Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DID YOU KNOW . . .



You can burn hundreds of calories by doing house work! Turn up the music and boogie while you clean to burn even more!





For more information and fun ways to burn calories:
http://www.nutracheck.co.uk/Burning_Calories/Burning_Calories.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/376512-how-many-calories-do-you-burn-doing-house-work/



**look for my DID YOU KNOW? section each month. I will fill you in a couple times a month with quick and fun nutrition facts to help improve your health.

Friday, May 13, 2011

DID YOU KNOW . . .

What keeps fat-free milk healthy?

Palmitate is an electrolyte and vitamin that is added to low-fat and non-fat milk. It is used to replace nutrients that are lost when removing the fat from the milk.

For more information:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22378


**look for my DID YOU KNOW? section each month. I will fill you in a couple times a month with quick and fun nutrition facts to help improve your health.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sodium's effect on your body


Sodium can be found in almost everything we eat, and it is important to know how it effects our body. The concern, is that the vast majority of Americans are exceeding the recommended amount of sodium. Large amounts of sodium can do serious damage, like causing your body to retain water, high blood pressure, and eventually leading to more serious conditions. There are simple ways to avoid extra sodium in your diet. Learning what they are, is the first step to preventing these conditions.

Benefits of sodium
There is not many benefits of sodium, but it is an important necessity for our body. It is an ingredient that we should have in our diet in moderation. The benefit of sodium, is that it maintains water levels in our cells, and helps our nerves and muscles function properly.

Immediate effects 
Most of the effects from sodium are not noticeable. Sometimes though, if large amounts of sodium is consumed, our body will begin to retain water. When the body retains water, it may result in body parts swelling(usually your hands and feet).

Long term effects
Consuming excessive amounts of sodium as we age may eventually lead to  high blood pressure. This is also known as hypertension, which can lead to very serious conditions.  Some of these conditions are heart disease, kidney failure, and even strokes. Hypertension can also affect organs like your brain and your eyes. Due to the negative effects sodium has on calcium absorption, women are at risk of osteoporosis. Studies show that following low sodium guidelines can drastically cut chances of strokes, heart disease, heart attacks, and even death.

Ways to avoid high sodium
 When trying to avoid high amounts of sodium we need to be careful with packaged and canned items. They are packed with sodium, due to its preservative needs. Also, processed foods like enriched cheeses and breads are foods to watch out for. It is very important to check labels and facts on every item you pick up.  Shopping in the produce section and cooking at home, are a couple of recommended ways to avoid unwanted sodium.

Eating natural foods gives us the right amount of sodium without adding anything to it. Avoiding processed and packaged foods as much as we can, will help us avoid harmful side effects. Try tracking your sodium intake for a day. If you stay within 1500 and 2400 mg of sodium you are doing great! Just for good luck, toss that salt shaker over your shoulder, and leave it there!

Related Sources

Benefits & Long term effects:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09354.html

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/salt-sodium

Other Links:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5031469_pros-amp-cons-lowsodium-diets.html

http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/february2010/02012010salt.htm

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Grande Black Coffee Please!

Coffee

Many research studies have been done to prove whether coffee is good or bad for us. Like other food and drinks, it has been said that in moderation, it is very healthy. Coffee has many benefits for our body, so I think we should definitely say yes to that morning cup-a-joe! You can fight headaches, speed up your metabolism, and most importantly coffee even fights some diseases and cancers. There of course is a few harmful side affects to look out for, but they are easily avoidable.

The big "con" of coffee
Over-consumption of coffee can lead to most of the negative affects. If you drink excessive amounts of coffee without water, it can cause dehydration. Every time you have coffee, pour yourself a glass of water to go with it. Your sleep can also be disrupted by coffee, if consumed to late in the evening. Try having your last cup of coffee early in the afternoon, and you should have no problems sleeping at night.

Fight headache pains
If you are one of the many people suffering from headaches and migraines, try coffee to help with the pain. Enough coffee from a 16 oz cup is enough to stimulate brain cell activity and constrict the blood vessels, which relieves the headache pressure.  Savor it each morning, or simply have a cup whenever you feel an oncoming headache.

Metabolism boost!
Keeping our weight in check is a necessity for everyone. Drinking coffee is one of many items  that can help speed up your metabolism. Coffee in addition to a healthy active lifestyle can help you burn a few extra calories. Feel empowered knowing that your metabolism is working for you, just by enjoying your coffee.

*Check out some other metabolism boosters listed in the source below!

Fight Disease and Cancer! 
Coffee is packed with antioxidants, and can help us avoid health issues like heart disease and colon cancer. Having two to three cups of coffee a day can bring you close to 1,300 milligrams of antioxidants. Exceeding that can have adverse affects, so moderation is very important. Avoid dressing your coffee up with all of the sugar and creamers. This is only taking away from the benefits and may be causing you more harm. I recommend opting for the all-natural black coffee. It may take a while to get used too, but it's worth it when it gives your body the nutrients it needs.

If you would like to learn more about coffee, please check out the sites below.  You will soon be on your way to becoming a coffee connoisseur!

Related Sources:
Pros and Cons:
http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/12/pros-and-cons-of-coffee-drinking.html

Headache Information:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1275419/Best-cure-migraine-headaches-cup-coffee-two.html

Metabolism Slide show:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-boost-your-metabolism

Fight Disease:
http://www.volcanicacoffee.com/coffee-articles/healthy-coffee.htm

http://www.longevitymedicine.tv/dark-roasting-coffee-beans-can-optimize-its-antioxidant-content/

Other Source:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/5-health-reasons-to-not-quit-coffee-2460820