FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

What's the Deal With All the Food Allergies?

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If it seems like food allergies are everywhere these days, that's because they are. According to a new study from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies are on the rise, now affecting more than 3 million kids. Approximately one in every 26 children has one, as opposed to one in 29 in 1997. The most common culprits include peanuts, shellfish, milk, and eggs.

Amy Branum, the lead author of the study, says that the 18 percent increase isn't just a fluke, but even the CDC isn't quite sure about the reasons behind the rise. To see the theories,

Artificial Food Dyes Linked to Hyperactivity?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Fruity Loops, Fruity Pebbles, and other technicolor cereals could be bad for kids, and not just because of the sugar high. Turns out, the food dyes used to create such candylicious treats could be contributing to childhood hyperactivity and other behavior issues.

Last week, the Center for Science in the Public Interest began urging the Food and Drug Administration to outlaw eight artificial food dyes, citing three decades' worth of studies that suggest the artificial dyes could exacerbate kids' behavioral problems. The FDA, meanwhile, disputes the claim. Here's more:

Over the years, the FDA has consistently disputed the center's assertion. . . Julie Zawisza, an FDA spokeswoman, said Tuesday that color additives undergo safety reviews prior to approval for marketing and that samples of each artificial coloring are tested. She said the agency reviewed one of the studies that the center cites in calling for a ban.

"(We) didn't find a reason to change our conclusions that the ingredients are safe for the general population," Zawisza said.

For more details on the debate and to see what I think,

Get in Gear: InStep Quick N' Light Bike Trailer/Stroller

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of multi-tasking which is why I am loving this two in one bike trailer / stroller combo from InStep ( $149.99). What a great concept!

You can pack your little one into the trailer, bike to your destination - let's say your local farmer's market. Just lock up your bike, detach the trailer, add the stroller handle and walk around the market. Reverse the process to bike home.

InStep has been making both strollers and trailers for years, so they know how to make a lightweight, multi-functional product. The trailer attaches easily to most bikes and comes with a weather shield for rainy day rides. Plus it has a 5-point harness to keep the little one secure and nice cushy tires to help soften bumps in case you encounter some rough roads. This trailer is recommended for children over the age of one.

Don't forget helmets for the whole family and why not add an orange safety flag to the trailer while you are at it! Make your trailer as conspicuous as possible.

You can find one on sale for only $109 at Amazon.

Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: My Baby

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:00:00 -0700

The transition to becoming a mom can really take a toll on your body, but you can bounce back and become a strong mom. Does your favorite excuse for NOT exercising involve being the parent of small children? Well here are some tips get you up and moving.

There are as many roadblocks to fitness as there are benefits to gain from fitness. So figuring out how to motivate yourself past your favorite excuse is beyond beneficial. So if your excuse is, "I'm too busy with my kids to workout," it is time to change your tune. I used that excuse for a while, but I soon realized if I wasn't "modeling" good health habits for my kids they would have no idea of the value of exercise. I didn't want to fall into the, "Do as I say not as I do" version of parenting.

Here are a few ideas to get you started thinking about how to fit in some exercise while hanging with your baby.

When you have a newborn

You can do tummy time with your baby. Get down on the floor and get active while your baby fusses over learning this new position.
Pack that baby up and go for a stroll since the fresh air is good for you and the baby.

Want to see what you should do when your baby starts moving? Then

Kids Think Food Tastes Better With McDonald's Name

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I just found out about this fascinating study led by Dr. Thomas Robinson, the director of the Center for Healthy Weight at Packard Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics and of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Talk about serious credentials.

He had 63 children, ages 3 and 5, sample five foods: chicken nuggets, a hamburger, French fries, baby carrots and milk. The chicken nuggets, hamburger and French fries were all from McDonald's; the carrots and milk were from a grocery store.

Each food was divided into two portions: one wrapped in a McDonald's wrapper or placed in a McDonald's bag and the other in a wrapper without the McDonald's logo.

