FitSugar

Do You Avoid Certain Foods For Health Reasons?

Leta Shy — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:49:03 PDT

It seems like every day there's more news on what we shouldn't be eating; just last week, we were told that every serving of red meat increases our risk of dying early, and that bowl of steaming white rice can increase our chances of developing diabetes. And let's not forget the pink slime debate currently going on.

Possible health conditions aren't the only reason why we may want to give up a certain food. Steering clear of your favorite indulgences - because you can't just stop at a handful when it comes to potato chips, or because a bowl of ice cream doesn't fit into your weight-loss plan - can help save you calories, or from falling into a diet trap.

Avoiding certain foods voluntarily (that is, not because of medical conditions that force you to give up certain foods) isn't the only way to live a healthy life. Even if you're trying to lose weight or are worried about developing health conditions, you can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation. But whether you're swayed by worrisome study results or you are trying to lose a few pounds, are there foods that you avoid to stay healthy? Take our poll, and let us know which foods worry you the most in the comments.

Why Pink Slime Is About More Than Burgers

Shape — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:22:19 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Yes, pink slime is gross. No one wants to think about anything being in their burger except actual meat. But the huge controversy may be about more than just pink slime.

The biggest concern with pink slime is that we're buying (or eating) a product and we don't exactly know what it's made of, says Prescott Frost, a champion of sustainable agriculture and a rancher and producer of organic, 100 percent grass-fed beef.

"I’d have to say that the controversy over pink slime is a reaction to corporate farming, and the reaction is a natural one to our concerns about corporate farming and big agriculture," Frost says. "Every day we become more and more aware of their effects on our daily lives, whether it is the food we eat, the environment we live in, or the way we treat our animals."

Find out how to avoid pink slime in red meat after the break!

Reasons to Not Eat So Much Red Meat

Leta Shy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:07:51 PDT

A strict vegetarian or vegan lifestyle isn't for everyone, but we can all benefit from eating less red meat. What's so bad about a few burgers, steaks, and bacon breakfasts, you ask? A lot, actually. Read on to find out why you shouldn't eat so much red meat.

You'll live longer: The number one reason to limit your red meat intake - you'll live longer. Studies have shown that regularly eating red and processed meats increases your risk of developing heart disease and cancer, in part because of the high saturated fat and cholesterol content. The newest study, released this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is the first to link the amount of red meat you eat to your actual risk of death. It found that replacing just one red meat dish a day with a healthier protein choice like fish, legumes, or poultry reduces your risk of dying early by seven to 19 percent.

More reasons to lay off the red meat after the break.

Pork: No Longer the Other White Meat?

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:00:39 PDT

With words like bacon, ham, and prosciutto associated with its name, you'd think pork would be pretty happy about its status in the food world. But this week, the Des Moines, IA-based National Pork Board announced its hopes to revitalize the protein's reputation by doing away with the famed tagline "The Other White Meat" in favor of a new slogan. The board will launch a new brand campaign in March 2011, after more than 23 years of using the well-known slogan, which it first aired in 1987 as a way to let consumers know pork had fewer calories than one might think.

However, according to Ceci Snyder, the Pork Board's marketing vice president, people have lost sight of the meaning of the phrase. In two decades, chicken has more than doubled in demand; meanwhile, pork sales have remained flat.

The National Pork Board maintains it won't completely drop "The Other White Meat" as a marketing tool - only that the line will no longer be the focal point of its campaign. "It did its job, for sure, back in 1987. It was phenomenal," Snyder said, but "we really need identity that catches people's attention. Being the (other) white meat is just blending into the background." Instead, the new campaign will focus on protein, and include a website overhaul.

"The Other White Meat" is such an enduring campaign that I think it'll be difficult to forget - and hard to top. What do you think of this risky move?

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What Does Your RDI Look Like: Iron

FitSugar — Thu, 20 May 2010 07:37:27 PDT

Back in my vegetarian phase during college, my mom always said, "If you don't eat beef, you won't get enough iron." While it is a great source of this valuable mineral, red meat is not the only meat that contains iron. Chicken, turkey, and seafood such as oysters, tuna, and salmon are also high in iron. When it comes to vegetarian sources, beans, leafy greens, nuts, egg yolks, potatoes with the skin, and dried fruits can help you reach your recommended daily intake (RDI). The human body needs iron to make hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body, and an adult woman should get 18 milligrams of iron daily. Check out the chart below to make sure you're meeting the RDI of iron.

Food	Amount	Amount of Iron (mg)
Fortified cereal	1 oz	4.5-7
Dried apricot	1/4 cup	1.5
Raisins	1/4 cup	1.1
Molasses	1 tbsp	3.3
Garbanzo beans	1/2 cup, cooked	3.4
Pinto beans	1/2 cup	2.2

Continue reading to see what other foods contain iron and signs of iron deficiency.

