FitSugar

Bagel For Breakfast: What Should You Put on Top?

FitSugar — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Who doesn't love a soft and chewy bagel on the weekend? I don't care that they're full of carbs, since our bodies need them for energy. Plus I try to go for whole grain bagels anyway, so they're healthier than ones made with white flour. I also try to choose healthy spreads like low fat cream cheese and peanut butter, but sometimes I can't help but go for sugary jams and butter. Let's see how these bagel toppings compare.

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Snack Attack: Cucumber Boat with Lox Spread

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Since bagels are so dang high in calories, I have been searching for a new way to satisfy my craving for lox spread sprinkled with capers. The substitute is a seeded cucumber boat!!! It is not only satisfying and delish, but talk about increasing your veggie intake!!!

Here's what you need:

Half an English cucumber
Light Lox Spread
Capers
Diced tomato

Here's what you do:

Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.
Fill cucumber "boat" with lox spread.
Sprinkle with capers and tomatoes.
Eat and enjoy!!!

Fit's Tip: Smoked salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids even though it is smoke cured salmon. Also, you can make your own schmear with canned salmon and light or non-fat cream cheese.

Bagel Breakfast: Which Spread Should You Choose?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:00:02 -0700

Bagels have gotten a bad reputation for being a dieter's nightmare, since one plain bagel contains 260 calories and 56 grams of carbs. But I believe a carb-free diet isn't the healthiest way to drop pounds and maintain a healthy weight, so I think it's more than OK to enjoy a warm, toasted bagel every so often. They're not all as unhealthy as everyone thinks, especially if you choose one made with whole wheat flour, whole grains, or seeds. It also depends on what spread you choose to smear on. Does butter contain more cholesterol than cream cheese? Which contains more calories, almond butter or peanut butter? To find out the answers and see the nutritional info for other bagel spreads, keep reading

Duloxetine (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:05:19 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Duloxetine (doo-LOX-e-teen)

Treats depression, generalized anxiety disorder, nerve pain caused by diabetes, or fibromyalgia (muscle pain and stiffness). This medicine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI).

Brand Name(s)

Cymbalta

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to duloxetine, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, liver disease, or severe kidney disease.

How to Use This Medicine

Delayed Release Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Swallow the delayed-release capsule whole. Do not sprinkle contents of the capsule on food or mix it with liquids before you take it. Do not crush, break, open, or chew the capsule.
You may need to use this medicine for several weeks before you begin to feel better. Keep using the medicine even if you feel you are not improving, and talk to your doctor.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not take cimetidine (Tagamet®), thioridazine (Mellaril®), or medicine to treat an infection (such as ciprofloxacin, enoxacin Ciloxan®, Cipro®, Penetrex®) while you are being treated with this medicine, unless your doctor says it is okay.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using St. John's Wort, lithium (Lithane®, Lithobid®, Eskalith®), tramadol (Ultram®), other medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, Celexa®, Effexor®, Lexapro?, Luvox®, Norpramin®, Paxil®, Zoloft®), medicine to treat headaches (such as eletriptan, sumatriptan, Imitrex®, Relpax®), medicine to treat an infection (such as linezolid, Levaquin®, Tequin®, Zyvox®), a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, Trilafon®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, Rythmol®, Tambocor®), pain or arthritis medicine, also called "NSAIDs" (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Vioxx®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Drinking alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk of liver damage. If you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, tell your doctor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, narrow-angle glaucoma, diabetes, any digestion problems, or mineral imbalance (such as low sodium in the blood). Also tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures or mania.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have ever abused drugs or alcohol.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly, so get up slowly. If these symptoms are bothering you or keeping you from doing your daily activities, tell your doctor right away.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
After you stop using the medicine, call your doctor if you have mood or behavior changes, confusion, headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, tingling pain, or ringing in your ears.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Aggression, anxiety, anger, or hostility.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Extreme sleepiness or drowsiness.
Fast or uneven heartbeat, or dizziness.
Feeling confused, nervous, restless, or clumsy.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
Muscle spasms, twitching, or stiffness.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your stomach.
Panic attacks, tremors, or feeling irritable.
Severe nausea or diarrhea.
Unexplained fever, sweating, or shivering.
Unusual behavior, or thoughts about hurting yourself.
Unusual bleeding or bruising.
Unusual tiredness or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Blurred vision.
Cough, sore throat, or runny or stuffy nose.
Dry mouth, constipation, upset stomach, or mild nausea or diarrhea.
Feeling tired, or having trouble sleeping.
Headache.
Increased sweating.
Problems with sex, or loss of interest in sex.
Problems with urination.
Skin rash.
Weight loss.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_4969

