FitSugar

Firstborns Thrive From More Quality Time

LilSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:00:41 PST

While many parents joke that you take a million pictures of your first child and are lucky if you manage to pick up the camera once baby number two debuts; is there something to the notion that the first child gets the most mom and dad time?

A recent study suggests that firstborn children spend 3,000 more hours of quality time with their parents, than subsequent siblings. A WebMD article about the findings said:

The study found that in two-child households, the elder children typically got between 20 and 30 minutes more quality time with each parent each day between the ages of 4 and 13.

To read what all the quality time can provide,

read more. As a result, statistics say that firstborn children ten to have tend to have higher IQs, do better in school and make more money as adults. Do you find this to be true? Source

Baby Bump: I'm Pregnant – What Can I Eat?

babysugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:00:49 PST

One of my first cravings as a mama–to–be was brie cheese. Little did I know it was on the list of foods to avoid when you're expecting. I didn't find that out until I was two months pregnant at my first prenatal appointment.

That's when I got the list of foods and beverages to avoid for the remainder of my pregnancy. I knew alcohol and caffeinated sodas were off the menu but wished someone had told me earlier to be wary of unpasteurized cheeses and deli meats. I panicked that my unborn babe might contract listeria from a sandwich I had eaten. Luckily, she was fine. To check out the foods to avoid,

read more. WebMD has a great article on steering clear of certain foods while expecting. Here's the list:

Certain types of fish: Swordfish, shark, tilefish, king mackerel, limit canned albacore tuna fish. These large fish harbor higher levels of methylymercury, a metal detrimental to a growing child's brain and nervous system. Pregnant and nursing women may safely eat up to 6 ounces of albacore ("white') tuna fish as part of their weekly total limit of 12 ounces of seafood low in mercury, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This also includes salmon, shrimp, canned light tuna, pollock, and catfish.

Fish caught in rivers, lakes, streams, or any other body of water. Recreational anglers may hook fish contaminated with bacteria or chemicals. Check the safety of fish from your favorite fishing grounds with your local health department.

Raw or undercooked meats: Red meat, poultry, seafood (like raw oysters, clams, sushi), and eggs (including eggs in cookie dough and cake batter). Undercooked animal foods may contain a variety of bacteria and viruses. Use a meat thermometer to determine how well done the meat and poultry are, and cook eggs until they are no longer runny.

Hot dogs and luncheon meats: This includes deli ham, turkey, bologna, and salami. They are fine to eat if they have been reheated until steaming hot. These foods are prone to Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes listeriosis, which may result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or other serious health problems.

Unpasteurized dairy foods: These can include some milk and certain cheeses, such as Brie, feta, Camembert, Roquefort, blue-veined, "queso blanco," "queso fresco," and Panela; refrigerated pates or meat spreads; and refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel (most often labeled as "nova-style," "lox," "kippered," "smoked," or "jerky"). These foods may contain harmful levels of listeria bacteria. Refrigerated smoked seafood is safe when it's part of a cooked dish, like casseroles. [Lil note: Many cheeses in the US are pasteurized though, in which case they are fine. But if you are traveling abroad, you might want to play it safe and avoid it all together.]

Unpasteurized juices: Juices such as cider purchased from roadside stands, at farms, or in stores can be prone to germs, including E. coli. Check the label to be sure juice is pasteurized.

Raw vegetable sprouts: The FDA says sprouts are not a good idea for anyone, especially pregnant women who are more susceptible to the health effects of the germs sprouts possess. Examples of raw vegetable sprouts are alfalfa sprouts, clover, radish, and mung bean.

Herbal supplements and teas: Herbs are natural, but herbal products have not been studied enough to recommend them during pregnancy.

Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits rob developing cells of oxygen, making normal development impossible. The effects of alcohol on intellectual prowess are irreparable. According to the March of Dimes, there is no known safe level for alcohol consumption in pregnancy.

Tap water in undeveloped countries: Drink bottled water to avoid bacteria and viruses.

Certain foods that cause food allergy. Depending on your family history, your child may be at risk for developing food allergies. Avoiding foods including peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy (and nursing) may reduce allergy risk in susceptible children. Before you make any changes to your diet, speak with a licensed health care professional about your child's risk for allergy and consult with a registered dietitian knowledgeable about food allergy.

