FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Healthy Eating Tip: Text Your Food to DIET1

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:44 -0700

Deciding what you want to eat at a restaurant can be hard, especially when nutritional information is not easily accessible. In situations like this, just send a text message to DIET1 (34381). Include the restaurant and the menu item in your message, and the service will respond with a text containing the information you requested. I tried it out (several times) and it's really speedy, not to mention a little addictive. The database covers over 36,000 foods from 1,700 restaurants in North America, so try it out the next time you are dining out.

Until then, see how much you know without the help of your phone with this little calorie quiz on some of our favorite foods.

Do You "Bank" Calories?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:00:21 -0700

Health.com recently offered some strategies to prevent the weekend from derailing your healthy eating habits. One idea was to "bank calories," which means you cut back on calories the day before you know you're going to be eating a lot, as a way of evening things out. The authors of How to Eat Like a Hot Chick are big fans of calorie banking. Do you ever do this?Source

Do You "Bank" Calories?

Yes. It's one of my go-to strategies.

I do it on occasion but don't make a habit of it.

No, this seems like a bad idea.

No, but now I'm going to try it.

Other — Share your opinions below.

Do You Know Your Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:32:42 -0700

We face decisions about what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each and every day. But how much do you know about calories in your favorite foods? With all the options out there, it's no wonder we have a hard time keeping calories straight. I've picked a random assortment of common foods and drinks that you may have had to make a decision about this week, so let's see how well you know your calorie counts. Good luck!
Source

Question 1

1 of 5

How many calories are in a medium fry from McDonald's?

NYC Dept. of Health Wants You to Read Before You Eat

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

A new marketing campaign from the New York Department of Health has one message: “Read ’em before you eat ’em.” The Health Department is trying to help New Yorkers use the calorie posting rules to their advantage when it comes to making smart food decisions. The advertisements are being posted in 20 percent of the subway cars and I'd be interested to see if the ad campaign really has any effect on anyone. Though I do like that they picked food items that some folks consider healthy like a large apple bran muffin and the chicken burrito.

Do you think that seeing ads like these would stop you from ordering an item high in calories on a menu, or is it just another way for the government to try to control your eating habits?

Source

Speak Up: How Many Calories Do You Consume in a Day?

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0700

With so many people trying to lose weight, counting calories seems to be on everybody's mind. Some people keep food journals or measure out their portions to monitor their calorie intake. Others follow a dietitian's strict food plan, and some people just guesstimate the amount of calories they eat in daily. If you're trying to lose weight, you should never really dip below 1,200 calories in day, and most women need between 1,200 and 2000 calories a day. It depends on how active you are and how much you currently weigh. So I was wondering, how many calories do you consume in a day? Is it something you keep track of or do you eat what you want and not worry about calories?

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Calorie Counts on Chocolate: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

The flip-flopping of whether NY eateries have to post calorie counts on their menu boards has got a lot of people thinking about where and when we want to see how many calories we're taking in. A new concept has taken this idea literally by actually printing the calorie count right onto the chocolate bar, which means you'll see how many calories you're eating with each piece you break off. The idea is just that, an idea, and not yet available for purchase but it's still fascinating to think about. Me, I am not sure I'd want to know exactly how much each bite was costing me — seems to take the fun out of splurging on chocolate. Nonetheless, it's a cool idea. What do you guys think?Source

Calorie Counts on Chocolate: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Other — share your thoughts below.

5 Things: Watching Cocktail Calories

FitSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:30:00 -0700

There's nothing wrong with knocking back a few cocktails at your Memorial Day festivities, but don't let those empty calories destroy your efforts to eat healthy. Here are five smart solutions for cutting down on cocktail calories.

Dilute your juice. If you like fruit juice-based cocktails, such as screwdrivers or vodka and cranberry, cut down on the juice and add calorie-free sparkling water instead.
Use low-calorie mixers. Even tonic water is surprisingly high in calories, so opt for diet tonic and sodas. For margaritas and other summery drinks, check out the sugar-free options from Baja Bob.

