http://www.fitsugar.com/ Healthy, happy you. en http://www.fitsugar.com/1880616 <p>I enjoy energy bars as <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1736575" >pre-workout snacks</a>, but the concept behind <a href="http://fullbar.com" target="_blank">FullBar</a> is different. Though nutritionally similar to <a href="http://fitsugar.com/tags/luna+bar" >Luna Bars</a> and other healthy treats, these protein-packed portions are marketed to help people lose weight. As explained on the wrapper, FullBar was founded by a surgeon who does gastric bypass procedures. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/34_2008/IMG_3036.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>Recognizing that the main benefit of gastric bypass surgery is that it makes people feel full and (hopefully) eat less, Dr. Michael Snyder decided to design a bar that does the same thing. To find out how it works and tastes, </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1880616">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1880616#comment energy bar food food review FullBar weight loss Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1880616 http://www.fitsugar.com/1880765 <p>I consider brownies the perfect barbecue dessert. My standard recipe is similar to most; it contains a whole stick of butter, a couple of eggs and a cup and a half of sugar. <a href="http://www.shape.com/" target="_blank">Shape</a> magazine recently featured brownies in their new recipe makeover column. I was more than curious and since I was craving chocolate I decided to whip up a batch. It didn't hurt that in making over the brownies, the final calorie count per brownie dropped by 170 calories.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/34_2008/brownies.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="321" width="500"></span></p> <p>To see the recipe and what I thought of these slimmed down brownies, just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1880765">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1880765#comment brownies food healthy recipe recipe Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1880765 http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/34_2008/stk78777cor.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="350" width="350"></span>One way to make sure you don't overeat is by slowing down so that your stomach has time to register that it's full. There are plenty of tricks to keep yourself from scarfing down dinner, such as <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1781719" >eating with your non-dominant hand</a>.</p> <p>Here's an even easier one: Make sure you put down your fork between every bite. If you're eating something with your hands, such as pizza or a sandwich, put down the actual food. Then, don't pick up the fork or food again until you've chewed and swallowed the previous bite. When you start to feel full, put down the fork altogether!</p> <p>The forced pauses will prevent you from racing through your meal and give you more time to savor it. Plus, not only is this a healthy eating tip, but it's also good table manners, don't you think? </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485#comment diet tip food put down the fork Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1877485 http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1878292 <a href="/slideshow/1878292?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/34_2008/gran.xlarge.jpg" alt="5 Not-So-Healthy Health Foods " title="5 Not-So-Healthy Health Foods " class="image xlarge inline left" width="320" height="290" /></a>When it comes to "health" food, many seemingly healthy foods rely on reputation. Check out these five foods that seem healthy, but that actually fall a bit short. <br> <br> <a href="http://gettyimages.com">Source</a> <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1878292?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1878292#comment food unhealthy health foods Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1878292 http://www.fitsugar.com/1797705 <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1673174" >Ice cream</a> is one of my favorite treats, but since it's high in saturated fat and cholesterol, I try not to eat it that often. With so many low fat and dairy-free alternatives out there, there's no reason I have to go without that sweet creamy goodness. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/MinisVanilla.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="282" width="510"></span></p> <p>These <a href="http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/minis_vanilla.html" target="_blank">So Delicious Minis</a> ($5 for a box of eight) are made with vanilla soy ice cream, so they're cholesterol and lactose free. How do they taste though? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1797705">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1797705#comment dairy-free dessert food food review So Delicious soy ice cream Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1797705 http://www.fitsugar.com/1872048 <p>Some food combinations create nutritional synergy, like <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1850952" >plums</a> increasing iron absorption. On the other side of the spectrum are food pairings that block absorption of vitamins and minerals. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/all-bran.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="250" width="250"></span>Calcium, a vital mineral for bone health, can be negatively affected by seemingly innocent foods. Two types of chemicals, oxalates and phytates, bind to the calcium and block your bodies ability to absorb the mineral. </p> <p><a href="http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/oxalates.htm" target="_blank">Oxalates</a> are found in spinach and rhubarb and <a href="http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040600.asp" target="_blank">phytates</a> are found in bran and beans. Cheese sprinkled on a spinach salad should not be factored into your daily total of calcium consumption. Same goes for milk you eat over your bran cereal.</p> <p>Since <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/377264" >eating calcium</a> is better absorbed by your body than a calcium supplement, make sure you're not undermining your efforts by combining the mineral with an unwanted chemical. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1872048#comment calcium chemicals interfere with absorption food health Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1872048 http://www.fitsugar.com/1875389 <p>Still reeling from the post-Atkins diet demonization, carbs are making their way back into our hearts and bellies. However, not all carbs are created equally.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/34_2008/CARBS.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="218" width="400"></span><br /> How much do you really know about this <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/200305" >macronutrient</a>? Take this quiz and see how clever you are about carbs. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1875389">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1875389#comment carbs food quiz Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1875389 http://www.fitsugar.com/1875149 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1875149"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1875149',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1875149');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>Somewhere between leaving home after high school and graduating college, I toyed with the idea of giving up <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/gluten" rel="nofollow">gluten</a>, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. So many people I knew were living gluten free lives and claimed to feel so much better for giving it up. In fact, gluten free living seems to be on the rise.