, my desire remains true. I've been searching for a healthier version of these delightful treats with little success until now. Enter: Sticky Fingers Wild Blueberry Scone Mix.

These things are so easy to make: just add water, stir, and bake. The ease of it made me dubious at first but as the scent of fresh blueberries began to fill my kitchen I knew I found a winner. The scones are the perfect amount of sweetness and not dry at all. Whenever I buy a scone from a bakery it feels like a paperweight but Sticky Fingers scones are much lighter - somewhere between a piece of cake and a biscuit.

Best of all they are completely natural, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, no cholesterol, and they don't have any trans-fats or saturated fats in them. They contain a total of seven pronounceable ingredients in them that include freeze-dried wild blueberries. One Sticky Fingers scone contains 150 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, compared to a blueberry scone from Starbucks, which contains 460 calories and 18 grams of fat.

The company offers a bunch of other flavors and baked goods like breads and muffins, I can't wait to try everything!

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Swing your weights around and have fun with kettle bells - Fit Bottomed Girls
How chocolate croissant eating pastry chefs stay thin - Vitamin G
Calf stretches for stiletto wearing ladies - Fresh Fitness Tips
Quit cigarettes now! Today is the Great American Smokeout - Daily Spark
Avoid turkey induced coma with these three tips - That's Fit
Is there a connection between your weight and your paycheck? - Elastic Waist
Tone your belly without crunches; this is a must-do video - ExerciseTV

Source

Fast foods

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:56:54 -0700

Illustrations

Fast food

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Fast foods are quick, reasonably priced, and readily available alternatives to home cooking. While convenient and inexpensive for a busy lifestyle, fast foods are typically high in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt.

Fast food chains and restaurants have responded to the public's increasing awareness about nutrition and have attempted to help people concerned about health. For example, they now make ingredient and nutrition information available on their menus. Despite these changes, however, in order to maintain a healthy diet, it is necessary to choose fast foods carefully.

Function

Most people today have less time to select, prepare and eat food than their grandparents did. Fast foods are very appealing because they are widely available and inexpensive.

Food Sources

Fast food items have been modified to reflect consumers' concern about the fat content of their food. Many fast food restaurant have switched from beef tallow or lard to hydrogenated vegetable oils for frying.

Some restaurants offer low calorie choices like salad bars and assorted take-out salads with low calorie dressing, low-fat milkshakes, whole grain buns, lean meats, and grilled chicken items.

Side Effects

Maintaining nutritional balance is not easy with fast food, because there is no control over how they are cooked. For example, some are cooked with a lot of oil and butter, and there may be no option if you want your selection with reduced fat.

The large portions also encourage overeating. Fast food also tend to lack fresh fruits and vegetables.

In general, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease must be much more careful about choosing fast food, due to the high content of fat, sodium, and sugar.

Recommendations

Knowing the number of calories and the amount of fat and salt in the fast food can help you decide which items are better choices. Many fast food restaurants have published the nutrient content of their foods. These are often available on request. You can plan a convenient yet healthful diet with this information.

Make better choices when eating at fast food restaurants. In general eat at places that offer a variety of salads, soups, and vegetables.

Choose smaller-sized servings. Consider splitting some fast food items to reduce the amount of calories and fat. Ask for a "doggy bag." or simply leave the excess on your plate.

To help supplement and balance the fast food meal, make nutritious options such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and yogurt available as snacks.

When chosen carefully and not used in excess, fast foods can offer reasonably good quality nutrition. By being aware of what and how much you eat, and paying attention to how it affects your health, you can set a good example for your children. As always, variety and moderation are the key principles in providing a healthy diet for children as well as adults.

Consider these general tips:

PIZZA

Ask for less cheese, and choose low-fat toppings such as onions, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables.

SANDWHICHES

Healthier choices include regular or junior-size lean roast beef, turkey, or chicken breast, or lean ham. Extras, such as, bacon, cheese, or mayo will increase the fat and calories of the item. Select whole-grain breads over high-fat croissants or biscuits.

HAMBURGERS

A single, plain meat patty without the cheese and sauces is the best choice. Ask for extra lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Limit your intake of french fries.

