The high amounts of dietary sugar in the typical Western diet
A new research has found out that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages every day is associated with an increase in a particular type of body fat that may affect diabetes and heart disease risk. Researchers from the American Heart Association showed that among middle-aged adults, there was a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat. Visceral fat or deep fat wraps around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines. Visceral fat affects how a person’s hormones function and is thought to play a larger role in insulin resistance which may boost Type […]
Fair or not, in the fight against carbs, pasta has gotten a bad rap lately. Yes, white pasta is relatively high in calories (200 per 2 oz. dry) and has modest nutritional value with about 2g of fiber and 7g of protein, but there are many alternative pastas that are better nutritional investments. And like the enriched macaroni products we’re most familiar with, they are all good canvases for a wide variety of toppings, flavors and textures. I won’t give up my noodles and with these alternatives, you won’t have to. Grain Pasta Switching to whole grain pasta provides a […]
Vegetable Quesadillas Quesadillas have a reputation for being unhealthy. It’s true that they can be very high in fat and calories but it is possible to lighten up this classic dish. Cheese is still required to hold the tortillas together, but now you can get creative by adding high-fiber, detoxifying protein and antioxidant-rich vegetables for more nutrients. Spinach and beans create a heartier and more filling base while spicy salsa and creamy avocado add flavor and texture. For a quick, healthy dinner or lunch this quesadilla recipe features convenience foods that are common pantry staples. Next time you need dinner […]
WASHINGTON– EWG’s new Dietary Guidelines give people solid nutrition advice and highlight the shortcomings of the Obama administration’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans released earlier this month, which were confusing to consumers and overly influenced by the $1 trillion-a-year food industry. “These guidelines serve the public interest, not the vested interests,” said Ken Cook, president and co-founder of EWG. The government’s guidelines watered down evidence that a plant-based diet is better for health and the environment by not clearly advising Americans to eat less meat. These guidelines did not explain the serious health risks of exposure to mercury in certain fish. […]
From Hollywood to New York City, bone broth is the hottest new craze in the food world. But while people know it’s trendy
It’s January, prime citrus season and the trees are heavy with fruit here in southern California. In my backyard I have several navel orange trees, a couple Meyer lemon trees and a small lime tree. I also have citrus groves in San Diego with more than 100 grapefruit, orange and lemon trees. My friend, who has a horse ranch nearby, has a couple of grapefruit trees that are practically ignored, but at this time of year they are full of the juiciest, tastiest pink grapefruits. I suspect the combination of benign neglect and plenty of natural fertilizer from the horses […]
Cold air, snow, icy roads, grey skies…don’t they all just make you want to drive to the gym or go for a run outside? Probably not! During the winter months, it can be more difficult to get yourself up and going when you’re snug underneath a blanket warding off the elements. This, combined with the onslaught of scrumptious holiday temptations, can be a recipe for weight gain and lethargy for some. Not to fear, though. Here are 10 tips that can help keep you from falling into a metabolic rut this winter. How to Rev Your Metabolism During Winter 1. […]
Kitchen Matrix is Mark Bittman’s latest book and, as always, it’s worth adding to your food library.In this unique book, Bittman takes the guesswork out of kitchen improvisation, demonstrating the galaxy of dishes that can be inspired by a single ingredient once you’ve unlocked its essential nature. The book is a result of his five-year New York Times “Eat” column and includes formulas, recipe generators and a plethora of ideas for both single ingredients (potatoes) and full dishes (pasta primavera). “It always seemed like if you could cook one thing, you could cook five things, and if you could cook a […]
Chocolatey, rich mousse is a perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year, really. Heart-healthy compounds abound in cocoa, so a lightened-up, vegan version of this classic recipe will benefit you and the ones you share it with. Many mousse recipes use chocolate chips for flavor, but this one features pure baking cocoa for an antioxidant punch and tangy bitterness to balance the sweetness of the syrup. Using vanilla almond or soy milk as well as vanilla extract offers depth in flavor aside from pure chocolate. Be sure to garnish with fresh strawberries or cherries for texture, […]