To see the rest of my tips,

Diet Tip: Don't Underestimate Your Calories

FitSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you spend a lot of time eating out, then be realistic about how many calories you think you're consuming. MSNBC reported on a recent study that found we all tend to underestimate how many calories we're eating when eating out — by 93 percent!

If you're eating something that seems like it is healthy, like a whole grain bagel with a thin layer of veggie cream cheese, then it probably is. If the bagel is loaded with veggie cream cheese, then probably not so healthy. But do be realistic and pay attention to what you put in your body. Just because it says whole grain and veggies does not always mean it's healthy or low in calories.

With all this in mind, tell me how many nights a week you cook at home.

Source

Diet Tip: Keep the Formula Simple

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:45:00 -0700

We read it time and time again, but one of the simplest rules of weight loss is often ignored: To lose weight, you need to expend more calories than you take in. There are plenty of dieting strategies to help you do this, from keeping a food diary to cycling calories. But the magical, yet simple, formula remains the same.

In a recent column on Yahoo Health, personal trainer Debbie Rocker elaborates on this quintessential weight loss equation with some common-sense reminders, which I can certainly use from time to time! To see Rocker's advice,

What Does 300 Calories Look Like?

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:30:00 -0700

I've showed you what 200 calories looks like, and I've showed you how you can burn 200 calories, but check out this video. It shows what 300 calorie meals look like. If you're watching your calories, it's great to see visuals, since 300 calories can be a lot or a small amount of food. I'm in no way saying that your meals should only be 300 calories, but it's a great starting point. You can always add 100 to 200 calories with your beverage, condiments, extra snacks, fruit, and dessert.

Get Flash to see this player.

Do an Extra Ten, It's Worth It

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0700

One thing that I have been doing is adding on an extra ten minutes onto my cardio workout once a week. In the grand scheme of things, ten minutes is really nothing — in the calorie burning scheme of things, it's a significant amount. Here's how it breaks down:

Ten minutes of . . .

Walking (3 mph) burns 50 more calories
Swimming burns 69 more calories
Jogging burns 80 more calories
StairMaster burns 80 more calories
Rowing Machine burns 99 more calories
Elliptical trainer burns 129 more calories
Stationary Bicycle burns 129 more calories
Running (12 mph) burns 254 more calories

All the calculations above are based on a 150 lb. person, so think about adding on ten minutes to your next workout and you'll be burning major calories.

Source

Caffeinated Quiz: Know Your Coffee Calories

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Coffee doesn't have a stellar reputation, but like many things in moderation, your daily cup of joe doesn't deserve such a bad rap. Not only does it perk you up, but it may also help improve your memory and decrease your risk of liver cancer.

A cup of brewed coffee is pretty much calorie-free, but some of the fancier concoctions can be tougher to navigate. Test your caffeinated calorie knowledge by taking my quiz.

Source

You Asked: Too Few Calories?

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:30:00 -0800

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

"Fit, so I've been working out 5 days a week, and I'm only eating around 1000 calories a day and I can't seem to lose the weight. What gives?"
- Frustrated Fiona

To see my answer,

Ten Ways to Burn 200 Calories

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:45:00 -0800

If you're focusing on calories in/out then it should be interesting for you to see what 200 calories, or about one slice of Domino's Cheese Pizza, looks like exercise wise. Maybe it's worth it to you, maybe it's not . . . you be the judge. So for a simple little chart of how long it takes the average 150 pound person to burn 200 calories, just

Healthy Eating Tip: Hara Hachi Bu

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:30:00 -0800

In a recent report on longevity the Japanese island of Okinawa was extolled as one extremely healthy place to live and age. Aside from having an elderly friendly culture and an exceptional diet (lots of fish, soy and a colorful array of veggies), Okinawans follow the philosophy of hara hachi bu, meaning eat until you're only 80 percent full. A little different from the stuff yourself silly mentality behind those all you can eat buffets.

Typically, Okinawans eat about 1200 calories a day, which is about 20 percent less than the average Briton. Interesting figure don't ya think? I think it is a great way to eat and reminds me of advice a yoga teacher gave me a good long while ago. Eat just enough so you can practice yoga after your meal. That is, eat so you have enough energy to practice but not so much that practicing yoga would be uncomfortable.

