FitSugar

One Splurge Is Worse Than You Think

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:00 PST

If you're standing in line at McDonald's telling yourself, "One splurge is not going to do anything," then you may want to think again. According to a review of new dietary research, just one high-fat, high-sugar meal can trigger a biochemical cascade, causing inflammation of blood vessels and immediate, detrimental changes to the nervous system (i.e. free radicals are generated). Yikes. This could explain why we feel so crummy after splurging on a high-fat meal.

The good news? One healthy meal can help return your body to its optimal state. So think about what two, ten, or even a lifetime of healthy meals will do for you. If you continue to eat healthy, you'll continue to feel good and hopefully never want to eat junk food again.

Source

The Skinny on: Antioxidants

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Over a delightful dinner of corned beef and cabbage this Saturday night, a dinner guest (with a PhD in science) asked me what was all the hype around antioxidants. So we all know that they are good for us, but why?

Antioxidants help clean up our bodies on a molecular level. According to the National Cancer Institute:

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical damage may lead to cancer. Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals otherwise might cause. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E, and A, and other substances.

Essentially, free radicals can disrupt cell production and lead to mutation. Antioxidants are molecules that slow or prevent the oxidation of other chemicals by free radicals; antioxidants deactivate the free radicals. Although oxidation is essential for life, the process can create some serious damage or be considered carcinogenic.

The jury is still out on a definitive answer as to whether antioxidants can prevent cancer. Although early studies were all optimistic, more recent studies have not been conclusive. Recent studies suggest that dietary supplements of antioxidants do not seem to increase life span and ingesting these vitamins and minerals from food is the best bet.

What We're Sweet On: Radiance and Clarity, All in 10 Minutes

Jaime Richards — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:09:00 PDT

If you're one who doesn't like to fuss with a lot of products, then you'll love Murad's Intensive - C Radiance Peel ($50), from the brand's new Environmental Shield line. Use it just once or twice a week (at 10 minutes each application), and skin is left with just about every adjective you want it to be: bright, smooth, luminous, and supple.

The reasons? Glycolic acid helps to exfoliate, while vitamin C and Indian fig free help protect the complexion from free radicals. And thanks to the addition of collagen-boosting myrtle extract, skin gets a surge of rejuvenation. The peel smells amazing, too, like an orange and grapefruit stand on a warm, sunny day. Don't be frightened by the tingling sensation that occurs almost immediately after application, though. It's just the ingredients doing what they're supposed to be doing. How's that for a little clarity?

One Month Till Memorial Day Weekend! How to Get Bikini-Ready Now

Self — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:29 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

With spring in full swing, we've already said goodbye to the winter blues. But as you enjoy the milder weather and longer days, keep in mind that Memorial Day weekend is merely a month away - meaning it's almost time for bikinis and short shorts! So, is one month enough time to score your best body yet?

It sure is, says Jim White, registered dietician, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But you'd better get started now. "After all the shrieking and gasping about how 'time flies' and it's 'too soon' to be exposing that muffin top, it's time to get realistic and take action," he explains. "A month is not a tremendous amount of time to shed any accumulated winter fat, but before you break out into cold sweats, it is not unreasonable to lose 10 pounds or one dress size in that time."

To make sure you score your best bikini bod before you hit the beach, sign up for SELF's free Drop 10 plan - it'll have you slimmer and stronger than ever in only five short weeks! Then, follow White's basic rules for healthy eating. "Healthy eating is a must if you expect weight loss," he says.

Read on for the one-month plan!

5 Reasons Why You Should Remember to Eat More Berries

Michele Foley — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:54:32 PDT

Berry season is right around the corner, and if a big bowl of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries didn't excite you before, maybe this news will: eating at least two servings of berries per week can help delay age-related memory loss in women. A recent Harvard study followed 16,010 women over the age of 70, finding those who ate berries slowed memory loss by almost three years. Researchers cite the plethora of antioxidants packed into these small fruits as being the reason. If preventing memory loss weren't enough, here are five more reasons why you should up your berry intake.

They help with weight loss: Berries are loaded with the antioxidant anthocyanin, which has been shown to alter the activity of genes found in human fat cells, making it more difficult to put on weight. Blueberries, specifically, have been shown to diminish stubborn belly fat.
They are good for your brain: Investigators with the US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston found that the polyphenols in berries help the part of the brain that takes care of regular maintenance and "housekeeping." Blueberries and strawberries were said to contain the most polyphenols.
They are good for your eyes: Berries, especially blueberries and raspberries, contain lutein, which is important for healthy eyes and sharp vision.
They help protect against disease: Berries are brimming with carotenoids, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer. Other phytonutrients in berries have been shown to protect against heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Those deep hues pay off tenfold when it comes to maintaining the health of your body.
They help slow down the aging process: The powerful antioxidants in berries prevent free radical damage in your body, and less free radical damage means slowing down the aging process to help you live longer!

