Is your Chicken just Chicken???

Typically when we go and purchase chicken we do not think to look at the ingredients.  It is supposed to be just that chicken.  However, industry common practice is to plump the chicken.  What this ends up being is chicken injected with either salt water, chicken stalk, seaweed extract or a combination.   What this equates to is to a higher sodium content.  Chicken should have about 75 mg sodium per 4-ounce serving while a plumped chicken may list up to 440 mg sodium for the same serving size.  So next time you buy chicken I would encourage you to read the ingredients.  High sodium intake increases your risk for: heart disease, hemorrhagic stroke, kidney disease, osteoporosis, and stomach cancer.  Oh and one last thing, just because the package says "Organic" or "100 % Natural" does not mean that plumping is not involved.  photo credit: law_keven

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) product recalls

The FDA announced that HVP manufactured by Basic Food Flavours has been recalled, and an estimated 10000 products are affected by this recall. The recall was issued due to possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of  bacterial food borne illness in the United States. It can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Print out this list and check your pantry.
photo credit: denn

Does Natural Mean Healthy?

When you go to the supermarket and see something labeled “natural”, you assume it must be healthy, right? The truth is, the words food manufacturers put on their labels may not mean what you think they mean. Here’s a list of some of these words and their definitions.

• Natural: means no artificial ingredients have been added (regulated only for meat and poultry.)

• Organic: means no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones or antibiotics were used.

• No hormones administered: an unverified certification that the cow was not given hormones during its lifetime.

• No antibiotic administered: an unverified certification that the meat or poultry has not been given antibiotics.

• Cage free: means the chickens weren’t in cages, but they can be packed into a windowless indoor space. It has no impact on nutrition.

• Free-range: an unregulated term that means the chicken has access to the outdoors for more than half its life. They can still live in very crowded conditions with limited outdoor space.

• Grass-fed: means that the cow ate grass at some point during its life. Look for “100% grass-fed.”

• Pastured or pasture-raised: unregulated term that means the animal has roamed a pasture throughout its lifetime.
photocredit:cygnus921

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

BPA May Cause Irregular Heartbeat

The FDA made a controversial conclusion that BPA (bisphenol A) is not a health risk, but there is new evidence that it may not be good for you. BPA is found in some plastic food containers. A study from the University of Cincinnati found that it causes irregular heartbeats in female rodents. It seems that when BPA is combined with estrogen it may harm the human heart. Female estrogen receptors are responsible for this effect on the heart muscle cells. These cellular changes caused the improperly controlled beating of the female heart. These effects are female specific. While this study is controversial, the FDA is reviewing its previous conclusions. In the meantime, store and heat your food in ceramic or glass instead of plastic. photocredit:reegmo

Comparison of P.F. Chang’s Desserts

The Great Wall of ChocolateTM
• Calories per serving: 1,440
• Fat: 61g
• Saturated fat: 20g
• Sodium: 1,120mg
• Carbs: 231g
• Protein: 10g
Banana Spring Rolls
• Calories per serving: 992
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated fat: 23g
• Sodium: 480mg
• Carbs: 145g
• Protein: 15g
New York-Style Cheesecake
• Calories per serving: 870
• Fat: 56g
• Saturated fat: 35g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Carbs: 70g
• Protein: 16g

Flourless Chocolate Dome
• Calories per serving: 440
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated fat: 8g
• Sodium: 290mg
• Carbs: 52g
• Protein: 7g

Mini Desserts
The small size of these desserts makes them a much healthier choice. The lowest calorie choice is the mini apple pie.
• Calories per serving: 127-268
• Fat: 4-17g
• Saturated fat: 1-9g
• Sodium: 30-184mg
• Carbs: 17-44g
• Protein: 1-4g
photo credit: gsloan

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

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

Product Review: Kashi - Autumn Wheat

Lets face it, you can't eat oatmeal everyday! So I was on a quest to find a cereal, just to switch things up and add some flavors. Per Dani Nichole's recommendation, I gave the Kashi - Autumn Wheat a try, I was a little hesitant at first, I have previsouly tried Kashi - Go lean crunch before and HATED it!

I have to say, Autumn Wheat changed my perception on Kashi, it's got the right kind of crunchiness, the wheat don't break away like Kellogg's all bran does, and it's got a hint of sweetness in it. I was impressed. According to the food label, it's got 6g of fiber, 7g of sugar, 1g of fat and a total caleries at 190. Not bad at all. According to the ingredient, it's whole grain wheat, with a dash of cane juice. Afterall, it is a process food, but not bad if you got sick of oatmeal. It's a thumbs up for me!

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.

Skip This: Au Bon Pain Caprese Sandwich

Fresh mozzarella, tomato, romaine, and basil pesto may sound harmless, but this sandwich have more fat than BK's Whopper Jr. or a McDonald's Quarter Pounder. It's got 680 calories, 32 g fat (15 g saturated fat) and a whopping 1,200 mg sodium.

Video Health Tip - Ep3 - 2% Milk

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.

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 :)

Acetaminophen - leading cause of liver failure

Never underestimate over the counter drugs like DayQuil, Ny-Quil, Panadol, and Tylenol. According to the FDA,overdoses of acetaminophen have been linked to 56,000 emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations and 458 deaths. Here's a video from AP News photo credit: trekkyandy

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

Magnetic Food

Some how this makes me a little leery of eating brand flakes..