Try it at your next couple of meals. Of course this requires eating mindfully as well, which is another healthful eating practice.

Source

Artificial Sweetener May Make You Gain?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:45:00 -0800

If you're a fan of artificial sweeteners for weight loss then you may want to rethink it before you tear open a packet.

New research has found that saccharin altered the ability of rats to control their appetites. Why? Well apparently it is based on the subconscious. For most of us, a sweet taste is a sign that calories are on their way. The problem comes in when sweetness is not followed by calories. This can lead to confusion in the body's digestive system, and the metabolism rate may not gear up as much the next time sweetness is tasted. The result is that over time our bodies may learn to not expect much in terms of getting calories from sweet foods, leading us to consume more and more, artificial or not.

The semigood news? The head of an artificial sweetener trade group dismissed such claims, saying they don't translate to human behavior. Hum.

Me, I've never been a fan of artificial sweeteners for many reasons (mainly taste) but this just adds to my list of reasons to avoid them. What about you guys — do you regularly eat artificial sweeteners?

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Lighter Options For Hard Liquor

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:30:00 -0800

We all know that beer, wine, and cocktails can pack some serious calories, not to mention get you tipsy. But you can definitely make smarter choices at the bar to avoid consuming unnecessary calories and fat. How well do you know the nutritional stats on your hard alcohol drinks? Take my little quiz to find out.

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What Thanksgiving Really Means, Calorie-Wise

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is just about family, good food, and good friends and no other agenda. The only problem is that we all tend to gorge on that good food. So to get you thinking about how to deal with the mass consumption on T-day, I wrote up a little quiz for ya!

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A Day In The Life...

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:00:00 -0800

So pretend today is a busy day and you don't have time to make caloric decisions. Let's see how good you do on this day in the life of picking the food choices with the FEWEST calories.

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Rise in Obesity Due to Rise in Health Foods

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Ever wonder why we are seeing way more 'health' foods being advertised yet, as a nation, we're still getting more and more obese?

Well a new (and interesting) study from the Journal of Consumer Research explains it as the "American obesity paradox": The parallel rise in obesity rates and the popularity of healthier food. In a series of four studies, the researchers reveal that we over-generalize (and overestimate) "healthy" claims. In fact, consumers chose beverages, side dishes, and desserts containing up to 131% more calories when the main dish was positioned as "healthy".

What does this mean? Well just because Jared lost a million pounds by eating at Subway and only Subway, does not mean that everything sold there falls under the healthy realm -- A 6-inch meatball sub has 580 calories. If you're able, then definitely check out the nutrition information available when you're eating out. And remember, just because you are getting a salad does not necessarily mean that you can also have the super sized coke, large fries and jumbo peanut butter cookie, and still call it a healthy meal.

Source

Energy Drinks and Caffeine: The Untold Story

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are so many types of "drinks" on the market right now from sports drinks to Vitamin water - a drink for every mood. Energy drinks are growing in popularity and in fact they have become a $744 million a year industry. I find it easy to believe the backbone of the energy boost of these drinks is caffeine, and interestingly enough, makers do not have to disclose caffeine amounts on nutrition labels.

For instance an 8-ounce serving of Archer Farms Energy Drink contained 50 milligrams of caffeine and Celsius Energy Supplement (like how that sounds like a "vitamin supplement") contains 145 milligrams. For comparison, the average cup of joe, the original energy drink in my book, contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, and a 12-ounce Coca-Cola has about 24 milligrams.

Also important to know, 300 milligrams of caffeine per day is considered safe for most adults. It is advised that children keep their caffeine intake to fewer than 100 milligrams per day.

Fit's Tip: Read those labels closely! Most drinks come in bottles larger than 8 ounces, but the nutritional information, like calorie amounts, are listed per 8 ounce serving.

5 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 07:30:00 -0700

So you've been to the gym every other day for the past 3 months and are feeling great. However you're not losing weight! Why?