Amped up for berry season yet? Mix things up by making one of these healthy berry recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail hour!

What We're Sweet On: The Feel-Good, Look-Good Serum

Jaime Richards — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

When a product makes you feel good not only because of the skin-enhancing benefits it provides, you know you've hit the so-called beauty jackpot. Such is the case with celebrity makeup artist Lina Hanson's new Global Face Serum ($85). The feel-good part? Several of the ingredients used in the oil blend are harvested by women all over the world to help support their economies.

Free of parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, and silicone, the eco-friendly serum smells like a dream. It's fresh, clean, and uplifting thanks in part to essential oils such as ylang ylang and neroli. Most of all, it's a multitasker, quelling redness as it brightens the skin, leaving the complexion nice and plumped up - but not oily. Argan oil (aka liquid gold) helps fight free radicals, while palmarosa helps ward off minor infections. You can't go wrong with this one. Besides, how often does one really get a chance to strike gold?

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat on Your Wedding Day

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:26:28 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

The last thing you probably want to think about on your wedding day is the food you can and cannot eat. But you might be interested to know that what you munch on can make a big difference in how you feel on the big day. Here, the best and worst foods to nosh on before and after saying, "I do."

The Secret Superfood: Asparagus

It might not be the first food that comes to mind when planning your menu, but according to Lauren O'Connor, MS, RD, munching on some stalks throughout the day has some big perks. O'Connor says asparagus has diureticlike properties that can help fight bloating, along with keeping you fuller longer due to the high fiber content. And when you're trying to look good in a custom-fit wedding dress, these two things are kind of a big deal.

For On-the-Go Grazing: Homemade Trail Mix

Your wedding day will be the happiest day of your life and also the longest. It's important to have a stash of snacks on hand to prevent mindless munching until your next meal. Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RD, and Kathleen Siegel, RD, CDN, of NutritionBabes.com suggest creating your own trail mix with dried fruit, almonds, walnuts, and seeds to keep your hunger in check no matter how hectic the day gets. No time to DIY? Fresh fruit is another option to fill you up fast.

See which other foods are wedding-day-approved after the break!

3 Reasons to Eat More Beans

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:06:41 PDT

Joke all you want, but since they offer so many health benefits, beans really are the magical fruit (or legume, really). If you shy away from them, here are three reasons to start eating beans today.

Encourage Weight Loss
Thanks to their high fiber and water content, beans are extremely filling; it doesn't take much to feel satisfied. Taking a long time to digest, beans help keep hunger at bay for longer, which means less snacking later. A recent study found that on average, bean eaters were seven pounds lighter and have slimmer waists than those who don't eat legumes. A more slender you not only builds self-confidence, it also lowers your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Keep reading to find out more reasons you should be eating beans (recipes included!).

Foodie Friday Link Time: Healthify Your Bacon Sammy

Susi May — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:25:36 PST

Healthify your California Club sammy for a guilt-free lunch - Healthy Happy Life
Fight free radicals with pistachios and other surprising sources of antioxidants - Shape
Fix your hair problems with food! What to eat for lovely locks - HuffPost Health
Get a visual: what 100 calories of meat really looks like - Blisstree
Are you going meatless for March? It's a healthy challenge! - Daily Spark
DIY whole-grain raspberry breakfast bars - Fit Bottomed Girls
Vegan and gluten-free, we're loving this peanut butter chocolate chip fudge - Vital Juice
A cook's guide to picking the right pear every time - Vegetarian Times

Why You'll Go Cuckoo For Coconuts

Jaime Richards — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:01:47 PST

Every day we're scouring the web for the top beauty tips, and Twitter is just brimming with them. Take a recent tidbit from celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, who is known to her holistic approach to beauty. When asked by a follower her recommendation for a natural body lotion choice, Snyder replied, "Try coconut oil! Use a bit at a time to let it absorb." Great advice; not only does coconut oil hydrate the skin, but it contains antioxidants to block out free radicals, and it also has lauric acid, a natural antimicrobial. There's nothing nuts about that.