7 Dairy-Free, Plant-Based Calcium Sources


Updated 07/27/11 12:38 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Nondairy Calcium Sources

The average woman requires 1,000-1,300 mg of calcium a day; and, while a serving of milk, cheese, or yogurt are easy ways to digest calcium, what if you are vegan or lactose-intolerant? Here are some unexpected plant-based foods that will help you load up on your calcium intake. Curly Kale – About 3/4 cup of cooked curly kale offers 143 mg calcium. Okra – Stir fry about eight okra for a dose Read more

What's the Deal With the Vitamin B12 Patch?


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 13 comments

What's the Deal With the Vitamin B12 Patch?

Vitamin B12 is essential because it helps maintain nerve cells and red blood cells. More importantly though, it's needed to make DNA, the genetic material found in every cell in your body. An adult woman needs 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of B12 a day, and great sources of this vitamin include chicken, beef, fish, eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals. If you're vegetarian or vegan, or eat a Read more

5 Things: Highest Sources of Vitamin B12


Updated 10/14/11 11:48 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

5 Things: Highest Sources of Vitamin B12

There are a lot of B vitamins, and B12 is an important one. If you're deficient in this vitamin you can wind up feeling fatigued. Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy nervous system and your healthy red blood cells. It is involved in the process of making DNA as well as metabolizing protein. B12 helps make white blood cells, which are important for your immune system, and are necessary for Read more

A Reader Recipe: Chunky Monkey Super Omega-3 Energy Bars


Updated 05/10/12 3:10 AM · Posted by · 2 comments

Chunky Monkey Flavored Energy Bars

FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber offers vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly energy bars inspired by the Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream flavor. She shared it with us in our Healthy Recipe group in the Fit Community. Chunky Monkey Super Omega-3 Energy Bars Makes 12 bars Ingredients: 1 ripe banana 12 medjool dates, pitted 1 cup raw walnuts 1 cup quinoa flakes ½ cup chia Read more

Vegan Is Love — Having Heart and Taking Action: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding Me?


Updated 04/20/12 6:57 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

Vegan Is Love Book For Kids

Alternative diets may be all the rage, but how early should they be introduced to tots? Sure, some kids have to eat wheat-, nut-, or dairy-free diets due to allergies, but a growing number of families are opting to raise their lil ones vegan because that's how mom and dad eat — and we're not just talking about celeb tots who follow alternative eating plans. Ruby Roth, a children's book author Read more

A Reader Recipe: Southwestern Quinoa Salad With Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette


Updated 04/16/12 6:32 AM · Posted by · 2 comments

Southwestern Quinoa Salad Recipe

Get your daily fiber fix with this Southwestern quinoa salad recipe from FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber. She shared it with us in our Healthy Recipe Group in the Fit Community. This salad takes quinoa to the next level, and has been known to turn quinoa haters into ambassadors. Learn how to make this recipe after the break! Read more

Endurance Athlete Brendan Brazier on How to Fuel an Active Lifestyle the Vegan Way


Updated 03/13/12 4:25 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Vegan Endurance Athlete Brendan Brazier's Nutrition Tips

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar! Ironman triathlete and ultramarathoner Brendan Brazier realized early on in his career that diet would play a big role in his overall performance. "Longer events really level the athletic playing field. It becomes more about training and the speed of recovery than about natural ability," Brazier says. Read more

Going Vegan Could Mean Missing These Key Nutrients


Updated 04/12/12 10:34 PM · Posted by · 8 comments

How Vegans Get Enough Nutrients

Not eating animal products means a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and although it can also be used to lose weight, it's important not to skip out on valuable nutrients that often come from meat and dairy. Vitamin B12 Most women need 2.4 mcg of this vitamin each day. It's essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system as well as healthy blood cells. Found mostly in poultry, beef, Read more

3 Reasons to Love Leafy Greens


Updated 03/27/12 1:35 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Why You Should Eat Leafy Greens

You've probably been told since you were a kid to eat your veggies, and perhaps none are as important as those leafy greens. And for good reason. Here are three important reasons to get more leafy greens in your diet. They're packed with nutrition: Leafy greens pack a lot of nutrients in just one serving. For example, a cup of raw spinach gives you more than your daily recommended daily intake Read more

Get Smart About Soy


Updated 03/02/12 6:11 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Why Soy Is Good For You and How to Prepare It

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site. There are so many ways to get this good-for-you protein into your daily diet. Here's how to do it — and why you absolutely should. By Sally Kuzemchak, RD If you bypass tofu at salad bars, skip the meatless dishes at Chinese restaurants, and avoid edamame when you're out for sushi, well, it's time to give Read more