MEAT, CHICKEN, AND FISH

Look for items that are roasted, grilled, baked, or broiled. Avoid meats that are breaded or fried. Ask for heavy sauces, such as gravy, on the side. Better still, avoid heavy sauces and dressings altogether.

SALADS

High-fat food items such as dressing, bacon bits, and shredded cheese add fat and calories. Choose lettuce and assorted vegetables to make up the majority of your salad. Select low-fat or fat-free salad dressings, vinegar, or lemon juice when available. Ask for the salad dressing on the side.

DESSERTS

Choose low-fat frozen yogurt, fruit ices, sorbets, and sherbets. Occasional indulgent desserts add fun to a carefully selected, well-balanced diet.

Review Date: 8/6/2007

Reviewed By: Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, family physician specializing in nutrition, fitness, and preventive health, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, and Assistant Clinical Professor, St. Louis University's School of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine.

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.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002462

Heart disease and diet

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:56:26 -0700

Overview

Definition
Alternative Names
Function
Food Sources
Recommendations

Illustrations

Healthy diet

Fish in diet

Fruits and vegetables

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

A healthy diet is a major factor in reducing your risk of heart disease.

Alternative Names

Diet - heart disease

Function

A healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk of:

Heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke
Conditions that lead to heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity
Other chronic health problems, including type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer

Food Sources

Most fruits and vegetables are appropriate for a heart-healthy diet. They are good sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Most are low in fat, calories, sodium, and cholesterol.

Dairy products and milk are good sources of protein, calcium, the B vitamins niacin and riboflavin, and the vitamins A and D. Use skim, 1/2%, or 1% milk. Cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk should be low-fat or nonfat.

Eat low-fat breads, cereals, crackers, rice, pasta, and starchy vegetables (like peas, potatoes, corn, winter squash, and lima beans). These foods are high in the B vitamins, iron, and fiber. At the same time, they are low in fat and cholesterol.

Avoid baked goods such as butter rolls, cheese crackers, and croissants, cream sauces for pasta and vegetables, and cream soups.

Meat, poultry, seafood, dried peas, lentils, nuts, and eggs are good sources of protein, the B vitamins, iron, and other vitamins and minerals.

Eat skinless poultry, very lean beef, lamb, veal, and pork, lentils, legumes, dried beans and peas, egg whites, and wild game.
Avoid duck, goose, marbled meats (such as a ribeye steak), prime cuts of high-fat meats, organ meats such as kidneys and liver, and prepared meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and high-fat lunch meats.

Limit oils and fats. They are high in fat and calories, and people should eat less of all types of fat. Some fats are better choices than others but should still be used in moderate amounts.

Use liquid vegetable oils such as safflower, soybean, corn, sesame, olive, canola, avocado, and cottonseed. Use margarines made from any of these oils in their tub or squeeze form, not their stick form. Salad dressings and mayonnaise should be made with the recommended oils.
Seeds, nuts, olives, avocados, and peanut butter are also acceptable in moderate amounts.
Avoid butter, lard, bacon, shortening, sour cream, whipping cream, and coconut, palm, or palm kernel oil. These contain saturated fats and are not recommended.

Diet recommendations for children over the age of 2 years are similar to those of adults. Children and teenagers must have enough calories to support growth and activity level while they achieve and maintain a desirable body weight.

Children following low-fat diets may have difficulty maintaining desired levels of growth. Consult a physician or dietitian for assistance in planning adequate low-fat meals for children and adolescents.

A consultation with a registered dietitian is helpful. The American Heart Association has local chapters in every state. They are an excellent resource for information on heart disease.

Recommendations

Maintain your ideal body weight and balance the number of calories you eat with the number you use each day. You can ask a dietician or a health care professional to help you determine these numbers.
Limit your intake of foods high in calories or low in nutrition, including foods like soft drinks and candy that have lots of sugars.
Eat five or more servings per day of fruits and vegetables.
Eat six or more servings per day of grain products, including whole grains. Grain products provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates. The daily calories should be appropriate for the maintenance of desirable body weight and should support growth in children and adolescents.
Reduce total fat intake. Limit foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and partially hydrogenated oils. Reduce or avoid saturated fat when possible. Saturate fat raises your cholesterol level. Choose liquid or tub margarine, canola oil, or olive oil. These have 2g or less of saturated fat per serving.
Eat less than 300 mg of dietary cholesterol daily. (For example, one egg yolk contains an average of 213 mg.)
Limit the amount of salt (sodium chloride) you eat. You should eat less than 2,400 mg of salt per day. Check food labels, since many foods contain salt.
Exercise regularly. For example, walk for at least 30 minutes a day.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Women should have no more than one alcoholic drink (such as red wine) per day. Men should not drink more than two. While major studies have linked some alcohol consumption to health benefits, excessive drinking can do more harm than good.