Loxapine (By mouth)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:52:06 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Loxapine (LOX-a-peen)

Treats schizophrenia and symptoms of mental disorders.

Brand Name(s)

Loxitane

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an unusual or allergic reaction to loxapine.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Liquid, Capsule

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take the tablets with food to avoid stomach upset.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Mix the medicine with one-half glass of orange juice or grapefruit juice, and drink it right away.

If a dose is missed:

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have seizures, glaucoma, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or a history of breast cancer.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
This medicine could cause side effects that include muscle spasms, twitching in your face or body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your doctor about this risk.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Fever, severe muscle stiffness.
Muscle twitching or jerking.
Rapid breathing or heartbeat.
Spasms of the neck, face, or back.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Agitation or restlessness.
Changes in vision, such as problems focusing.
Constipation.
Dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea.
Headache.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_0531

You Asked: Cucumbers???

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:15:00 -0700

Dear FitSugar -
What are the nutritional benefits of cucumber, if any? It is one of my fave veggies but as far as I can tell, it doesn't pack much of a punch compared to other vegetables.
Questioning Cucumbers

I too love cucumbers - they make a great addition to any salad and are also a great vehicle for hummus. Aside from being a low carb substitute, this veggie (well technically a fruit since it has seeds, but I am sticking with convention here) has some surprising nutritional attributes.

The cucumber is a decent source of both vitamin C and fiber. It is also high in potassium and magnesium, which when combined with fiber, can help reduce blood pressure. Cukes are also high in the mineral silica, an essential component for healthy connective tissues, like ligaments and tendons. Its silica content also makes the cucumber beneficial to the skin, both eating the veggie and applying its flesh topically to your flesh. There's a reason you always see images of ladies with slices of cucumbers on their eyes. Plus their high water content makes them naturally hydrating and cooling. Cucumbers are also high in the mineral phosphorus, an important mineral for bone health.

Fit's Tip: Due to its tender skin, commercially grown cucumbers may be waxed to protect their outer layer, so I suggest you buy organic!

Looking for a new way to eat cucumbers? Try the Cucumber Boat with Lox Spread. The crisp cooling cucumber makes a great bagel (so high in calories) substitute. Or make your own Tzatziki.

Source

Avoid the Pitfalls of Afternoon Snacking

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

The hour of 3pm rolls around and the desire to snack hits hard. It makes sense since we all experience a natural slow down somewhere between lunch and dinner. If your lunch was heavy in the carb department, like say noodles, you will likely crave more carbs and if you skipped breakfast (naughty you) your afternoon hunger pains will be even more intense.

First off, don't ignore your hunger pains. You could end up grouchy, unable to concentrate, or both. Plus your chance of overeating at dinner increases. Take a moment to evaluate your hunger; are you bored or truly hungry? If you are bored, take yourself for a short walk. If you are hungry don't walk to the vending machine, there are rarely healthy options in those machines.

Aim to snack on foods that have some protein and some carbs - an apple with almond butter, melon and cottage cheese or yogurt, cucumber with light lox spread or my favorite "go to" snack hummus and veggies. Obviously these snacks take a little forethought, and if you haven't packed a snack try to find a package of raw or roasted (not honey roasted) nuts and a piece of fruit.