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/34_2008/tgf_logo_tm_230-new.gif" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="102" width="230"></span><br /> Doctors estimate that one percent of the US population has <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/75215" rel="nofollow">Celiac disease</a>, an extreme intolerance to gluten, but according to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2008-08-17-gluten_N.htm?csp=34" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">food marketers</a> upwards of 15 to 25 percent of food consumers (that's you and me) want gluten free foods. Many see eating gluten free as a new fad diet. You all remember that <a href="http://thyroid.about.com/b/2008/05/22/oprah-winfreys-21-day-cleanse-diet-will-it-help-her-shed-her-thyroid-related-weight.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oprah Winfrey</a> 21 day cleanse included giving up gluten.</p> <p>I am curious about you . . .</p> <p><a href="http://www.celiac.org/awareness/teamglutenfree.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <br clear=all /></p><p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1875149" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>Have You Ever Tried a Gluten Free Diet?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Yes and I still avoid gluten.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Yes and it did nothing for me.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Nope. I have never tried to give up gluten.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Other — tell me more in the comments section below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1875149" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></p></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.fitsugar.com/1875149#comment food gluten free diet health poll Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1875149 http://www.fitsugar.com/1869792 <p>Yogurt, like <a href="http://fitsugar.com/slides/tags/green+tea" >green tea</a>, is one of those foods that I wonder why I don't eat more of. From the live and active cultures to its creamy taste, where can you go wrong?</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/33_2008/stk151177rke.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span>Now that Fall is just around the corner I am starting to arm myself against cold season. Yogurt, of all things, is in my front line of defense. In fact, <b>USA Today</b> reported on a <a href="http://www.usaweekend.com/food/carper_archive/940904eat_smart.html" target="_blank">study that found</a> subjects who ate 3/4 cup of yogurt each day had 25 percent fewer colds overall than non-yogurt eaters. And because it takes time for yogurt to boost your resistance to germs, the study recommends that you start eating the yogurt about three months before cold season, which is right about now. So add yogurt into your meal plans today, and hopefully you spend less time with a cold come November.</p> <p><b>Fit's Tips:</b> Try and keep tabs on the label to make sure it says "<a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/55948" >Live &amp; Active Cultures</a>," and I like to try and eat yogurt with the least amount of sugar I can find. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1869792#comment cold prevention food yogurt Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1869792 http://www.fitsugar.com/1869497 <p>I love finding new ways to use seasonal produce, and lately, the tomatoes here — especially the multicolored heirloom varieties — have been irresistible. One of the best ways to feature fabulous tomatoes is in a classic <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/tags/caprese+salad" >caprese salad</a> made with mozzarella cheese and basil. Since I found some good-looking basil and eggplant at the farmers market, I decided to try this variation.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/33_2008/eggplant2_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>To make the dish healthier, I used part-skim mozzarella, and instead of beefsteak tomatoes, I used heirlooms. Though this recipe is designed to yield two appetizer servings, I just ate the two eggplant stacks for dinner with nothing else. It was plenty filling and a great way to work fresh veggies into mealtime. To get the recipe, </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1869497">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1869497#comment eggplant eggplant stacks food healthy recipe recipe tomatoes Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1869497 http://www.fitsugar.com/1868208 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/33_2008/stk72768cor.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>I love asparagus, and it's <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1110269" >incredibly good for you</a> — full of vitamin K, plus A and C and folate. But if you've ever eaten a lot of it, you might have noticed a rather odd side effect. There's really no delicate way to say this, so I'll just come right out with it: Eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny. </p> <p>It doesn't happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don't worry: The effect is totally harmless. The odor is merely a byproduct of digesting the veggie. According to <a href="http://www.webmd.com/content/article/43/1671_51089" target="_blank">WebMD</a>, a compound called mercaptan, present in the green stalks, causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released.</p> <p>It is estimated that <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/why-does-asparagus-make-some-peoples-urine-smell-funny.htm" target="_blank">40 to 50 percent of people</a> experience this effect from asparagus; it's all a matter of genetics. If you've never noticed it, you may be immune, or you may simply be unable to smell it. The odor could appear the next day or in a matter of minutes. But aside from the obvious unpleasantness, the aroma of asparagus is nothing to be concerned about. Now aren't you glad we had this little chat?</p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a> </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1868208#comment asparagus asparagus aroma food health urine what's the deal with Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1868208 http://www.fitsugar.com/1862820 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/break.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="260" width="250"></span>I'm sure all of you now know that <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/74685" >breakfast</a> is such an important meal. Eating first thing in the morning helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which regulate appetite and energy. Also, studies show that people who eat breakfast also have an easier time maintaining their weight. So all you breakfast lovers, take this quiz to make sure you're getting the most out of this meal.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1862820">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1862820#comment breakfast food quiz which would you choose Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1862820 http://www.fitsugar.com/1864965 <p>Looking for a quick, portable, homemade breakfast? I found a kid friendly recipe, and with a few tweaks made something that my whole family loves. The recipe is simple but the flavor of these bars is delish. Plus you can use your favorite dried fruits and nuts, or whatever you just happen to have in your cupboards. The recipe is flexible.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/IMG_4345.