FitSugar

Food Review: World of Grains Blueberry and Cranberry Snacks

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:00:00 PDT

When I first came across this World of Grains product, I wasn't quite sure what it was. The package merely described them as "snacks." But were they crackers? Cookies? Fruit? Turns out, these snacks are really a combination of all three.

As you know, I value my snacks, and these healthy, whole-grain treats are a great way to ward off snack attacks. They look like cookies but they don't taste as sweet - more like a graham cracker than a mouthful of sugar. I tried the cranberry and blueberry biscuits, which are made from a blend of eight whole grains -including oat bran, amaranth flour, and quinoa - mixed with bits of real fruit. To hear what I thought of them,

read more. I like that these cookies satisfy my sweet tooth but don't taste overly sugary. The blueberry flavor is sweeter, sort of like a blueberry muffin, while the cranberry is more tart, and both have a crunchy, chewy texture that's fun to munch. Better yet, unlike some other low-cal sweets, they actually fill me up when eaten as an afternoon snack. I'm guessing that's because of the 12 grams of whole grains per serving, but these are definitely heartier than, say, a 100-calorie pack of Girl Scout cookies. Each box comes with four individual cookie packet, each with fewer than 150 calories and 4 grams of fat. They are also available in oatmeal raisin, apple cinnamon, and multigrain flavors. You can buy them at Whole Foods, and you can find a store near you on the World of Grains website.

The Secrets of the World's Healthiest Women

Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:45:10 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

From pouring on the olive oil like the Greeks to slashing stress like the Scandinavians, what we
can learn from the happiest, slimmest, longest-living cultures around the globe.

The secret to a long, healthy life in America? According to longevity researchers, it may be to act like you live somewhere else.

It seems like every year another country's lifestyle is touted as the new magic bullet to cure us of obesity, heart disease, and premature death: for an unclogged heart, herd goats and down olive oil like a Mediterranean. Avoid breast cancer and live to 100 by dining on tofu, Japanese-style. Stay as happy as Norwegians by hunting elk and foraging for cowberries.

Health.com: Weight-Loss Secrets From Around the World

The places we're usually told to emulate are known as Blue Zones or Cold Spots. Blue Zones were pinpointed by explorer Dan Buettner and a team of longevity researchers and are described in his book The Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest. They're areas in Italy, Japan, Greece, California, and Costa Rica where the people have traditionally stayed healthy and active to age 100 or older.

Keep on reading for more great tips from around the globe.

The Essential Habits of a Healthy Home Cook

Michele Foley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

Unless you know what you're doing, cooking at home can be as detrimental to your health as eating out. As far as your body is concerned, cooking with processed ingredients high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium might as well be like eating McDonald's. But becoming a healthy cook isn't as hard as you think. Here are some essential habits for healthy home cooks, starting from the moment you set foot in the grocery store to the second you put dinner on the table.

Shop the Right Way
Healthy cooking starts with strategic grocery shopping. Create a meal plan for the week and stock your cart with whole, fresh, and organic foods, lean proteins, and unrefined grains: an easy way to do this is to shop the perimeter of the grocery store. When you do have to buy prepared foods, choose products with the fewest and simplest ingredients. Healthy grocery options can be expensive, but here are six ways to save money when shopping organic.

Fill Your Toolbox
If cooking from scratch seems daunting, arm yourself with a few healthy kitchen gadgets. From steamers to kitchen scales, these tools will help cut back on prep and cook time, reduce the amount of fat in your dishes, and even make calorie counting and portion control easier. Here are a few of our favorite healthy cooking gadgets.

Learn how to cook healthy at home after the break!

Are You Interested in Reading James Franco's Novel?

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:10:13 PST

James Franco became a published author with his short-story collection, Palo Alto, but his newest venture into the book world sounds a lot juicier: Franco has written a novel based on his acting career. The book, called Actors Anonymous, will be published by Amazon, though it's still uncertain when the book will actually be released.

I've come to take Franco's wacky antics with a grain of salt at this point, but I have to admit I'm intrigued to read about his life and career - even if it is a fictionalization. Just think of how much fun it would be to guess which other Hollywood stars Franco has included with changed names. How do you feel about this news - are you interested in reading Franco's study of Franco?

3 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier in 2012

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:55:57 PST

You might have told yourself that this year is about trimming down your sugar, coffee, and fatty food intake. However, cutting out these foods quickly can make you feel deprived, which may lead to overindulging later. Rather than cutting out all the bad stuff, add in a few healthy, tangible choices to your daily diet. Here are three small foods you can easily eat, so you can feel healthier and accomplished each day.

Green smoothie or juice: Sometimes it's tough to get your daily dose of veggies and fruit, so why not start the day off right with a large glass of something that's packed with antioxidants and nutrients? If you're a smoothie drinker, try Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie. If you have a juicer (or are looking to invest in one), try out this sweet and gingery green juice recipe.

See more tips.

