FitSugar

The Skinny On: Pomegranate

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:15:00 -0800

Pomegranates are making their way into everything. Pomegranate Martinis to Pomegranate infused Ahi-Tuna. Wondering why?

Well, pomegranate is so good for you and here's why. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement and they are also very rich in antioxidants. Furthermore pomegranates have been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure and aid in the prevention of prostate cancer and osteoarthritis.

You can get pomegranate in many forms like juices, extracts, pills and more. I drink it in a juice form but there are two things to watch out for. First of all it is pretty expensive for a juice but you can shop around and get less expensive brands (even though POM is wonderful); You'll just want to try it before committing to a whole gallon. The other thing is that Pomegranate juice can be pretty potent (and sugary). To counteract this, I typically add 75% water to 25% juice.

Fit's Tip: Some pomegranate extracts are described as 'punicosides', which means "stuff from pomegranates", and it is just a new term invented by a clever marketing team that understands how popular pomegranate is. Instead, look for extracts with 'punicalagins', which are far more reputable antioxidants.

Pom Poms for Pomegranates

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I will wholeheartedly become a cheerleader when it comes to pomegranates. Not only does this fruit make a great decorative centerpiece on your table, it is full of tasty little seeds that can add a little zing to many dishes. Although the flavor is considered tart, the pomegranate crosses the line of savory and sweet. Nutritionally speaking, the beautiful garnet colored juicy seeds inside are high in antioxidants that not only protect your blood lipids from the nasty act oxidation; they also help prevent plaque build up on arteries. Pomegranates are also a great source of potassium.

I feel the most timely pomegranate fact is they are in season now. The seeds make a great addition to any fall salad and are tasty scattered over roasted squash. The juice of the fruit makes a fine addition to any cocktail too. Just beware the beautiful juice can stain, not only your hands but your clothes too.

Confused about how to reach those powerful little seeds? Don't worry because my gal Yum can teach you. Just read How to Seed a Pomegranate.

Do you like pomegranates? Tell me your favorite way to eat them in the comment section below.

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Cheerleading Leads to Serious Injury

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:00:13 -0700

If you've seen Bring It On, then you know cheerleading is serious business. Gymnastic moves and daring lifts are just as important, if not more so, than the symbolic pom-poms. When it comes to serious injuries, cheering is number one and those feats of daring are to blame.

Cheerleading, at both the high school and college levels, was found to cause the majority of catastrophic injuries in a comparison of all sports-related injuries. The study, conducted by National Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, explains that catastrophic injuries usually involve spinal cord damage, which is indeed serious business.

According to a report released last year by the National Center For Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, injuries sustained by high school cheerleaders in the last 25 years account for just over 65 percent of all catastrophic sports injuries sustained by female high school athletes, and the statistics for college cheerleaders are just as high. This makes women's rugby not seem so rough.

Were you a cheerleader?

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Go Splits! 8 Stretches to Get You There

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:30:19 -0700

When I think of doing the splits, I immediately think of cheerleaders and pom-poms, but you too can become flexible enough to get all the way to the floor. It requires flexible hamstrings and open hips, so if you practice these eight stretches, you'll be on your way to doing full splits in no time. Doing splits regularly will keep your hamstrings and hip flexors limber, which is great if you're a runner, biker, or skier. Not to mention, it's also a great party trick to impress your friends.

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Food Review: Bossa Nova Açai Juice

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:45:00 -0700

Have you ever tried Bossa Nova Açai Juice ($3). In case you've never heard of açai (pronounced ah-sci-ee), they are small, dark purple berries that grow on palm trees found in the Brazilian rainforest. Recently, they have been called the "world's healthiest fruit," because they're so high in antioxidants and naturally low in sugar. Açai actually have 60 percent more antioxidants than pomegranate juice.

So how does this juice taste and compare nutritionally to other juices? To find out read more.

I tried the raspberry and mango flavors and loved them. Both flavors were light, refreshing, smooth, and delicious. They tasted sweet, but not obnoxiously sweet like some juices can be. They are very berry-like and are similar to cherry or a really mild cranberry juice.

Nutritionally speaking, since pomegranate juice is also high in antioxidants, I compared this juice to POM Blueberry Pomegranate Juice and Naked Pomegranate Açai Juice. Check out the results.

	8 oz. Bossa Nova Raspberry Açai Juice	8 oz. POM Blueberry Pomegranate Juice	8 oz. Naked Pomegranate Açai Juice
Calories	89	160	160
Total Fat	0g	0g	1g
Sodium	13mg	20mg	30mg
Carbs	23g	39g	36g
Fiber	0g	0g	0g
Sugar	18g	33g	31g
Protein	0g	0g	1g

Wow. That's a huge difference in calories and sugar, isn't it? Those other juices definitely are tasty, but Bossa Nova açai juice is so much lower in calories, sugars, sodium, and carbs that the healthier option is obvious. Have you tried it yet? If so tell me what you think in the comments section below.