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" width="400" </span><br /> To see the recipe, just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1864965">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1864965#comment breakfast bar food healthy recipe recipe Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1864965 http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/food.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="404" width="300"></span>Whether you're cooking a meal at home or going out to eat, if you're trying to lose weight, it's no secret that family-style dinners encourage us to eat more. When you have an empty plate in front of you and you see a whole array of different dishes to try, your eyes can be bigger than your stomach, and you can end up serving yourself a lot more calories than you would if you were just given a regular serving of food. It's just like going to a <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1690599" >buffet</a>. The food is in front of you, so you tend to keep going back for more. I'm all for sharing a meal with friends and family, but do yourself and your waistline a favor, and serve meals onto plates rather than from dishes on the table. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118#comment diet tip family dinner family style food Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1858118 http://www.fitsugar.com/1822088 <p>The carb-free diet craze has given pasta a horrible reputation. People think they have to ditch pasta if they are trying to lose weight, and it's just not true. Companies are even making pasta alternatives like this <a href="http://www.house-foods.com/tofushirataki_faq.html" target="_blank">Tofu Shirataki</a> ($4). </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/tofu.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="366" width="550"></span></p> <p>The package says it's a "spaghetti shaped noodle substitute." Mmm, sounds delicious. What's it really taste like? To find out </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1822088">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1822088#comment food food review pasta alternative spaghetti Tofu Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1822088 http://www.fitsugar.com/1862170 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/33_2008/v_curriedchickenkabobs.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span><a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/" target="_blank">Whole Foods</a> can be your friend and foe. Its selection of organic and natural foods is hard to beat, but its prices are often high. That is why I was excited when I stumbled across a cool feature on the site: <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/list_value.html" target="_blank">Meals For 4 Under $15</a>. </p> <p>Under the category, there is a long list of great recipes that should cost you $15 to make in total. Not all recipes are the healthiest, though some are, but at least you know all the ingredients are fresh and organic — and not to mention economical. I'm eying this recipe for <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/value/v_curriedchickenkabobs.html" target="_blank">Curried Chicken Kabobs With Coconut Rice</a>. Yum!</p> <p><a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/value/v_curriedchickenkabobs.html" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1862170#comment budget food recipe whole foods Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1862170 http://www.fitsugar.com/1850992 <p>Mexican food is not only one of my favorites, but my kids love it as well – a working mother's dream come true. While beans, a staple of the Mexican diet, are super healthy a super burrito is not. Here are my tips on how to eat healthy and low cal when eating foods from south of the Rio Grande.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/mexican.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="314" width="400"></span></p> <ul> <li>Avoid refried beans — that creaminess comes at a caloric price. Choose black beans or whole pinto beans instead.</li> <li>Go grilled — Choose lean meats like <i>pollo asado</i> (grilled chicken) or grilled fish. The sauces in Mexican food can add on unwanted calories and fats. </li> <li>Salsa not sour cream — Salsa is fat free and flavorful making it tasty a substitution for saturated fat and calorie laden sour cream or <i>crema</i>. </li> <li>Set a chip limit — As much as I love corn chips, they are fried in oil and loaded with calories. Grab a handful and limit yourself to that handful. You can always request no chips with your order too.</li> </ul> <p>To see if you should order corn or flour tortillas, just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1850992">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1850992#comment dieting food mexican food Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1850992 http://www.fitsugar.com/1857245 <p>Sorry to spread the bad news, but we have yet another recall to deal with. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/33_2008/whole.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="221" width="300"></span>Whole Foods voluntarily recalled more than <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26107537/" target="_blank">1.2 million pounds of ground beef</a> that has come from Coleman Natural Beef's Nebraska Beef</a> processing plant. It pains me to say it but E. coli strikes again. Over <a href="http://www.abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer/recalls&amp;id=6316633" target="_blank">31 illnesses</a> in 12 US states and Canada have been linked to this contaminated meat, but officials have yet to name the states (not sure what's up with that). Apparently this recall comes after the <a href="http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&amp;_Events/Recall_022_2008_expanded/index.asp" target="_blank">same company recalled 5.3 million pounds of meat a month ago</a>, that was linked to at least 49 cases of E. coli. Geez.</p> <p>The beef in the 24 Whole Foods locations in Northern California are not involved, since their meat comes from Country Natural Beef in Oregon, a supplier not listed in the beef recall. Another chain, Fred Meyers, is also pulling meat from their shelves. The ground beef in question was sold between July 2 and Aug. 6. If you're concerned about the beef at your local Whole Foods or natural grocery store, it's best to contact the store directly. </p> <p>The USDA is still investigating, so I'm sure more info will be coming. It's just so upsetting that these recalls continue to plague our food system. Does this latest recall inspire you to start eating <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/veggie+burger" >veggie burgers</a>?</p> <p><a href="http://www.waylandxc.com/wholefoods.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1857245#comment beef food recall whole foods Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1857245 http://www.fitsugar.com/1833121 <p>I'm in a vegetable rut. I keep buying all the same veggies and there are only so many different ways you can eat a carrot, you know? If you're feeling the same way, it's time to expand your garden horizons and try some new things from the produce department. If you've never tried okra, maybe I can persuade you to pick some up.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/okra.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="277" width="550"></span></p> <p>To find out the nutritional info of raw okra and how to use this veggie then </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1833121">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1833121#comment food learn to love okra Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1833121 http://www.fitsugar.com/1796378 <p>Fruit and nut bars are all the craze now, and I'm loving them. I appreciate that they're made from whole foods, and that they don't contain any weird ingredients or preservatives. