FitSugar

Seafood Dilemma: Shrimp vs. Scallops

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:00:00 PDT

Move over boneless, skinless chicken breast, there are a couple other lean proteins taking over the plate: shrimp and scallops.

These jewels of the sea make for tasty entrees, as well as appetizers or salad toppings. Easy and quick to make, they're adaptable to almost any cooking method and can be grilled or sauteed, broiled or baked. How do they compare nutrition-wise? Find out when you

Serving Size: 6 ounces	Scallops	Shrimp
Calories	150	180
Protein (g)	28.5	34.6
Total Fat (g)	1.3	2.9
Sodium (mg)	274	252
Omega-3s (g)	.52	.58
Iron (mg)	.5	4.1

Nutritionally, it's hard to choose between scallops and shrimp, since they're quite comparable. When it comes to iron content, shrimp is not so shrimpy, containing almost 25 percent of an adult woman's recommended daily intake. Both are also high in vitamin B12, which supports metabolic function among other things.

Not quite sure how to prepare either type of shellfish? Try shrimp and whole wheat couscous or spiced scallops with balsamic-braised cabbage.

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Healthy Recipe: Poached Salmon with Curried Yogurt Sauce

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

In this crazy heat, no one wants to turn on the oven. This salmon dish is easy to make, requires only one pan, and is cooked completely on the stove top. In other words, it is a perfect recipe for a hot Summer's day. This recipe called for a pound and a half of salmon. The wild salmon at my local fish market was beautiful but came with a very high price tag. I found a piece that was half the size the recipe originally called for and the extra meat wasn't missed. Serve this dish over brown rice for a complete meal. A crisp arugula salad makes a nice side as well.

To see the recipe just

Poached Salmon With Curried Yogurt Sauce
Adapted from Everyday Food

Ingredients

coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound green beans, ends trimmed
4 medium carrots, cut into sticks similar size to the beans
3/4 pound wild salmon
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

In a skillet with a tight fitting lid, pour 1/2 inch water; bring to a boil, and season generously with salt. Add green beans and carrots. Return water to a simmer, cover skillet, and steam until veggies are crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes.

Transfer to a colander; rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Rinse skillet with cold water to cool it down. Place salmon in skillet and add cold water to cover; season with salt. Bring water to a boil over high heat;

cover skillet, and remove from heat. Set aside until salmon is opaque throughout, about 20 minutes. Remove from skillet, and let cool.
In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, curry powder, and cilantro; season with salt and pepper.
Break salmon into large pieces over veggies. Top with yogurt cilantro sauce.
Serve on top of brown rice to add a whole grain carb to the meal.

Serves 4

You can make all the elements of this dish ahead of time and simply bring them all to room temperature before serving.

Also, play around with the sauce if you have a chance. I added extra coriander, cumin and turmeric.

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Oysters: More Than Sexy

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Oysters inspire no middle ground, you either love them or hate them. I fall in the former category and am always happy when oyster season comes around. Months that contain the letter "R" are the months of oyster season (that is September through April), so the season is upon us!

People gulp them raw hoping they are truly the aphrodisiac of legends, but some folks shy away from oysters because they think the mollusk is high in cholesterol. Well, truth be told they are a lean source of protein and they contain Omega-3 fatty acids. In fact 6 oysters contain one third of your RDI of the uber healthy fatty acid. Seems like a reason to split a dozen with your honey to me.

On the other hand, 6 oysters only contain about 55 milligrams of cholesterol, about 1/5 of the cholesterol found in an egg. So the effect on blood cholesterol caused by oysters is minimal at most. Plus they are high in the immune supporting mineral zinc, as well as B12, copper, iron and selenium,

Fit's Tip: You want to look for oysters that have tightly closed shells. They should smell like the sea and not at all sulfurous. Pregnant women, children and people with compromised immune systems should avoid eating raw oysters due to the potential of toxic bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.

And you, how do you feel about oysters? Do you like them raw? Do you prefer them on the BBQ. Tell me about it in the comment section below.

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5 Foods That Boost Your Memory

Prevention — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:17:12 PDT

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

By Mandy Oaklander, Prevention

Leave it to scientists to burst our bubble. For years, studies have told us that chewing gum can boost memory recall, and as such, we’d pop Chiclets during noggin-twisting times: exams, high school reunions, Jeopardy. Did it ever work for us? Honestly, we can’t remember - and there might be reason for that.

