FitSugar

Evert-Fresh Bags

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:30:58 -0700

When I first saw Evert-Fresh Bags, I thought they were a gimmick. The thought of a bag being able to keep produce fresh for up to a month seemed impossible. But one of my old colleagues said that they worked for her, which made me curious enough to try them myself.

The bag is supposed to keep produce fresh by slowing down the ripening process and keeping bacteria from forming. The claims are pretty impressive - it absorbs the harmful gases that fruits and veggies give off like ethylene and ammonia, controls humidity, and minimizes moisture. From a scientific standpoint I have no idea if that's what's really happening inside those bags, but I can say that they do work.

To hear how they worked for me, read more.

I think I store my fruits and veggies pretty well to begin with, so I was pretty shocked that the bags impressed me. I use mine to store lettuce and berries, and they definitely work in keeping my produce fresh longer than my previous storage methods. I don't let produce sit around too long to begin with, but after returning from a week-long vacation nothing I left in the fridge spoiled - not my strawberries, arugula, or peppers, all of which had been there two weeks!

I still try and eat my produce ASAP, but the bags are a great option if you're worried about letting produce you buy from a farmers market go to waste or for times you can't get through your produce fast enough.

How to Sneak More Veggies Into Your Diet

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:50:29 -0700

Making veggies a big part of your daily diet is a must because they're low in calories, high in fiber, and contain so many beneficial nutrients. Unfortunately, we don't crave broccoli like we do a big bowl of ice cream, so here are some suggestions from FitSugar readers on ways to sneak veggies into your foods without your taste buds knowing.

UrbanBohemian says, "I like to put my own veggies in marinara sauce when I eat pasta. Also, if I have a frozen pizza, I'll do the same for that. I like to put on frozen spinach or some mushrooms."
"Sneak them in sandwiches." - fleurdelispink
"I've added pureed beets and/or spinach to muffin batter or I bet you could to cake batter too - totally unnoticeable. I know someone who added pureed spinach to brownies, same deal." - Anonymous

For more ideas keep reading

Speak Up: Ways to Sneak Veggies Into Your Diet

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:15:15 -0700

Making vegetables a big part of your diet is a must because they're low in calories, high in fiber, and contain so many beneficial nutrients. Not everybody loves to eat their veggies though, so I'm wondering what ideas you have for sneaking them into your diet.

A while back, FitSugar reader andrennabird said she add greens to smoothies. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comment section bellow.

Healthy Eating Tip: Plate Your Veggies First

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

No matter the health issue, from losing weight to preventing cancer, we all should be eating more veggies. One simple way to accomplish this task is to stop thinking of veggies as garnish and plate them first.

Try to cover at least half of your plate with healthful side dishes featuring produce. I like to think of the meat as a side dish and my salad and steamed broccoli as the main dish. This mindset helps keep the portions in check and increases the amount of vegetables I eat daily. Ultimately, I find a well-balanced plate - 25 percent meat or protein, 25 percent whole grain carb, 50 percent veggies - leads to a well-balanced diet. Try it and see what you think.

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Fruit or Veggies: Which Is Harder to Include in Your Diet?

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Fruits and veggies are equally important. They're a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein (well not, much but every little bit helps). They're low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and they're perfect to snack on or include with your meals. You're supposed to eat five fruits and veggies a day, so I was wondering . . .

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Healthy Eating Tip: Store Precut Veggies in the Fridge

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Who isn't trying to eat more veggies in their diet? All those carrots, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, and tomatoes are so full of vitamins and fiber, and they're also low in calories so they help you maintain a healthy weight. The problem is, they're not exactly an easy convenience food since it takes time to prepare them. That means you'll be more likely to reach into a bag of chips rather than munch on some veggies.

Here's an idea. Once or twice a week, take 20 minutes to wash, cut, peel, and store a whole variety of veggies in plastic containers. Not only will they stay fresh, but they're instantly ready for sandwiches, stir-frys, grilling, casseroles, salads, or just to eat alone. I guarantee this will help you eat more vegetables throughout the week.

What veggies are in your fridge? Tell me below.

Fruits and Veggies to Get You in the Mood

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Being romantic doesn't have to mean being unhealthy. My pals at FruitandVeggieGuru.com have created a great list of food that will help you get in the mood for love. And yes, they are all fruits and veggies! So if you’re on the prowl for a healthier love potion this Valentine’s Day, you might want to try some of these foodstuffs, with their suggestive shape or color.

View Slideshow ›

Downloadable Nutritional Charts

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

The government (and your mother) wants you to eat more veggies. In an effort to encourage retail stores that sell raw fruits, vegetables, and fish to participate in the voluntary point-of-purchase nutrition information program, the FDA has created downloadable posters for printing. It's hoping that you will see what is good for you and buy lots of fruits, veggies, and fish.

These posters show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish in the United States. I think it's interesting to see what the most consumed foods are, but you can also download these charts for your own personal use. They're pretty handy and good to check out so download them by clicking the links below:

Iron Sources: Veggies & Grains vs. Meat

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

If you are dealing with anemia or low iron in your blood, you should be eating iron rich foods. Even though there are many iron rich foods to choose from, they are not all created equally. Iron found in meat, fish and poultry is more easily absorbed by the body. Plant based iron sources like dry beans, dark leafy veggies and enriched bread products are important sources of iron, but they come in a form that is not as easily absorbed. So look for a variety of iron sources by eating a well balanced diet.

Fit's Tip: Remember to combine iron rich foods with vitamin C since it increases the amount of iron the body can absorb. They don't call vitamin C ascorbic acid for nothing!

Tips to Slim Down Your Pizza

FitSugar — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Barbecue season has basically come to an end and pizza is taking over now. While we may be tempted to order a meat lover's pizza with extra cheese (this is NOT on the Atkins Diet by the way), we should rethink our topping choices so we can still have our pizza and enjoy it too! Plus, besides pizza being yummy, it can also be really good for you (think lycopene in the tomato sauce and veggies galore).

Here are some fabulous ideas from MSN for keeping your pizza healthy and tasty:

Vegetables are by far the best topping for a pizza and offer a wide range of options. Experiment with different varieties such as green and red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or be adventurous and pick a fruity topping like pineapple or mango.
Cheese belongs to the Milk and Alternatives food group and is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Keep the fat content to a reasonable amount by ordering regular cheese, rather than "double." (I personally like to order "light" cheese, most pizza guys will know what you mean.)
Meat is a source of protein - and fat. Leaner choices are chicken and ham. Typically, pepperoni is leaner than beef and sausage. Multi-meat pizzas contain high levels of fat, calories and salt.
Crusts made from whole wheat or multi grain are more nutritious. They deliver a boost of fiber and fewer calories than traditional dough crusts.

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