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/ban.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="249" width="500"></span></p> <p>When I see a new brand of these bars on the shelves, I have to give it a try like this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Weil-Natures-Path-Organic-1-6-Ounce/dp/B000XSCG9M" target="_blank">Weil bar</a>. Yes, Weil as in <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/676374" >Andrew Weil</a>, the famous holistic MD. Since I agree with his healthy-eating principles, I figured this bar would be a good one to try. It's organic, vegan, has no added sugar, and no GMOs. Want to know what's in this Banana Manna bar? Then </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1796378">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1796378#comment Andrew Weil food food review Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1796378 http://www.fitsugar.com/1850952 <p>Biting in to a cool plum in the late afternoon heat of Summer is one of the food joys of the season. Plums are in the height of their season right now, so they are not only tasty but more affordable too. They come in so many varieties and colors, it is hard to get sick of eating these gems.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/PLUMS.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="168" width="500"></span><br /> <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&amp;dbid=35#nutritionalprofile" target="_blank">Plums</a> have been found to increase iron absorption, which could be due to their high vitamin C content. But this fruit is also high in a few powerful phytonutrients, including <a href="http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/p/plums.htm" target="_blank">leutin</a>, an important antioxidant for healthy eyes.</p> <p>Plums are a tasty low calorie treat and when sliced make a great addition to both salads and cereals. How do you enjoy eating plums?</p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1850952#comment food iron absorption plum summer fruit Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1850952 http://www.fitsugar.com/1681232 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/m.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="290" width="200"></span>Including whole grains in your diet is so important for your health because they're full of fiber, protein, and vitamins. It's too bad that with today's world of processed products, you have to make a real effort to find foods that are actually made with whole grains instead of refined flour. Companies try to trick you into thinking their products are healthy, so take this quiz to test your whole grain know-how.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1681232">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1681232#comment food Nutrition quiz whole grains Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1681232 http://www.fitsugar.com/1847849 <p>We're all trying to figure out ways to pack in the most fruits and vegetables in a day, but going with the creamed veggies may not be the best choice. Creamed corn, spinach, and cream of mushroom soup may be delicious, but the extra cream can really take away from the healthy factor. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/32_2008/stk72168cor.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span>If possible, go with the pure form of the veggie. This way you're still getting the benefits of the vegetable without the the added calories, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat that often come along with creamed veggies. One serving of creamed spinach could pack a whopping <a href="http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-sides-creamed-spinach_f-Y2lkPTQyMzUmYmlkPTIxNzEmZmlkPTY3NjIwJmVpZD0zMDk2MjQwNTMmcG9zPTEmcGFyPSZrZXk9Y3JlYW1lZCBzcGluYWNo.html" target="_blank">280 calories</a>, while one cup of regular cooked spinach only has <a href="http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-vegetables-fresh-spinach-boiled-drained-no-salt-added_f-Y2lkPTE0Nzc1JmJpZD0xJmZpZD03MTA3OSZlaWQ9MzA5NjI2OTk0JnBvcz0yJnBhcj0ma2V5PXNwaW5hY2g.html" target="_blank">41 calories</a>. Just add a drop of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, and fresh cooked spinach makes a super tasty and healthy side.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1847849#comment creamed vegetables food healthy eating tip vegetables Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1847849 http://www.fitsugar.com/1846406 <p>People have been demanding healthier fare at restaurants these days and an unlikely hero has stepped up to the plate. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/32_2008/DDSMART.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="275"></span><a href="http://fitsugar.com/tags/dunkin+donuts" >Dunkin' Donuts</a> has added an entire new section to their menu called <a href="https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/BreakfastChoices/" target="_blank">DDSmart</a>. The new, healthier fare is supposed to have 25 percent fewer calories and less sugar, fat, and sodium compared to other products not on the DDSmart menu. And it should also contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial —a big departure from their traditional menu items . . . donuts.</p> <p>From flatbread sandwiches to lite beverages (including coffees and smoothies), I'm pleased to see DDSmart added to the menu and would like to give it a try. What do you think? Will you be testing it out or should Dunkin' Donuts stick to making the donuts? </p> <p><a href="https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/BreakfastChoices/" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1846406#comment DDSmart dunkin donuts fast food food Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1846406 http://www.fitsugar.com/1834291 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/bar.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="425" width="260"></span>Many health food companies try to avoid adding refined sugar to their products, so they use <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/tags/sugar%20substitute" >natural sugar substitutes</a> instead. Stevia, brown rice syrup, evaporated cane juice, and agave nectar are a few examples, but I have also seen barley malt in lists of ingredients. It's often used in cereals, granola bars, mixes, sauces, and baked goods.</p> <p><a href="http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1841005.html" target="_blank">Barley malt</a> is made from sprouted barley. It's thick, dark, and has a mellow malt flavor. It's a favorite of health food companies because it's considered a slow-digesting sweetener. It also has half the sweetness of refined sugar, so it's great to use in your own kitchen and to make breads, sauces, veggie dishes, and, of course, home-brewed beer. To see how it compares to sugar </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1834291">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1834291#comment barley malt food what's the deal with Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1834291 http://www.fitsugar.com/1846428 <p>Eating between meals, has definitely gotten a bad rap, but snacking can be good for you.<span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/yogurt.larger.