EATING TIPS

To reduce fat and cholesterol, eat no more than 6 cooked ounces of meat, poultry, and fish daily. One serving of meat should be about the size of a deck of cards on your plate.
Use skinless turkey, chicken, fish, or lean red meat to reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet. Lean, 3 ounce cuts of red meat may be used occasionally.
Trim all the visible fat prior to cooking the meat. Eat two servings of fish per week. Cook by baking, broiling, roasting, steaming, boiling, or microwaving rather than deep fat frying. For the main entree, use less meat or have meatless meals a few times a week. Use smaller amounts of meat to reduce the total fat content of the meal. Use no more than 5-8 teaspoons of fats or oils per day for salads, cooking, and baking.
To reduce high cholesterol, do not use more than 3-4 egg yolks per week, including eggs used in cooking. Eat less organ meat (such as liver) and shellfish (such as shrimp and lobster).
To reduce salt, reduce the amount of table salt used, and limit the use of prepared foods that have salt added to them, such as canned soups and vegetables, cured meats, and some frozen meals. Always check the nutrition label for the sodium content per serving.

Review Date: 1/23/2008

Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002436

WARNING: Hardee's Country Breakfast Burrito

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Hardee's, the chain that also brought us an 1100 calorie Southwest Chicken Salad, is assaulting health junkies once again with a new menu item to hit restaurants: the Country Breakfast Burrito.

This massive burrito is made from two omelets, five hashrounds (WTF are hashrounds?), cheddar cheese, and sausage gravy all wrapped in a tortilla. Don't go licking your lips just yet: This burrito packs in a whopping 920 calories, 23 grams of saturated fat, and about nearly 2000 milligrams of sodium. I am a big fan of everything in moderation, but I can honestly say that there is not any real reason for anyone to eat this for breakfast, or anytime really. I know a lot of us have it in our heads that breakfast burritos can be a healthy breakfast alternative, but this burrito could not be further from that - steer clear.

I tried to find a better alternative for breakfast when eating at Hardee's, and the best choice I could find is the Sunrise Croissant with Ham, which weighs in at 430 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat. Needless to say, I won't be eating breakfast there anytime soon.

Source

Dieting and Dating: Finding a Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Dating, whether you are single or in a relationship, can be a serious diet killer. Dating can be stressful enough as it is, so the added distraction of worrying about what to eat while dating is something you just don't need right now.

MSNBC.com along with Shazia Paroo, a personal trainer in Canada, has created these possible dieting scenario threats while dating (and breaking up) and offers ways to keep them under control:

Dating Stage: Drive-thru, anyone?
Pitfall: Your Friday night action is the girl who answers the phone at your favorite pizza joint. At the grocery store, you find yourself hoping that cute but confused-looking guy will ask your advice on frozen dinners. Cooking for one is depressing, but eating one more piece of your mom's lasagna can't hurt (it's comfort food, after all). It's easy to fall into the self-pity mode when you're going through a dry spell -- then, the temptation to Jabba the Hut yourself to the couch can be overwhelming.

Antidote: "Set a goal and visualize where you want to be and how you want to look," says Paroo. Buy a juicer, find some recipes that don't involve pasta and parmesan, and consider blueberries as something other than a topping for cheesecake. Having the luxury of all that non-relationship free time is also an ideal opportunity for combining socializing and health -- join a gym or a baseball team, take up fencing, cycle naked to protest rising gas prices.

Taking care of your body and appearance will affect your confidence, too. Paroo mentions a client who went down in size "four belt loops. He would go out to a bar and just sit by himself with his head down," she says. "Now he talks to everyone."

