Healthy Kitchen: Vinegar

A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that vinegar may help to keep your body from storing extra fat by breaking it down before it can settle onto your hips or stomach. Vinegar has been used for is medicinal and health properties since ancient times. The most adamant supporters of vinegar claim that it can be beneficial for almost any malady. However, many of these claims have not been proven. There are still benefits that can be obtained through eating vinegar.

• Vinegar is high in acetic acid which helps the body absorb minerals. It may be especially beneficial for women who suffer from osteoporosis because it helps to absorb calcium. Many women cannot obtain calcium through dairy products because of lactose intolerance. Calcium may also be obtained through dark leafy greens, but these greens sometimes contain compounds that inhibit calcium absorption. Fortunately, a splash of vinegar on greens can help the body to absorb calcium.

• Vinegar may help people with type 2 diabetes. It seems to inactivate some of the enzymes that turn food into sugar. This gives the body more time to assimilate the sugar and helps prevent the blood sugar spike that can be so dangerous. A study found that those who had vinegar before their meals had a higher insulin sensitivity, which means their body was better able to utilize the sugar they consumed. This is important because elevated blood sugar levels can lead to other problems such as heart disease.

• Vinegar can be used to replace unhealthy fats and salt. Saturated fats can cause such problems as elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which in turn, can lead to stoke and heart attack. Vinegar also adds lots of flavor, but hardly any calories! It only has 25 calories in half a cup!

• Vinegar can also be used to remove harmful pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Just mix 10 percent vinegar and 90 percent water and soak your produce in it for a few minutes. Then rinse your produce thoroughly and eat! (Don’t do this on tender produce such as berries—they absorb the vinegar through their porous skin.)

• Vinegar can enhance natural flavors. Use on sweet things such as strawberries to bring out the natural sweetness without using sugar. Use vinegar on veggies instead of salt. Make a salad dressing out of vinegar and olive oil. Use rice vinegar and soy sauce for an Asian flavor.
photo credit: paulshannon

Attention Carbo-phobes!

Many people have bought into the Atkins Diet mindset—thinking that carbs are bad for you. Well, good news! You can dig into a bowl of pasta without guilt! New data from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois suggests that a substance called glutamic acid found in grains may be good for your heart. They found that people who consumed more of this amino acid had lower blood pressure. Other foods also contain this particular amino acid, but to a much lesser degree. A cup of macaroni has five times more glutamic acid than broccoli. Pasta also contains more calories, so to get the most nutrition for the calories, eat whole grains. Look for whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and whole grain breads. Whole grains also contain significant amounts of fiber and B vitamins, which are also good for your heart and your digestion. Whole grains keep your energy levels more stable than refined carbs.
photo credit: visualpanic

Walnuts May Keep Cancer at Bay

A study done by Marshall University School of Medicine found that eating walnuts every day may help curb breast cancer. The study done on mice found that those that ate walnuts had fewer and smaller tumors than those who didn’t. Walnuts contain antioxidants and significantly higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids than other nuts. They also contain phytosterols, which bind to estrogen receptors and inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumors. The study suggests eating two handfuls of walnuts a day to receive benefits. More research needs to be done with human subjects, but the results are promising. Scientists estimate that eating walnuts every day may push off the development of tumors by up to nine years. Walnuts may also help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and improving blood vessel elasticity. They also reduce C-Reactive Protein, which is an independent marker and predictor of heart disease.

photocredit:FotoosVanRobin

Alcohol and Depression

Alcohol is connected to depression in two ways—either a person drinks too much and as a result feels depressed or a person drinks to relieve anxiety and depression. Either way, alcohol affects the chemistry in the brain, which increases the risk for depression. Hangovers create a vicious cycle of waking up feeling sick, anxious, jittery and guilty. Life can become depressing because of the problems alcohol creates—relationship difficulties with family and friends, problems at work, memory issues and sexual problems. For many depressed drinkers, cutting out alcohol consumption can drastically improve their mood. Most start to feel better within a few weeks of cutting out alcohol. The best idea is stop drinking first to see whether that is what is causing the depression. Friends and family may find it easier to get along with a sober person. If after four weeks of not drinking, the depression has not lifted, a General Practitioner may suggest cognitive therapy or prescribe medication. Some of the symptoms of alcoholism include using alcohol as a way to cope with anxiety, anger, frustration, depression or a lack of self-confidence; relationships are negatively affected; feelings of guilt, depression or self-loathing; large amounts of time spent drinking; drinking early in the day and hiding the amount being consumed from friends and family. If this sounds like you or someone you love, you can contact your local Alcoholics Anonymous for help.
photo credit:PTRA