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="238" width="240"></span> Many nutritionist think we should <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/312137" >eat at least every four to five hours</a>. So if you eat lunch at noon and dinner at 8:00, you're going to need a snack to make it through the long afternoon. I like to plan my snacks, just like I would my lunch, and I like to use them to fill nutritional gaps. </p> <p>When I feel I am not getting enough daily calcium, I snack on cheese sticks or yogurt. The protein fills me up and calcium helps my bones. If I feel like I am lacking in iron, I munch on some <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56288" target="_blank">edamame</a> and some red pepper. The vitamin C in the red pepper helps my body absorb the iron in those baby soybeans. Make your snacks do double duty. Your body, especially your belly, will appreciate your effort. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1846428#comment food healthy eating tip nutritional gaps snacks Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1846428 http://www.fitsugar.com/1842274 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/cabinet.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="250"></span>In a perfect world, we could heal all our wounds with ingredients found in our kitchen cabinets. In reality, there are some foods that help the healing process, and some that hinder it. Do you know which is which? Take this quiz and see. </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1842274">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1842274#comment food health home remedies quiz Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1842274 http://www.fitsugar.com/1821715 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/function.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="550" width="228"></span>It amazes me how many different variations there are on the water theme. There's tap water, filtered water, bottled water, sparkling water, <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1670337" >Vitaminwater</a>, Fruitwater, Fruit2O, and now <a href="http://www.functiondrinks.com/water.php" target="_blank">Function Water</a>. The bottle says it's "vapor distilled water + electrolytes." Vapor distilling removes all impurities, so supposedly it makes this water taste better than ordinary water (my mouth couldn't tell the difference). Then they add electrolytes to keep your cells operating well. Where have I heard this before? Oh, right. This is the exact same thing a bottle of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/167685" >Smartwater</a> says. This Function Water even attempts a similar quirky sense of humor: They compare the impulses in your body's cells to impulse-buying that "sale-rack polyester jumpsuit you'll never wear but had to have." It makes it difficult for me to take this water seriously.</p> <p><b>Fit's Tips:</b> You should know that your body doesn't need to replenish lost electrolytes after a normal 30-minute workout, but it does need to hydrate. Regular water will do the trick after a half hour of exercise. If you're training for a race or sport and are exercising a ton, then this electrolyte-infused water may be worth the extra dough. At least it isn't infused with sugar. </p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1821715#comment food function water Water Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1821715 http://www.fitsugar.com/1841734 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1841734"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1841734',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1841734');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/32_2008/icecream.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="324" width="250"></span>On a hot day, a frozen treat hits the spot. There are so many tasty options, and so many of them are decadent — which of course brings up the health dilemma. So, do you indulge in ice cream, or choose lite? Do you eat a bit of sorbet or make your own fruit juice popsicles? Or do you just avoid sweet frozen treats altogether and go for a frozen margarita? </p> <p><a href="http://gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <br clear=all /></p><p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1841734" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>What Do You Eat For a Frozen Treat? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> I eat ice cream whenever I want.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> I eat lite ice cream and feel satisfied.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> I opt for sorbet, granita, or a popsicle.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> I take my frozen treat in the form of a blended margarita.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="4" class="form-radio" /> I avoid these types of treats altogether. </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="5" class="form-radio" /> My strategy is complicated — I will tell you about it below. </label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1841734" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></p></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.fitsugar.com/1841734#comment dessert food frozen treats poll Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1841734 http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250 <p>We all know we should be eating more vegetables, but when it comes to dining out, aside from ordering a salad or veggie entrée, meals tend to be lacking in the vegetable department. So don't be shy. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/veg.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="207" width="300"></span>Ask your waiter or waitress if you can add veggies to your meal. Ask for specific veggies that you love, or ask them to surprise you with a mix. Add them to your pizza, pasta dishes, stir-fries, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and eggs. Chinese, Thai, and Italian restaurants are usually happy to accommodate your request, but it can't hurt to ask when you're dining at other places, too. You may have to pay a little extra for added veggies, but it's so worth it considering your mouth will love the tasty variety, and your body will appreciate the extra fiber and nutrients. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250#comment diet tip food vegetables Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1817250 http://www.fitsugar.com/1816003 <p>There are a lot of <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/178844" >B vitamins</a>, and B12 is an important one. If you're deficient in this vitamin you can wind up feeling fatigued. Vitamin B12 helps maintain a healthy nervous system and your healthy red blood cells. It is involved in the process of making DNA as well as metabolizing protein. B12 helps make white blood cells, which are important for your immune system, and are necessary for <a href="http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp#h5" target="_blank">pregnant women</a> since they help with an embryo's neurological development. That's a lot for one little subset of a vitamin, but your body doesn't need much — only <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-B12/NS_patient-vitaminb12" target="_blank">2.4 micrograms (mcg) of B12 a day</a> (2.8 mcg if you're pregnant), <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/fish.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="294" width="300"></span>and since your body can store several years' worth of this vitamin, a deficiency is rare unless you're not getting it in your diet. Vitamin B12 is mostly found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Check out the highest <a href="http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp" target="_blank">sources</a> to make sure you're consuming your fill:</p> <ol> <li>3 oz. of shellfish: 84 mcg (holy B12!)