A study out of Cardiff University in the UK found that not only does chewing gum not help your short-term memory, but it also impairs it. Though there are certain activities that surprisingly boost brain health, gum chewing isn’t one of them.

In a series of three experiments, 97 university students were asked to recall either a short sequence of letters or identify the missing item in a list. They performed significantly worse when chewing gum, no matter how vigorously or how lazily they chomped. Researchers speculate that the tongue, mouth, and jaw movements of gum chewing disrupt short-term memory (For a fun way to refresh your mind, try these seven brain games).

Nine Surprising Reasons You Can’t Concentrate

You can still fight short-term memory loss, hand to mouth, with these five tricks!

How Scarlett Johansson Got in Superhero Shape For The Avengers

Michele Foley — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:41:07 PDT

Scarlett Johansson kicks major butt as Black Widow in The Avengers, saving Earth from imminent doom, all while wearing a black catsuit. Between slipping into a skintight costume and unveiling some serious moves against Loki's army, this wasn't a character Scarlett rolled out of bed for. To prep for the physically demanding role, Scarlett worked for almost two months with trainer Bobby Strom and her stunt double Heidi Moneymaker. Keep reading to see how Scarlett got herself in svelte shape for The Avengers.

The power of circuits: Strom, who also trained Scarlett during Iron Man 2, says he used a similar training program for her reprisal of this role: 90-minute circuit workouts, multiple times per week. The goal was to get Scarlett ready for those explosive on-screen movements. Strom kept things varied through the use of dumbbells, resistance bands, medicine balls, and TRX; workouts were built around sets of 20, with 25 to 30 reps of each exercise. Strom also had Scarlett doing running intervals, both in and out of the gym. Get in superhero shape like Scarlett did by finishing our full-body circuit workout with weights.

Combative training: One of the first scenes in The Avengers shows Scarlett fighting off multiple members of the Russian mob, something which Moneymaker helped her prepare for. A longtime stunt double in the industry, Moneymaker says she and Scarlett had about six weeks to prepare for the various fight scenes in the movie, using elements of mixed martial arts (MMA) and "hand-to-hand combat and weapons training." Speaking of the role, Scarlett told Vogue, "You get beat up a lot," she says. "It's painful." Get a little MMA into your own life by doing this video workout with former Biggest Loser trainer Brett Hoebel.

An (almost) vegan diet: Scarlett arrived on set already following a healthy diet plan, one that Strom describes as "mostly vegan." He says Scarlett focused on eating several small meals each day. As was the case during Iron Man 2, there was a lot of oatmeal, fresh fruits and veggies, salads, and lean proteins.

Photos courtesy of Disney

Tracy Anderson's Weight-Loss Tips For Brides-to-Be

Leta Shy — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:39:22 PDT

It seems like Tracy Anderson has trained half of Hollywood, and one of her biggest fans, Nicole Richie, even enlisted her to help her get in shape for her 2010 wedding. "Nicole worked out six days a week, she learned dance aerobics, she did her muscular structure work, and she did it in such a healthy beautiful way," Tracy says of her client's devoted wedding prep. If you want to look like a starlet on your wedding day, here are a few tips Tracy Anderson shared with us for brides-to-be who want to get in shape.

First, start early: Don't wait until the last minute to try and lose weight and then expect miracles, Tracy warns. "The thing that is most unfortunate is when a bride comes to me and has never done anything before and is like 'Oh my god, I have to lose 30 pounds in a month,'" Tracy says. She recommends you figure out your diet and exercise plan as soon as you start looking for venue locations, at the beginning of your wedding planning, so you don't end up resorting to juice cleanses or feeding-tube diets to lose pounds weeks before your big day. (Tracy jokes, "If I were the husband-to-be, I can think of nothing less sexy than my fiance installing a feeding tube to look 120 pounds thinner on the wedding day. I'd probably call it off!")

Read on for Tracy's diet and exercise recommendations for brides!

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!

Anything Wrong With Working Out First Thing in the Morning?

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:50:30 PDT

With work and family responsibilities, and feeling drained in the evening from a long, busy day, often the only time you can squeeze in your workout is to set your alarm for four, five, or six in morning to sweat it out then. Early morning workouts are a great way to start the day and relieve any pre-work stress. Plus getting it done first thing in the morning means you don't have to worry about fitting it in during the rest of your crazy day. With that said, there are some things you need to consider if you choose to exercise in the a.m.