Source

Baby Wellness: Sick Baby

babysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:00:11 PST

At 5:00a.m. yesterday, I had a rude awakening. My lil one was sick and it showed itself in her crib. I called the doctor and she said a tummy bug was going around. Not what I wanted to hear, but at least she gave me some pointers on what to do with a sick 13-month-old. The guidelines are very similar on WebMD.

To take note of these helpful tips just

When giving clear liquids, they should include fruit juice mixed to half strength with water, oral rehydration solution (ORS), clear broth, and gelatin dessert.
You can also offer ORS frozen pops to your child (like Pedialyte).
Do not give your child plain water, undiluted fruit juice, or soda pop. (see why here)
Gradually start to offer your child regular foods after 6 hours with no vomiting.
Offer crackers, toast, broths, mild soups, mashed potatoes, rice, and breads to your older child.
Allow your child to eat what he or she prefers–the type of food is not important.
Avoid high-fiber foods, such as beans, and foods with a lot of sugar, such as candy or ice cream.
Do not give your child a prescription medicine to stop vomiting unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.

And my advice to fellow moms is to get some vapo–rub for yourself. Swipe it under your nose and it will block some of the heinous smells you encounter. More importantly, hug and love on your babe as much as you can. I know I still want to be cuddled by my mom when I'm feeling ill.

Tips Straight from The Biggest Loser

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

If anyone knows weight loss, it's the folks over at The Biggest Loser.

While the new season of the Biggest Loser does not start until September 11th, 2007 (I am so excited I can hardly contain myself), Kim Lyons, Devin Alexander (author of The Biggest Loser Cookbook) and several of the "Biggest Losers" offer these tips and tricks on WebMD to help motivate you:

"Eat often - snack often," says Alexander. While this may seem contrary to traditional dieting advice, the chef says that as long as you keep an eye on calories and portions, eating often will stave off hunger attacks that ultimately sabotage your diet. "When you're starving, you grab whatever is available - and that's the quickest way to get off your eating plan," says Alexander.
"Eat your carbs in the morning," says Biggest Loser contestant Brian Starkey. "It gets your day off to an energetic start." Lyons adds that carbs are quickly burned with activity, so eating them may help motivate you for that morning walk or bike ride.
"Post a picture of yourself on the refrigerator - at your worst," says Biggest Loser contestant Dana Desilvio. "The next time you're thinking of grabbing something you shouldn't from the fridge, you'll be reminded of what you don't want to look like!"
"Instead of watching the clock during workouts, listen to music," to make the time go faster,says Erik Chopin (pictured above), The Biggest Loser's season-three winner. Lyons reminds us that everyday activities, like bike riding, tossing a Frisbee, or walking your dog, count as physical activity, too.

There's six more so

"When eating out, always ask for a 'to-go' box - at the start of your meal," says Biggest Loser contestant Bobby Moore. Then, when your food arrives, immediately put half of it in the box, he suggests. This way, you'll not only get used to eating smaller portions, but you'll have a snack for later.
Learn to cook healthfully. "Cooking healthy doesn't have to be hard - or take more time," says Alexander. While many "Biggest Loser" contestants said they thought cooking healthy would be complicated or time-consuming, Alexander says, most found that cooking healthy is actually easier, less expensive, and faster.
"Never overlook the power of seasoning," says Alexander. One way she made even the blandest diet foods grab the contestants' attention was by using low-sodium seasonings. "People never realize what a major difference spices can make on even simple dishes like grilled chicken or salmon," she says.
"When it comes to cooking in flavor, it's never about the oil," says Alexander. Many dieters believe that unless food is fried in oil, you don't get much flavor. But, she says, the real secret is pan-browning, which can happen without oil. The trick to getting restaurant-quality taste, she says, is to never overload your pan with food. "If you put too much in the pan, the moisture content causes the foods to steam and not pan-fry," she says. "By reducing the amount of food in the pan you get that tasty pan-seared browning, without the use of any oils."
Don't try to do too much exercise, too soon. You not only run the risk of injury, but you'll also get quickly discouraged. "Don't try to stare down 45 minutes of exercise," says Lyons. "Tell yourself it will be OK to quit after 10 minutes, because most of the time once you get going, you'll keep going."
Remember: Self-esteem feeds on self-esteem. Accomplishing a little something toward your weight loss goal every day will not only get you on the road to success, but help keep you there. "You are not just losing weight, you are changing your life and your lifestyle," says Alexander. "If you keep that in mind, you come to see that every change, no matter how small, comes together to make a huge difference in not only your weight, but your life," says Alexander.