</li> <li>3/4 cup fortified breakfast cereal: 6 mcg</li> <li>3 oz. of rainbow trout: 5.4 mcg</li> <li>1 tbsp <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/180833" >Red Star Nutritional Yeast</a>: 4 mcg (great for vegetarians and vegans)</li> <li> 3 oz. beef: 2.4 mcg</li> </ol> <p><b>Fit's Tips:</b> To see other sources of vitamin B12, check out this <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/640618" >chart</a>. If you're not obtaining enough form your diet, then you'll want to consider taking a B12 supplement.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1816003#comment 5 Things B12 food health vegan nutrition vegetarian nutrition vitamin b12 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1816003 http://www.fitsugar.com/1817236 <p>Fresh basil is plentiful in the Summer months and pairs so nicely with zucchini, another hot weather crop. I found a tasty recipe that combines the two and these Creamy Zucchini Boats are my new fave. I found the recipe in <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&amp;recipe_id=1041862" target="_blank">Cooking Light</a>, but modified it a little, using fat free ricotta and grated carrots. It's savory, warm, soft and delicious. Perfect for an appetizer for your Summer BBQs.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/done.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="375" width="500"></span></p> <p>To see the recipe just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1817236">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1817236#comment food healthy recipe recipe zucchini zucchini boat Sun, 03 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1817236 http://www.fitsugar.com/1796391 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/Krack.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="431" width="300"></span>Crackers always seems like a healthier alternative to chips and pretzels, but since many of them are made with nutrition-less enriched white flour and tons of sodium, they end up being just as bad. So when you're looking for crackers, you want to make sure they're made with whole-grain flour. I found these made by <a href="http://www.drkracker.com/ourkrackers/flavors/" target="_blank">Doctor Kracker</a> ($4.39). They're technically called "Flatbreads" because they're about the size of a slice of bread. They make a variety of flavors, but I decided to give the <a href="http://www.drkracker.com/ourkrackers/flavors/seedlander.php" target="_blank">Seedlander</a> a try. </p> <p>To find out what I thought and see how many calories are in one of these 4-x-3.5-inch "krackers" then </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1796391">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1796391#comment cracker doctor kracker dr kracker food food review Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1796391 http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1826044 <a href="/slideshow/1826044?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/tired.xlarge.jpg" alt="Energy-Draining Foods " title="Energy-Draining Foods " class="image xlarge inline left" width="320" height="318" /></a><br> How we fuel our bodies will certainly affect our energy levels. If you are what you eat, there are some energy-draining foods you should avoid. <br> <br> <a href="http://gettyimages.com">Source</a> <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1826044?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1826044#comment energy draining food health Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1826044 http://www.fitsugar.com/1821895 <p>Fast food joints are everywhere. It seems you can't drive a few miles in a city without seeing a Burger King, Taco Bell, or Mickey Ds. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/hamb.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="300" width="300"></span>I've never had a personal problem with these establishments because I feel that people can make their own decisions about what they eat. It seems that Los Angeles doesn't want to give people the option though. South LA wants to <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25896233/" target="_blank">ban fast-food restaurants for one whole year</a> in the poorer neighborhoods. "Fast food" is being defined as those places that don't offer table service, and serve pre-prepared foods or ones that can be heated up quickly. Since obesity is becoming a huge problem, and there's a shortage of access to quality foods, the city wants to give other healthier restaurants a chance to move in. This ban has people's health in mind, but the restaurant industry thinks this idea is unfair. One restaurant owner said, "What's next — security guards at the door saying 'You're overweight, you can't have a cheeseburger'?" </p> <p>So what do you think about this proposed ban? Do you think it's long overdue? Are you for the elimination of fast-food joints? Or do you think these types of restaurants should be allowed to remain open, being that people are responsible enough to make decisions about their own bodies? Tell me your opinion in the comment section below.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1821895#comment ban fast food food LA Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1821895 http://www.fitsugar.com/1822760 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/31_2008/water%20bottle.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" width="200"></span>Water is considered essential for all areas of life, and staying hydrated when exercising is important especially in this Summer heat. How much do you know about the water you drink? Take this quiz and see. </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1822760">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1822760#comment food health quiz Water Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1822760 http://www.fitsugar.com/1691507 <p>While I didn't actively avoid tomatoes during the salmonella scare, I am quite happy the FDA has finally given <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1795980" >raw tomatoes</a> the thumbs up. To celebrate my favorite fruit disguised as a veggie, I thought I would share five things ways tomatoes benefit your health.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/TOM.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="186" width="500"></span></p> <ol> <li><b>Blood Pressure</b>: Eating tomatoes for eight weeks <a href="http://realage.typepad.com/food_bites/2007/10/5-reasons-to-re.html" target="_blank">was found to reduce blood pressure</a> in people with mild hypertension. So eat some tomatoes to help your heart chill out.</li> <li><b>Ketchup</b>: Cooking tomatoes increases their <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/g2/entries/lycopene" >lycopene</a> content, and America's favorite condiment, ketchup, is no exception. However, <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&amp;dbid=44#historyuse" target="_blank">organic ketchup</a> has three times the amount of the antioxidants than its conventional counterpart. </li> <li><b>Cancer</b>: Tomatoes have been shown to <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&amp;dbid=44#historyuse" target="_blank">decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer</a> as well as <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/250480" >breast cancer</a>.</li> </ol> <p>There are two other reasons to eat tomatoes, so </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1691507">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1691507#comment 5 Things food tomatoes Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1691507 http://www.fitsugar.com/1819474 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/0/6066/31_2008/hungry.