What's the Deal With Catechins?


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

What's the Deal With Catechins?

I know the word catechins sounds like a furry underwater sea anemone, but it's actually a type of flavonoid, which are compounds known for their antioxidant properties. Soy products, wine, citrus fruits, and tea are great sources of flavonoids. They're big in the health world because they're believed to help lower cholesterol, prevent cataracts, and have anti-cancer abilities. Catechins have been Read more

Le Vin en Rouge


Updated 10/14/11 11:47 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Le Vin en Rouge

As if we needed another reason to have another glass of wine, but scientists have given us one! Recent reports claim that drinking red wine from the Nuoro province, Sardinia, and southwest France are healthier for you than other red wines. This is in part due to the wine-making methods and use of the flavonoid-rich grape Tannat commonly grown in southwest France, which result in high levels of Read more

Make Chocolate Count: Organic, Fair Trade, and Vegan Picks


Updated 02/14/11 8:47 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate For Valentine's Day

I'm definitely a fan of Valentine's Day, but mostly because I like the excuse to eat chocolate. Besides tasting good, dark chocolate is full of heart-healthy flavonoids (equal to many fruits), can soothe a cough, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Spread the love even more this holiday by buying my picks for chocolate that's organic, Fair Trade, or health-inspired, and don't forget Read more

3 Foods Proven to Help Your Workout


Updated 02/29/12 11:58 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Energy-Boosting Foods to Eat Right Before a Workout

The right preworkout snack, which is a combination of mostly carbs with a little bit of protein, can give you the fuel you need for the perfect workout. But if you haven't planned a preworkout snack in time, you may be left feeling sluggish and run-down during your exercise session. Instead of running on empty, try these three foods that are proven to give that extra boost you need while working Read more

Healthy Dose Link Time: Gluten-Free Almond Butter Espresso Cookie Recipe


Updated 12/21/11 11:04 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Recipe

A new cookie for dessert plates: GF almond butter espresso cookies — Eating Bird Food Burn major calories with this jump-rope circuit workout — Peanut Butter Fingers Twenty ways to get more fiber into your diet — Health The best flavonoid you've (probably) never heard of — Fit Bottomed Girls Take a look at what top nutritionists eat for breakfast — Shape Make these food swaps to Read more

5 Ingredients to Give Your Smoothie a Health Boost


Updated 12/20/11 4:53 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Healthy Superfood Shake and Smoothie Ingredients

Gone are the days of taking a few basic ingredients and throwing them into a blender. Bananas, strawberries, and yogurt? So last year. Now that you've discovered the wonderful world of kale, chia seeds, and spinach, it's time to expand your smoothie-making skills even more. The following five food items are guaranteed to increase the nutrient (and flavor) quotient of your smoothies. Avocado: Read more

Kale-icious Chips! DIY or Buy One of These Tasty Bags


Updated 10/20/11 9:35 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Prepackaged and Homemade Kale Chips

What's not to love about kale? This dark leafy green is in a league of its own in terms of its iron, fiber, and calcium content. Kale also contains the flavonoid called maempferol, which may help prevent ovarian cancer — win! Even better, when baked, kale makes a great chip stand-in for those times when you're craving something savory, salty, and crisp! To help increase your kale intake, here Read more

Good-For-You Reasons to Love Red Onions


Updated 10/14/11 5:53 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Benefits and Nutrition of Red Onions

Onions may stink up our kitchens, give us bad breath, and make us cry when cutting them, but despite these minor annoyances, they are actually full of healthy goodness. Onions contain a high amount of polyphenols, a type of phytonutrient, which includes disease-protecting flavonoids and tannins. In fact, onions are one of the most polyphenol-packed foods you can eat. Keep reading to learn more Read more

Learn to Love: Red Cabbage


Updated 09/22/11 3:10 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Benefits and Nutrition of Red Cabbage

With berry season coming to an end, it's time to turn our attention to some Fall-friendly vegetables that often get ignored. First up: red cabbage, an inexpensive veggie option packed with antioxidants and nutrients, is easy to cook with and can be used in a variety of dishes. Cabbage, in general, helps lower cholesterol, and because it's part of the cruciferous family of vegetables, cabbage may Read more

3 Vegetable Myths Busted


Updated 10/01/11 3:20 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

3 Vegetable Myths Busted: Potatoes, Carrots, and Celery

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! White potatoes don't make you fat, carrots aren't made of sugar — and other myths about the produce you grew up on, dispelled By Karen Ansel, RD If the low-carb diet craze of the early 2000s left you believing that potatoes equal pounds and corn is no better than candy, it's time to wake up and taste the Read more