BK Menu & Nutrition

Are you ever curious about what is actually in the fast food you’re eating? I decided to check out Burger King’s nutrition facts to see how their sandwiches compared. Here’s the low-down.

BK Veggie Burger
• 420 calories
• 16 grams of fat
• 2.5 grams of saturated fat

Whopper
• 670 calories
• 40 grams of fat
• 11 grams of saturated fat

Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich
• 800 calories
• 46 grams of fat
• 8 grams of saturated fat

The coolest part of the website is their interactive nutrition facts. You can look up any menu item and add or subtract sandwich toppings and see how the nutrition facts change. For example, if you subtract the mayo from the BK Veggie Burger and add mustard you cut out 80 calories, 8 grams of fat and 1.5 grams of saturated fat. Check out the website.
photo credit: tiltti

Trader Joe’s Breaded Chickenless Nuggets vs. Morningstar Farms Chicken Nuggets

Trader Joe’s Breaded Chickenless Nuggets vs. Morningstar Farms Chicken Nuggets

Both of these brands of vegetarian chicken nuggets are quite tasty. Trader Joe’s comes out on top for nutritional value, though.

Morningstar Farms Chicken Nuggets
• Serving size: 4 nuggets
• Calories: 190
• Total fat: 9 grams
• Saturated fat: 1.5 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Total carbohydrates: 19 grams
• Dietary fiber: 4 grams
• Sugars: 2 grams
• Protein: 12 grams
Trader Joe’s Breaded Chickenless Nuggets
• Serving size: 4 nuggets
• Calories: 130
• Total fat: 5 grams
• Saturated fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Total carbohydrates: 15 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 5 grams
• Sugars: 0 grams
• Protein: 12 grams
photo credit: PurpleDinosaur

Calorie Bomb for Breakfast

Having a big breakfast can help carry you through the day and can even aid in weight loss. Make sure you get the most out of the calories you have for breakfast, or it could backfire on you. A breakfast that includes carbs and lean protein and comes in around 600 calories is the best for losing weight.
A sausage, egg and cheese sandwich with a latte packs 1,140 calories and 54 grams of fat. These are the culprits:
• Medium vanilla latte: 330 calories
• Bagel with cheese baked in: 340 calories, 6 grams fat
• Sausage: 210 calories, 20 grams fat
• Butter: 100 calories, 12 grams fat
Healthy alternatives for a big breakfast:
• 2 Kashi GoLean Strawberry Flax waffles with 2 tbsp. peanut butter on them, 1 banana, 8 ounces of skim milk: 539 calories, 20 grams fat
• Mexican omelet (2 eggs, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella, 4 tbsp. chunky salsa), 1 whole wheat English muffin, 1 orange, small nonfat cappuccino: 527 calories, 17 grams fat
• Parfait (6 oz. nonfat Greek yogurt, ¼ cup Bear Naked Apple Cinnamon granola, ¼ cup raw almonds, 1 cup berries), coffee with skim milk: 535 calories, 24 grams fat

Source: Beware the 1.140-Calorie Breakfast! Glamour Magazine, September 2009
photo credit: orangeacid

Olive Oil: Good for Your Heart

A lot of research has been done on the benefits of olive oil for healthy people. It lowers the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. New research is suggesting that it may benefit those who undergo heart bypass surgery by decreasing the chance that they will die in the month following surgery. It has been found that those who ate less than 1 tablespoon of olive oil a day were four times more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke than those who ate 3 or more tablespoons of olive oil a day. It is especially beneficial when it is used to replace other fats, such as other vegetable oils, butter and margarine. Out of all the oils, olive oil has the most heart-protecting antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties. Extra virgin olive oil is the most beneficial. It is best to buy it in dark bottles, if possible and keep it in a dark cabinet since light and heat can cause it to become rancid. The Journal of Food Science found that after six months of storage, the antioxidants in olive oil are 40 percent less effective at fighting cell-damaging free radicals. The highest quality olive is imported from Greece, Spain and Italy, so check the label.
photocredit:horaceko

Skip This: Olive Garden Manicotti Formaggio

It's got three different kinds of cheese stuffed inside pasta shell. 940 calories
46 g fat (25 g saturated fat) and a fluid retention level of  2,530 mg sodium.