Here are three potential culprits:

You're eating too many calories. Remember you need to eat, keep a food diary and wear a heart rate monitor to really get on top of your daily calories in/calories out. Better yet? Splurge on a bodybugg, which does it all for you.
You're eating too much junk food. A lot of us think that because we are busting our butts at the gym we can eat whatever we darn well please. Sure, if you want to continue busting your butt without seeing any results. As good as those McDonald's fries may be, fruits and veggies are your friend.
You're not getting the best cardio workout you could be getting. Sure you go to the gym and hit the treadmill for 30 mins four times a week, that is great and better than nothing. Problem is you need to incorporate variety into your routine. Add intervals. Take a class here and there. Do the elliptical instead of the treadmill. Swim. Whatever you choose, your weight loss goals will benefit from it.
You're walking too slow. If your goal is to lose weight, then walk to lose weight, not to leisurely stroll down the street. This is called fitness walking and it's just a little bit faster and a little bit more of a planned workout than strolling through the mall.
You're not strength training. You need to add strength training to increase lean muscle mass, which burns more calories. An added benefit of strength training? This is what helps you get that toned look you've been wanting for so long.

Source

The Ups & Downs of Weight Loss

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Do you understand the ups and downs of weight loss? Here are a few questions for you to see just how much you know.

Source

Definition: Thermogenesis

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:31:06 -0700

Thermogenesis is the process by which the body generates heat, or energy, by increasing the metabolic rate above normal.

Klondike Bar vs. Crunch Ice Cream Bar

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:30:00 -0700

One of my favorite children's books begins with the line "It was a hot day, so as a special treat Wemberly was given an ice cream star." Who doesn't love a frozen treat on a hot day? Choose wisely though - some of those ice cream bars pack a serious caloric punch.

So pop quiz time and I have pitted my two favorites against one another. Do you know...

Chardonnay vs. Pinot Noir

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

We all have a favorite wine. Some of us have a favorite white and a favorite red. By special request from a dear friend, I am going to quiz you on two very poplar varieties (her favorites): Chardonnay vs. Pinot Noir. I want to know which variety of wine you think has more calories.

NYC Ditching Trans Fat - You Should Too!

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Remember a while back I told you that New York City's restaurants had to get rid of all trans fat and post calorie counts (not that all the fast food joints are complying with this requirement) by July 1, 2007? Well, many fast food chains have already made the switch to healthier oils, which is awesome news for us health-conscious eaters. Restaurants won't be fined for violating this ban until October 1, 2007, but at least it's in the future.

Why are trans fats so bad? These are chemically altered fats and are NOT required nor beneficial to our health. Eating foods with trans fat (like partially hydrogenated soybean oil) can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase your chances of getting coronary heart disease.

Why do companies use trans fat? It's cheap and can increase the shelf-life of their products. Watch out for cookies, crackers, candies, margarine, dips, fast foods like French fries, and frozen foods - these processed foods almost always contain trans fat.

It's great that NYC is ditching trans fat from their menus. Hopefully it will jumpstart other cities and companies to do the same.

Fit's Tips: If a food contains less than .5 grams of trans fat, they don't have to tell you on the package. So be sure to read the list of ingredients - if you see hydrogenated oil in the list, put it back!!

Source

Make the Most of Your Metabolism

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Most of what controls your metabolism is not under your control, some folks have fast metabolisms and others have slow ones. Also, as we age our metabolism slows down. Scientists have estimated that metabolism slows about 5 percent per decade, beginning at age 40 as we lose muscle mass and increase body fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so when you lose muscle mass your caloric needs decrease. Luckily you are not completely at the mercy of your genetics - There are a few things you can do to keep your metabolism up.

Basically, metabolism is the total of all body processes that burn calories - your basal metabolic rate (calories burned by simply being alive) plus your activity factor since we all know that exercise burns calories.

The basal metabolic rate includes the energy we need for body processes, including digestion. About 10 percent of our calories are used to process the food we eat. This phenomenon, known as the thermic effect of food, is influenced by how much, how often and what we eat. In addition, food can directly affect metabolism by altering the way the body functions, which changes the amount of energy it needs.

