FitSugar

Food Review: Hempmilk

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're trying to watch your saturated fat and cholesterol intake, then you may be into milk alternatives. Soy milk and rice milk have been around for a while, and when I went to pick some up, I saw a new kind on the shelf. Living Harvest Hempmilk. I was curious to try it since hemp seeds seem to be the latest health buzz because the seeds are high in protein and contain a well-balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These are the healthy fats our bodies need to sustain heart health, mental acuity, strong immune system, and glowing skin. This Hempmilk is soy free, cholesterol free, vegan, gluten free, and contains no cane sugar.

OK, so this Hempmilk sounds healthy, but to see how it compares to other dairy alternatives and what I think about the taste, read more.

Here's the nutritional info of 1 cup of vanilla-flavored dairy alternative milk.


Calories	130	160	130
Total Fat	3g	3g	2.5g
Saturated Fat	.5g	.5g	0g
Omega-3	900mg	220mg	-
Omega-6	2800mg	550mg	-
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg	0mg
Sodium	120mg	90mg	105mg
Carbs	20g	25g	27g
Fiber	1g	less than 1g	0g
Sugars	18g	16g	12g
Protein	4g	7g	1g
Ingredients	Filtered Water, Whole Hemp Nut (shelled hemp seed), Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Vanilla with Other Natural Flavors, Disodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Phosphate, Vitamin A, Palmitate, Vitamin D2, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin.	Purified Water, Organic Soybeans, Naturally Malted Organic Wheat and Barley Extract, Vanilla Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Kombu Seaweed, Sea Salt	Filtered Water, Brown Rice (partially milled), Expeller Pressed High Oleic Safflower Oil, Natural Vanilla Flavor With Other Natural Flavors, Sea Salt.

As you can see, the Hempmilk has an outstanding amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It doesn't have as much protein as the soy milk, but it definitely has more than the rice milk.

As for taste? When I poured it into the glass, I've got to be honest - it was thicker than I was expecting, so I was a little nervous to try it. When I took a sip, the thickness actually complemented the vanilla flavor, and reminded me of a healthy vanilla milkshake. It was very similar to the consistency of soy milk, and it went down smooth without the grainy or bitter aftertaste that some milk alternatives have. Even though it's slightly higher in sodium and sugars than the soy and rice milk, I'd definitely buy this again.

PVC Shower Curtains = Bad For Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Air pollution affects our health, but most of us think about the air outside being polluted - not the air in our homes. There are many silent culprits polluting our air from odorless radon to stinky off-gassing PVCs (polyvinyl chloride). It seems that PVCs are in just about everything from household items like vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s toys to beauty products like perfumes, nail polish, and lotions. Plus PVC is very difficult to recycle and never breaks down.

Since many "plastic" shower curtains are made from PVC which off-gasses plasticizers that are potential hormone disruptors. Plus, they are easier to throw away than to clean once they become covered with mildew. These plastic/PVC shower curtains never breakdown and they are difficult to recycle. On so many levels, plastic shower curtains are just plain bad news.

A simple way to improve the quality of air in your house is to replace vinyl shower curtains with cloth ones made of organic cotton or hemp. Of course you should use a nylon liner in stead of a plastic one. You can easily wash both a cloth shower curtain and the nylon liner, so they will be around in your bathroom for a long time, rather than clogging up landfills. Plus hemp is naturally mildew resistant and sturdy, there's a reason sailors made ropes out of the fiber. Some hemp curtains are so thick, they don't even require a liner!

The only downside that I can see is that hemp curtains only come in "natural" and "white" - not so fashionable. Since the green revolution has begun, I think we will start seeing fun colors in these shower curtains.

And you, what kind of shower curtain do you have? Let me know in the comments section below.

What is the Deal With: Hemp Seeds

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I write almost weekly about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Well, after a bit more research I found another non-fish source for my beloved healthy fat: hemp seeds.

I have been seeing hemp products around for the last decade and thought they were simply part of the "legalize marijuana campaign," but I was mistaken. Hemp, used for the manufacturing of rope in Elizabethan England, is part of the cannibas family of plants, but contains only a trace amount of the THC (the "active ingredient" if you will of "pot" that makes you high). So while it is related to "pot" it has a different make up and is considered by some to be a super food.