Need dieting tips for dieting on a first date? Or what about sticking to a diet during a breakup? Then read more

Dating Stage: Reservations at 8
Pitfall: You can hardly believe your luck -- there's someone else out there who thinks Tiny Tim is an under-appreciated genius. You both hated the sound your exes made when they breathed. In other words, love is in the air -- and that means dessert with dinner and chocolate croissants in the morning. Eating out, ordering in and trying to impress each other with tasty cream sauces are also on the menu.

Antidote: When it comes to the hormonal honeymoon stage, there are two extremes, says Paroo. "You get comfortable and you gain weight, or you get in shape for your partner." Now is the time to be ultra-aware not just of over-indulging, but of losing your motivation. Try adding an extra lap around the track or adding a game of tennis to your schedule. Better, involve your date -- you can both sign up for those yogalates classes.
Dating Stage: Should we just order in?
Pitfall: Congratulations! You've made it into the land of the duos. You've met the parents, confirmed your partner's lack of a criminal record, and even (temporarily) altered him or her to better suit your ideal of someone you'd actually like to be with. Staying fit? That's for single, desperate schmucks who don't have a quality pair of expandable sweat pants. Well, don't get too cocky -- this might be the most dangerous stage as the comfort level rises and the desire to look desirable drops.

Antidote: "People in relationships come to me after a year," says Paroo. "And they've become too comfortable watching movies and eating out a lot. They're drinking a lot, they're not eating well, and they're eating at the wrong time. If you're in a relationship you'll eat late at night, guaranteed." You're biggest enemy at this stage is yourself. Complacency and bliss have dulled your edge and every time you think of working out it's with a twinge of guilt. Get over it -- there are no guarantees in this life, and you'll feel better about yourself if you maintain some semblance of your former shape.
Dating Stage: Pass the Chunky Monkey
Pitfall: It's over but the eating, and all you have to show for your efforts are a food processor you'll never use again, a taste for pancetta and a few extra pounds of relationship fat. You're depressed and anxious, and you're going through the ever-popular grieving process -- sadness, fridge, anger, fridge, bitterness, fridge.

Antidote: Breakups are stressful -- wondering where your next foot-rub is coming from can take a lot out of a person. Fear not -- the answer is as close as the nearest elliptical trainer. Even though lifting weights or running around a track might be the last thing you feel like doing, follow the slogan and "just do it." Guaranteed you'll feel better -- not just from the release of endorphins but just knowing you're still among the living. This might also be the best time to hire a professional. "Let us kick your butt," says Paroo. "You'll get your self-confidence back. And no matter how hard people find it to work out, it's the best stress relief ever." And never discount the motive of revenge when it comes to getting in fighting form, says the trainer: "People want to show the ex how hot they can look."

Not having problems dieting and dating, but just dating in general? Then check out what E. Jean has to say about dating on DearSugar.com.

Source

Breakfast Sandwich Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Buying or heating up a breakfast sandwich may seem like a fab idea until you read this post. Most breakfast sandwiches pack a whole lot of calories in a small amount of food. Personally, I am going to stick to cooking my own eggs.

Want to see how many calories are in your morning sausage, egg and cheese? Then read more

Sandwich	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Starbucks' Sausage, Egg & Cheddar	470	25	850	37	3
McDonald's Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle	560	32	1360	48	20
Dunkin' Donuts Sausage Egg & Cheese (on Bagel)	660	35	1450	63	8
Tim Hortons' Sausage, Egg & Cheese	520	37	940	30	3
Lean Pockets' Bacon, Egg & Low-Fat Cheese	150	4.5	280	21	2
Hot Pockets' Biscuit, Sausage, Egg & Cheese	280	13	760	30	8
Einstein Bros. / Noah's Bagels' Bagel Omelet Sandwich, Turkey Sausage & Cheddar	660	23	1170	74	7
Burger King's Croissan'wich w/ Sausage Egg & Cheese	470	32	1060	26	5
Arby's Wrap, Sausage, Egg & Cheese	689	45	1849	50	2
Atlanta Bread Company's Sausage Egg & Cheese on Croissant	690	48	1300	39	4
Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles, Cheese, Egg & Sausage	180	11	360	15	1
Van's Stuffed Sandwiches, Sausage, Egg & Cheese	330	19	450	29	3