Robin Wilson

Diet Tip Of Day: 4 Foods to help Weight Loss

Simple diet additions can change your waist - and help you lose weight!

• Apples: Eating an apple–or two–a day can keep the doctor away and the extra pounds.  Studies have found that eating an apple a half hour to an hour before a meal cuts the calories of the meal. Another benefit from this fruit is you feel full, so you eat less.
• Protein: Dietary studies have repeatedly found that when people eat an egg every morning in addition to (or instead of) toast or cereal, they lose twice as much weight as those who eat a breakfast that’s dominated by carbs.
• Cinnamon: This spice can help your body metabolize sugar, according to USDA study involving diabetics. Eating as little as 1/4 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day was found to reduce blood sugar levels and cut cholesterol from 10 to 25 percent. You can add cinnamon to smoothies or flavor your coffee with it.

Diet Tip of Day: Best Snack Rules

There are four "best" snack rules that we should all consider are:

- less than 200 calories

- no high-fructose corn syrup

- less than 400 milligrams of sodium

source: SHAPE

Diet Tip of Day: Sleep Longer, Lose Weight

Did you know that sleeping at least eight hours a day is best for your waist...for women that only get four hours, they will typically consume more than 325 calories daily because our body craves fast and fat-oriented foods.

Eat breakfast with protein (not just carbs!), drink lots of water and limit snacks during the day. Final rule: don't eat a heavy meal after 7:00pm. More info about Dream Diet

 

Health Tip of Day: Lower Diabetes Risk

Diabetes currently affects approximately 8 percent of the population, or 24 million Americans. Supplement such as magnesium  improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin and significantly reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In a recent study, it was found that the people taking magnesium had better-balanced blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity, as well as improved blood pressure.  The researchers concluded that each 100 milligrams of magnesium supplemented with a healthy diet may lower a person’s diabetes risk by 15%.

Foods that contain magnesium include pumpkin seeds, spinach, Swiss chard, soy beans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, halibut, black beans, and navy beans.

Information from CARE



Diet Tip of Day: Diet Sodas actually add Pounds

Diet sodas are deceptive and a recent study by the University of Texas Health Science Center shows that people who drink diet sodas actually add to their waist size and they are in poorer health...and those who are diabetes-prone will do best to avoid aspartame...Read more

Diet Tip of Day: Food that Ages You

Your nutrition not solely your age, determines the body’s internal quality and resiliency of your system.The condition of your skin, bone quality, brain and connective tissue is determined in part by what you eat. With eating habits you begin to see and feel the effects of aging.

• Cheeseburger - fast food inflammation; trans fat in fast food leads to chronic inflammation which can age you from the inside out
• Frosted cupcakes -  excess sugar loiters in the blood and attaches to protein molecules which is an age-accelerant; processing the large amount of sugar we take in daily puts a huge strain on our systems; refined carbs are simply sugars in disguise and every starch turns into sugar the minute it hits your bloodstream

Information from Care2

Wellness Tip of Day: Fight Insomnia

Summertime fun and a longer daylight cycle makes it quite easy to lose much-needed sleep. There are options including blackout shades, consistent bedtimes and sleep inducing pills. However, we recommend that rather than turn to over-the-counter drugs, you might want to consider certain foods that have ingredients that make the "zzzz's" come a little easier:  

• Cherries:  Eat a cup of cherries as a snack before it’s time to sleep, or drink the juice. Watch your body relax. 
• Fish: Tryptophan is a sleep inducing chemical contained in certain sea dwellers including  shrimp, cod, tuna, and halibut.  
• Lemon Balm:  A  member of the mint family is known for many generations to induce sleep, improve digestions and decrease agitation. Make a potion of lemon balm tea by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Turkey dinner: Tryptophan is also found in turkey, although you would have to eat a lot to make it work...but maybe it is just a good comfort food to make you relax.
• Milk: it is a myth that warm milk can help you sleep...the real key is to combine carbs with a protein such as pairing a cup of whole grain cereal with milk before bedtime.

Information from CARE

Health Tip of Day: Cut Diabetes Risk

Diabetes currently affects 8% percent of the population, or 24 million Americans. Magnesium supplements can improve your sensitivity to insulin and significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In a recent study, it was found that the people taking magnesium had better-balanced blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity, as well as improved blood pressure.  The researchers concluded that each 100 milligrams of magnesium supplemented with may lower a person’s diabetes risk by 15% over one's lifetime.

Foods with magnesium inlcude: pumpkin seeds, spinach, Swiss chard, soy beans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, halibut, black beans, and navy beans.

Information from CARE

Wellness Tip of Day: Top 5 List of Fruit with High Pesticide Levels

Shocker!!! We just learned that "the apple a day" saying may not be true...in fact, it may cause you to have to visit a doctor - for pesticide poisoning. The research team at the Environmental Working Group studied 53 popular fruits and vegetables and conducted 51,000 tests...and here are the results for the Top 5 List of Fruit with High Pesticide Levels in the U.S.:

1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Peaches
4. Nectarines (domestic)
5. Grapes (imported)

Keep your family safe with the right fruit selections...Learn fruits with LOW pesticide level

Health Tip of Day: Toxic Green Tea

Japanese green tea has been known globally for it's purity and health enhancing properties. However, due to the Fukushima nuclear situation,  authorities have recently admitted that Japan's largest tea-growing area - the Shizuoka prefecture - contains radiation which means that contaminated green tea may be on the market. Did you know that Japan produced 95,000 tons of dried tea in 2009, and 42% of  the tea was from Shizuoka.