According to Joy Bauer, nutritionist and author of the book Food Cures, there are ways to maximize your metabolism. Curious to know what they are? Then

Hard Cider vs. Hard Iced Tea

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Source and Source

Sushi Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Oftentimes we think of sushi as a healthy way to eat out, while that may be true some rolls can pack a lot of hidden calories and sodium. Hopefully this breakdown will help you to be wise in your choices the next time you're eating sushi.

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Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Edamame (1/2 cup)	90	5	3	2
Seaweed Salad (1/2 cup)	70	4	10	8
California Roll (1 roll)	361	6	66	7
Philly Roll (1 roll)	517	20	59	7
Shrimp Tempura Roll (1 roll)	508	21	64	10
Tempura Roll (1 roll)	531	11	82	10
Dragon Roll (1 roll)	507	18	66	13
Rainbow Roll (1 roll)	489	9	66	7
Veggie Roll (1 roll)	349	7	65	9
Spicy Tuna Roll (1 roll)	449	11	57	7
Salmon Nigiri (1 pc.)	68	1	9	1
Eel Nigiri (1 pc.)	108	5	11	2
Shrimp Nigiri (1 pc.)	44	0	8	1
Egg Cake Nigiri (1 pc.)	73	1	13	5
Tuna Nigiri (1 pc.)	60	0	8	1
Yellowtail Nigiri (1 pc.)	54	0.5	8	1
Pickled Ginger (13 g)	9	0	2.4	1
Wasabi (4 g)	7	0	1	0
Soy Sauce (1 pkt)	16	0	2	0

Fit's Tips: The spicy items tend to be higher in calories as the spicy sauce is usually mayonnaise based. Also, tempura (aka fried) means higher calories, so don't go tempura if you're looking for lighter fare. Finally, look for a lower sodium soy sauce, most restaurants have both options and the low sodium will greatly reduce your salt intake.

Spring Exercise Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

By now, we all know that burning calories is super important when losing or maintaining weight. Exercising burns calories, so if you just polished off an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream or ate a deep-fried twinkie, you can hit the gym to burn them off your hips (well...not really since we all know you cannot spot reduce fat, right?).

Here's a breakdown of how many calories you burn doing 30 minutes of each exercise. How much you weigh will alter the amount of calories you burn, so I've included different weights. Choose the one that's closest to your weight, or check out this calculator for more exact amounts.

Activity (30 min)	120 lb	135 lb	150 lb	165 lb	180 lb	195 lb
Casual Walking	108	122	136	149	163	176
Brisk Walking (12 min miles)	244	275	306	336	367	387
Jogging (10 min miles)	272	306	340	374	408	430
Running (9 min miles)	299	336	374	411	449	486
Moderate Biking	163	183	204	224	244	258
Intense Swimming	217	244	272	299	326	344
Moderate Hiking	136	153	170	187	204	221
Moderate Volleyball	136	153	170	187	204	221
Moderate Tennis	163	183	204	224	244	258
Moderate Muscle Conditioning (yoga, Pilates, lifting weights, strength training exercises)	136	153	170	187	204	221

Source

And You Thought Your Dog Made You Feel Guilty: mypetfat

FitSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I've seen a lot of diet tricks in my day, but nothing compares to carrying a chunk of fat around with you to remind yourself how much that twinkie really means to you. Let me explain...

Mypetfat is a way to increase your own accountability and consciousness. The basic principal is that by carrying around mypetfat, you will have a visual reminder of the results from what you are putting into your body. Jay, the mastermind behind mypetfat, says that, "Calories only count once they cross the lips." So, the ultimate key is by stopping the calories from making it past your lips. You can get it in three sizes: 1 oz (220 calories), 1 lb (3,500 calories) and 5 lbs (17,500 calories). You can take it with you to restaurants, to ball games or even just keep it at home in the pantry to stop mindless snacking. I've got one sitting here on my desk right now, and I've got to say, it's pretty motivating when four o'clock rolls around and I am looking through my snack drawer. If nothing else, it's a great conversation piece.

