Sweet Lovers Substitutes

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Have a craving for sweets all the time? Here’s a few alternate choices for people with a huge sweet tooth:
Choose Fruit Spritzer instead of Soft Drinks: Have an addiction to soft drinks? Juices such as cranberry, orange, grapefruit, and apple are a good way to make spritzers. They are good sources of vitamins A and C. Mix 50 percent juice with 50 percent carbonated or soda water, and just add a few ice cubes!
Choose Dried Fruitinstead of Sweets: Raisins and prunes are not the only options for dried fruits. Try dried kiwis, pineapples, cherries, peaches, apricots, and mangoes. These tasty fruits will give you a healthy burst of energy, especially when you have a craving for candy!
Choose Frozen Yogurt instead of Ice Cream: Non-fat frozen yogurt almost tastes like the real thing, with less fat. Natural frozen yogurt shops are all over the place, and many supermarkets carry some in their freezer section. Yogurt toppings can be a great addition, choose healthy toppings such as, a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of granola, or top it off with strawberries and dark chocolate shavings for extra tastiness.
Posted by: SSG
 
Source: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/substitutes-sweet-tooth

Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives

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Are you a vegan? If so, avoiding dairy can be extremely hard. People who are trying to avoid non-dairy drinks should look for other milk alternatives fortified with calcium, and Vitamins D and
 B12.
Here is a list of non-dairy milk alternatives:
Almond: lower in calories and sugar than other milk alternatives. It is high in Vitamin E and low in protein.
Soy: thicker than other non-dairy milk alternatives, it has the most protein of non-dairy milks and is good as a creamer in coffee.
Coconut: mad of coconut ‘meat” blended with water. It has a higher fat content than other non-dairy milk alternatives and contains some saturated fat. Coconut beverage in a carton is best for drinking, while the canned version is richer and food for making curries.
Oat: provides fiber and iron, but is low in protein. It contains phytochemicals, which may help prevent heart disease.
Hemp: made of soaked hemp seeds ground with water and contains omega-3 fats. This milk alternative is good in baked foods because it doesn’t have an obtrusive flavor.

 

Rice:cholesterol-free and good for people with nut or soy allergies, but it is also low in protein and high in carbohydrates when compared to other non-dairy milks. It is generally the thinnest non-dairy milk.
Posted by: SSG

Source: Food & Nutrition July/Aug 2013; Volume 2, Issue 4

3 Red White & Blue Recipes

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Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
Makes: 4 1/2 cups
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
2 pounds baby potatoes, a mix of white and blue (or purple)
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers, rinsed
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Preparation:
1) Place potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and cover with lightly salted water.
2) Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a cutting board. Let cool for 20 minutes.
3) Whisk lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Cut the potatoes in half, add to the bowl and toss to coat.
4) Just before serving, add peppers, scallions and mint to the salad and toss gently.
Nutrition
Per serving: 206 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 5 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 30 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 441 mg sodium; 744 mg potassium.
Mini Berry Cream Pies
Makes: 15 mini pies
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
15 frozen mini phyllo cups (1.9-ounce package)
15 fresh blueberries
15 fresh raspberries
Preparation:
Beat cream in a small bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar; beat until stiff. Fold in yogurt. Divide the yogurt cream among phyllo cups, keeping the cups in their plastic tray. Top each with 1 blueberry and 1 raspberry. Serve immediately, or chill for up to 4 hours.
Nutrition
Per serving: 33 calories; 2 g fat ( 1 g sat , 0 g mono ); 5 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates; 1 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 0 g fiber; 11 mg sodium; 7 mg potassium.
Red, White & Blue Popsicles
Makes: About 10 (3-ounce) freezer pops
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 cup raspberries
2 cups limeade
                                                         
Preparation
1) Divide blueberries and raspberries among freezer-pop molds. Pour limeade over the berries. Insert the sticks and freeze until completely firm, about 6 hours. Dip the molds briefly in hot water before unmolding.
Nutrition
Per pop: 45 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 12 g carbohydrates; 6 g added sugars; 0 g protein; 1 g fiber; 2 mg sodium; 41 mg potassium.
 
