FitSugar

Make These Hard-to-Digest Foods Easy on the Tummy

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:30:57 PDT

It's not a stomach of steel you're after. You don't need to be able to devour a bowl of spicy chili without even a single burp. You'd be happy with a stomach that could handle a simple apple. Unfortunately every body is different, and some of us are born with sensitive stomachs, but you don't have to take it lying down (or in the bathroom). Some foods are harder to digest than others, but here are some ways to make those hard-to-digest foods easier on your belly.

Green peppers: These veggies are actually unripe, so eating them raw in a salad makes them tough to digest for many people. Instead, enjoy your green peppers grilled, roasted, or sauteed. if it's raw peppers you crave, choose red, orange, or yellow.

For ways to stomach other difficult-to-digest foods,

DrSugar Answers: IBS Treatment With No Health Insurance?

DrSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I'm pretty positive I have Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Are there any things you can do to treat it without going to see a doctor? I don't have insurance and would like to avoid a costly office visit. Any advice you could give would be helpful.
Thanks,
– IBS Betty

To see what DrSugar has to say,

read more. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by uncomfortable abdominal symptoms such as chronic pain, constipation, and diarrhea. The pain is often crampy in nature and is classically relieved by a bowel movement. Either diarrhea or constipation can predominate or the symptoms can alternate between the two. It is a chronic condition that usually waxes and wanes in severity and is often worsened by emotional stress or stressful life events. Mild cases are often self-diagnosed and treated, but moderate to severe cases always require physician evaluation because other diseases can present with similar symptoms. Diseases with similar symptoms to IBS include celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and endometriosis. Although there are some prescription medications for IBS, the most important initial treatment options are simple and do not require special medications. The most important initial consideration in treating IBS involves evaluating potential dietary causes of the IBS symptoms. A good place to start is eliminating dairy products because lactose intolerance is very common and often under recognized. Other foods to avoid include coffee, alcohol, highly fatty foods, and gas producing foods such as beans and broccoli. Increasing dietary fiber and water consumption can help with symptoms of constipation. Simple over the counter medications are also commonly used to treat IBS. Imodium is frequently used if chronic diarrhea is the main symptom. Colace and sennakot are common medications used to treat chronic constipation. It is also important to seek help in the treatment of depression or anxiety, which are commonly associated with IBS. Treating underlying depression with antidepressant medications often greatly improve IBS symptoms. It is very important to consult a doctor if any concerning symptoms are present. Concerning symptoms include: weight loss, rectal bleeding, bloody stools, fevers, moderate to severe abdominal pain, profuse watery diarrhea, and chronic constipation. If you are reluctant to see a doctor due to lack of insurance, then you have a number of options. These options include applying for Medicaid, locating a local free clinic, buying health insurance out of pocket if you find the problem might require many visits to a physician. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

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

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

5 Ways You Unintentionally Stress Yourself Out (and How to Relax)

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:27:05 PST

Every time you experience stress, pressure is put on the adrenal glands, which then pump adrenaline into your bloodstream. The thing is, constant stress can lead to problems like chronic fatigue, weight gain, weakened immunity, and a shorter lifespan. The good thing is that the majority of life's daily stresses can be reduced with proper awareness, practice, and discipline. See what little things you are doing every day that unintentionally stress your body out, and find out how you can relax in these moments.

Running late to work: If you hit the snooze button every day, chances are you are scrambling to make up lost time. Hurrying through breakfast or skipping out on it altogether wreaks havoc on your digestive system and blood sugar levels. Rushing to get out the door can leave you frazzled, messy, and forgetful, especially when it comes to the important things like keys, your wallet, or umbrella.

How to relax: The night before, put out everything you need for the following day; keep the most important items near the front door. If you are consistently 15 minutes late every morning, set your alarm back the same amount of time. Make sure to sit down for breakfast, allowing yourself 30 minutes to eat. Try these recipes for make-ahead breakfasts.

Stressful thinking: Sometimes our thoughts make the world a more stressful place than it is. What is actually a manageable list of tasks can seem unconquerable to the mind. When the noggin starts churning, it's hard to step back and look at the full picture.

How to relax: If you find yourself caught in a stressful thought, pay attention to your facial expressions and breathing. Relax your face, close your eyes, and take a long full inhale. Bring yourself back to reality and the present moment and create a plan, mapping out your steps and timeline for completion.