What's more, mypetfat is offering you, my fabulous FitSugar reader, a 50% discount on some products online at mypetfat.com:

To get $10.00 off a mini mypetfat, which is a one ounce anatomically correct replica of body fat -- Just enter FIT [case sensitive] into the coupon box after and then hit apply coupon.
To get $10.00 off the "1/2 is more" ebook, which is a reminder that inspires you to start enjoying eating again and in doing so, not only will it affect your waist in a positive way, but your wallet as well -- Just enter SUGAR [case sensitive] into the coupon box and then hit apply coupon.

Enjoy -- After all this could be the only pet you've had that won't pee on the floor when you leave it alone for too long.

What can one pound of muscle do for you?

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 12:52:55 -0700

One pound of muscle burns how many calories a day?

Hot & Lean Pockets Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I don't know what it is about Hot and Lean Pockets, but people love them. Maybe it's how easy they are to prepare, but the truth is that ease is not always healthy (I'm thinking fast food, candy bars, etc). Sorry to burst your lunch (or snack if you're really hungry) bubble, but here are the breakdowns for your favorite frozen stuffed sandwiches.

Hot Pocket (1)	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar	Carbs (g)
Four Cheese Pizza, No Meat	390	20	800	11	44
Beef & Cheddar	360	17	820	8	42
Cheeseburger	340	14	700	14	43
Turkey, Ham & Cheese	300	13	740	8	37
Chicken with Cheddar & Broccoli	300	11	590	9	41
Steak Fajita	280	11	780	11	34

Want to see where the Lean Pockets stand (and if they are really all that lean)? Then

Domino's Pizza Quiz

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Everyone loves to have a pizza delivered - it's easy, fast, and sometimes tasty. The problem is, just like eating out, what you order doesn't come with nutritional information.

The Benefits of Doing Cardio...

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

With all this talk about cutting cardio out of your routine, I thought it was important to outline the major benefits of cardiovascular activity. So here it goes:

Reduces risk of disease: Including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer.
Improves blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Exercise increases your HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and decreases your LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in your blood.
Improves heart function: A stronger heart doesn't need to beat as fast and pumps blood more efficiently, which means improved blood flow in the body.
Reduces risk of osteoporosis: Weight-bearing aerobic exercises (walking) reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Improves muscle mass: Muscles move your body, the healthier the muscles are, the better you move.
Increases calories burned: More calories burned means more weight lost.

This does not include all the emotional and aesthetic benefits you get from a few good runs or workouts on the elliptical (less stress, more sleep, improved sexual performance etc.). Now that you know the benefits, check out some of the cardio workouts I have created.

Source

Which Menu Item has the Least Calories?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

A recent article from Reuters has found that when given a quiz on the healthiest menu options at popular restaurants, without having the nutritional information visible, we aren't able to make the healthiest choice. There were only four questions and none of the respondents answered all four questions correctly, 68 percent failed all of them and less than 1 percent answered three of four questions correctly. Curious if you could get the first question right? Then take the quiz.

Get in Gear: Cal-Carb Clicker

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Now I thought I've seen every gadget on the market to help you lose weight, but here's another one. It's called the Cal-Carb Clicker. Catchy name, huh?

What does it do? For $19.95 it will keep track of your daily:

Carbs
Calories
Carbs & calories together
Points
Blocks
Fat grams
Water intake
Whatever it is you're counting

Wow, can it do my laundry and make dinner too? To find out,

Jamba Juice Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Jamba Juice has made its way onto virtually every corner so that we can all feel the power of 100% fruit juice, but you may be feeling more than fruit juice here folks. These so called smoothies are heavily loaded with calories and sugar.

To see where your favorite Jamba concoction falls,

Which Has More Calories: Gin & Tonic or Mojito?

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0700

The weather is turning and that means this weekend you may be opting for a cooler drink. Maybe a Gin & Tonic? Perhaps a Mojito? Before you go there, this quiz will educate you on which spring cocktail has more calories.

Spring Running Tip: Set a Goal

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Maybe you're new to running, or maybe you've been running for years. Whatever your experience is, everyone can benefit from setting a goal. Here are some ideas for personal goals you can set for yourself. I recommend that you make them reasonable. They should be challenging enough to make you work hard, but not so difficult that they'll never be achieved.

