HealthFix - Healthy Tips and Recipes

CAN PLASTIC BOTTLES REALLY HURT MY HEALTH?

2008-08-13T18:32:00.003-04:00

A chemical found in some plastics, called bisphenol A (or BPA) does leak out into drinks and food. The good news is BPA isn't found in most disposable bottles. It's found in rigid, nondisposable containers, such as office watercoolers, jugs or sports bottles. You'll find many of these bottles will have the number 7 on the bottom of the container, so do a quick number check.

Keep in mind that canned goods also have inner linings that contain BPA, so cut back if possible, but keep things in perspective. You should worry more about smoking or not exercising!

SIMPLE CARBS VS. COMPLEX CARBS

2008-04-07T15:37:00.004-04:00

Simple carbs are digested quickly so they cause a more rapid rise in blood sugar. They consist of either a single sugar molecule (monosaccharide) or two single sugar molecules linked together (disaccharide). Simple sugars include: glucose (blood sugar), fructose (fruit sugar), galactose, sucrose (table sugar), lactose (dairy sugar) and maltose (malt sugar). Any of the following words that lead the list on a label = simple carbs: sugar, corn syrup, fructose or any other word ending in “-ose”.

Another easy and quick way to read a label is to look at the “Sugars” under Total Carbs. If a serving of bottled grape juice shows 17 grams of Total Carbs, and the Sugars are also 17 grams, you’ll know right away this is a simple carb. Also, most simple sugar foods have little or no Dietary Fiber. For example, our body uses the sugar from orange juice much faster than eating a fresh orange packed with all the fiber, skin, seeds, etc.

Complex carbs (polysaccharides) are formed from thousands of sugar molecules linked together. They take longer to break down and digest than simple carbohydrates. Complex carb foods include potatoes, yams, brown rice, whole grain, whole wheat breads, pasta, vegetables, legumes and beans. Complex carbs are also packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Always look at the Dietary Fiber of the food. If a food has high fiber, this means it's a complex carb and will take longer to break down and digest. For example, one serving of Edamame (soybeans) has the following:

Carbs – 9 grams
Dietary Fiber – 5 grams
Sugars – 1 gram
Protein – 8 Grams

This is not only an excellent choice as a complex carb, but also for fiber and protein.

As a good rule of thumb, always try to stay under 2-3 grams of sugar per serving. This applies to any food or beverage (fruit juice, soda, etc.).

NOTE: Seapoint Farms makes “ready to eat, just thaw and serve” edamame, which is available in most frozen food sections at grocery stores. Otherwise, edamame can be purchased frozen and boiled for 5 minutes.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR STARBUCK'S COFFEE?

2008-01-23T14:30:00.000-05:00

The "Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffe Mocha" with whipped cream is more than a mere cup of coffee. Think of it as a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup. Few people have room in their diets for the 490 calories and 16 grams of bad fat that this hefty beverage supplies. But, there is good news. You can lose all the bad fat and all but 170 calories if you order a tall (12 oz.) with nonfat or soy milk and no whipped cream.

TIPS FOR BUYING ORGANIC PRODUCE

2008-01-22T16:29:00.000-05:00

When you eat conventional produce, pesticides and chemicals tend to show up in your body. These long-term health effects are unclear, but why risk it? A diet containing the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables exposes a person to an average of 15 pesticides a day! Choose organic versions of the following foods and reduce your exposure to chemicals, pesticides and sprays by almost 90 percent!!

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes
10. Spinach
11. Lettuce
12. Potatoes

REPLACE SUGAR WITH ALL NATURAL STEVIA!!

2008-01-15T16:08:00.000-05:00

Say no to the processed and chemically filled Splenda, Sweet & Low and Equal! Pick up some delicious STEVIA (powder or liquid) from your local health food store or Whole Foods. Many Shoprite stores are also now carrying this option! Stevia is plant based, all natural, aspartame free and great for diabetics!!!