Find out other three stresses and how to avoid them.

Yoga Class Fears (and How to Overcome Them)

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:06:14 PST

As one of yoga's biggest fans, I'm always trying to persuade newbies to try a class. Whether you suffer from pain, stress, or you just want to get in shape for ski season, I'm convinced yoga is the answer. The problem is, some people are afraid to try yoga. Here are some popular yoga class fears and how to get over them.

"I'm worried I'll pass gas in class"
A valid fear, but at some point, all those twists and bends are bound to get things moving, and just about everyone I know has passed gas in class once or twice. Other students are very adult about it by pretending nothing happened. There are a few things you can do to prevent this possible embarrassment. Avoid eating gas-producing and high-fiber foods like beans, broccoli, and apples before class, and finish eating one to two hours before you head to the studio so your body has time to digest. If you know certain positions are bound to result in a loud outburst, move into them slowly. You can also choose classes that are highly populated or involve loud music so if you do let one go, it will be less obvious.

Keep reading to see what other fears keep people from trying a yoga class.

Is Going on a Juice Fast a Good Idea?

Leta Shy — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:07:10 PDT

Going on a juice cleanse, or drinking nothing but pressed juices extracted from fruits and vegetables, has been all the rage lately. The idea sounds like a good one - combat the effects of a wild night out or a life of indulgent eating with a few days or weeks of "detox" to rid your body of lurking toxins. Backed by celebrities and celebrity doctors alike, it's no wonder that drinking your diet has been gaining popularity. But is following a juice cleanse safe? Read on to learn more.

What's the Appeal?
Many of juicing's benefits are more anecdotal than scientifically based, but proponents of juicing are enthusiastic about it. Many claim that juicing vegetables and fruits allows you to absorb the nutrients easier than eating them since less digestive work is needed. Proponents also claim that following a juice-only diet can help your body detox, which may lead to more energy, clearer skin, and fewer digestive and other health issues. With high-profile juicing fans like Nicole Richie, Salma Hayek, and Gwyneth Paltrow and filmed testimonials like Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead - a documentary about a man's 60-day all-juice diet and his subsequent healthy transformation - the popularity of going on an all-juice diet has only grown.

Does It Work?
The lack of peer-reviewed studies on the effects of juicing has led to conflicting information about whether it's a do or don't. Most scientists, however, agree that going on a juice fast is unnecessary for ridding your body of toxins. Our liver and kidneys are already effective at eliminating any unneeded waste, so following a liquid-based diet won't help any more than normal.

Find out more about going on a juice fast after the break.

Dietitians Dish: Bloating Foods

Guest Writer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:00:49 PDT

The following post was written by the registered dietitians of C & J Nutrition, Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh. We turned to them for their expert advice to answer a FitSugar reader's question.

Hi,
I am dealing with some serious bloating issues and it isn't pretty - especially since it's Summer and I plan to hang out in a bikini as much as possible. Can you tell me what foods cause bloating that I should be avoiding? Also, are there any foods out there that alleviate bloating? Thanks!
- Puffy Tummy

When dealing with bloating you need to approach the problems from a couple of different angles to find the source of the problems and figure out what is causing the bloating. A common cause we see with our clients is eating too much, too fast. The remedy for this is to slow down and be more conscious both before and during eating. Don't let yourself get famished between meals - because then you'll want to eat a ton of the first thing you see, quickly. Have a snack in between meals so that you're hungry but still able to make wise portion decisions and slow down at meals. In other words, try eating smaller amounts more often.

If your bloating is PMS-related, skip sodas/carbonated water/etc., as the same bubbles that give carbonated drinks their fizz can enter our digestive tract and cause bloating. Also go easy on salty foods/snacks - too much salt causes our bodies to hold onto water, leading to that puffy feeling of fluid retention. Finally, don't skimp on protein and your meals and snacks. Protein can actually help pull excess water out of your body (especially handy during water-retention prone PMS time).

Keep reading for a few more tips and foods to avoid.

The Dangers That Lurk in Your Easter Basket!