Run a specific distance - Maybe you have a goal that every time you run, you go for 1 mile, or 3 miles, or 10 miles. However far you choose to run, start off with a doable distance and then gradually work your way up.

Run for a specific amount of time - If you are just starting out, set a goal of let's say 5 minutes. As you run more often, and build up your endurance, you can increase the amount of time.
Run at a certain pace or run faster) - For some people, their speed is important to them. You can challenge yourself to run faster at a constant rate.
Run to burn calories - If you're running to lose weight, you may want to measure how many calories you're burning each time. You can set a goal, so that each time you run, you burn X amount of calories. The Nike + iPod that works with an iPod Nano will tell you how many calories you've burned. Some pedometers will also give that kind of info, as do heart rate monitors.
Run to raise your target heart rate - Maybe you're running to improve your heart health and circulation. You may want to purchase a heart rate monitor to measure how hard your heart is pumping.

Want to see the other goals? Then

Eat Less Calories: Care Less About Wasting Food

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:00:00 -0700

If you're anything like me, and if your parents were anything like mine, then you probably have a major fear of wasting food.

In theory, eating everything on your plate sounds like good economics but it's not good if you're calorie counting. The thing is, eating the last bites of your kid's chopped up hot dog is not doing anyone any favors, except maybe the person who collects dues at your gym. Consider this: 1/4 of a hot dog is 45 calories and 1/4 of an easy mac package is 57 calories, both of which you are just meaninglessly eating. So steer clear and if it's just too tempting, then give your kids less on their plate and when they ask, give them more.

If you are noticing that you yourself constantly have leftover food on your plate when eating out, then try ordering kids meals or bringing what you can't eat home for leftovers.

Also, if you buy something and don't like it, then don't eat it just because you feel like you should. Afraid of wasting? Start composting, it's a great way to throw out food without feeling terrible about it. Still worried about the kids starving in Africa? Then instead of stuffing your face on their behalf, donate money to charitable organizations like ONE, the campaign to make poverty history.

Those Sneaky Little Fast Food Places...

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:00:00 -0800

As you know already, NYC has imposed a new rule that requires eateries to list calorie counts on their menu boards, right next to the price. However, health officials noted that the regulation would only apply to restaurants that already make calorie information available voluntarily.

It is being reported that in light of this new legislation, three major players in the fast food industry - Wendy's, White Castle and Quiznos - have pulled nutritional information from some restaurants or from their Web sites in order to avoid having to list the caloric info. Wendy's pulled all caloric information from posters and fliers at its New York eateries. Quiznos and White Castle deactivated the pages on their Web site that offered all types of nutritional information.

To me, it just doesn't seem right. I can understand that the eateries saw a way around the rule (which has been criticized for being misguided) and went for it, but still, play nice already.

Chain Restaurants: Nutritional Info on Menus

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:30:00 -0800

At popular chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesday's and Uno's Chicago Grill, 2,000 calorie menu items are normal. Order yourself some pizza skins to start and you'll be consuming 2,050 calories, 48g of saturated fat, and 3,140 mg of sodium. You're only supposed to have 2,300 mg of sodium a day. I'll take my check now, please!!!

Some menu items, we know are not exactly healthy for us, but because the nutritional information is not listed, we have no idea just exactly how bad they are.

Starting in the summer, many chain restaurants that operate in NYC will be required to list calories on the menu. I'd like to know what you think about that - take my poll on the matter and voice your opinion.

CSPI (the Center for Science in the Public Interest) believes it is about time for Congress to pass Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) legislation. Labeling menus will encourage people to order healthier items when dining out. The idea being this will help combat obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diet related heart disease.

When nutritional labeling on food products was introduced, it revolutionized the way people shopped for groceries. Nutritional labeling at chain restaurants will help diners make informed decisions when eating out.

Coke or Cafe Mocha

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Which has more calories - a can of Coke or a tall non-fat, no whip Mocha from Starbucks? Ahhhh....but which one is better for you?

Calorie Wise: A typical bagel is equal to how many slices of bread?

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:15:17 -0800

Hopefully you're eating breakfast everyday, but are you making the right choices? Take this quiz to see if you know how many slices of bread are equal to one bagel, caloriewise.

