FitSugar

Label Able: Live & Active Cultures

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:00:00 PST

The labels on food today were standardized to make it easier for us to figure out what exactly we are putting into our bodies. The fact is, reading the labels is still downright confusing so let FIT make you label-able.

When it comes to yogurt, all things are not created equal.

We know yogurt is good for us, but a lot of us are clueless beyond that. You may want to start buying Live & Active Culture Yogurt. To find out why,

read more The National Yogurt Association (yup, there is really an association) has developed the Live & Active Cultures Seal to help consumers easily identify which yogurts, including frozen, are not heat treated in the post-fermentation process (thus allowing the live cultures to live). Any refrigerated yogurts with the L&A Cultures Seal contain at least 100 million cultures per gram and frozen yogurts with the seal contain at least 10 million cultures per gram. Probiotic food (that contains live and active cultures) is really starting to create a buzz in the food industry. Yogurt naturally has "bacteria" in it and the BIG food mutli-nationals have decided to put the good stuff back in to foods what they removed earlier, and then congratulate themselves about it. I find that ironic to say the least. Fit's Tip: Yogurt with Live & Active Cultures are great for the intestines. What's more, people with a lactose intolerance can enjoy yogurt with the L&A seal!

Greece's Hidden Secret: FAGE Yogurt

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:05:57 PST

I love yogurt but for me there are very few yogurts that stand out among the pack.

That is why I was totally blown away when I tried, FAGE Total Yogurt (pronounced: Fa'-yeh!). FAGE Total is "Greek yogurt" that is truly Greek -- You can tell by the signature rich and thick velvety texture. It gets the great texture with the unique straining and separating process of the whey from the yogurt. The process also makes the product a suitable cooking ingredient as it does not curdle at high temperatures. What's more? All the FAGE yogurts contain Live & Active Cultures.

The taste is unbeatable and the texture is downright amazing. For me, nothing is worse than eating super runny yogurt. The FAGE Total 0% has 80 calories and zero grams of fat and unlike most fat free yogurts, it actually tastes really, really good.

I used it to make my most recent batch of Tzatziki and it was the best yet! Look for it in boutique and health food grocery stores. For more info, visit the FAGE Website.

5 Ways to Make Moving a Habit

Leta Shy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:52:25 PST

We all should take time to relax, but sometimes we don't realize just exactly how sedentary our lives can be. Even if you devote an hour to exercise most days, if you're not moving a lot the rest of the time, you can be doing more harm than good. So start making moving a habit with these five tips.

Keep track: One of the best ways to encourage yourself to move is to get a fitness monitor that tracks your steps. You don't have to invest a lot - while more sophisticated trackers (like these five fitness monitors) track your steps as well as your exercise (some can also distinguish between walking on flat ground and when you're going up steps), you can buy a basic pedometer for just a few dollars.
Try a one-minute move: Whether you're folding laundry or watching TV, multitask by building muscle while you work. Take a one-minute break to dance around or do squats, lunges, or planks, and you'll raise your heartbeat as well as your energy levels.

Read on for three more ways to making moving a habit.

5 Strange Ways Chocolate Keeps You Healthy

Prevention — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:02:26 PST

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

This sweet treat may also boost brainpower, help you relax, and more!
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day by nibbling a few chocolates - and making them a regular treat throughout the year. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 percent reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it’s hard to deny the cold, hard facts that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.

Seven Surprising Ways to Sharpen Your Mind

Hundreds of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we’ve dug up five more surprising health benefits. Read on for five new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

1. Chocolate May Help You With Math
Flavonols, compounds in chocolate with antioxidantlike properties, are thought to improve circulation, including blood flow to the brain. A 2009 study asked participants to count backward in groups of three from a number between 800 and 999. After drinking hot cocoa filled with flavonols, the participants were able to do calculations more quickly and accurately and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.

Learn a four more things chocolate can do for you after the break.

Weight Loss Rules You're Allowed to Break

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:58:49 PST

If you love to eat, losing weight can seem so structured, you immediately get frustrated and grab the first decadent food you can find. Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale.

No Cheesecake, Wine, or French Fries
While dessert, alcohol, and fried foods tend to be high in calories, just because you want to lose weight doesn't mean you have to live without the foods you adore. Actually, denying yourself the bites you crave can backfire, causing you to feel deprived, resulting in bingeing. You can't eat these foods all the time, but it's perfectly healthy to enjoy a few spoonfuls of ice cream or a small glass of chardonnay every once in a while. Just limit your portion sizes and only indulge about once a week.

