Snacking is as American as Apple Pie – a culturally reinforced behavior that is simply hard wired into our food environment. And while traditional snack choices have largely been nutritional disasters, typically low in the good stuff, like fiber and nutrients, and high in the bad stuff, like excess calories, bad fats, salts, sugar and […]
Study after study after study has linked drinking sugary beverages to a host of modern day ills. And here is another one. In an evaluation involving thousands of adults of various ethnicities, middle-aged women who reported drinking two or more sugary beverages (like soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, etc) daily were almost four times more likely to […]
According to scientific projections presented at the recent Annual American Heart Association Meeting (AHA Scientific Session November 16, 2011 Orlando, FL), Americans are on the fast track to catastrophic health consequences as a result of unhealthy living. Based on the researcher’s analysis, 83 percent of men and 72 percent women will be overweight or obese […]
Edamame, also known as fresh green soybeans, are a superstar food that are as pleasing to your taste buds as they are exceptional for boosting health. This convenient and readily available “whole soy food” packs a matrix of nutrients and beneficial compounds that place it clearly in the lead position as one of the most […]
For optimal weight control, be sure to have your protein and eat it too. Past studies have indicated that the amount of protein in the diet plays an influential role in how many total calories are consumed over the day. Thanks to a new study – we now have some scientific verification that getting enough protein is […]
I am wildly enthusiastic about eating nuts because the science behind this delectable food group is simply glorious. And just when I thought it could not get any better, scientists have uncovered yet another reason to be nuts about nuts. Because past studies had indicated that nuts provide protection against metabolic syndrome (MetS), scientists sought […]
Broccoli and its cruciferous cousins (kale, collards, cauliflower, cabbage) are world-famous for their cancer-fighting prowess and much of their anti-cancer punch is attributed to a plant compound called sulforaphane. The formation of sulforaphane in cruciferous veggies requires the activity of an enzyme called myrosinase. Unfortunately, myrosinase is heat sensitive, so cooking this family of veggies […]
In one of the biggest studies ever conducted to examine the influence diet has on genes that boost the risk of heart disease – we have some heart-warming good news! In an analysis of 27,000 individuals from five different ethnicities, those consuming lots of plant foods were able to totally negate the harmful effects of […]
October was breast cancer awareness month but we should keep breast cancer fresh in our minds year-around. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and an enthusiastic member the Board of Directors of the Prevent Cancer Foundation (www.preventcancer.org), I want to share my top food picks for maximizing breast health: Beans/Lentils – This category of food is […]
In 2009, 86 percent of all TV adds for foods and beverages targeted at children 11 years and younger were for unhealthy foods. Fast foods were the most frequently featured foods. (Protect your child’s health by limiting TV.) (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, August 1, 2011) A review of 53 studies looking at sedentary activity […]
Spinach, like other dark leafy greens, is unequivocally a nutrient Goliath – packing in more nutrition per unit calorie then any other food. Spinach’s tender green leaves are home to a whopping dose of vitamins A, C, K and folate, in addition to the minerals iron, calcium, and zinc. Spinach is one of the richest […]
Alpha-carotene is a potent plant-based antioxidant that has been associated with a reduced risk of death from any cause. The following list of foods has the highest concentrations. Canned pumpkin Carrots Butternut squash Tomato juice (low sodium) Dark leafy greens (any variety) Tomatoes (fresh, canned, sauce or paste) Cabbage Red bell peppers Tangerines Green beans […]