PetSugar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 06:34:26 PDT

It's almost Easter weekend, and that may mean baskets of goodies around the house. But beyond the risks of sweeteners and chocolates, there are plenty of threats looming in any sweet-looking Easter basket. Even though paper "grass" is not as dangerous, the shiny, pastel bits seen here can lure in a curious cat (or pup), but pose the same problem as tinsel - strands can't be digested, get stuck in their intestines, and totally mess up the digestive system.

What other hazards lurk inside? Dig deeper and

read more. On the subject of digging, decorated hard-boiled eggs may taste fine to a pet now (dyed shells and all - yuck!) but, if he decides to bury it in the backyard and retrieve it later, he can get very sick from eating those rotten eggs. For the fake front, plastic eggs often smell of the treats inside tempting a pooch to take a nibble. And, if those treats are jellybeans, forget about it. Jellybeans are hard for many children to chew and can cause a choking hazard, so imagine what it'd do to a pup! Lastly, small children's toys may also look like toys to a pet, but these fragile knickknacks can wreak havoc on a pup's delicate tum. They're definitely not gonna hold up to his chompers and, if he gets plastic bits stuck inside, he may have to have surgery. Not a great way to celebrate any holiday. Be on the safe side and don't leave gifts for the two-legged family members unsupervised from the furry friends. And, if you are hiding treats around the house, keep pets in another room and total up all the prizes after they're found to make sure none have been hidden too well for a person . . . but not for a doggie's powerful sniffer!

Prom: Harmless Fun

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:30:05 PDT

The Disney film Prom is exactly what you would expect from the studio known for its parade of princesses: sweet, candy-colored, and completely wholesome. Aimee Teegarden stars as Nova, the typical overachieving student who is at the top of her senior class and heading up the prom committee. She has tasked herself with ensuring that the prom is a perfect night for everyone, believing that it can somehow right all the wrongs for any student who's had a less-than-ideal high school experience. When an accident destroys the prom decor she has worked so hard on, the principal assigns the school's resident slacker, Jesse (Thomas McDonell), to help her, much to Nova's chagrin.

The prom is the linchpin for several other student storylines as well: one long-term couple breaks up just before the big night, one girl dreads the event because she's worried about telling her boyfriend that she won't be going to the same college as him after graduation, a younger couple is brought together, and one hapless character can't find a date to save his life. All of these stories make Prom at once feel like you never really get to know anyone (or care), but it also makes the film easily digestible. To find out what I liked about Prom, just

read more. The one storyline you can get invested in is the opposites-attract relationship of Jesse and Nova. Though Jesse is the archetypal bad boy, you know that it's only a matter of time before those after-school decoration meetings lead to something more. It's a romantic formula we've seen time and again, yet the charm of Teegarden and McDonell makes it delightful. The burgeoning attraction between Jesse and Nova is totally innocent, as are all the other romantic entanglements. Everyone's problems are as benign as they can be, the shell of real teenage problems. Realistic? No. It's a sugarcoated version of high school. This prom itself is the most innocuous of all time - American Pie this isn't. It's really aimed at kids who aren't in high school yet, as a lofty fantasy of what's to come. Still, it arouses nostalgia in anyone who went to their prom, and by the time Jesse and Nova finally get to take a spin on the dance floor, you're happy to see them get their perfect, PG kiss.

The Paleo Diet: Are Our Ancestors the Key to Weight Loss?

Michele Foley — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:57:57 PDT

The Paleo Diet, or Caveman Diet, is gaining momentum in the fitness world as a healthy way to lose weight. My trainer is all about the Paleo Diet - a meal plan based on the dietary habits of our Paleolithic, cave-dwelling ancestors. We're talking wild game, meat, and seafood, and vegetables, fruit, seeds, and nuts. What you won't find as part of the Paleo Diet are foods that developed during the agricultural and industrial eras like grains, dairy, legumes, refined sugars, and any other processed foods.

Given the Paleo Diet's low-carb leanings, it makes sense that it's gaining popularity as an effective way to lose weight. On the calorie meter, protein, vegetables, and fruit give a lot of bang for the buck, and the elimination of grains, refined sugars, and legumes can dramatically drop a person's daily calorie intake. The big question is whether or not the Paleo Diet is healthy and can be sustained for the long run.

Keep reading to find out if the Paleo Diet is a healthy solution to weight loss.