Foods That Could Bust Your Diet

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:15:00 PDT

We all try so hard to keep to a healthy diet, but sometimes we may be trying so hard that we don't realize we are doing more harm than good. To keep us on top of things, WebMD has created a list of the top diet busting foods (and I have elaborated):

Soups: Stay away from cream based soups and stick to low calorie soups that are broth based.
Sugar-Free Cookies: No Sugar does not mean no calories or that it's good for you.
Pork: Stick to tenderloin and sirloin if you need the other white meat.
Coffee: Orange Frappuccino - Need I say more?
Salad Dressings: Get dressing on the side or water it down and check out my nutritional breakdown on popular dressings.
Breakfast Bars: Watch out for high fructose corn syrups.
Dried Fruits and Granola: A handful of both is OK, with more than that you'll be adding more calories and fat.
Juice and Soda: They aren't just drinks and the calories do (and will) add up.
Low-Fat/Low-Cal Foods: The problem here is that most people see low calorie on the label and eat three times as much because, well, it's low-cal.
Nuts: Like dried fruit, nuts are great for you just in small handfuls worth, not in small jars worth.

To check out the full article, visit WebMD.com.

Source

5 Ways to Stay Fit While on Vacation

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:45:00 PDT

We all know that vacationing can make for a huge set-back on your quest to get fit. I know vacationing is supposed to be a time where you can just feel good and relax, but relaxing can be difficult if you are feeling each pound add up, one by one, day by day....

WebMD, along with Dawn Jackson-Blatner, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, has come up with these five simple ways to stay fit while on vacation:

Plan Ahead to Fit in Fitness: Vacations should be an opportunity to re-energize, refresh, and relax -- not an excuse to take a break from health. When planning your vacation, opt for locations that will allow you to engage in physical activities you enjoy. Keep in mind that physical activity is the ticket to enjoying extra calories without weight gain.
Be Prepared: When you travel, whether by plane, train, or automobile, be prepared with healthy food so you won’t have to eat whatever is available. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast, then pack easy and satisfying snacks or a small meal, such as a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato on whole-grain bread, a piece of fruit, and some cut-up veggies with hummus.
Avoid Dining-Out Disasters: Eating out may pose the biggest challenge for avoiding vacation weight gain. "It is easy to control calories if you stay away from fried, crispy, or creamy foods; hold extras such as cheese and mayo; top salads with low-fat dressings; drink water instead of sodas -- simple things that can shave calories and make room for the special treats," says Blatner.
Indulge in Moderation: Deprivation is no fun when you're on vacation. Instead, "the name of the game is moderation when it comes to controlling calories from treats and alcohol," says Blatner. So have one scoop of ice cream instead of the sundae, or split that decadent dessert with a dining companion.
Pare Down Portions: Even when you're on vacation, portions count if you want to avoid weight gain.

To read the full article, check out WebMD.

Source

Only One in Seven of Us are Actually Trying

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Just when I was starting to think that we, as a society, are finally starting to get the whole eat right and exercise thing; WebMD has to go and totally burst my bubble with new reports.

Apparently only one in seven U.S. adults reported regular physical activity along with consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. What's more? The study may even overestimate actual healthy behaviors because it was based on subjects’ self-reports while research participants are known to routinely overestimate good behaviors and underestimate bad ones. Gabby Reese is right: Do something about it already! Reading FitSugar is a great motivation, but no one is going to shove fruits and veggies down your throat and you are the one that has to actually make yourself get up and exercise. Do it for yourself.

Write a contract up with yourself:
"I want to live longer so this week I am going to exercise at least three times and I am going to eat at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day.
If I do not meet this goal, my consequence is: [Insert your appropriate consequence here...Perhaps no Grey's this week].
If I do meet this goal, my reward is: [Insert your appropriate reward here...Perhaps a new pair of shoes]."