Want to know what the kids had to say about the carrots? Then

More Easy Ways to Keep Kids Trim This Summer

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

For some kids, summertime can provide a reason get out and get active, but for others it can mean more TV time, more access to snacks and time to be lazy. Don't let summertime lead to bulking up your kids, and yourself, by following these great tips from Amy Bohn, M.D., a family physician for the University of Michigan Health System:

Stock up on healthy snacks. What you have in your kitchen influences the food choices your children make, both now and later in life. Avoid buying high-fat, salty or sugary snacks like chips and cookies. Instead, try fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas and carrots, which are fun to munch on and portable. Other good snacks include yogurt, peanut butter and celery, and whole-grain crackers and cheese. Sugary soda pop and fruit-flavored drinks are big contributors to obesity, so provide healthier options like bottled water or milk. "You can even involve your children in the grocery shopping," says Bohn. Allowing your children to choose healthy snacks that they enjoy increases the likelihood that they will eat those snacks instead of less healthy alternatives.
Make plans. Children are often left unsupervised in the summer, which makes it harder to motivate them to be active and eat properly. Bohn recommends making set plans and scheduling in some fun activities. "Talk to your children before the day, as far as things that you can plan together, and then talk to them at the end of the day when you get home, as far as what they've done that day. It takes time and planning, but if you have some structure, it really helps," she says.

There's more, so

Personal Trainer for Kids, A Good Idea?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

A recent report from Newsweek points to a trend in parents hiring personal trainers for their kids. Some parents do it to help with weight loss, others to give their kid a leg up in sports or simply because they want to instill in their child a love of physical activity, but regardless of the reason, I am curious how you guys feel about it. So do you think it's a good idea for parents to hire a personal trainer for their kids? Source

Personal Trainer for Kids, A Good Idea?

Yes

Other - Tell us below

Organic Clif ZBaR: For the Little Kid in You

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Whether you have kids or not, I think you'll want to know about the Clif ZBaR. OK, so they're made for kids, but that doesn't mean someone over 30 can't enjoy one as well.

These bars are sweet and chewy and drizzled with chocolate, and are a great alternative to a candy bar. Plus, ZBaRs are certified organic and made with healthy sounding ingredients including rolled oats, oat flour, flaxseed, fig paste and brown rice syrup.

Fortified with 12 vitamins and minerals, a Zbar provides 30% calcium, 35% vitamin C, and 10% iron of your kids RDI. Plus, ZBaRs contain zero hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup.

What else is cool about Clif ZBaRs? In California, they're working on passing a law that sets guidelines for food served in California schools and ZBaRs are the first snack created that would be compliant with this law. Sure they taste great, but they are also a great combination of protein, carbs, fiber and vitamins and minerals for active kids (and grown-ups).

Want to see the nutritional info for 1 bar? Then

Gabby Tells It Like It Is, Again

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I am a big fan of Gabby Reece. Her blog on yahoo is informative and fun, but above all she tells it like it is.

She recently talked about how we adults should take tips from our kids this summer:

Play. Kids run and jump around and don't' call it "working out;" they call it playing. So, if you hate the gym and the feeling of "I have to work out," then find some activity that involves moving that you have fun at. Go outside and play, but be home for dinner.
Eat when you're hungry and only until you are full. Children don't dream and obsess about food (except candy). They sometimes even forget to eat. The key lesson to learn from young children is once they are full, they stop eating. Plenty of times you will see them leave really yummy stuff on their plate because they are full. We really overeat as a culture. If this is too difficult, then just put less on your plate.
Sleep. They go until they drop. Turn off the computer and TV and get some rest. That's why the little buggers are so happy and have so much energy - because they recover.

There's more tips from Gabby, so

Healthy Dose Link Time!!!!!!!

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Fitness Fixation helps you figure out which pain to work through and when to just ice like crazy.

geeksugar is all about Wii these days. Check out her exercise comparison chart. It might just make you want to play video games instead of working out on the treadmill. Eee gads!!!

Complete Running just heard that running can ruin your teeth. I'm not sure if I am buying the theory.

About:Yoga starts with the letter "A" in the ABC of yoga. Learn more on adjustment, alignment, and asana.

That's Fit reports on a new study: kids eat 100% more junk food after a junk food commercial. This one I believe.

vita-beat reports that frequent self weighing does not cause depression in women.

Back in Skinny Jeans has something to say about People Magazine's "no make-up" photo shoots.

fitPod has a new hour long music mix for you to down load titled: BodyTrippiN. Talk about motivational music.