5 Simple Ways to Look Even Better in 2012

Annie Tomlin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:05:47 PST

Making New Year's resolutions is one thing, but making changes that take little effort but have a huge beauty payoff? Now that's something to celebrate. Whether you're looking to banish bikini-line bumps for good, to have stronger nails, or to get that glowing complexion, these straight-from-the-experts tips will give you guidance. Read more to get started.

The Truth About the Health Benefits of Tea

Health — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:13:17 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

Tea - does it really fight cancer? Lower cholesterol? We filter the research to find out which health claims actually hold water.
By Kate Lowenstein

The way scientific studies and health gurus alike have touted the perks of tea over the past few years, you'd think the stuff was some kind of all-powerful magical elixir. Improving heart health, reducing cancer risk, warding off dementia and diabetes - there's barely a health benefit that hasn't been credited to tea. It's true that the brew has disease-fighting antioxidants, and, as far as anyone can tell, should be great for us.

"The science is certainly promising," says David L. Katz, MD, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center. "But the hype goes beyond it and tends to make promises which the science can't yet deliver." (No, tea probably will not cure depression, eliminate allergies, or boost your fertility!) We talked to the experts and weighed the studies to separate the truth from the hype.

Health.com: Drink This Tea to Lose That Belly

Why tea is so hot
First, a definition: When scientists talk about tea, they mean black, green, white, or oolong teas - all of which are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal brews, like chamomile and peppermint, are not technically considered tea; they're infusions of other plants with different nutritional characteristics. If you're not sure what kind you're drinking, check the ingredients for the word "tea."

Keep reading to learn even more about tea.

Burning Question: What's the Difference Between Whiskey and Whisky?

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:03:44 PDT

Regardless of how you spell it, whiskey and whisky are essentially the same spirit, created from a mash of fermented grains. On an initial glance, the difference between the two words just looks like an personal preference, or at worst a harmless spelling mistake. But the debate surrounding the one-letter difference between whiskey and whisky has a tendency to make die-hard bourbon connoisseurs' blood boil. Keep reading to learn the difference between whiskey and whisky.

Breakfast Ideas For Healthy Skin and Fewer Wrinkles

Prevention — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:11:00 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Reduce wrinkles and look younger with your a.m. meal
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

There's more to getting healthy, glowing skin than buying the perfect anti-aging skincare products. "You can put on all the makeup and concealer in the world, but unless you're eating a diet full of beauty foods, your skin will not look its best," says Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, the author of The Beauty Diet.

Start your morning off right by whipping up these beauty-boosting breakfasts. They're full of beauty foods that protect your skin and keep it looking young, fresh, and absolutely radiant.

Omelet Italian-Style
Tomatoes add juicy flavor to this simple omelet, but they also boost skin health. "Tomatoes are the number one skin-friendly vegetable," says Jessica Wu, MD, a Los Angeles dermatologist and the author of Feed Your Face. Studies show that eating these bright red veggies may help fight sunburn, boost collagen, and even reduce skin roughness.

Get the Full Italian-Style Omelet Recipe!

Fruit and Spice Cut Oatmeal
Besides being heart healthy, this steel-cut oats breakfast may improve your complexion. While instant oatmeals are often packed with sugar, this recipe instead relies on spices, fruit, and a touch of honey for flavor. "Sugar may contribute to wrinkles, and there's research that shows that following a diet lower in refined carbs improves adult acne," says Drayer.

Try it Yourself! Get the Fruit and Spice Oatmeal Recipe

Keep reading for more anti-aging recipes!

Why You Might Feel Lousy When You Lose Weight

Shape — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:37:21 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to Cynthia Sass, a registered dietitian with master's degrees in both nutrition science and public health.

I've had a private practice for a long time, so I've coached many people on their weight-loss journeys. Sometimes they feel fantastic as the pounds drop off, as though they're on top of the world and have energy through the roof. But some people struggle with what I call weight-loss backlash, the physiological and psychological side effects of weight loss that are powerful enough to make you feel downright miserable. Here are three you may encounter (do they sound familiar?) and how to get through the rough patch.

Toxin Release
According to research published in the International Journal of Obesity, environmental pollutants trapped in fat cells are released back into the bloodstream when you lose weight. The data collected from 1,099 adults looked at blood concentrations of six pollutants as people lost weight. Compared to those who reported gaining weight over a 10-year period, those who had lost significant pounds had 50-percent higher levels of pollutants in their blood. Scientists say the release of these chemicals as body fat is lost may account for feeling ill as you shrink your shape.
Advice:
This study highlights why it's particularly important to eat a "clean" diet that boosts immunity and optimizes health as you lose weight. In my experience, low-calorie diets comprised of processed foods or ultra-low carb diets that omit antioxidant rich fruits and whole grains can add to feelings of sluggishness or symptoms like headaches and irritability. My best advice is to eat on a regular schedule to give your body consistency, which plays a major role in regulating hormones, and focus on the quality of your food by building meals made from nutrient-rich balanced portions of veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, plant-based fats, and antioxidant-rich seasonings.

See how to cope with the other negative side effects of weight loss after the break!