FitSugar

What Kind of Stomach Do You Have?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Some people can eat whatever they want - spicy dishes, fried foods, dairy products, and beans - and their stomachs are like rocks. They hardly ever get upset tummies. Then there are people with sensitive digestive systems, and anything they eat can cause tummy troubles. What about you?

5 Things: Recognizing a Stomach Ulcer

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:29 -0800

Though I used to associate ulcers with stressed-out, Maalox-guzzling men, I'm now learning that this stomach malady is very common in young women. A few months ago, I quizzed you about whether you might be at risk for an ulcer, but even if you are, it's not the end of the world.

If you recognize your symptoms early enough, ulcers can be easily cured by prescription drugs and proper treatment. Here are five things you need to know about stomach ulcers.

Despite what you may have heard, ulcers aren't caused by stress or spicy foods, though these factors, along with cigarette smoking, can aggravate ulcers or increase your risk of getting them.
Ulcers, which are small tears in the stomach lining, are caused by two things: a bacteria called H. pylori and anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs. The latter includes meds like aspirin and ibuprofen, which can cause tears in the tummy lining when taken on an empty stomach.

For three more things to know about ulcers, read more

Ulcer pain can feel very different from regular indigestion; many patients describe it as a burning or gnawing feeling between the bellybutton and the chest.
The stomach upset caused by ulcers typically lasts anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and may be temporarily relieved by taking antacids.
Foods that are high in acid, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and coffee, may exacerbate ulcer pain; alcohol can also make ulcers hurt more.

If you've noticed any of these patterns with your persistent stomach pain, it may be time to talk to your doctor. There are several tests he can run to determine whether you require treatment. Have you ever had an ulcer? If so, share your experiences below.

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Soothe Your Tummy With Reed's Ginger Candy

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:00 -0700

There are certain things I try to keep in my purse just in case - tissues, Advil, tampons, peppermint gum, an emergency $20 bill, and Reed's Ginger Candy.

Not only are Reed's Ginger Candy great for calming an upset tummy, they also soothe a sore throat, and really satisfy my craving for something chewy.

The recipe actually comes from Indonesia and it contains real ginger root, so this chewy treat has a bit of a bite to it. I love to pop one in my mouth after going out to eat, since sometimes restaurant food doesn't always agree with me.

Reed's Ginger Candy is made with a little sugar, so it also curbs my sweet tooth - once I have the taste of ginger in my mouth, I lose my craving for dessert. One delicious piece contains 25 calories, 0g of fat, and 3g of sugar. This just might be the healthiest candy I've ever eaten, and I wouldn't even call it candy since it's more like medicine. When I've got an upset tummy, I chew on Reed's.

Fit's Tips: Reed's also makes Ginger Brew, so if your tummy's feeling really bad, sipping down these gingerly bubbles always makes me feel better.

What Causes Heartburn?

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I'm sure you've all experienced heartburn once in your life, some unfortunately more than others. Maybe you ate a spicy meal, a huge meal or a huge spicy meal and got that overwhelming burning sensation in your lower chest. But it doesn't stop there, it can start to creep up into your esophagus and into your throat.

You may know this already, but heartburn doesn't actually affect the heart at all. When you eat, food passes from your mouth down a tube called the esophagus. In order to enter the stomach to be digested, the food must pass through an opening between the esophagus and the stomach.

This opening is like a gate, and soon closes after food passes into your tummy. Sometimes it doesn't quite close, and stomach acid can get through that opening and move into your esophagus. This is called reflux and it's what causes that burning sensation.

Heartburn can be affected by being overweight, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee or other beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onion, chocolate, mints, fatty or spicy foods, or taking aspirin or ibuprofen.

If you do get a sudden case of heartburn, try to keep yourself upright. If you are lying down, prop yourself up with some pillows since this will prevent more acid from seeping into your esophagus.

Taking an antacid can help (it neutralizes the acid in your stomach). Take ones that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide (one causes constipation while the other causes diarrhea so they counteract each other) like over-the-counter brands include Maalox and Mylanta.

Want to know how you can prevent it? Then read more

Don't overeat.
Stop eating 2-3 hours before lying down for bed.
Lose excess weight.
Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around your waist - this will squeeze your stomach and force food and acid back up towards the esophagus.
Eat high-protein, low-fat meals.
If you've eaten something in the past and it's given you heartburn - don't eat it again.

The Ginger People

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 16:20:00 -0800

The Ginger People are passionate about nature's most versatile and vibrant flavor, you guessed it - Ginger. They have created many wonderful products using this powerful fiery taste.

Suffering from a cold? Drink some Ginger Soother. It's made with Chinese yellow ginger, honey, and lemon for instant relief. Ginger is said to soothe the throat and stomach, warm the internal organs, and ease nausea and ailments from colds to headaches.

They've also got Ginger candy. It's great to chew a piece if you have an upset stomach or feel a cold coming on.

And for the lover in your life...For only $7.00, send them Ginger Sweeties. They're heart-shaped crystallized baby ginger. Used as an aphrodisiac for centuries, ginger was first mentioned in the Kama Sutra for its ability to heighten sexual desires. Ooooh, nothing wrong with that.

