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For More Benefits, Don't Peel That Apple

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:00:00 PDT

Are you an apple peeler? Maybe your kids refuse to eat the apple peel and you give in to them? Well, looks like it's time to think about changing your ways...

A new study shows the bulk of apples’ anticancer properties lie in the peel. Researchers identified a group of phytochemicals in the peel that proved potent against at least three different types of human cancer cells: breast, colon and liver. So step away from the peeler and grow to love the skin your apple is in.

By the way, ironically, I am eating an apple (peel included) as I write this -- Check ya later cancer.

Source

4 Toxic Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips

Prevention — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:37:36 PST

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

Is your food loaded with toxins and chemicals? Here, simple swaps to protect yourself
By Anne Underwood

Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables, and meats that are raised, grown, and sold with minimal processing.

Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe - or not - to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health - and peace of mind.

The Best Packaged Foods to Shop For

1. Canned Tomatoes

Fredrick Vom Saal, PhD, an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A, gives us the scoop:

The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.

Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.

Low-Sodium Alternative Dinner Options

Keep reading to three more foods to avoid.

Bizarre Home Cures That Work

Prevention — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:13:50 PDT

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

Ease pesky health issues with vodka, duct tape — more
From the Editors of Prevention

Of course there are some health staples you should never be without - bandages or OTC pain relievers come to mind. But you can treat or cure a surprising number of minor ailments with these unexpected household objects and foods.

Home cure: Vodka
Use it for: Foot odor
If your feet smell less than swell, wipe them down with a vodka-soaked washcloth to get rid of the stench. It's the same principle as rubbing alcohol (which works equally well if you'd rather drink your Grey Goose). Vodka contains alcohol, which is antiseptic and drying, so it destroys odor-causing fungus and bacteria and dries out the moisture that lets these organisms grow.

Surprising Reasons Why You Smell

Home cure: Licorice
Use it for: Calluses and corns
"Licorice contains estrogen-like substances that soften the hard skin of calluses and corns," says Georgianna Donadio, PhD, director of the National Institute of Whole Health. Make this homemade licorice paste: grind up a few licorice sticks, mix them with 1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, and rub the mixture into the rough areas of your feet.

How to Get Soft and Sexy Feet

Home cure: Baking soda
Use it for: Urinary tract infections
At the first sign of symptoms, drink a solution made with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in eight ounces of water. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor's office and start antibiotics. Baking soda makes the bladder environment more alkaline, which reduces bacteria's ability to multiply, says Larrian Gillespie, MD, a retired assistant clinical professor of urology and urogynecology in Los Angeles.

Keep reading for more home cures.

In Season: Asian Pears

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 07:36:08 PDT

If you've never tasted an Asian pear, the time is now! These delicious fruits are still in season, helping us transition smoothly from Summer's stone fruits to the bounty of flavors that Fall brings. These sweet little beauties have been cultivated in China, Japan, and Korea for nearly 3,000 years. Chinese immigrants were the first to introduce the Asian pear to the US during the 1800s, and we've been enjoying them ever since.

Despite the fact that it's got the curvaceous shape of an apple and a shade reminiscent of a pear, the Asian pear is not a hybrid of the two. Its texture and flavor is unlike any other fruit; its high water content and crisp, grainy texture truly sets it apart from the European pear, enjoyed on a more readily available basis. Many people love to eat Asian pears in their simplest state: raw and peeled. Others use the Asian pear instead of sugar to sweeten up vinegar- or soy-based marinades. Here are some more ideas on how to incorporate this Fall favorite into your next meal:

A Korean recipe for stuffed cucumber kimchi uses the Asian pear to add a bit of sweetness.
Mix things up at your next happy hour with these sake-based Asian pear cocktails.
This recipe for a rainbow chopped salad makes the most of Fall fruits and veggies!
Italian and Asian flavors combine to create prosciutto and Asian pear "sushi."

Source: Flickr User See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

7 Tips For Relieving Tummy Troubles Caused by Fiber

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:08:48 PDT

You know you're supposed to get at least 25 grams of roughage, and you know what you should eat each day to get your daily fiber, but when you do, you end up with some serious digestive issues. Don't give up! If your fiber intake has been well under the recommended amount, then you suddenly start downing flax-filled oat bran muffins, your tummy is likely to protest. Here are some ways to prevent the shock to your system when upping your fiber intake.

