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Health and Nutrition Brief – 4

| July 27, 2013 Comment

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Follow the latest news on health and nutrition here.

Some Foods to Be Banned from Schools

US Department of Agriculture is coming up with a new regulation to ban sale of some snack and breakfast foods from schools such as Rice Krispies, Fruit Roll-Ups, and Doritos. To qualify, foods should contain whole grains and vegetables, dairy and protein as the main ingredients and should have natural vitamins and minerals. The goal of this regulation is to ensure kids have healthy options available to them in school cafeterias and vending machines. More….

Tips for Prolonging Your Life

Some things to do to keep those common health troubles away include switching to unsalted snacks from salty ones like chips to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, adding cinnamon to your coffee and tea to prevent the risk of blood sugar and blood pressure, dry-brushing your teeth for 30 seconds to remove tartar, and drinking enough water. More….

Almond Flour – A Popular Gluten-Free Ingredient

Almonds are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and almond flour is emerging as a viable alternative to those looking for gluten-free products. One serving of almond flour has 6 grams of protein, while wheat flour has only 3 grams. It has fewer carbohydrates, more fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats, and is a good source of Vitamin E. Almond flour is best suited for sweets like cookies, cakes, muffins, and pancakes. More….

Ideal Exercise for Older Adults

According to fitness experts, older adults need exercise routines that combine aerobics and resistance training so they can maintain their physical balance and improve their bone and muscle health. Experts recommend simultaneous exercises – exercises that can combine the two types in one movement. More ….

Homemade Snacks Healthier

Dietitians suggest that it’s better to make your snacks at home as you can make healthier versions of your favorite snacks like fries, dips, and chips. Instead of deep-frying, you can bake, and use wholesome ingredients. Homemade snacks can also be very inexpensive. More….

Lack of Sleep Can Lead to Weight Gain

Research shows that lack of sleep affects health in many different ways. One effect is those who don’t get enough sleep tend to overeat not just at breakfast time but at other meal times as well and also eat larger portions, leading to weight gain. Studies show that sleep deprivation can have a negative effect on the body’s immune response, metabolism, and ability to deal with stress. More….

Soda Intake Tied to Obesity

New York City officials released statistics yesterday that showed that 9 out of 10 neighborhoods with the highest obesity rates also showed the highest consumption of soda and other sugary drinks. However, a judge struck down Mayor Bloomberg’s measure that banned serving drinks that were more than 16 ounces. Mayor Bloomberg said that the city will appeal the judge’s ruling. More….

Fitness Parties a Growing Trend

US gyms are hosting fitness parties for special occasions like birthdays, college reunions, fitness conferences, as well as business conferences. These parties are gaining popularity among men and women looking to combine fun and fitness, and are a great marketing tool for the gyms to attract new members and to use the free space after-hours. More….

Foods for Improving Your Heart-Health

Try oatmeal for breakfast. Oats are rich in fiber, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids and folate and all these can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and keep your arteries clear. Avocado, olive oil, beans and legumes, nuts, berries, spinach, flaxseeds, and soy are some of the other heart-healthy foods to include in your daily diet. More….

US Families Prioritizing Eating Together

A survey shows that 85% of families in the US say that family meal-time is their favorite time of the day. 71% say that they eat together as often or more than they did as children. American families seem to be making family meals a priority in order to spend quality time together. More….

Dairy Products Have Quality Proteins

Milk and yogurt contain high-quality proteins that help with heart health, weight, glucose control, and digestion. Experts say it’s best to get these proteins through these products than through supplements, and it’s important to spread their intake throughout the day. More….

Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

Spring is almost here and if you suffer from mild allergies, there are several home remedies that might work for you. One effective home remedy is to try the Neti pot to rinse your nasal cavity with a saline solution to flush out allergens like pollen, or you could use nasal sprays. The plant extract butterbur has been proven to be effective in relieving symptoms. More….

Supermarket Facts You Need to Know

The supermarkets and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both fall short in terms of regulating the food that shows up in the grocery aisles. FDA inspectors are lax in grading food, stores sell expired food, shopping carts are covered in bacteria as they’re not sanitized regularly, produce is full of pesticides, and bagged berries often contain mold. More….

Obesity Persisting Despite Calorie Reduction

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), daily calorie intake dropped by 74 calories between 2003 and 2010 among American women, but the obesity rate remained at 35% from 1999 to 2010, and increased from 27% to 35% among men during the same period. One reason could be that they’re not getting enough exercise. More….