Since you're getting up pretty early, make sure you're not compromising on getting enough shut-eye. Most people need about seven to eight hours every night, so be sure to hit the hay early enough to get your sleep quota. While getting in regular exercise can help you lose or maintain your weight, not getting enough sleep can actually slow down your metabolism and cause your body to store fat, undoing the good you're doing by making time to work out.

Also, because you've been without food for at least eight hours, you'll need to eat a little something to give your body enough fuel to work out. Exercising on an empty stomach causes your body to hold on to fat and target your lean muscles for fuel instead, breaking down the muscles you're working so hard to build. Your lean muscles also help to boost your metabolism, so you definitely don't want to lose them. Eat a little something that includes easily digestible carbs and protein. If you're not sure what's appropriate, here are tips on how to choose the right pre-workout snack.

Before hitting your cardio workout at full speed, make sure you warm up for at least five minutes first. It'll make your body and mind more alert, which will help prevent clumsiness that can lead to injury. Stretch and hydrate after your workout, and refuel with a healthy post-workout snack or light breakfast that includes protein and carbs.

Jessica Alba's Fit Philosophy

Leta Shy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:21:18 PDT

Happy birthday, Jessica Alba! The erstwhile action star and devoted mom of two turns 31 on Saturday, and to celebrate we are taking a look at how Jessica's stayed fit while enjoying life throughout the years.

Bootcamp style: It's all about high intensity for Jessica. She enlists the help of Barry's Bootcamp, a favorite with starlets in LA, to get fast results. Each workout contains high-intensity cardio intervals and strength training for an all-in-one session that saves time.

Reluctant workout: Even though she works hard in the gym (which isn't always a good thing: to get ready for a photo shoot soon after having her first child, she exercised so hard she said she cried!), she's no fitness fanatic. "I'm not a big workout person," she told Self. "Every single day, I tell my girlfriends we're starting a regimen. And then it's, like, 'Want to get dinner? Want a glass of wine?'" Jessica does, however, know how to keep workouts fun; she alternates between the gym, her treadmill at home, swimming, and yoga to keep from becoming bored.

Diet-free zone: Jessica doesn't like to diet, so instead she eats clean all the time. “Diets are for the birds. I think you have to eat in a way that makes you feel your best. I include a lot of vegetables and lean protein and fruit and grains in my diet," she told Self.

The importance of sleep: Running a company, being a mom, and starring in films can jam-pack anyone's schedule, so Jessica gets her workouts out of the way early in the morning. Sometimes, however, she knows it's healthier to catch up on sleep than continue to tire out her body. "Slacked off this am on the work out but the sleep was the best I've had in three weeks. Tomorrow its ON . . . " she once tweeted. Listening to your body is the best way to tell if you are skipping a workout because of a lame excuse or because you actually need to rest.

Delicious Low-Sugar Breakfast Ideas

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:23:28 PDT

A protein- and fiber-packed breakfast jump-starts your metabolism, providing energy to last the day. But some choices for your morning meal can be loaded with added sugar, causing you to crash. Skip the sweetened cereals and sugary baked goods and opt for these deliciously filling breakfast ideas, all containing under 20 grams of sugar and many naturally sweetened.

Nonfat vanilla Chobani yogurt (13 grams) and one cup of Kashi GoLean cereal (6 grams): 19 grams of sugar
Half a cup of organic oats (1 gram), one small apple, chopped (15.5 grams), with eight almonds, chopped (0.5 grams): 17 grams of sugar
Omelet made with two large eggs (0.4 grams), one ounce shredded monterey jack cheese (0 grams), one cup raw spinach (0.1 grams), and six cherry tomatoes, sliced (0.9 grams): 1.4 grams of sugar
One slice of whole wheat toast (3 grams), smeared with one tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (0.5 grams), and topped with one small banana, sliced (12.4 grams): 15.9 grams of sugar
Smoothie made with one extra-small banana (9.9 grams), four medium frozen strawberries (2.2 grams), half cup of frozen blueberries (7.4 grams), and half cup of chopped raw kale (0 grams): 19.5 grams of sugar

Source: Flickr User woodleywonderworks