FitSugar

Tips for Picking a Healthy Cereal

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

The cereal aisle at any grocery store is usually pretty intimidating. There are literally hundreds of choices and many of them have health claims right on the front of the box, but do you know how to pick a healthy cereal? Fitness magazine consulted Jackie Newgent, R.D., a culinary nutritionist in New York, to find out what to look for when picking out the right cereal. Here are highlights:

Three or more grams of total fiber per serving.
One or more grams of soluble fiber, which may help lower cholesterol and keeps blood sugar stable. (Whole-oat cereals are especially good sources.)
Fewer than two grams of saturated fat and no trans fats, both of which contribute to heart disease risk.
Fewer than 10 grams of sugar, unless it has dried fruit, which contain natural sugars.

Does your favorite cereal meet these requirements?

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Healthy Dose Link Time: A Different Circuit Workout For Every Day of the Week

Michele Foley — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:14:32 PDT

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Save Money, Help the Planet With These DIY Healthy Snacks

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:28:48 PDT

Eating healthy isn't always cheap, but it's a must if you want to improve your overall health. If you choose to buy organic or exotic options like dried blueberries - $13 for a small bag! - snacks can quickly eat up your food budget. Find out how to nosh on healthy nibbles and still have money left in your wallet.

Cheese sticks: Instead of buying individually wrapped cheese sticks, save money and avoid plastic packaging by making your own. Buy a block of your favorite cheese for a few bucks- mozzarella and monterey jack work well - and cut the block into long wedges for a grab-and-go snack.
Nut butter: Nut butters are great on toast, crackers, or sliced fruit, but if you buy organic jars, you can spend almost $8. Try this instead: buy huge bags of unsalted raw nuts, pour a cup in the food processor, and make your own. You can even make mixed nut butter with a few of your fave nuts and seeds. Spoon the creamy mixture into a glass container to store in the fridge.

Keep reading for more money-saving snack tips.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Cornflake-Crusted Snapper

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:07:21 PDT

A crunchy coating on soft and flaky fish always takes me back to my childhood and those frozen boxes of fish sticks. That's why a recipe for fresh baked cornflake-crusted snapper seemed like the perfect way to re-create the nostalgic dish with a little more adult flair.

Set up stations for the flour, egg white, and cornflakes, and your family will be sitting down for dinner in about a half hour. To keep the meal healthy, I served it with a simple side salad. However, if you're in the mood for a nutritious variation on fish and chips, why not offer it with oven-baked sweet potatoes?

Pull out the box of cereal at dinner to get started on this easy seafood dish.

Long Commutes Are Detrimental to Your Health, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:14:05 PDT

Working a nine-to-fiver is mandatory for most people, and unfortunately, a long commute often comes with the territory. According to a study published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, those who travel 16 or more miles each way weigh more and have higher blood pressures than those with less than 10-mile commutes.

Of the almost 4,300 residents from Dallas and Austin involved in the study, researchers discovered that for every 10-mile increase in driving distance, the commuter's BMI (body mass index) rose .17 units. People with lengthy commutes are nine percent more likely to be obese, either because they didn't exercise as much, are eating fast food while driving, or they're not getting enough sleep because their long commute forces them to wake up early.

Weight isn't the only thing affected by a long drive to work. Spending that much time in the car, especially stuck in traffic, also makes a person tired, moody, and stressed out, which is one reason 52 percent of those in the study with a longer commute suffered from high blood pressure.

So what's a commuter to do? Quitting your job is obviously not an option, and if working at home part-time isn't feasible and neither is finding a job closer to where you live, keep reading to learn what commuters can do to avoid weight gain and other health issues.

3 Tips For Germ-Free Travel

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:17:50 PDT

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

Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling - and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed.

Stay Hydrated

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 to 20 percent humidity, which can dry out mucous membranes and make people more susceptible to germs. Staying hydrated throughout the trip can prevent nasal passages from being irritated, so load up on water and skip the carbonated beverages and booze. "Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be followed with water or fruit juice to rehydrate because they are diuretics and can cause water loss," advise Ray Fillmore Garman, MD, MPH, and Susan Spengler, MD, both associate professors with the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Sipping on water assists with immune function - and in some cases even helps with jet lag. For longer, international trips pack electrolyte-friendly snacks like GU Energy Chomps, a banana, nuts, or a small bag of fortified cereal to keep drowsiness at bay.