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="350" width="350"></span>You're asking, and I'm answering.</p> <p>Dear Fit,</p> <p>I've noticed that on a day after a night of heavy drinking, whether I'm hungover or not, I tend to be ravenously hungry. I know that people joke about <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/94803" >"hangover foods,"</a> but for me, it's not just craving greasy treats. I actually just feel insatiably hungry. Why is this? </p> <p><i> — Hungry and Hungover</i></p> <p>To see the answer, </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1819474">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1819474#comment alcohol blood sugar drinking food hangover health hunger you asked Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1819474 http://www.fitsugar.com/1807617 <p>I know that eating Olympic swimmer <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1769643" >Kim Vandenberg's</a> favorite energy bar will not improve my race time. But this dose of reality doesn't prevent me from at least wanting to try the <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/Products/Harvest/Flavors.aspx" target="_blank">PowerBar Harvest</a> ($1.15) she likes.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/POWER.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="206" width="428"></span><br /> The first energy bar I ever tried was the original PowerBar, which I thought tasted like minerals and nothing at all like food. To see if the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Harvest bar tasted anything like those original bars </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1807617">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1807617#comment energy bar food food review harvest bar PowerBar Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1807617 http://www.fitsugar.com/1790585 <p>I wholeheartedly believe that <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/444897" >breakfast</a> is the most important meal of the day. I love an egg or two in the morning, but am often pressed for time. These mini frittatas save the day, literally. When my day begins with protein, I seem to be much happier. This recipe is super simple and the end product is tasty.<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/fritatta_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="413" width="550"></span><br /> To see the recipe, just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1790585">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1790585#comment breakfast food healthy recipe mini frittata recipe Sun, 27 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1790585 http://www.fitsugar.com/1796386 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/flax.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="375" width="258"></span>You should aim to eat <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1064940" >25 to 30 grams of fiber</a> daily, and since many breakfast cereals are made with whole grains and fruit it is easy to eat a significant portion of fiber in the first meal of the day. Nature's Path just came out with a new cereal called <a href="http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold_cereals" target="_blank">Pumpkin Raisin Crunch</a> ($4.29). To find out how much fiber it contains per serving </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1796386">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1796386#comment cereal food food review nature's path organic flax plus pumpkin raisin crunch Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1796386 http://www.fitsugar.com/1805200 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/cheese.jpg" alt="" title="" class="left image preview" height="280" width="250"></span>I'm all for eating foods you crave, but if you're trying to obtain certain things from your diet, it pays to know how similar foods compare. So take this quiz to test your food know-how.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1805200">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1805200#comment dairy products food quiz which would you choose Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1805200 http://www.fitsugar.com/1803821 <p>I know we all strive to eat a balanced diet that's abundant with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, but some days, that just doesn't happen. Maybe yesterday your co-worker brought in some homemade buttery scones topped with drizzles of icing. It's perfectly fine to enjoy foods like that, but just balance them out with other food choices you make later. </p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/3.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image preview" height="214" width="550"></span></p> <p>It doesn't have to be that day, but you can work on creating a balanced diet over three days. So if you missed a food group yesterday, be sure to include it today or tomorrow. If you eat a bunch of high fat foods one night, go for low fat foods the next. This approach is great so you don't feel pressured to eat healthy every minute of your life, and most importantly, you don't end up feeling deprived. It allows you to <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1662981" >enjoy treats</a> every so often, but encourages you to have a generally healthy diet.</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1803821#comment balanced diet food food choices healthy eating tip Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1803821 http://www.fitsugar.com/1739948 <p>Have you ever noticed that sometimes organic bananas are wrapped in plastic bags, while the conventional ones aren't? I always thought this was a method of bug protection, but it is something entirely different.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/ban.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="394" width="500"></span></p> <p><a href="http://earthfirst.com/why-are-organic-bananas-wrapped-in-plastic" target="_blank">Organic bananas</a> are wrapped in plastic because it helps speed up the ripening process. Although all bananas are shipped in their unripened green state, conventional bananas get a quick spray of an ethylene gas to accelerate their transition from green to yellow. Understandably, the organic bananas are not gassed and are instead prepackaged in plastic bags. Since bananas naturally give off ethylene gas, the bags allow the fruit to soak up the gas and turn yellow on their own. Pretty clever, huh? Too bad about the excess plastic though.</p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1739948#comment bananas food organic bananas wrapped in plastic Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1739948 http://www.fitsugar.com/1801749 <p>I recently told you about a few <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1763090" >tips on how to cut costs at the grocery store</a> while keeping your meals nutritious. And University of Michigan Health System nutritionist Holly Scherer has come up with a few more ways to <a href="http://healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=616930" target="_blank"> keep eating healthy and cost effective</a>. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/27/276592/30_2008/stk325516rkn.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" width="250"></span>They are: </p> <ul> <li>Look for the generic or store brand.</li> <li>Stock up on nonperishables when they go on sale.</li> <li>Avoid the temptation of the cookie aisle and the chip aisle. Spend more time in the perimeter of the store, where the fresh products are, and really focus on the fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and the low-fat dairy.</li> <li>Use coupons, but only for things that you normally would buy, not a lot of high-fat, high-sugar foods.</li> <li>Cook at home instead of going out to eat.