Before going on sale to market leaves are processed. When fresh leaves are dried, the removal of water concentrates the radioactive elements at five times the former level. Be careful in the short term about the type of tea that you select!

Source: NY Post, June 9, 2011 

Health Tip of Day: Lower your Cholesterol

To prevent high cholesterol, it is important to  eat a variety of whole foods to keep your body strong and healthy. Here are four foods to add to your diet:

• Vegetables: radish, horseradish, hot peppers, onions, garlic, leek, scallion, shallot, chive, leafy greens, cabbage, spinach, carrot greens, kale, broccoli, parsley
• Fruits: citrus, tomato, banana, and persimmon
• Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, hazelnut, flax seed, chia seed, pumpkin seed, poppy seed, walnut, sunflower sprouts 
• Fish: sardine, salmon, mackerel, and deep/cold-water fish

Diet Tip of Day: Sneak fruits & vegetables into your diet

Summer is approaching and a great way to maintain a slim waist is by incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet. Don't limit your salad to just lettuce. Create a satisfying salad by sprucing it up by adding apples,oranges, strawberries and grapes.  The sweetness of fruit will offset the flavor of vinaigrette. 

Lighten up your pasta dish. Traditional pasta sauces can be very heavy and pack a lot  of calories. Add fresh vegetables like carrots, peas, and bell peppers which are best for adding a crisp crunch. For dessert lovers, take advantage of fruits in season and include it in your dessert or elminate sweets completely and have fruit instead.

Another option: Cool down on a hot summer day by freezing banana chunks, strawberries, or other fruits  to blend into smoothies or use to top your favorite ice cream and non fat yogurt.

 

 

Diet Tip of Day: Allergy Free Restaurant Website

AllergyEats is a website that will save your family if you are allergy and gluten sensitive. So many families struggle to find a restaurant that will accomodate.

Visit this website to get a list of allergy-friendly restaurants based on your zip code and preferences. (...view)

Wellness Tip of Day: Make your Own Cereal Mix!

Ever wish you could mix any number of ingredients to make a perfect cereal blend just for YOU? Now you can! Hundreds of options can be custom-created, especially for those finicky weekend guests who have allergies, want no nuts, not too crunchy, etc. The cool new company, Me & Goji - will mix it up for you, allow you to name it, andd send it in a stylish cylinder. Mix it up

Wellness Tip of Day: Womens Health Week (May 8-14, 2011)

Did you know that Women's Health Week is May 8-14, 2011? Maybe there are some simple steps you can take to improve your health, wellness and happiness...try a new thing each day this week: sleep an extra hour on weekend, have a spa treatment, do a diabetes test, schedule a mammogram, call an old friend, review your vitamin intake, and so on...  Learn more

Wellness Tip of Day: Mood Improving Food

Do you remember wearing a Mood Ring in your childhood? It has also been studied that colors you wear can have an affect on your mood. But did you know that certain foods can improve your mood on the "blue" days?

Feeling Sad: eat magnesium rich foods which release serotonin, a natural feel-good. Sources include: bananas, almonds, cashews, unprocessed peanut butter, baked potatoes and brown rice. 

Stressed:  eat blueberries are a great snack loaded with Vitamin C.

Bloated: eat a salad with no dairy products, which triggers your liver, a fat burning organ.

Un-Focused: have a mid-day snack of strawberries to activate the memory portion of your brain.

Wellness Tip of Day: Truth about Caffeine

For many of us, our ritual is to start the day with a cup of coffee, and then to have a cola at lunch and then an afternoon coffee drink, followed by a cappucino after dinner. We forget that the "late afternoon/evening" latte will affect your sleep...And how much of your health is at risk for that short term burst of energy?

It is best to stay clear of  caffeine 4-6 hours  before bed. And did you know that high caffeine levels may increase calcium and magnesium loss. And it may not cause heart disease, but it is common to see a temporary rise in heart rate and blood pressure. If you are at risk of high blood pressure, check with your doctor for an amount caffeine intake that is safe. Learn more at Care2

 

 

Wellness Tip of Day: Whole Wheat Bread v. White Bread

Children are picky eaters, but help them start healthy with a simple switch to wheat bread which could make a big improvement to their health.  While both white and wheat bread contain wheat, the process of making white bread strips it of many of the nutrients. Whole wheat contains lots of fiber, vitamins B and E, zinc and folic acid; and white bread contains no nutrients and just extra calories.  Sandwich Ideas

Wellness Tip of the Day: Apricots

­ Looking for a healthy and delicious fruit?  Look no further than the apricot, sweet and refreshing, apricots are rich in nutrients to protect your heart and eyes, as well as fiber to aid in the digestive system.  Also rich in vitamin A, studies have found this type of diet to reduce the risk of cataract development in women.  Recipe for muffins 

 

Wellness Tip of Day: Diet Myths

Does drinking water really help you lose weight? Does sugar direclty cause diabetes? We've all heard plenty of diet myths, about food, weight, diabetes and many of these myths indicate that with the right amount of exercise and healthy diet, you will be perfect...different diets, different food myths.  Abut that water question...and YES, drinking water does help you maintain hydration and improves digestion, but it certainly doesn't melt away pounds. And about the sugar myth: many other factors including overall health and exercise can contribute greatly as well.  Read info from Prevention