In an effort to cut back on added sugar in soft drinks and other treats, people often turn to non-nutritive sweeteners, a.k.a. “artificial” sweeteners, to get their sweet fix. Intensely sweet, these compounds are anywhere from 200 to 600 times sweeter than regular table sugar, so just a speck can be used in beverages or baked goods for essentially zero calories.
If you haven’t taken a stroll down the frozen food aisle for fear that entrées and the like lack the nutrition you want, think twice! The world of frozen entrées abounds with good-for-you choices nowadays. A bit of label reading and applying a few simple principles are all you need to find a healthy option that’s right for you. To help you navigate the frozen entrée aisle, here are a few things to look out for when making your selection.
During these dim winter months, your body can suffer from the lack of sunlight, and as a result, your health may as well due to a lack of vitamin D. New studies along with new thinking from experts suggest that sagging vitamin D levels may be to blame in part for the winter-time fatigue and frequent illness, along with a host of conditions beyond poor bone health. And even more shocking—your diet doesn’t cut it when it comes to D! Here’s the latest on this sunny vitamin and all its D Duties.
Avocados are amazing. Don’t believe us? Studies show that despite their high fat content, avocados can help lower artery-clogging LDL cholesterol levels, and supply folate and vitamin E, two vitamins that lower the risk for heart disease. Not only are these superfoods super tasty and nutritious, they’re also super versatile and can be used many ways in and outside the kitchen.
Back in the day, you drank a glass of milk and you knew where it came from—a cow! Check out the dairy section and beverage aisles nowadays, and along with cow’s milk you’ll find other dairy options like goat’s milk. Even with cow’s milk, you can choose fat-free, low-fat or whole milk. The options go on and on!
Not sure which dairy milk is right for you? Here’s the rundown on how they stack up nutritionally.
Whether you’re looking for something to enjoy with your cereal, coffee or cookies, standard dairy milk is not the only option anymore. Along with cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk, there are also a variety of alternative “milk” beverages made from a slurry of ground seeds like almond, coconut, soy or rice mixed with water.
Here’s an inside look at how each non-dairy milk alternative stacks up nutritionally.
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Lately, even scientists do! According to research, eating small amounts of chocolate (a little over an ounce) daily may help protect against heart disease and stroke, as well as boost your sense of well-being.
A well-made smoothie can be a nutritional powerhouse! With the right ingredients, this blended concoction supplies protein, energizing carbs and a wealth of vitamins, minerals and health-boosting compounds. Supercharging your smoothie can help speed recovery from a workout and help protect your body against aging and an array of diet-related ailments such as heart disease and cancer.
…Of soup that is! With winter upon us, the chilly air drums up thoughts of warm bowls of soup. But who has time to “put on” a pot of soup and wait? All you need is a trusty can opener and a well-chosen can of soup and you have more than just a warm meal. Researchers are discovering a host of health benefits from eating soup, even from a can.
January is already nearing a close, and you know what that means—we’re in the home stretch of the 21-Day Plan! You know what else that means? If you’ve been keeping up with your healthy eating and exercise for the last few weeks, you’re also creating healthy habits that will stick with you through the rest of the year and beyond!