LA Public Schools Going Meatless on Mondays

Public schools in Los Angeles are no longer serving meat on Mondays. They’ve adopted the meatless pogram for ethical and health reasons, and are introducing a variety of vegetarian meals to students in the hope that they will become aware of and choose healthier options. More….

Cash Incentives for Losing Weight Work

Research shows that people who were offered monetary incentives lost more than 9 pounds compared to 2.3 pounds lost by those who weren’t paid. The study also found that 62% in the incentive group stayed with the health program, while only 26% in the other group did. More reserach is needed to see how long these changes can last. More….

Spring-Cleaning Your Diet

Spring is almost here, and along with spring-cleaning your house, it’s probably time to spring-clean your diet as well. Dietitians say that to spring-clean your diet, you need to add more “green” to it, such as whole foods like fruits and vegetables, and unprocessed foods. They recommend adding the following five powerhouse foods to your meals: asparagus, avocado, brussel sprouts, kale, and kiwi fruit. More….

Pessimists Live Longer?

According to a study published by the American Psychological Association (APA), older people, aged 65 to 95 who thought life would get worse lived longer and healthier lives than optimists. The reason could be that a pessimistic outlook makes them take greater health and safety precautions. More….

Hospitals Join Healthy Food Initiative

The Partnership for a Healthier America announced that 400 hospitals that use Morrison Healthcare Food Services will join its healthy food initiative, and offer lower-calorie meals, healthy snacks and beverages, along with lots of fruits and vegetables. One of the goals of this initiative is for hospitals to take the lead and set nutrition standards for the people they serve by highlighting healthy options. More….

Home Remedies for Dry Skin

If you’re looking for dry skin remedies, you only have to look in your kitchen. Try olive oil, which can condition dry skin, or honey, which is great for chapped lips and cracked feet. You could also use natural exfoliants like yogurt, papaya, and pumpkin, or make a scrub with brown sugar, oil, and lemon juice. More….

30 Percent of Adults Want to Go Gluten-Free

A recent survey shows that about 30 percent of adults in the US want to reduce their consumption of gluten or completely switch to a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and in those suffering from celiac disease, it causes inflammation in the small intestine resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, anemia, lactose intolerance, and abdominal pain. More….

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Food Allergies

An Australian study of one-year-old kids showed that those who have a vitamin D deficiency were three times more at risk for developing food allergies than those who don’t. The study also found that children with two or more food allergies were ten times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. More….

Tips for Cooking Healthy Meals

Experts say that many common cooking techniques can reduce nutritive values in foods, such as overcooking vegetables, adding too much salt or fat in your food. Other techniques include pan-frying instead of oven-frying, baking with only white flour and mishandling olive oil, and unvarying menus. More….

Best Foods for Sleep

What you eat at night can determine if you get a sound sleep or not. Nutritionists recommend foods like cereal and milk, warm milk, bananas, and passion fruit as some of the best foods to eat. A combination of carbs and protein like cereal (non-sugary) and milk helps to produce melatonin, which has a calming effect on the body. Passion fruit contains somniferum, which induces sleep. Bananas contain magnesium, a muscle relaxant, and potassium, which helps regulate sleep patterns. More….

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance

According to experts, lactose intolerance is not a food allergy so before removing dairy products entirely from your diet, you may want to test your tolerance for these products by trying small quantities initially. Smaller quantities might be easier to digest. Lactose intolerance could also be a transient condition caused by other issues. You could also take lactase pills to deal with the problem or use lactose-free dairy products, so you’re still getting the nutrients from these products. More….

How to Curb Your Food Cravings

Nutritionists have some great tricks to deal with those unwanted and unhealthy food cravings. If you have a sweet tooth, instead of removing sweets entirely from your diet, add a fifth of your daily calorie allowance to a sweet snack of your choice. Try to make healthier versions of your favorite fried foods. Focus on what you’re eating to get the maximum enjoyment from your favorite foods. More….

Dinner-Time Rules Need to Be Flexible

Having strict rules about eating everything on the plate and eating veggies can backfire on parents. Nutritionists suggest negotiating these rules with the kids and involving them in the cooking and decision-making. Setting a good example is even more important as kids are more likely to be persuaded to eat healthy when they see the adults enjoying healthy foods. More….

