FitSugar

What's the Deal With: Magnesium

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:59:16 PDT

I keep reading about foods that are high in magnesium, and I nod my head and I think "Great." Today, when nodding my head I finally asked myself if I knew why this mineral is important to health and I realized I was clueless. So, I did a little research and here's what I found.

Magnesium is in our bones!!!! Approximately 50% of total body magnesium is found in bones. The rest is found in cells of body tissue and organs.

Our bodies cannot produce magnesium so it is important to eat a diet rich in the mineral. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of magnesium is 300 to 320 milligrams for pre-menopausal adult women. If you are under 18 years the RDI is higher - 360 milligrams. Chard and spinach are both excellent sources of magnesium. A cup of each has a little over 35% of your RDI. Tofu is a great source as well - containing 130 milligams per 120 grams.
Magesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system.
This mineral helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
There is a complex and not completely understood relationship between the mineral calcium and magnesium. So it is important to eat a diet rich in both.
It is believed that magnesium plays a role in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines.

If you are experiencing muscles cramps, you could make sure you are getting enough magnesium since a deficiency in the mineral can lead to cramping. In fact magnesium is required for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. I'd say that is why it is considered an essential mineral.

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

3 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier in 2012

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:55:57 PST

You might have told yourself that this year is about trimming down your sugar, coffee, and fatty food intake. However, cutting out these foods quickly can make you feel deprived, which may lead to overindulging later. Rather than cutting out all the bad stuff, add in a few healthy, tangible choices to your daily diet. Here are three small foods you can easily eat, so you can feel healthier and accomplished each day.

Green smoothie or juice: Sometimes it's tough to get your daily dose of veggies and fruit, so why not start the day off right with a large glass of something that's packed with antioxidants and nutrients? If you're a smoothie drinker, try Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie. If you have a juicer (or are looking to invest in one), try out this sweet and gingery green juice recipe.

See more tips.

A Reader Recipe: Roasted Ham and Split Pea Soup

Fit Community — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:05:27 PST

Split pea soup is a good way to get that much-needed fiber. FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber shared this roasted ham and split pea soup recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

If you were like me and roasted a dee-lish (and pasture-raised) ham on Christmas, save the ham bone (and some of the meat) for a body and soul-warming pot of split pea soup. This soup is amazing in so many ways:

It’s absolutely delicious – Really and truly. It warms you from head to toe on a cold Winter’s day or evening.
Filling – Really, filling. This soup packs a whopping does of fiber in each serving (21 grams) and protein (32 grams), which keeps you fuller, longer.
Glycemic-friendly – The soluble fiber content in split peas (16 grams/serving) slows sugar absorption, which eliminates those nasty spikes (followed by the inevitable crash). Diabetics, take note.
Low calorie – For those counting, each serving comes in under 400.
Nutrient-dense – Not only do you get the amazing benefits from the ham-bone and (hopefully) chicken-bone broth (rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals, as well as glucosamine and chondroiton), split peas are a fantastic source of potassium, which is superb for heart health (coupled with fiber, of course!), and iron and zinc, two essential nutrients for building your immunity, which is critical in the coming months, when flu and cold season really peaks.

If after all of these pros, you still can’t get past the green hue, put on a blindfold and go to town. You will thank me later.

See the recipe after the break!

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!

5 Foods For Skin, Nail, and Hair Health

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:23:26 PST

Skin, nails, and hair can be outward signals of your overall health and can indicate where you may be lacking in the nutrition department. Having a whole, well-balanced diet contributes to shiny, silky hair with minimal breakage and split ends. In addition, eating lots of antioxidant rich fruits and healthy fats can help clear skin and protect you from skin cancer. Lastly, loading up on nutrient-rich foods enables your body to grow strong, healthy nails without the dints, white spots, or hang nails. Here are the five foods you should eat regularly to start radiating health and natural beauty.

Salmon: Omega-3s contributes to a healthy scalp and keeps the skin lubricated. The protein helps fight against a protein deficiency, which can change your hair color, make your nails brittle, and your skin dull. Whip up some poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce to get your fix.
Cashews: High in zinc, eating cashews in trail mix or as a quick snack will keep your hair shiny, prevent white spots in your nails, and aid in healing acne or scabs on your skin. You could also opt to sprinkle them on top of your favorite veggie dish like this Indian spiced chard recipe.
Beans: Legumes and lentils have lots of biotin, a fatty acid complex that strengthens nails and hair.
Dark leafy greens: Kale, collard greens, and chard are just a few sources high in vitamin A and C, which your body needs in order to produce sebum, the oil that's secreted in your hair follicles. In addition, eating greens at every meal helps your body store more iron, which is essential for healthy hair and giving your skin a healthy glow. Here are seven ways to prepare kale - our fave green of the season.
Whole wheat: Start eating sprouted grain bread, buckwheat, and other variants of the West's favorite grain, because it contains selenium, a key mineral needed for healthy, cancer-free skin. Plus, studies have also shown eating whole wheat leads to clearer skin.

The Best and Worst Flu Season Remedies

Prevention — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:12:53 PDT

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

Find out which immune-boosting supplements really help — and which are just hype
By the Editors at Prevention

Flu shots, hand washing, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best ways to avoid cold and flu.

But sometimes even the most scrupulous germaphobes and healthy people get sick anyway. While certain natural remedies can help shorten symptoms — or prevent infection entirely — many people waste money on measures that are all hype. Here's how to know the difference so you can get well faster — without wasting a penny.

The Germiest Spots in Your Home

1. Omega-3 Pill
The Verdict: Help
Take it: All season long
If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes — cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria — according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

Keep reading for the rest of the list.

The Hair Care System You've Been Waiting For

Sponsor — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:00:29 PDT

Here is your chance to de-frizz and revamp your hair without the greasy aftermath! No matter the style you're going for, Dove Nourishing Oil Care will make sure dry, frizzy hair doesn't get in the way. Dove Nourishing Oil Care smooths up to 100 percent* of roughness and frizz* with a unique formula featuring Weightless Nutri-Oils that leave your hair feeling beautifully soft and smooth - just the way you want it!* Consisting of Shampoo, Conditioner, and Leave-In Smoothing Cream, the step-by-step Nourishing Oil Care system is a blend of almond, coconut, and mineral oils that are so fine, they are rapidly absorbed to deeply nourish and replenish essential nutrients. So whether you want to slick your hair back in a ponytail or dazzle with voluminous curls, you won't need to worry about roughness or frizz. You'll quickly realize that all your hair needed was a little love, courtesy of Dove.

* When using Dove® Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo, Conditioner, & Leave-In Cream.

Top 10 Fish With Highest Sources of Omega-3s

Heather Dale — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:47:13 PDT

Vegans and vegetarians don't eat it. And pescatarians - who abstain from eating red meat and animal flesh - make the exception to eat it. All in all, it's hard to deny the health benefits associated with fish. Many types of fish are low in fat, high in essential heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, an excellent source of protein, and packed with vitamins and minerals. It's safe to eat fish twice a week (up to 12 ounces), but it's best to choose different types of fish so you get a variety of nutrients.

As great as fish is, it's also good to know which types of fish to consume, as nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. Expecting moms should stick to fish with mercury levels of one part per million (ppm) or lower. The rest of us can safely consume fish with mercury levels that average 5.5 ppm.

Here's a full rundown of the top 10 fish with the highest omega-3 fatty acids, the highest mercury content, and those that are on the Seafood Watch for best options for sustainability and unsustainable options that are best avoided.

Keep reading to view the top 10 fish chart!