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,

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.

Olympic Pros Shawn Johnson, Natalie Coughlin, and Mia Hamm Share Their Healthy Snack Ideas

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:25:59 PDT

Being an Olympic veteran means three things: you're a world-class athlete, you're used to hectic schedules, and you know how to travel smart. So who better to ask about how to stay healthy while being on the go than a few famous Olympic athletes? Whether you're snacking at home or need something to grab and go, here are recommendations from veteran Olympians Natalie Coughlin, Mia Hamm, and Shawn Johnson.

When traveling: It's all about "making sure you plan ahead and bring stuff with you, whether it's trail mix or an [energy] bar," soccer star Mia tells us. Gymnast Shawn recommends KIND bars because they are all natural and come in "fun flavors such as almond and coconut and apple cinnamon and pecan. They're surprisingly good," she tells ESPNw. Swimmer Natalie loves making her own energy bars - get her dried plum energy bar recipe here.

At home or work: Natalie is more than just a decorated Olympic swimmer; she's also an avid home cook and gardener. Natalie shared with YumSugar one of her favorite healthy snacks for Spring: "I love just having a really good baguette with good, high-quality butter (just a tiny bit of butter) and fresh sliced radishes with salt on top," she recommends. Shawn is all about snacking on veggies as well: she pairs peppers with hummus for a crunchy, filling snack.

Read on for more snack ideas from these famous Olympians!

Simple Tips on How to Stay Healthy All Day Long

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:18:51 PDT

When striving to be healthy, a few everyday changes can make a world of difference to your body. Maybe you're just focused on a morning workout or staying away from the wrong activities before bed, but if you want to reboot your lifestyle for the long haul, you've got to commit to a healthy lifestyle all day long. Interested in what I mean? Read through these tips to help you keep your healthy living on track whether it's morning, noon, or night.

Morning

If a morning gym session fits your schedule best, then our early morning exercise tips are a must read. From laying out an outfit the night before to scheduling a session with a trainer, these tips can help kick off your day with an energetic bang.

We know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Whatever your dietary needs or time restrictions, we've got you covered. Start the morning with healthy whole-grain hot cereal recipes or low-sugar breakfast ideas or save some time in the morning with a healthy breakfast made the night before.

Think outside the box and mix up your standard morning beverage routine. Take your pick of these inventive drinks to boost your energy to get your head right for your commute and commitments.

Keep reading for tips to stay healthy during the afternoon and evening.

Foodie Friday Link Time: Refreshing Quinoa Salad

Susi May — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:32:43 PDT

Holy whole grains! Try this refreshing quinoa salad - Vegetarian Times
Sneaky signs that your alcohol consumption is becoming problematic - Prevention
Are green coffee beans the next dieting miracle? - Blisstree
What in the world is oral allergy syndrome and do you have it? - Self
Celebrate Spring with this tasty and light fava bean recipe - Health
Straight talk about binge eating and how to conquer it - Daily Spark
Does almond milk yogurt live up to the hype? - Fitnessista
Break these diet rules this weekend without guilt or waistline woes - Fitness
Prep these meals in five minutes and then congratulate yourself on home cooking - Shape

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.