Juicing and Sugar

Juicing has become very popular over the past few years and while some use juices for a quick boost of energy, others use it as a way to lose weight. Juices also contain various vegetables and leafy greens as well, making them a healthy option. But nutritionists say that they can still be overloaded with sugar and calories and you need to watch out for that. Juicing is better as a supplement rather than a replacement for eating fruits and vegetables. More….

Zit-Zapping Research

Acne affects 80 percent of people at some time or the other in their lives. Researchers have discovered that the bacteria that cause acne or zits are of two types. They also found a third strain of bacteria in study participants that had healthy skin which may act as a defense against the bad bacteria. Researchers think that increasing this good strain of bacteria in the body might be a good way to fight acne. More….

Travel Tips for Diabetics

Trips require planning, especially if you have some health problems like diabetes. Things to pack include medication, insulin, and supplies, blood glucose monitor, a letter from your doctor about your medical condition and prescriptions, snacks for the flight, water, comfortable shoes, and whatever is needed to deal with a medical emergency. More….

Top Ingredients to Avoid

When looking at food labels, some of the top ingredients to avoid include salt, sugar, and fat. The important thing to remember is that these ingredients are often hidden under different names and you need to know what they are. For instance, baking soda and baking powder or any word that has sodium in it is salt. Sugar can be high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, corn syrup, honey and artificial sweeteners. More….

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes patients who were overweight but exercised three times a week for nine months showed greater imrpovements in life quality and overall well-being than those who didn’t. The study shows that even moderate exercise can make a big difference. More….

Microwave Popcorn Bad for Health

We know popcorn is good for health because of the fiber, but microwave popcorn is not the best way to get it. The microwave bags have liners that are coated with perfluorochemicals (PFC) to make them grease-proof. Unfortunately, PFCs have been linked to thyroid problems, ADHD, and other diseases. Chemicals are also applied to the popcorn. To add a buttery flavor, the chemical diacetyl is added which has been linked to severe lung damage. More….

Natural Remedies for Stress and Anxiety

If you’re constantly worried and stressed out about something or the other, you dont always need to look to medication for relief. There are some great natural remedies that you can try instead ranging from herbal teas and supplements, to meditation and yoga. Try chamomile or green tea for calming those nerves, or valerian and lemon balm to sleep the stress off or just exercise for 21 minutes. More….

Lifestyle Changes Bring Quick Improvement

Doctors keep recommending making changes to your lifestyle to deal with health issues but have you ever wondered how long these changes bring about an improvement? Dietitians say that changes in diet, physical activity, smoking, and stress can make a difference in two weeks. They say that such changes can affect your DNA and the way it responds to health problems. More….

Plants That Improve Your Home and Health

Apart from adding color and cheer to your home, plants also absorb pollutants in the air. NASA scientists and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) conducted a study which shows that some plants are a great addition to your home and provide many health benefits. Chrysanthemums, lilies, bamboo palm, and Gerbera daisies absorb toxins, clean the air, and add moisture to the air. More….

Veg Conference Highlights Benefits of Vegetarian Diet

According to study data presented at the 6th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition, vegetarians are thinner, healthier, and have lower risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than meat-eaters. The study also showed that contrary to popular belief, vegetarians get the same levels of vital nutrients that meat-eaters do. Overall, vegetarians eat more fiber, less saturated fat, and consume fewer calories. More….

10 Anti-Cancer Superfoods to Include in Your Diet

Studies show that certain fruits and veggies are rich in nutrients that prevent cancer. Be sure to include these in your diet: berries like blueberries, cranberries, acai berrries, and raspberries that have phytochemicals that protect against various types of cancer, green tea, garlic, broccoli and cabbage, onions and leeks, tomatoes, red wine, soy, turmeric, watercress and spinach. More….

Michelle Obama’s Plan for Identifying Healthy Recipes

Media companies like Hearst Magazines, Food Network, and Time, Inc. with cooking sites are working with first lady, Michelle Obama, to identify healthy recipes and will be marked with the MyPlate icon from choosemyplate.gov, and will be featured on a new Pinterest page. This will provide a ready resource of healthy recipes for parents and families and take the guesswork out of healthy cooking and eating. More….

Cauliflower – The “It” Vegetable in Restaurants

It looks like restaurant chefs are increasingly embracing the cauliflower – braising, frying, and pureeing it into their menus – and this vegetable may soon replace kale as the “it” vegetable of 2013. Apart from its nutritional benefits, cauliflower is also a versatile vegetable that allows chefs to show off their creativity. More….

Category: News

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