Sign it, make copies and put it on your fridge, your desk, where you keep your remote controls, on your nightstand, etc.

Ethnic Eating Out Tips: Thai, Indian and French

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 15:15:00 PST

Navigating through a restaurant menu is often tough, but it's even harder when you're navigating through yummy food that you're not totally familiar with. WebMD has created an easy choose/avoid list for the next time you eat Thai, Indian and French.

THAI: My personal take out favorite, but it's definitely tough to sort through the often extensive menus.
Choose-
Sauces: lemon grass, lime, curry, sweet and sour, basil, chili, fish sauce
Stir-fried, sautéed, and braised dishes
Thai salads
Basil rolls
Broth soups
Any dish with lots of vegetables
Bean thread noodles
Seafood, tofu, poultry, lean meats
"Satays" -- skewered meat
Avoid-
Dishes made with coconut or coconut milk
Sauces with peanuts
Fried foods, including fried spring rolls
"Mee-krob" -- crispy noodles

To see what to choose/avoid when eating Indian and French,

read more INDIAN: Curry is the name of the game here, but there are also a lot of fried food land mines, so be careful. Choose- Basmati rice Legumes (chickpeas and lentils) Vegetable dishes Yogurt-based sauces Lean meats, poultry, and seafood Mulligatawny or lentil soup "Papad" -- baked lentil wafer Tikki, tandoori, or kebab preparations Avoid- "Ghee" -- clarified butter "Molee" -- coconut milk or cream Any kind of fried foods High-fat beef and lamb dishes Creamy curry sauce "Korma" -- cream sauce (Limit portions of coconut and nuts) FRENCH: French women could get fat if they stick to the foods on the avoid list. Choose- Broth-based soups Plain vegetables Vegetable salads with light vinegar-based dressing Wine or mustard sauces without cream Roasted or grilled lean meats, poultry, and fish Avoid- Cream soups Cream or cheese sauces: au gratin, hollandaise, béarnaise, béchamel Caesar salads or any with creamy dressings Anything fried or seasoned with breadcrumbs Pate, fatty meats, duck, and sausages

What's the Deal with: Volumetrics

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 08:30:00 PST

If given the choice between eating more and eating less, which would you choose?

If you chose eating more then you're not alone and you may want to consider The Volumetrics Eating Plan. The basis behind Volumetrics is feeling full and satisfied. The book's author, Barbara Rolls, PhD, believes that people feel full because of the amount of food they eat -- not because of the number of calories or the grams of fat, protein, or carbs. The trick to the Volumetrics Diet is to fill up on foods that aren't full of calories. In some cases (especially of those of us who have been crash dieting for years now), following Volumetrics will actually allow you to slim down while eating more, not less than you do now.

The one major rule of Volumetrics is that you need to keep a watch out for Energy Density, which is the number of calories in a specified amount, in foods. The less energy dense a food is (like veggies and non-fat milk) the more you can have of it. The more energy dense a food is, like cookies, the less you can have of it. As you can imagine, water (perhaps the least energy dense food there is) plays a big role in Volumetrics.

Lower-calories, lower-fat, and lots of vegetables and fruits...hmm just sounds to me like another way (one that sells books) to describe a healthy diet, so if it sounds like a good deal to you, then you should absolutely try this diet.

Buy The Volumetrics Eating Plan on Amazon.com for $17.13.

Did You Get More Bug Bites While Pregnant?

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 05:27:44 PDT

Is a pregnant woman's skin sweeter than others? It's quite possible that it is!

Last evening a vacationing Tori Spelling tweeted, "Liam helped me count my bug bites... 62 BITED in 3 days! NO JOKE! Guess these island bugs love some pregger skin!" Her tweet reminded me that I experienced something similar when I was expecting, and just hadn't mentioned it to anyone.

A quick search of the web proved that there is a link between the two. According to WebMD:

"Mosquitoes can smell their dinner from an impressive distance of up to 50 meters . . . This doesn't bode well for people who emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. 'Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance,' [Joe] Conlon says. Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide, which is why mosquitoes typically prefer munching on adults to small children. Pregnant women are also at increased risk, as they produce a greater-than-normal amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes."

Did you experience anything similar, and how did you treat them?