 
Posted by: SSG
 
 
 
 
Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_4th_of_july_recipes

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

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Going on a road trip this summer? Here are a few healthy snacks you and your family can enjoy!
Ants on a log: This snack is perfect for any age.  Prepare these treats ahead of time by taking a slice of celery, swiping it with peanut butter, and adding a few raisins on top. Put them into a closed container and you’re ready to hit the road!
Veggies or wheat thins and hummus dip: Carrot sticks, celery, and broccoli can easily be chopped in advance and tossed in your cooler. Each vegetable go well with hummus, the traditional Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas. With 63% less fat than ranch dressing, this dip makes veggies more delightful without the empty calories.
  
Popcorn: Don’t have time to prepare a snack? Companies offer packaged popcorn with light flavoring. It’s a better alternative to potato chips, especially if you pick up a low-sodium variety. It is low in saturated fats and cholesterol, but high in fiber. A great snack that only takes a minute! 

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated!!
 

Posted by: SSG

Source:  http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/road-trip-snacks-best-foods-family-drive

Artificial Sweetners- For Diabetics

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Sweeteners, whether they be nutritive which provide calories, or non-nutritive which do not provide calories, are added to a multitude of foods and beverages. Nutritive sweeteners fall under the category of foods called “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Non-nutritive sweeteners, more commonly referred to as artificial sweeteners, have been used for decades to add a sweet flavor to foods without adding significant calories or promoting tooth decay. Many foods containing artificial sweeteners still have calories and carbs, so be sure to check the nutrition facts label.
There are five artificial sweeteners that have been tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
  • acesulfame potassium (also called acesulfame K)
  • aspartame
  • saccharin
  • sucralose
  • neotame

 

 Posted by: SSG

Source:   http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/artificial-sweeteners/

THIS vs. THAT

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Making healthy choices can be a challenge. Here are just a few facts on foods that may taste better, but not be the best choice.
 
 
Grilled vs. Fried Chicken
Roasted or grilled chicken is a better choice than fried or breaded chicken because it is lower in calories and fat.
 
Wheat vs. White Pasta
Whole wheat pasta, like whole wheat bread, has soluble fiber, which may help lower cholesterol. There is a possibility it may help you stay full longer.
Sweet vs. White Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a better nutritional choice than white potatoes because they have a lower glycemic index, which means the effect on blood sugar is slower. Sweet potatoes also contain beta-carotene and Vitamin A.
Posted by: SSG

Importance of Family Meals with Adolescents

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Did you know that family meals have a great impact on your children becoming overweight? When families have dinner together at home, they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables. When younger kids eat healthy dinners with their families, they are less likely to become overweight. By practicing dining at home with fresh cooked meals at the dinner table, the child will most likely start making better healthy choices as they become older. If a parent is constantly buying fast food for their child, they will only demand fast food over time.
Two cross-sectional, direct observational studies examining interpersonal dynamics at family meals with overweight children found that families with an obese child had difficulties with interpersonal dynamics during the family meal time, such as managing family members emotions, interpersonal involvement, parental discipline, and role division during family meals as compared to family with non-overweight children.
Here are some key points to induce great family dinners:
  • Make it enjoyable. Leave the serious discussions for another time. Family meals are for nourishment, comfort, and support.
  • Use the crock pot. Put everything together before leaving for work in the morning. You’ll come home to the delicious smell of a cooked meal.
  • Avoid portion distortion. Keep serving sizes under control, whether you’re at home or eating out.
  • Get the family involved. Let kids help prepare meals and set the table.
  • Keep it simple. Family meals don’t have to be elaborate. Work salads and vegetables into meals. Focus on familiar favorites!