What hemp does contain is a balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are both important for healthy circulation, cell growth and the immune system. While western diets are generally high in omega-6s they lack sources of omega-3s, so hemp seeds provide another source of this essential fatty acid. Hemp seeds also contain small amounts of magnesium and zinc that can boost energy levels and regulate hormone balance. Hemp seeds also have a high protein content.

You can eat just the seeds - it is said that you can snack on toasted hemp seeds at the cinema in China. However, it is most commonly found as oil that has a sweet taste reminiscent of pine nuts. Folks generally use it as they would flax seed oil - spread on toast, in salad dressing, or added to smoothies. People who eat hemp oil regularly claim it has an amazing impact on their skin by making it feel naturally moisturized from the inside out.

Hemp seed oil has really taken off in the UK, and I suspect it will become easier to find state side soon since even our most reputable alternative therapies doctor, Andrew Weil, is a fan of the oil.

What's a Complete Protein? Inquiring Vegetarians Want to Know

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:00:00 -0700

Protein is essential for many bodily processes, including building and repairing tissue. You use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Plus, your hair and nails are mostly made up of protein. It is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Protein is made of smaller components called amino acids, 12 of which are manufactured by the human body. Another 9, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food.

A complete protein or whole protein is a protein that contains all of the essential amino acids.

All animal proteins are complete, including red meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Vegetarians will be happy to know that complete proteins can also be obtained through certain plants, such as soy, spirulina, hemp seed, amaranth, buckwheat, and my fave quinoa.

Foods can be combined to make complete proteins like pairing beans with rice or corn. There are other combinations as well. Beans and seeds, beans and nuts, and beans and grains will form a complete protein. When you eat hummus and pita bread, nut butter on whole grain bread, pasta with beans, veggie burgers on bread, split pea soup with whole grain bread, and tortillas with refried beans, you are eating complete proteins.

Fit's Tips: Recent studies show that the beans and the grains don't even need to be eaten at the same meal, so if you eat beans for lunch and rice with dinner, you've got yourself a complete protein. You may spread your food combination over a 2-day period.

You Don't Know Chuck

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:45:00 -0800

I thought I'd seen it all when it comes to going green, but Converse has since proven me wrong.

Your good ole' Chuck Taylors are going green, literally. The hemp slip on Chuck Taylor ($62) by Converse is quite possibly the maker's only eco-friendly shoe. The normally canvas upper part of the shoe is made from hemp. Yup, hemp.

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em." Buy them here.

Food Review: Chia Goodness

FitSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:30:52 -0700

Chia seeds are in fact used to grow Chia pets, but these little brown seeds are also an excellent source of omega-3s. If you're worried about getting enough of this valuable nutrient, then check out this new cereal called Chia Goodness.

This gluten-free cereal contains more calcium than a glass of milk, more omega-3s than flaxseeds, and is a great source of fiber. It sounds healthy, but if you're curious to know how it tastes then read more.

The directions on the package say to stir two tablespoons with 1/3 cup of hot or cold liquid such as milk, soymilk, or water. Then you wait three to five minutes for the liquid to absorb. I mixed the Apple Almond Cinnamon with hot water, and this is what it looked like after eight minutes.

I have to say, it smelled really good, like homemade apple pie. The consistency however is really bizarre. When chia seeds get wet, they become gelatinous, so they feel slimy and wet. The texture reminded me exactly of the gooey seeds inside cherry tomatoes. This Chia Goodness may be healthy, but in my opinion, it's a little too weird to eat on its own (not to mention it doesn't exactly look too appetizing). It tasted much better when sprinkled on my yogurt. Check out the nutritional info below of all three varieties.

	Original	Cranberry Ginger	Apple Almond Cinnamon
Calories	140	140	140
Total Fat	8 g	7 g	6 g
Saturated Fat	1 g	1 g	.5 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg
Sodium	125 mg	120 mg	125 mg
Carbs	14 g	16 g	16 g
Fiber	5 g	4 g	4 g
Sugars	0 g	3 g	4 g
Protein	6 g	4 g	4 g
Omega-3	4 g	3 g	3 g
Omega-6	2.5 g	2 g	1.5 g
Ingredients	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, celtic sea salt.	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, currants, cranberries, organic cane sugar, ginger, celtic sea salt.	Chia, buckwheat, hulled hemp seeds, dehydrated apples, almonds, raisins, organic cane sugar, cinnamon, celtic sea salt.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

What dudes think of plus-size Lizzie Miller - Vitamin G
Do race and gender matter for benefits of exercise - That's Fit
Count 'em: 7 reasons to use the cable machine - Daily Spark
Kombucha is on tap at Whole Foods - Social Network
The FitWit educates you on 5 diet fads to skip - Fit Bottomed Girls
The magic of the Mediterranean diet - Nutrition Data Blog
Why is it that only men get to be fat and funny? - Never Say Diet
Stuffits could be the RX for your stinky running shoes - Fresh Fitness Facts
Hemp ice cream makes its debut - Healthy Bites

You Asked: For Omega-3s - Flaxseed Oil or Fish Oil?

FitSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I never eat fish, so I worry about getting enough omega-3s. Before I start taking supplements, I wanted to know which is the better choice, flaxseed oil or fish oil capsules?
-Unsure About Omegas

I'm glad you're focusing on getting enough omega-3s, since this essential fatty acid is so beneficial to our health. These fats have anti-inflammatory and mood-stabilizing properties, can relieve chronic pain, have been found to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, and can lower cholesterol. To find out which capsules are the better choice, read more.

In order to answer this question, we need to go over the three types of omega-3s:

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): Necessary for physical and mental health, this type is found primarily in fish and fish oil.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): Especially important to your body and necessary for various bodily functions involving your brain, blood vessels, and immune system. It's found in shellfish, fish, and fish oil.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA): This is the only omega-3 found in plants like flaxseeds, canola, soy, hemp seed, walnuts, and enhanced foods. When you consume ALA, your body converts it into EPA and then eventually into DHA.

Fish oil capsules contain both EPA and DHA, and flaxseed oil capsules contain ALA. Even though our bodies convert ALA into DHA and EPA, it's more beneficial to your body to consume EPA and DHA directly. If you have nothing against eating fish products, I'd opt for the fish oil capsules and look for the USP seal when shopping for supplements. One dose will only fulfill about half of your RDI of omega-3s though, so think about getting the rest from foods such as fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.

Learn to Love: Lentils

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

With this economy, we're all looking for ways to save money. Since animal sources of protein can be pricey, why not opt to have at least one meal a week focused on plant-based proteins? I'm talking about lentils. They're a type of legume, and have the third highest level of vegetarian protein after soybeans and hemp. There are a huge variety of lentils, ranging in size and color from brown, to black, tan, green, red, and yellow.

Aside from being a great Winter comfort food because of their soft texture, lentils are one of the best vegetarian sources of iron, and have high levels of the amino acids isoleucine and lysine. Lentils are also excellent sources of cholesterol-lowering fiber, and folate, which is needed during pregnancy. Since they're low on the glycemic index, they may also help you lose weight. Add them to soups, stews, or use them to make a cold salad. They're quick and easy to make since lentils don't need to be pre-soaked like other beans.

To see how lentils compare nutritionally to other legumes read more.

Here's the nutritional info for half a cup of dry beans.

	Lentils	Black beans	Kidney beans
Calories	339	331	310
Total Fat (g)	1	1.4	1
Saturated Fat (g)	.1	.4	.1
Sodium (mg)	6 mg	4.9	11
Potassium (mg)	917	1,439	1,251
Iron (mg)	7.2	4.9	6.2
Calcium (mg)	54	119.5	76.5
Folate (mcg)	460	430.5	362.5
Carbs (g)	57.7	60.5	56.4
Fiber (g)	29.3	15	14
Sugars (g)	2	2	2
Protein (g)	25	21	21

Check out all that iron, potassium, and calcium. Compared to black and kidney beans, lentils are loaded with fiber and protein. Who knew such a little bean could be so healthy? If lentils have never made it into your kitchen, it's time to pick up a bag. If you're not sure how to prepare them, make some Lentil Tomato Soup, Indian Lentils and Rice, or Lemony Lentil-Spinach Stew.

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:45 -0700

Siggi's: Like Greek yogurt sweetened with agave nectar? Sign me up! - Elastic Waist
The best new workout DVDs for homebodies - Vital Juice Daily
Avocado to help you shed the belly fat - Nutrition Data
Get the skinny on hemp milk - Vitamin G
Fight food cravings by trading up to healthier treats - Self
Turn football Sundays into fitness time - Fit Bottomed Girls
Just say no-no to yo-yo dieting? - That's Fit
Kristin Cavallari walks the plank to shape up for CSI: NY - Fit Celeb

Source