FitSugar

More Foods That Fight Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:30:36 PST

Since fighting fat with food is a popular topic, we thought it only appropriate to share with you five more edibles to help keep your waistline in check. Some of these foods block fat absorption, and others ward off cravings. But best of all, they're all packed with nutrients that are just plain good for you.

5 Things: Cherries

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:00:55 PDT

I've noticed that days are slowly becoming shorter, but instead of mourning the passing of another Summer, I am eating all the wonderful fruits the season has to offer.

On the top of my list today are cherries, and here are five reasons you should pick some up today.

Bing and Ranier cherries are truly nature's candy. Sweet and delicious, these two types of cherries are perfect for snacking and can satisfy a sweet tooth without racking up a huge caloric gain. One cup contains only 87 calories.
One cup of cherries also provide three grams of fiber.

There are three more reasons to love cherries, so keep reading.

5 Things About Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:30:00 PDT

Much like carbs, fat has been seriously maligned of late. Slowly, fat is regaining a if not a healthy reputation, a reputation as a necessary nutrient. Here are 5 things about fat for you to chew on. that you should know. Listed in no particular order, here goes:

A gram of fat contains 9 calories. In contrast, carbs and protein only have 4 calories per gram. In other words, you can eat twice as many carbs or protein for the same amount of calories. However, monounsaturated fats, considered healthy fats, help you feel full. Avocados, almonds, and olive oil are three great sources for monounsaturated fat.
Fat is a macronutrient and the recommended daily intake (RDI) for fat for adults is 20 to 35 percent of total daily calories. That's about 44 to 77 grams of fat a day if you eat the classic diet of 2,000 calories a day.
It is recommended that saturated fats (animal fat, butter, coconut and palm oils) should make up less than 10 percent of your total calories per day. For a person eating 2000 calories a day, this would be 20 grams of saturated fat or less per day. For reference one ounce of cheddar cheese, about the size of two 9-volt batteries, contains six grams of saturated fat.

For two more facts about fat,

A pound of body fat burns 2 calories per day whereas a pound of muscle can burn up to 35 calories per day. Body fat is less dense than muscle, so body fat takes up more space. A pound of fat is roughly 3,500 calories. If you want to lose a pound of fat in a week, you need to create a caloric deficit of 3,500, which you can do by diet and exercise.
Fats, primarily omega-3 fatty acids are important for the health of you body on the outside and inside. These fats help your skin stay hydrated and youthful for looking. Omega-3s help your heart avoid irregular heart beats and fight high blood pressure. You can find these fatty acids in flax seeds and salmon.

Source

5 Things: Marinate for Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

BBQ season is upon us and while grilling is an easy and low fat way to cook food (compared to sautéing in oil or butter). Here are five things I thought you might want to know about the whys and hows of marinating.

Marinating meat, fish and poultry significantly decreases the amount of carcinogenic HCAs (heterocyclic amines) produced when the meat is cooked at high temperatures, like in grilling. Marinades can reduces the HCAs by as much as 99 percent.
Marinades may slow the growth of harmful bacteria, like listeria.
Marinating meat with naturally acidic ingredients, like vinegar or citrus juices, tenderizes the meat, breaking down the proteins making the meat easier to digest. Plus it helps lock in the moisture so the meat won't dry out and toughen up.
To keep the calorie count down, only use one-half cup of marinade to every pound of meat. This will be enough to coat the meat, but cuts down on excess.
Never marinate meat at room temperature. Although marinade can slow the growth of harmful bacteria, it cannot stop them completely, so marinate your meat in the fridge.

Have fun grilling!

Source

5 Things to Look Forward to While Working Out

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Oftentimes we look to the less than positive things about working out, which can drag us down. So today, take a moment to reflect on all the things you have to look forward to while working out and losing the extra pounds.

Feeling great mentally and physically.
Comparing new photographs to old photographs.
Stepping on the scale.
Comments such as, "Did you lose weight? You look great!"
Shopping, shopping and more shopping!

Have something to add? Then share with us in the comments section below!