Salad, Every Day
Salads aren't for everyone, and the dissatisfied feeling you get afterward could cause you to head to the nearest pizza joint. Plus salad toppings can really add up. When a bowl of greens is covered in candied walnuts, cheese, dried cranberries, avocado, and creamy dressing, a seemingly healthy salad can run higher in calories than a burger. If you're not into a bowl of raw veggies, choose other low-calorie meals that incorporate veggies such as sandwiches, broth-based soups, grilled veggies, and whole-grain salads. You have to enjoy the foods you're eating in order to stick with a healthy meal plan.

Keep reading to find out three more diet rules you can break and still lose weight.

Going to the Dogs: the Best Super Bowl Animal Commercials

Sara Yoo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:30:00 PST

Advertisers once again turned to man's best friend (and other animal pals) for a $3 million dose of funny during yesterday's Super Bowl. And while it was a giant of a day for one group of gridironers, we think the trophy should go to Weego, the smartest (and cutest) rescue dog of them all! Which was your favorite? Check out the menagerie below!

There's no dog quite like a rescue dog.

These sled dogs are living the good life thanks to Suzuki.

Read on for more funny animal commercials.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

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

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

Jamie Lynn Spears Shares Lessons on Birth Control and Teen Pregnancy

Annie Scudder — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:50:37 PST

“I believe in safety and birth control as prevention," Jamie Lynn Spears tells Glamour this month. "But like many young girls . . . I was really scared to go to the doctor." Britney's little sister had to grow up fast, after she became pregnant at 16, and after taking some time away from the spotlight, she gave an interview with Glamour to mark her 21st birthday.

In the interview, Jamie Lynn shares the reality of becoming pregnant at an age most girls are thinking about prom, cheerleading, or college. She admits, "I had been on a Nickelodeon show, Zoey 101, and after we wrapped shooting, I just wanted to go home to Louisiana and finish high school, be a cheerleader, all that." But that wouldn't happen. "Then I found out I was pregnant [by then-boyfriend Casey Aldridge]. I was 16. I’d had one boyfriend."

Jamie Lynn also says she resented the judgment, which she believes was intensified by her fame. "I was judged for something that probably most everyone does. I was young. I was in love. I was like every other teenager, except I had this last name. And I made a decision that is forever my decision." But fear of judgement also led to the accidental pregnancy. Jamie Lynn explained, "I was on a Nickelodeon show, and it [felt] especially embarrassing to ask someone to put me on birth control. I didn’t want to ask my doctor, because she had a little girl."

Jamie Lynn's honesty reveals that many sexually active teens need the adults in their lives, be it parents, doctors, or sex ed teachers, to be more proactive about getting them access to birth control. Do you think Jamie Lynn's high-profile cautionary tale could make a difference? And see more from inside the March issue at Glamour.

Winter Running Woe: Numb Toes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:06 PST

If you'd rather skip a run than hit the treadmill, then there's no doubt you're continuing with your outdoor runs even through this brisk and snowy Winter weather. That doesn't mean you're not dealing with some discomfort along the way. I've given you some tips on how to beat burning lungs, but if it's your feet that are bothering you, here are some ways to avoid numb toes.

First, consider your socks. You can't get away with wearing the same thin, ankle-length wicking socks you sported in the warmer months. Splurge on some thicker knee-highs; socks made of wool will keep your feet warm and dry. Be sure your socks aren't too tight as that can cut off circulation (go up a size to be sure). You can also try compression socks to improve circulation in your feet and legs.

If you're already wearing thicker socks, you'll probably want to go up half a size in your sneaks to accommodate the extra fabric. If you don't, the snug fit of your shoe might be the sole cause of your tingling feeling. Choose sneakers designed for colder, wetter weather (think waterproof Gore-tex) to protect your toes from the snow. Tie your shoes slightly looser because as you warm up, your feet will swell, and too-tight laces can cause that annoying numb sensation.

Continue reading for more tips on avoiding numb feet.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Octavia Spencer on Being Unhappy With Her Weight

Michele Foley — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:23:33 PST

The Help star, Octavia Spencer, reveals she's unhappy about her weight - Fit Celeb
How to stay active, even when you sit all day - HuffPost Healthy Living
Why breakfast is making you fat - Shape
Want a better booty? There's a science behind getting one - Fitness
Rev up your metabolism with these foods - Self
How to get rid of funky stains in workout clothing for once and for all - Fit Bottomed Girls
Get the most out of your ride with these energy bars - Bicycling
Hearty and healthy casseroles to ward off Winter's cold temps - Health