About: Low Fat Cooking has a great Mediterranean Salt Cod recipe for you to try.

NetSweat confirms you need to cut calories, not carbs to lose weight.

Health Bolt reports that House of Representatives votes to outlaw DNA discrimination. Sounds straight out of Gattaca.

Get Your Butt in Gear: we pilates clothing

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I love supporting companies with the for women by women mentality -- There needs to be more companies like that if you ask me.

This is why I want to tell you about we pilates clothing, a cute, simple and comfortable (that's important) line of gear. The company got started rather simply as well: After a Pilates workout, two women were inspired to create the perfect life style line that could take them from their devoted practice to also running around town. Who is the woman that wears we pilates clothing? She is a businesswoman, a mom, and a professional. I can definitely relate, can't you?

To see more pics of the line and to find out where you can buy it,

No Wonder Kids Are Fat

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Have you watched TV lately? Prime time evening shows are overflowing with commercials advertising junk food. Pizza, ice cream, candy bars, soda, sodium-filled snacks, and fast food. Where are the ads with fresh salads, fruits and whole grain snacks? Can you blame kids for the unhealthy choices they make when all they're exposed to is crap?

For years, health officials have warned us that kids were flooded with too many commercials glorifying unhealthy foods. Finally researchers studied the effects of these commercials.

Researchers monitored thirteen TV networks from late May to early September of 2005. On average, children ages 8-12 saw about 21 food commercials a day - that's 7,600 a year.

Of the food ads, 34% were for candy and snacks, 29% for cereal, 10% for drinks, 10% for fast food, 4% for dairy, 4% for prepared meals, and the rest for breads, pastries, and restaurants.

In December 2005, The Institute of Medicine concluded that these food commercials contradicted dietary guidelines for children and were putting children's health at risk. The Institute recommended that these companies change their marketing strategies and gear them towards healthier choices for impressionable and budding consumers.

In November, 10 major food and beverage companies including Coco-Cola Co., McDonald's, and PepsiCo Inc., agreed to voluntarily devote at least half of their kid-directed ads towards advertising healthier diets and lifestyles.

Don't get too excited just yet. Nothing has really changed so far, but researchers believe that this study that was recently released will help jumpstart these companies into following through with their health kick.

Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: I Have Little Kids

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:30:00 -0700

There are as many roadblocks to fitness as there are benefits to gain from fitness. So figuring out how to motivate yourself past your favorite excuse is beyond beneficial. So if your excuse is "I'm too busy with my kids to workout," it is time to change your tune. I used that excuse for a while, but I soon realized if I weren't "modeling" good health habits for my kids they would have no idea of the value of exercise. I didn't want to fall into the, "Do as I say not as I do" version of parenting.

Here are a few ideas to get you started thinking about how to fit in some exercise while hanging with your baby.

When you have a newborn

You can do tummy time with your baby. Get down on the floor and get active while your baby fusses over learning this new position.
Pack that baby up and go for a stroll since the fresh air is good for you and the baby.

Curious to what you can do once your baby starts crawling? Then

Just One Question: Want Fruit?

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

There is a lot of buzz surrounding our kids and what they eat at school, since most of us agree that tater-tots are not in fact a vegetable. Wouldn't it be great if we could just get our kids to eat more fruit by doing something as simple as asking them a question?

Turns out there is and it's as simple as this: Want fruit? Yup! New research from Yale University has found that when cafeteria workers asked elementary school children if they wanted fruit or juice with their lunch, the children usually took one or the other and most of the children actually ate it.

It seems like this theory can be applied to getting kids to eat more healthfully at home as well. Don't have kids? You could even apply this idea to getting yourself to eat more fruits and veggies too. For example, if I have fruits and veggies readily available, I'll eat them because they are there. When you're feeling snack-y, ask yourself, "Want fruit?" Chances are you will and having it readily available for yourself will further increase the likelihood you'll actually eat some.

Fit's Tip: How many fruits and veggies do you eat in a day? Take the poll. Want to really increase your chances of upping you and your kids fruit and veggie intake? Check out these tips on getting more in your diet.