Mix whole wheat pasta with regular pasta.
Eat a piece of bread or crackers with hard-to-digest fruits such as pears or apples. You can peel the skin if your stomach is super sensitive, bur remember the skin contains a lot of nutrients not in the fruit.
Sprinkle a tiny amount of flaxmeal on your cereal. Jumping into ingesting a one- or two-tablespoon serving is bound to upset even the strongest of stomachs.
Mix a high-fiber cereal like Kashi's GoLean with an easily digestible rice cereal such as Nutty Rice.
Stir a small amount of beans into cooked quinoa, and gradually increase the ratio of beans to grain.
If raw broccoli does a number on your belly, steaming or stir frying the florets may be easier to digest.
Skip the raisins and opt for fresh grapes instead. Dried fruits tend to cause more issues than the fresh version.

5 Lame Excuses For Not Eating Veggies

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:38:19 PDT

You know your mama was right. Eating veggies is good for you, but lately you haven't been getting enough. Here are some reasons you may be skipping out and how to start getting those veggies back into your diet.

1. They Take Too Much Time to Prepare
Washing, peeling, slicing, and sauteing veggies may take longer to prepare than ordering a pepperoni pizza (don't forget the wait time for delivery), but in comparison to cooking up another healthy meal like grilled chicken or pasta, preparing a salad or stir fry really doesn't take extra time. It helps to cut up veggies on Sunday night so you'll have them ready to go for your meals all week. Or take advantage of the prewashed and cut veggies at the grocery store. My fave is shredded carrots because you can spoon some into a pot of cooking quinoa or top them on salad with no prep required.

2. They're Too Expensive
Yes, produce isn't cheap, but if you go for local produce that's in season, you'll save money and get the best flavor. Frozen veggies are a good option as well. Keep your freezer stocked with green beans, corn, butternut squash, and edamame.

3. I Hate the Way They Taste
It is true that not all veggies are as delicious as apple pie, so you might need to trick yourself into eating them. Puree kale into your smoothies or green beans into your tomato sauce. Or mix veggies you don't care for with foods you do love, like broccoli on your pizza or peas and asparagus in your pesto pasta dish. Find a new favorite salad dressing or pick up some hummus to help your veggies seem more palatable. Also, roasting veggies may be more your speed than crunching on some raw peppers.

Keep reading for more reasons you're not eating your veggies.

Beware of What's Lurking on That Peel

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:47:53 PDT

I thoroughly wash apples, pears, and strawberries before eating because that is what you do with produce with no peel. My mother taught me this as a small child. With food borne illnesses seemingly on the rise, it's recommended to do a solid rinse and even a scrub to produce that you do peel like cantaloupe and potatoes. The majority of fruits and vegetables are seriously manhandled from harvest to store. Even if you do peel certain fruits like kiwis, mangoes, bananas, melons, and oranges, your hands still come in contact with pesticides, germs, and bacteria, which can transfer from the unwashed peel when slicing or peeling to the part you eat. Kind of gross, no?

Do you already wash produce you're going to peel or not eat the skins of?

Don't Let Traveling Get You in a Bind

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:30:31 PST

The stress of traveling and being away from home can really mess with your bathroom schedule. Changing times zones, eating foods you're not used to, and skipping out on exercise doesn't help either. To prevent tummy issues, here are some tips on how to stay regular when traveling.

Drink water whenever you can as your choice of beverage. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it'll also keep things moving.
When traveling, bring your own snacks that are high in fiber. Nibble on carrot sticks, apples (with the peel), trail mix with dried fruit and nuts, granola bars, and high fiber cereal. Having healthy snacks on hand will prevent you from eating processed foods that can tie the digestive system in knots.

For more helpful tips keep reading.

Health Benefits of Pears

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:13 PDT

Apples are in season in the Autumn, but pears are too. The soft, sweet, buttery flesh of the pear makes this Fall fruit one of my favorites. Plus there are so many varieties to choose from - Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou - that they each seem like a different fruit. These juicy gems are pretty healthy for you, too.

Pears are high in fiber. One medium-sized pear contains six grams, so snacking on a pear can help you meet your daily requirement of 25 to 30 grams. They're a delicious way to keep you regular too, which can help prevent colon cancer. A diet high in fiber can also keep your cholesterol levels down, which is good news for your ticker. Getting your fill of fiber from fruit is also linked to a lower risk for breast cancer.
Pears contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C, K, B2, B3, and B6. For expecting or nursing moms, they also contain folate. Pears aren't too shabby in the mineral department either, containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Vitamin C and copper are antioxidant nutrients, so eating pears is good for your immune system, and may help prevent cancer.
Pears also contain boron, which our bodies need in order to retain calcium, so this fruit can also be linked to osteoporosis prevention.

For the other health benefits,