Product Review: Boca VS Quorn Chicken Patties

Boca Meatless Chik 'n Patties Original

160 calories
6 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
430 mg sodium

VS

Quorn Naked Chik 'n Cutlets (1 cutlet)

80 calories
2.5 g fat (0.5 g saturated fat)
420 mg sodium

Quorn wins! It manages to cut a few calories and less fat.

Olive Oil - External use

Olive oil is one of the best oil you can use internally, but what about external use? Did you know that you can use olive oil to revive damaged hair? Saturate hair with extra-virgin olive oil, then wrap with a warm towel for 20 minutes.

photo credit:horaceko

Pancreatic Cancer and Animal Fat

This week I came across an research article that has come out from the U.S. National Cancer Institute on the strong association between increased animal fat and dairy products with pancreatic cancer.  I have seen the devastation this disease can bring first hand when I lost my grandfather almost 2 years ago(its the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the US).  Health Day stated, "Men who consumed the most fat from animal sources had a 53 percent increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer and women had a 23 percent increased risk, compared with men and women who ate the least fat."  Above and beyond that they noted that an increased level of saturated fat increased risk of pancreatic cancer by 36%.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has toted that being over weight in your 30s was associated with a 60 percent increased risk for pancreatic cancer, and being obese was associated with a twofold to threefold higher risk.

In short, you may want to evaluate the amount of meat and dairy you consume(remembering that 2% milk is actually 35% fat) Make sure you are getting lots of fresh vegetables and fruit which are so important to maintaining a healthy weight and disease prevention. photo credit: VirtualErn

Skip this: Blimpie Special Vegetarian Sub 12'

Isn't vegetarian supposed to be healthy? Not really, the sub comes with 3 different kinds of cheese, pickles and olives. Total of 1186 calories, 60 g fat and a whopping 3532 mg sodium. Here'a a tip, skip the added salt, oil, skip the cheese and go easy on the pickles and olives, your blood vessel with thank you.

Skip this: Arby's Sausage Gravy Biscuit

This is one breakfast you can skip, with 1040 calories, 60 g of fat and 4699 mg sodium! That's almost 3-4 times exceeded the recommendation. Remember excessive sodium cause fluid retention, constriction of the blood vessel which lead to high blood pressure. Your breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don't blow it.

Is your TV a snack sacrificial altar?

We are creatures of habits, according to Yale University, if you watch food ads on TV , you consumed 45 percent more snacks, that increased amount of snacking would lead to a weight gain of nearly 10 pounds a year! So pay attention to yourself next time when you watch TV, see if you can catch yourself walking towards the pantry or refrigerator. Remember, no one gains 10 pounds in a day, every little steps you take help prevent weight gain. Do you have any anti snacking tips? Share them in the comment area!

photo credit: ginnerobot

Skip This: NEW McDonald Angus Third Pounder burger

In the beginning we have the Big Mac at 540 Calories, then came the Double Quarter Pounder at 740 Calories. Introducing the all NEW Third Pounder Burger with 860 Calories. If you supersize that with fries and a large soda? Instant weight gain! Do yourself a favor, skip this :)

2% Milk 35% Fat

From the title you say wait that doesnt make sence.  I drink 2% because its only 2% fat.  Well yes its 2% fat but its calculated by weight and not calories.  In general a serving size is about 120 calories with 40 of those being from fat.  Hmm doesn't add up real well does it.  While it certainly is a bit shady I cant say I blame them.  Who wants the task to advertise to try to sell 35%fat! photo credit: markhillary

99% fat free or is it?

So much for simply reading labels.  You may want to consider shopping with a calculator.  I personally find its easier just to avoid processed foods.  It makes life easier and is better for you!