</li> <li>When you do eat out and you know that a restaurant serves large portions, have them bag half the meal right when they serve it and eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. </li> </ul> <p>What are some of your own tips for eating healthy on a budget?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1801749#comment food grocery shopping save money Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1801749 http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1802356 <a href="/slideshow/1802356?page=0"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/shopping.xlarge.jpg" alt="When To Buy Organic" title="When To Buy Organic" class="image xlarge inline left" width="318" height="320" /></a><br>Food costs are rising and making decisions about when to go organic a little more complicated. When it comes to produce here are recommendations from the <a href="http://www.foodnews.org/">Environmenal Working Group</a> of fruits and veggies to buy organic whenever you can. <br> <br> <a href="http://gettyimages.com">Source</a> <div id='pager' style='margin:25px auto;text-align:center;margin:8px; '><a href="/slideshow/1802356?page=0">Start Slideshow</a></div> http://www.fitsugar.com/slideshow/1802356#comment food organic produce Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1802356 http://www.fitsugar.com/1796824 <!-- no strip poll --><div id="epoll-view-1796824"></div><script type="text/javascript">new Ajax.Request('/epoll/view/1796824',{method:'get',onSuccess:function(transport){var epoll=$('epoll-view-1796824');epoll.update(transport.responseText);}});</script><noscript><p><p>Good news for you fish eaters out there, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/pr/2008-honor-lady-mondegreen.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pescatarians </a>is now recognized as an official word by Merriam-Webster dictionary. They define a pescatarian as a vegetarian who eats fish as well. There seems to be a growing number of ways to classify eating habits, from <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/678315" rel="nofollow">flexitarian</a> to (I just saw this diet in <a href="http://www.self.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Self</a> magazine) "part time vegan."<br /> <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/30_2008/eating.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="360" width="475"></span><br /> I would like to know . . . </p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <br clear=all /></p><p><!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1796824" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>How Do You Describe Your Eating Habits?</label> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="0" class="form-radio" /> Omnivore</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="1" class="form-radio" /> Carnivore</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="2" class="form-radio" /> Flexitarian</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="3" class="form-radio" /> Vegetarian</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="4" class="form-radio" /> Pescatarian </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="5" class="form-radio" /> Vegan</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="6" class="form-radio" /> Raw</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="7" class="form-radio" /> Fruititarian </label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="edit[choice]" value="8" class="form-radio" /> Other – describe yourself below.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1796824" /> <input type="submit" name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --></p></noscript><!-- no strip poll --> http://www.fitsugar.com/1796824#comment diet food poll Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1796824 http://www.fitsugar.com/1783312 <p>I've always been a fan of fruit, but there's something about kumquats that used to weird me out. I've come around and maybe these five facts will help you come to enjoy a kumquat as well.</p> <ol> <li>These fruits can be eaten skin and all, so look for organic kumquats, and wash them thoroughly before eating. They are like reverse oranges — the peel is sweet, and the pulp inside is sour. <span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/k.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="217" width="300"></span>When you eat them together, you get a unique sweet and sour flavor. The seeds are small so either swallow them whole, or spit them out.</li> <li>If you devoured eight <a href="http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/item/118124.html" target="_blank">kumquats</a>, that would be 100 calories, 24g of carbs, 10g of fiber (wow!), and 2g of protein. Slice them thinly and add them to your salads for extra fiber and zesty flavor.</li> <li style="width:550px;"><a href="http://www.foodreference.com/html/fkumquat.html" target="_blank">Kumquats</a> were originally considered to be part of the <i>Citrus</i> family, but in 1915, they were given their very own genus, <i>Fortunella</i>. So technically, even though they look like oranges, they're not actually citrus fruits.</li> </ol> <p>For more fun facts </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1783312">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1783312#comment 5 Things citrus food fruit kumquat Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1783312 http://www.fitsugar.com/1766222 <p>In the mood for a light snack for Summer? Give this simple recipe a try. It may not seem very appetizing, but it's one of those things that you have to try. All three flavors and textures complement one another beautifully.</p> <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/c1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="center image preview" height="375" width="500"></span></p> <p>To see the recipe just </p> <p><a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1766222">read more</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1766222#comment cream cheese cucumber food healthy snack idea recipe Snack Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1766222 http://www.fitsugar.com/1795980 <p><span class="inline left"><img src="http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/12981/29_2008/tom.jpg" alt="" title="" class="right image preview" height="450" width="300"></span>If you've been avoiding certain tomatoes since this horrific <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1695948" >salmonella outbreak</a>, go ahead and bite into any tomato you want. Since no strain of salmonella Saintpaul was found on any farms that were tested, the <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25724341/" target="_blank">FDA</a> believes that consumers can now enjoy all types of fresh tomatoes. </p> <p>The mystery still stands though as to what caused this outbreak in the first place, which has now sickened 1,220 people in 42 states — the earliest case on April 10 and the latest so far on July 4. <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1772746" >Hot peppers</a> are still on the list of things to watch out for, so people with weakened immune systems and the elderly should avoid fresh jalapeños and serranos. </p> <p>I'm wondering, have you been <a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/1722312" >avoiding tomatoes</a> recently? If so, will the FDA's announcement settle your mind and let you enjoy tomatoes again, or are you still a little leery?</p> <p><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> http://www.fitsugar.com/1795980#comment FDA food food poisoning health salmonella tomatoes Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700 FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/1795980