FitSugar

You Asked: Carrot Peels?

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

Dear Fit,
For years I have been peeling my carrots before eating them, but recently I went to a friend's house for dinner. She was making a big salad and she didn't peel the carrots before slicing them. I asked her about it and she said you could eat them. Is this true? Have I been peeling for nothing? Or does the peel have extra nutrition, like apple peels do?
- Not a Carrot Connoisseur Catie

If you're wondering too, then read more.

That's a great question, and I too grew up peeling my carrots, because I was grossed out by the fact that they were dirty and grown underground. Then I realized that potatoes, parsnips, and radishes are underground veggies too and eat those skins. Just like those veggies' skins, the outside layer of carrots is also edible, and it's not necessary to peel them. You just need to scrub them real well to get rid of the dirt. Some people think that pesticides are concentrated in the peel of conventional carrots, but that's not the case. Since carrots are grown underground, the chemicals get into the soil and can seep into the entire veggie, so peeling won't necessarily prevent you from consuming pesticides. If you're concerned about chemicals, then buy organic carrots.

As far as the nutritional value of the carrot peel goes, since this veggie is a bright orange color throughout, there's no more beta carotene in the peel than there is in the inside. So to sum things up, the peel is healthy to eat (as long as you wash it), but you won't be missing out on any vitamins if you don't eat the peel.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Wash Produce You're Going to Peel

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

You're probably already eating a good amount of fruits and vegetables but are you washing them all? I recently went to eat a banana and someone said, "Aren't you going to wash that first?" I thought, well no because I am going to peel it. But should I? So I did a little investigative work and here is what I found out: you should wash all fruits and vegetables, even those that you only eat the inside of, like bananas, kiwis, mangos, etc. Imagine how many hands and things touch the fruit before it actually gets to your mouth. Your hands could pick up the bacteria on the unwashed peel and transfer it onto the part you eat. This goes for all fruits and vegetables that you may peel before eating, so why not wash them first? It only takes a few seconds.

Do you already wash produce you're going to peel or not eat the skins of?

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How to Deal With the Peel

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Many of our favorite fruits and veggies have nutrient rich skins. Unfortunately, some conventional veggies are usually coated with wax.

The wax is used to increase the shelf life of the produce by preventing moisture loss, plus it protects them from bruising during the shipping process. The government does regulate the waxes used on food, but some of them may contain ingredients you don't necessarily want to put in your body like petroleum based solvent and wood rosins.

Organic produce is never waxed, so you can eat the skins of your organic fruits and veggies to your heart's content – after you wash them, of course! Here is a list of the most commonly waxed conventional produce:

Apples
Bell peppers
Eggplant
Cucumbers
Potatoes
Lemons (if you use the zest)
Potatoes

Fit's Tip: If you are curious about the produce wax, you should ask your grocer what kind of wax is used.

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For More Benefits, Don't Peel That Apple

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Are you an apple peeler? Maybe your kids refuse to eat the apple peel and you give in to them? Well, looks like it's time to think about changing your ways...

A new study shows the bulk of apples’ anticancer properties lie in the peel. Researchers identified a group of phytochemicals in the peel that proved potent against at least three different types of human cancer cells: breast, colon and liver. So step away from the peeler and grow to love the skin your apple is in.

By the way, ironically, I am eating an apple (peel included) as I write this -- Check ya later cancer.

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Healthy, Pretty Nails: Honeybee Gardens Peel Off Polish

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 11:30:00 -0800

I love having my nails painted, but every time I put a little paint on my nails, I can't help but think of all of the chemicals at the tips (literally) of my fingers.

Honeybee Gardens Peel Off Polish ($6) is a new non-toxic (meaning no toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or FD&C colors) polish for your lovely digits. Want to do your nails with your husband, who has a serious aversion to the smell of nail polish, in the room? No problem, the polish is water-based, not solvent-based like traditional polish and odor-free! No need for stinky nail polish remover either – this product peels off, which in my opinion could be really good or really bad. At only $6, it's worth a try. Buy this cool peel off polish at Honeybee Gardens online.

Smarter T-Day Eats: Go Gold For Your Mashers

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:11 -0800

I love me some mashed potatoes, especially on Thanksgiving. The problem is that this dish is usually overloaded with tons of butter and cream, which can be a big problem if you're trying to stay healthy. One way I make my mashed potatoes healthier is by using Yukon Gold or Yellow Finn potatoes instead of the old stand-by, Russet potatoes.

It might seem peculiar that switching out potatoes makes a difference, but these smaller variety potatoes are naturally creamy and sweet, and their skins taste like butter. This means that you can cut down on the amount of butter and cream you would normally add to the dish.