Ginger is also a powerful antioxidant, good at relieving menstrual cramps, morning sickness, indigestion, heartburn, motion sickness, and inflammation.

Fit's Tips: Add a piece of crystallized ginger to a cup of hot tea or cocoa to add a tangy zip and to consume all the great qualities ginger has to offer.

Eating and Working out... What's best?

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:00:00 -0800

Do you wonder if it is better to eat before or after a work out? I did, so here is some info to help you decide.

If you can hold off then you may want to eat afterwards because a full stomach can lead to cramping and discomfort while working out and a very uncomfortable work out. In short, this happens because your body uses blood to digest your food but it uses more blood to keep your muscles going, so our bodies prioritize and digestion takes a back seat to fueling the muscles and so the food just sits in your belly.

When you're done, eat something balanced in carbohydrates and protein -- your muscles will appreciate the added nutrients after working so hard.

Fit's Tip: If you're hungry before working out then definitely eat something (but make it light and easy to digest - like yogurt) because exercising while hungry can lead to feeling weak and a less than optimal work out.

Full of it?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Nobody likes that full, "something's not right" kinda feeling you get when you're (uh-huh) constipated. The best way to deal with the issue is to prevent blockage in the first place, by:

Drinking plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and clear soup so you don't get dehydrated.
Getting daily exercise to keep things moving right along.
Eating lots of high-fiber foods like beans, whole grain and bran cereals, fruits (like apples and oranges) and vegetables (like asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and carrots.

Eat the skins of your fruits and veggies whenever possible - that's where the fiber is. If you're prone to not being able to move IT, try to avoid foods that have little or no fiber like ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods.

Aim to eat 25g of fiber a day. Which should be no problem if you eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables and 3 servings of whole grain products daily.

Fit's Tip: If you're having trouble regulating your body solely with food, give Methylcellulose pills a try, like Citrucel. They are made of 100% soluble fiber and have no awful side-effects like gas, bloating or diarrhea.

Speak Up: What Foods Upset Your Stomach?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

I'm not one of those people who has a stomach of steel, and because of my sensitive belly, there are a list of foods I try to eat in moderation because I know they upset my stomach to some degree. Raw garlic, Chinese food, ice cream, spicy foods, and even apples on an empty belly can give my tummy a hard time. What about you? Share the list of foods that don't agree with you in the comment section below. Do you avoid these foods completely, or eat them anyway and deal with the digestive consequences?

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Is It a Stomach Bug or Food Poisoning?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Since it's that time of year when illness spreads like jam on toast, I'm sure you or someone you know has suffered from a stomach bug. Or was it food poisoning? It's good to know which it is, so you know whether or not you are contagious or if other people shouldn't eat the mystery meat you ate in the fridge.

So how can you tell? To find out read more.

	Stomach Bug (Stomach Flu)	Food Poisoning
Cause	Passed by a virus that attacks the intestines. You catch it by coming in contact with someone who is infected, or by touching something he or she has touched. This virus can also be passed on through contaminated food or water.	You get it by eating contaminated food that contains infectious organisms, bacteria (like E. coli), viruses, or parasites.
Symptoms	Watery diarrhea Nausea and/or vomiting Abdominal cramps Fever Muscle aches Headache Symptoms appear one to two days after exposure to the virus and usually last for one to two days but can last for up to 10 days.	Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Watery diarrhea Nausea and/or vomiting Fever Fatigue Symptoms can show up within hours of eating contaminated food, but exposure to certain contaminants may not cause symptoms until a few weeks later. Sickness lasts from one to 10 days.
Complications	Dehydration (caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea)	Dehydration (caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea) Exposure to certain types of bacteria may prove fatal to unborn babies. Certain strains of E. coli can cause kidney failure.
How it's diagnosed	A doctor will ask about your symptoms or take a stool sample. If they see bacteria, they know it's not a bug.	A doctor will ask you questions about food you've eaten, how long you've felt symptoms, and will perform tests such as checking your blood and stool. They may also check for parasites.
Treatment	Rest Drink fluids to replace the ones you've lost. Gradually begin to eat bland foods such as toast, rice, and potatoes. Avoid dairy products, caffeine, spicy foods, and fatty foods.	Replace lost fluids. If symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Prevention	Avoid coming in contact with an infected person or anything he or she has touched. Wash your hands several times a day, especially before you eat and after you use machines at the gym. Don't share personal items like cups, utensils, or towels.	Keep your hands, cooking surfaces, and utensils clean. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Throw out food that has been sitting out or foods you're not sure about. Cook foods safely and thoroughly. For more tips, check out this post on preventing food poisoning.

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How Contagious Are You?

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:45:00 -0800

A stomach bug has been sweeping through the UK, and it seems especially virulent. Hospital wards have been closed to new patients because wards are full. Crazy! If you have a stomach bug, do you know when you become contagious and for how long? Take this three question quiz to see. I was surprised by the answers and you may be too.

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Take the quiz