5 Things Every Healthy Eater Should Do

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:30:00 PDT

So you call yourself a healthy eater, eh? If so, you may want to be sure to do these five things to ensure your healthy eating status:

Eat breakfast, always.
Drink plenty of fluids/water.
Get your five a day.
Limit salt. Better yet, avoid it.
Avoid late night snacking

Have anything else you'd like to add to the list? Then add your ideas in the comments section below.

5 Unhealthy Reasons to Lose Weight

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Losing weight is a personal thing. The decision to start a program to lose a few pounds is one that must be taken seriously as well as be tackled with commitment and sincerity. I've heard some really bad reasons for wanting to lose a few pounds, but here are my top five unhealthy reasons:

Because celebrities do it.
Because you want to get back together with your ex-boyfriend.
Because you've got a big event, two whole days away.
Because that new diet pill makes it seem so easy.
Because someone other than a medical professional (friend, parent, teacher, coach etc.) said you should.

And you? What is the worst reason you have decided to lose weight? Share it in the comments section below.

Source

A Love Advice Columnist Has a Major Crush (on Her Home!)

Elka Karl — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:07:16 PST

Advice columnists are used to answering questions - though usually not about themselves. Today, love advice columnist Wendy Atterberry of Dear Wendy is revealing her crushes and love for all things home-related. Wendy lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Drew, their baby boy, Jackson, and their two cats, Simone and Miles (who make a cameo in the photos here). Keep reading to see what Wendy has to say about why she's majorly crushing on her home.

What she most loves about her home:

It's a tie for my favorite spot in my home between my bedroom (and specifically, my bed), and my "china cabinet" wall. My husband, Drew, and I painted all the walls in our place, inspired by the colors of the beach, so I love the shades of green in both spots. We have a king-size bed, which feels like a luxury, and I love Sunday mornings when all five of us - Drew, our new baby Jackson, our two cats, Miles and Simone, and I - all pile in the bed and read books, nap, and talk. Drew and I love to travel, so above our bed we framed postcards of all the places we've traveled together in the nearly six years we've known one another. The china cabinet in my other favorite spot of the apartment belonged to my great-great-grandparents and I just love it. It's filled with lots of glassware for entertaining, which is something we enjoy doing. Everything else in that spot is a second-hand buy, found at garage sales or thrift stores, with the exception of the gray wool blanket on the bench, which I found somewhere online.

What others love most about her home:

Probably our "bar," which is usually pretty well-stocked thanks to generous friends who bring bottles of stuff whenever we have get-togethers. People also comment that our place is "cozy," which could also be a euphemism for "small," but here in New York where most places are tiny, I like to think it's a genuine compliment.

What she'd love to add to her home:

Luckily, we already have most everything I'd want in a home - a walk-in closet, a big bathtub, a dishwasher, central air, and a washer and dryer. We even have a large balcony, which is pretty awesome in the warmer seasons. But if I could wave a magic wand and make this truly my dream home, I'd add one more bedroom (and maybe an elevator!); our second bedroom - now our baby's room - is awfully small and one day we'll outgrow this place, which will be sad. More realistically, I'd love to change the light fixture in the dining area, which is pretty ugly. We're renters, so it doesn't make sense to put any more money into the place, but if we owned, that would be the first - and maybe only thing - I'd change. Oh, and more original artwork. Oh, and a hammock! If only money were no object . . .

Need love advice? Head over to Dear Wendy for articles, advice, and much more!

Lil Links: Tips For Speeding Up the Breakfast Routine

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:33:49 PST

Superfast breakfasts kids can eat en route to school - Parenting
Mom induces labor so her dying husband can meet their baby - The Stir
Ashley Simpson thinks her sister will make a great mom - Celebrity Baby Scoop
The latest advice on five different breastfeeding issues - FitPregnancy
Joy Williams of The Civil Wars is pregnant - Celebrity Baby Blog
Would you try for a baby after 40? - Momformation
Six mistakes room mothers make - Yahoo! Shine
New uses for old things, the family edition - Real Simple
The best kids activities for your buck - LearnVest

5 Ways to Make Your Home a Safe Haven From Colds and Flu

Michele Foley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:07:44 PST

A home is supposed to be a safe haven away from the outside world, but it's often the reason we come down with cold or flu viruses. Take back your home and health by doing these five things to ensure you're living in an immunity-boosting environment!