When shopping for Yukon Golds or Yellow Finns, look for smaller ones that aren't much bigger than one inch in diameter. Potatoes harvested early are creamier because they're more tender. Also, the more yellow the potato, the better - it's vitamin A contained in the skin that give these potatoes their golden hue. There's potassium in the skin too, so when making your mashers, don't peel! Another great thing about Yukon Golds and Yellow Finns is that their skins are pretty thin and won't detract from the creaminess of your dish if you leave them on.

For a few more tips on how to make mashed potatoes healthier, read more.

For added nutrition, add sweet potatoes to your mashers mix.
Substitute reduced fat or lowfat milk for the cream, or try making them with evaporated skim milk.
Cut back on salt by seasoning mashed potatoes with garlic, onion, and herbs.
Omit dairy altogether and mash in cauliflower and broth instead.

How do you make your Thanksgiving meal healthier? Share the details in our Healthy Recipe Group.

Source: Flickr User karindaziel

Be Seen While Running: Jog-A-Lite Stick-On Tape

FitSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I am loving the fact that the days are longer right now, this gives me a lot more time to enjoy the daylight. Unfortunately, there is still not enough daylight in a day for me to always squeeze in my run.

I am having a hard time convincing my husband that I need more workout gear, but if I did I would surely look into getting pants from IllumiNITE. Until then, I can still wear my current running pants and just convert them to reflective pants with Jog-A-Lite Cut'n Peel Stick-On Tape ($5.00). Basically all you do is put the adhesive tape wherever you want it to be reflective (pants, hats, helmets, shoes, etc) and the reflective vinyl tape provides enhanced visibility both day and night. Pretty simple, right? This is great for early morning or late night jogs or bike rides when it may be a bit harder for others to see you. Buy the tape from REI.com.

Health Benefits of Pears

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:00:13 -0700

Apples are in season in the Autumn, but pears are too. The soft, sweet, buttery flesh of the pear makes this Fall fruit one of my favorites. Plus there are so many varieties to choose from - Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou - that they each seem like a different fruit. These juicy gems are pretty healthy for you, too.

Pears are high in fiber. One medium-sized pear contains six grams, so snacking on a pear can help you meet your daily requirement of 25 to 30 grams. They're a delicious way to keep you regular too, which can help prevent colon cancer. A diet high in fiber can also keep your cholesterol levels down, which is good news for your ticker. Getting your fill of fiber from fruit is also linked to a lower risk for breast cancer.
Pears contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C, K, B2, B3, and B6. For expecting or nursing moms, they also contain folate. Pears aren't too shabby in the mineral department either, containing calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese. Vitamin C and copper are antioxidant nutrients, so eating pears is good for your immune system, and may help prevent cancer.
Pears also contain boron, which our bodies need in order to retain calcium, so this fruit can also be linked to osteoporosis prevention.

For the other health benefits, read more.

The hydroxycinnamic acid found in pears is also associated with preventing stomach and lung cancer.
It's a hypo-allergenic fruit. That means those with food sensitivities can usually eat pears with no adverse effects.
Eating three or more servings of fruits a day, such as pears, may also lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults.
Quercetin is another antioxidant found in the skin of pears. It helps prevent cancer and artery damage that can lead to heart problems. A recent study at Cornell University found it may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease. So don't peel your pears!

Tell me, what's your favorite type of pear?

Kawasaki's disease, peeling of the fingertips

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:34:57 -0700

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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Kawasaki's disease causes various rashes and manifestations of the mucous membranes and skin. This photograph shows the skin peeling away from the fingertips. This can also occur on the palms, toes, soles, and around the nails.

Review Date: 5/1/2006

Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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.

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Source Doc: 2_2931

Produce Cleaners?

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0700

At the grocery store, I noticed a bottle of fruit and veggie wash. If you've seen it too, I bet you've wondered if it's necessary to use in order to clean produce effectively?

While it's very important to wash your produce since you don't know how many hands have touched your tomatoes or manhandled your melons, there's no need for a special cleaner. Soaps or washes can leave a residue, and they aren't any better than plain water, so save your money.

Even if your produce is organic, it still needs to be washed since bacteria such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli can lurk on all fruits and veggies. Wait to wash your fruits and veggies until right before you're about to eat or prepare them. Wash all produce, even the ones that are pre-packaged and say "pre-washed." Wash all parts including rinds and peels you won't eat and stems you throw away since bacteria can be transferred from those parts to the parts you eat. Wash all fruits and veggies under running water and gentle scrub each one with your fingers for 60 seconds. It may take extra time, but it's better than getting sick.