Keep reading for two more healthy travel tips after the break.

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On

Business Insider — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:21 PDT

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips.

No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt - or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst budget-sucking health trends that still persist today.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may be nature's version of Gatorade but some brands have already caught fire for over-hyping its nutrient content. Vita Coco agreed to settle a $10 million class action lawsuit over an independent study that showed the drinks didn't pack near as many electrolytes as advertisements implied. Some coconut waters are also loaded with added sugar, which will do nothing to help your waistline.

Alternative: Pick up your own young green coconuts on the cheap from an Asian produce market. Just crack them open with a cleaver and pop in a straw.

"All-Natural" Foods

30 percent of Americans bought more natural foods in 2011, according to a Rodale study. But what are we really paying more for? There's no clear cut regulation on what makes food "natural," which means just about any company can slap that label on its packages, add a fancy green theme and jack up the price.

Says Andrew Schrage of MoneyCrashers: "Before buying any food that is touted as being 'all natural,' take a look at the ingredient list before you check out. Keep in mind that butter and salt are indeed natural ingredients. So stocking up on natural foods may not achieve anything other than increasing your grocery bill."

Read on for more.

12 Cereals With Fewer Than 150 Calories Per Serving

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:52:13 PDT

A bowl of cereal is a common go-to breakfast in our house because it's quick, it's a cinch to whip up, and most importantly, it offers a healthy dose of necessary fiber. If you're not careful, there are many reasons that bowl of cereal is making you fat. Avoid weight gain by pouring one of these healthy cereals, all under 150 calories per serving.

1 cup Arrowhead Mills Oat Bran Flakes: 140 calories, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams sugar, 5 grams protein
3/4 cup Barbara's Bakery Cinnamon Puffins: 90 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 6 grams sugar, 2 grams protein
3/4 cup Barbara's Bakery Shredded Spoonfuls: 120 calories, 4 grams fiber, 5 grams sugar, 4 grams protein
3/4 cup Barbara's Bakery Original Puffins: 90 calories, 5 grams fiber, 7 grams sugar, 5 grams protein
3/4 cup Cascadian Farm Multi Grain Squares: 110 calories, 2 grams fiber, 4 grams sugar, 3 grams protein

Read on for more low-calorie cereals.

Simple Tips on How to Stay Healthy All Day Long

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:18:51 PDT

When striving to be healthy, a few everyday changes can make a world of difference to your body. Maybe you're just focused on a morning workout or staying away from the wrong activities before bed, but if you want to reboot your lifestyle for the long haul, you've got to commit to a healthy lifestyle all day long. Interested in what I mean? Read through these tips to help you keep your healthy living on track whether it's morning, noon, or night.

Morning

If a morning gym session fits your schedule best, then our early morning exercise tips are a must read. From laying out an outfit the night before to scheduling a session with a trainer, these tips can help kick off your day with an energetic bang.

We know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Whatever your dietary needs or time restrictions, we've got you covered. Start the morning with healthy whole-grain hot cereal recipes or low-sugar breakfast ideas or save some time in the morning with a healthy breakfast made the night before.

Think outside the box and mix up your standard morning beverage routine. Take your pick of these inventive drinks to boost your energy to get your head right for your commute and commitments.

Keep reading for tips to stay healthy during the afternoon and evening.

Warm Up Breakfast With These Whole-Grain Hot Cereal Recipes

Michele Foley — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:02:09 PDT

Sometimes a bowl of cereal from the box just doesn't do it - you need something warm to jump-start your day. If you're over eggs, and don't have time in the morning for an elaborately cooked breakfast, reach for a bowl of whole-grain hot cereal. Most recipes are easy to prep ahead of time, while others cook up in less than 10 minutes. By morning's end, you will have enjoyed a breakfast filled with fiber, iron, manganese, and zinc. (And, depending on the grain or mix-in, you may have gotten yourself a big protein boost, too!)

Source: Flickr Users Ron Dollete, StarsApart, mccun934