 

Posted by: SSG

Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23567247
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/family-dinners-are-important

Bulimia Nervosa

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Bulimia nervosa is a frequent and routine pattern of behavior which involves binging on a large amount of food in a short time period followed by purging via vomiting or laxatives. Individuals will generally binge on what ever food is available, it does not need to be something particularly good or enticing. They may make a special trip to the store to purchase binge foods which can makes this disorder very costly.

Discussions of binge episodes in my office include 8-12 bagels with cream cheese, bags of cooked frozen vegetables, 6-8 donuts, large bags of chips with salsa, entire box of girl scout cookies (this is obviously seasonal) several slices of bread and butter or excessive amounts of grahm crackers or saltines. This food is consumed with no connection to hunger or fullness — it is all about the emotions and feelings of the moment.

Signs of binging and purging:

  •  disappearance of large amounts of food in short time periods, evidence of food/candy wrappers or empty containers of food..
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom immediately following meals,
  •  odor of vomitting or frequently brushing teeth to disguise the odor of vomitting ,use of breath mints,
  • purging may take place in trash bags kept in their car,stop by public restrooms or purge in the bushes outside a home.
  •  You may also notice swelling of the teeth or jaw area due to frequent vomiting.
  • Purging may be in the form of laxative abuse, or excessive exercise which are also methods to rid the body of calories.

Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to your entire body. Your digestive tract will be negatively impacted from excessive food intake and recurrent purging in short time periods. Muscle spasms, esophogeal tears, abdominal bloating, cardiac arrhymthmia, kidney damage, frequent dental problems, increased cavities, loss of tooth enamel will be common.

The new DSM-V diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa indicates the binge eating and compensatory purging behaviors both occur on average, at least once per week for 3 months

If your binge purge behavior continues for months and months you may eventually discover your food comes up naturally and it is difficult to keep anything down. I have seen this in my practice and it is an extremely dangerous situation. Following months and years of binging/purging anything the patient tries to consume be it water, gatorade, cereal bars, chicken, fruit, vegetable all come back up within a few minutes of eating. This is very scary and frightening for the eating disorder patient to realize what they have done to their body functioning.

The first time you decide to experiment with purging following food intake — call and get help immediately. Do not let this behavior grow into a torrential monster which can consume and devour your life! cb

Summer Snow Cone!

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Mango Strawberry Snow Cones
Prep Time: 10 mins
Yield: 4 servings
 Ingredients:
Ice
2 mangoes, peeled and chopped
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 lime juiced, plus wedges for garnish
Directions:
Fill a food processor with ice. Process until the ice is very fine, like snow. Add the mangoes and strawberries and pulse to blend. Pile the crushed ice into dessert glasses or dishes and squeeze over the lime juice. Garnish with lime wedges; serve immediately.

Posted by: SSG 

Source:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/mango-strawberry-snow-cones-recipe/index.html

Long-Term Effects of Protein Shakes

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Protein drinks are being advertised as a way to boost fitness, and that marketing targets everyone from body builders to teenagers. According to a new study, over-consuming some of those products could be dangerous, and may cause health problems over time. The investigation found some contain things like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Experts say too much protein can lead to:

  • Dehydration
  • Digestive problems
  • Increase your risk for osteoporosis
  • For some people, cause kidney problems.
Consumer Reports says three products were of particular concern. Consuming three servings a day could result in exposure to arsenic, cadmium or lead that exceed proposed limits for contaminants:
     • Eas Myoplex (Arsenic, Cadmium)
     • Muscle Milk-Chocolate (Cadmium, Lead)
     • Muscle Milk-Vanilla Creme (Lead)
Urvashi Rangan, Consumer Reports, said, “What we’re concerned about here is the chronic low level exposure of a heavy metal. And what people should know, is that heavy metals, once they come into our bodies, once they’re metabolized, they tend to stay there for a long period of time.”
There other ways to get protein at a cheaper price, such as:
• Half a chicken breast (27 grams of protein, 62   cents per serving) 
 • Three glasses of milk (23 grams of protein, 60 cents per serving)
• Three scrambled eggs (20 grams of protein, 46 cents per serving)

 

 Posted by: SSG
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500202_162-6537686.html