Wii and Weight Loss - It's Official

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Well, the research is in. Kids who regularly play Wii games burn up a significantly larger amount of calories than kids who play other game consoles, or spend their time passively watching TV.

Not really surprising news for anyone who has ever played Wii Sports. After a night of Wii bowling, the next day my arm was really sore and I knew that I had worked it!!!

Professor Tim Cable headed the study at Liverpool John Moores University, where they measured the impact of playing Wii versus playing a traditional non-motion-controlled console on 5 girls and 7 boys, between the ages of 13 and 15 years.

15 minutes of gaming using a traditional controller increased the subject’s energy expenditure above resting values by an average of 60%. With a Wii controller this was increased to a whopping 156%.

Heart rates also increased to 130 beats per minute while playing Wii, compared with 85 beats per minute with a traditional console.

Most kids who are serious gamers, average about 12.2 hours of playing video games a week. At 150 calories an hour, in a week they'll burn 1,830 using the Wii, which works out to be 40% more than your average video game.

Wow that's great news, but too bad it's next to impossible to get your hands on a Wii right now.

Locks of Love

FitSugar — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 11:35:00 -0800

Locks of Love is a non-profit organization that provides wigs to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 with long-term medical hair-loss.

The hair pieces are made from real hair that people donate - from men, women, and children too.

If you're interested in donating your hair, it must be a minimum of 10 inches (tip to tip). The hair can be permed or dyed, but not bleached or chemically damaged. It must be clean and dry.

Just put your hair in a ponytail or braid, place it in a plastic bag, and mail it to Locks of Love - 2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 102 – Lake Worth, FL 33461.

If your hair isn't long enough, you can also donate money. Some hairdressers will donate their time and give you a free hair-cut, if they know you're donating it to Locks of Love.

Your hair can always grow back, so why not give it to a child for a new beginning, so they can restore their self-esteem and confidence.

Cool Vaporizers Are Not Hot, But They Are Cool

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Unfortunately, we are right in the middle of cold season and at this point, we're desperately looking for anything that will help ease a nasty cold.

Increasing the air moisture is a common way to help you (or your child) feel better when congested -- The added moisture in the air can relieve symptoms such as sore throat and congestion. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier is preferred over a warm mist one because of the risk of your child (or someone else's child) getting accidentally burned by the outflow of hot steam.

The problem is that a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier gets dirty faster because the heat (in a hot vaporizer) kills mold and germs gathering in the vaporizer. To avoid this, clean your cool mist vaporizer frequently (at least once a week) to deter growth of bacteria and other pathogens.

Fit's Tip: I like Vicks Natural Mist Humidifier ($32.84) because it is quiet and has a wicking filter with built-in bactericide, which helps ward off germs. Buy one on Walmart.com.

Kid's Fit Gift: Stride Rite Super Ball Shoe

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Worried about childhood obesity and looking to get your kid (or someone else's kid) moving?

Then Stride Rite's SuperBall Shoe ($54-$56) would be the perfect gift. The shoe has a highly responsive sole and multi directional traction lugs to keep kids on their feet. What's more? A unique mid-sole dramatically reduces weight and maximizes cushioning from heel to toe with each step. The SuperBall Shoe could be the most fun way, since those shoes with wheels, to get kids moving.

There are literally bouncy balls in these shoes -- How cool is that? Talk about bouncing off the walls. Buy a pair here.

Maybe Stride Rite should start making women's size 7.5, because I want these shoes.

Cover Your Children's Eyes

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Imagine this, you're watching a movie with your child (niece or nephew) and a fairly risky scene comes on so you cover his or her eyes until the characters are done with their sex and onto their cigarettes. Seems normal, right?

Researchers are reporting that each year in the United States, some 1.4 million children under age 18 start smoking, and half of these start as a direct result of tobacco advertising, which includes the portrayal of tobacco use in films, TV or videos.

Exposure to positive images of smoking increased the odds that children would smoke by about 90%. Children that were exposed to tobacco ads and positive images of smoking were about 50% more likely to want to smoke in the future. In addition, tobacco marketing and media increased the chances that children who already smoked would become heavier smokers by 42%.

So you may want to start adding smoking to the list of things you cover your child's eyes for in movies.