How Many Times a Week Do You Eat Red Meat?

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:00:40 PDT

It is both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Vegetarian Awareness Month, so the red meat question was due to come. Studies have found that eating red meat daily increases your risk of breast cancer by 56 percent. These days, I think you would be hard-pressed to find a woman eating red meat daily, but that statistic sure does get you thinking.

I might not be vegetarian, but lately I eat lower on the food chain for both health and environmental reasons. I eat red meat about twice a month and buy the grass-fed and finished meat from a cattle ranch less than 50 miles away (I know I am lucky to live in Northern California). How about you?

Where's the Lean Beef?

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Most folks think red meat is the enemy to healthy living, but beef can be a great source of lean protein as well as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. But you do need to choose the right cut of meat. When at the meat counter, look for top sirloin, eye of round, or bottom round cuts since these pieces of beef generally contain less than three grams of saturated fat and are under 200 calories per three ounce serving. Pay attention to the grade of the beef as well. The label prime is not as lean as select or choice grades of beef. If you keep your portion to three ounces, studies have found that you won't raise your cholesterol levels. Once again, moderation is key to healthy living. I'd also opt for grass fed and finished beef if you can find it - it is higher in omega-3 fatty acids.

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Limit Your Consumption of Red Meat, Reduce Cancer Risk

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:00:00 PDT

By now, hopefully we all know that eating too much red meat is unhealthy. It can raise your cholesterol, lead to obesity, and put you at risk for heart problems. Now there's more bad news for red meat lovers: a large study found eating red and processed meat regularly leads to an increased risk of cancer.

In the 10-year study, 545,000 people were monitored based on their red meat consumption - some ate it every day, and others only ate five ounces a week. Men who ate a quarter-pound hamburger everyday (yikes) increased their risk of dying from cancer by 22 percent and their risk of dying from heart disease by 27 percent.

What about women? To find out

For women, those who ate a ton of red meat increased their risk of dying from cancer by 20 percent and their risk of dying from heart disease by 50 percent - 50 percent ladies! That means it's absolutely crucial that people, especially women, limit their intake of red and processed meats such as steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts.

When it comes to getting protein, stick to healthier meats such as chicken and fish. Barry Popkin, director of the Interdisciplinary Obesity Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, also says that limiting your meat consumption can have a positive effect on global warming. So it's good for you and good for the planet. If you're trying to eat lower on the food chain, check out these three cheap and natural meat substitutes.

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Bad News: Red and Processed Meats Can Raise Risk of Lung Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 02:00:00 PST

A while back, I told you that eating red meat and processed meats could increase your risk of breast cancer. Well, unfortunately, US researchers discovered that it could increase your risk for developing lung cancer too. They also found a link between eating a lot of red meat and cancers of the liver, esophagus and pancreas.

The study involved 500,000 people ages 50 to 71. The participants of the study followed specific diets, ranging from some meat to a lot of meat. After eight years, 53,396 cases of cancer were diagnosed. Those people eating the highest amount of red meat had a 20 to 60 percent increased risk of developing esophageal, colorectal, liver, and lung cancer.

This study doesn't really mention specific amounts of meat intake, but it does mention that red meat is a high source of saturated fat and iron, both of which have been associated with cancer risk.

Red meat includes all types of beef, pork and lamb. Processed meats include bacon, red meat sausage, poultry sausage, luncheon meats, cold cuts, ham and most types of hot dogs including turkey dogs. This study isn't urging you to become a vegetarian, but it's good to keep in mind moderation when it comes to eating red and processed meats.

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Cows and Climate Change

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Here is yet another reason to avoid red meat. This is no joke but a reduction in livestock flatulence could possibly slow climate change. Or so says a recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet, in their special energy and health series.

Cows, goats and sheep produce methane gas when they pass gas - methane really is a gas! Experts suggest decreasing our global consumption of steaks and hamburgers by 10 percent, would cut the gases emitted by livestock that contribute to global warming. They strongly recommend limiting beef intake to an average of 3 ounces per day (that's about 90 grams) to prevent an increase in these gasses. We already know that diets high in red meat contribute to breast cancer, heart disease and obesity so now there is another reason to avoid red meat!

Next time you think about ordering a burger, or making a steak, think about your personal health and the health of the planet then change your meal plans accordingly. I don't know about you, but the concept of meatless Mondays has definitely stuck around at my house (even though it is sometimes meatless Tuesday or Wednesdays, but we have a thoroughly meatless day once a week).

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