Expert: Black tea has many health benefits
March 13, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Tea has many health benefits including manganese, good for physical development, and potassium, good to maintain fluid balance, a U.S. food expert said.
Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said studies also show tea drinkers are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than non-drinkers, and a recent study discovered black tea lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Black tea is also packed with flavonoids, antioxidants that help combat free radicals that cause cellular damage and aging.
Flavonoids also help prevent the oxidation of “bad” cholesterol, protect blood vessels from inflammation and inhibit blood clotting. « Read the rest of this entry »
Study: Eat Slower, Stay Slimmer (Via Fox News Latino)
November 15, 2011 § 1 Comment
A woman who eats slow and prefers whole grains to refined grains is more than likely to be on the slimmer side, according to a new study from the University of Rhode Island.
Associate professor of nutrition at URI, Kathleen Melanson, headed up the study and presented her findings at The Obesity Society’s annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. last month, according to a press release from URI.
Self-reported eating rates in a laboratory study found that fast eaters ate 3.1 ounces of food a minute, and slow eaters ate 2.0 ounces of food a minute. Men also ate faster than women, but the fastest eating woman ate as fast as a man, both eating 3.1 ounces per minute.
A second study was done to examine the correlation between the body mass index (BMI) of the individual and their eating habits.
Melanson found that those with a higher BMI were more likely to eat the fastest.
“One theory we are pursuing is that fast eating may be related to greater energy needs, since men and heavier people have higher energy needs,” Melanson explained. « Read the rest of this entry »
Snacks That Give You Energy: Day 9
September 20, 2011 § 1 Comment
Celery — it’s good with peanut butter, good in a salad, and good in a blood mary. Did you know that this refreshing snack is also an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and B-vitamins? Celery has a diuretic effect, due to its balance of the electrolytes potassium and sodium, which helps to flush out excess fluid from the body. Furthermore, celery is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. It is also great with hummus for a more substantial snack, or try adding it chopped up to various recipes for an extra healthy kick!
Source: Kimberly Snyder
Snacks That Give You Energy: Day 8
September 15, 2011 § 1 Comment
Green Salad
When you’re looking for a good burst of energy, and to feel refreshed throughout the day, there’s nothing like a hearty green salad to get you going. Greens are packed full with vitamins and minerals, and the fact that they digest quickly further adds to the energy boost which they provide. Use a light dressing that has lemon (another natural energy booster), and this is a great way to get some needed nutrition with the added bonus of a shot of energy to get you through the day. Try adding some chicken or meat to get the added benefit of protein, and you have a delicious full meal!
Source: Kimberly Snyder
Snacks That Give You Energy: Day 6
September 13, 2011 § 1 Comment
This healthy snack food that provides a great source of energy is one of my favorites. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, which helps maintain blood pressure and heart function. Furthermore, bananas are one of the most convenient snacks around, and they’re sure to boost your energy levels during an afternoon lull.
Source: Kimberly Snyder
Snacks That Give You Energy: Day 3
August 31, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Here’s another great tasting, lightweight snack that can provide that much needed mid-afternoon energy boost. Pumpkin seeds are packed with minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium, vitamin K and protein. These seeds will be sure to satisfy that craving for a crunch when you need a boost. Pumpkin seeds are much lighter than nuts, Kimberly Snyder suggests trying a quarter of a cup of them in the afternoon a few hours after lunch, especially if you are working out after work or have a long stretch before dinner.
Source: Kimberly Snyder
What’s the Cause of Mid-Afternoon Slump?
August 23, 2011 § 2 Comments
Most of us are familiar with that mid-afternoon lull that seems to set in around 3 pm. Why is it that our energy level seems to drop so low?
Did you know that a mid-afternoon slump, feelings of irritability, and a down-in-the-dumps sensation may be caused in part by eating not-so-smart foods at not-so-smart times of the day? Your food choices impact how you feel in a number of different ways. One bodily process which is impacted by the foods we eat is neurotransmitter production. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals which are made from amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. If you limit the amount and types of protein in your diet, or over-eat concentrated sweets and other simple carbohydrates, the balance of neurotransmitters in your body may be affected. Following these tips can help prevent the afternoon slump:
- limit sugary desserts, jams, jellies and sodas to only occasional treats.
- Remember to eat complex carbohydrates along with protein-containing foods at meals and snacks.
- Eat every 3 or 4 hours.
Over the next 10 days I will be featuring one of these smart foods a day; stay tuned for the next one a bit later today!
Superfoods for Women
July 14, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I’m a big advocate of tailoring your diet to try to maximize health benefits – and draw as much nutrition as possible from the foods we eat. There are certain foods that are specifically beneficial for women, and Health.com helped highlight that with their list of superfoods for women. They were selected by our panel of experts for their mega benefits — from bone building and energy boosting to fat busting and disease fighting.
Wild Alaskan Salmon: “It’s all about omega-3s,” says health guru Andrew Weil, MD, explaining why fish like sockeye top his must-eat list for women. Health.com’s our experts agreed: wild salmon packs a wallop with two kinds of heart-healthy omega-3s, including DHA, a fatty acid essential for a healthy pregnancy.- Wild Blueberries: If berries are nutritional treasures, wild blueberries are the crown jewels. “They’re truly one of nature’s ultimate antiaging foods,” says Kate Geagan, MS, RD, author of Go Green Get Lean. Research suggests the tiny gems not only help prevent memory loss but also may improve motor skills and help lower blood pressure. Another reason to love ’em: they’re high in antioxidants that help fight wrinkles.
- Oats: We all know that oats can help lower cholesterol. Now scientists say oats, rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, are also good for helping you feel full so you can control your weight. They keep you regular, too. « Read the rest of this entry »