Does the Calorie Readout on My Cardio Machine Work?

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:07:12 -0800

Can you trust the calorie display on your favorite cardio machines?

You may have already noticed that you can use an elliptical one day and a different elliptical (different brand) another day and burn a totally different calorie amount even though you did the same amount of work. Frustrating, I know.

Basically you should use the calorie readout only as a guideline but not as the end-all-be-all of how many calories you burned. The displays on cardio machines are notorious for being inaccurate and some machines are known to bump up the calorie readout by almost 25% (feel good factor keeps you using their machines, it's a little like vanity sizing in clothing). The reasoning for the inaccuracies are that the machines do not consider factors in individual fitness levels and the specificity of the exercise. Also they are not usually re-calibrated after hitting the gym floor.

Want tips on how to get the most accurate calorie readout? Then

Subway Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 14:00:00 -0800

Subway has done a good job marketing themselves as a fresh, low-fat alternative to other fast food chains. Turns out, Subway isn't half bad for you! I'm actually impressed.

	If you can stand to be in a sandwich place and not get a sandwich, then definitely go for the: Grilled Chicken and Baby Spinach Salad with olive oil and vinegar because it only has 185 calories, 8 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 450 mg of sodium and 11 grams of carbs.
	You should probably get the: Turkey Breast 6-inch Sandwich on wheat bread (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, pickles and olives) with 280 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1020 mg of sodium and 46 grams of carbs.
	You could also get the: Roast Beef 6-inch Sandwich on wheat bread (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, pickles and olives) with 290 calories, 5 grams of fat, o grams of trans fat, 920 mg of sodium and 45 grams of carbs.
	I know it may sound tempting, but do not get the: Meatball Marinara 6-inch Sandwich on wheat bread (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, pickles, olives and cheese) with 560 calories, 24 grams of fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 1610 mg of sodium and 63 grams of carbs.

For other ways to watch your calories at Subway,

Get Physical: Massage Deck

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:45:00 -0800

It's the weekend and we're all looking for a way to relax. Most of us also use the weekends to catch up with the significant other in our life, which is not always as relaxing as one would hope. This weekend, get physical (and relaxed) by giving each other massages. Worried that your massage skills are a little rusty?

Then you need to get The Massage Deck ($14.95) which features 50 easy to follow, beautifully illustrated methods for giving and receiving the perfect massage. Color coded by body region this portable deck includes detailed instructions for each technique, a reflexology card and suggested sequences for 20 and 60 minute massages. Learn how to soothe away stress and tension, relieve headaches and muscle pain as well as enjoy complete relaxation.

Also, you'll burn calories giving a massage as an 150 lb person who gives a 15 minute massage (while standing) will burn around 68 calories. Buy The Massage Deck online from Vickerey.

Popeyes Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:30:00 -0800

It's amazing how a fast food joint can take a moniker of a man obsessed with spinach and make it stand for greasy, fried chicken. Despite my lack of love for Popeyes, people do fancy it so before you make a chicken and biscuits run, let me breakdown some of the most beloved menu items.

You should probably go for the: Spicy Chicken Breast (skinless and breading removed) which has only 120 calories, less than 1 gram of carbs, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat and 380 mg of sodium.

You should steer clear of the: Mild Chicken Thighs at 280 calories, 7 grams of carbs, 20 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat and 710 mg of sodium. Most people will eat two thighs, doubling your numbers and bringing your calories to a whooping 560 calories. If you can't resist a thigh, then go skinless with the breading removed to cut the calories down to 120.

Whatever you do, do not get the: Deluxe Sandwich (mild or spicy) because it has 630 calories, 53 grams of carbs, 31 grams of fat, 1 gram of trans fat and 1480 mg of sodium.

Just because you're at Popeyes does not mean you should go for: a Biscuit as one has 240 calories. The infamous Red Beans & Rice has 320 calories per serving, so stay away from that too.

Fit's Tip: When getting chicken, make it skinless and remove the breading to lose a lot of calories. When getting a side, opt for the green beans, which only have 70 calories per serving.