Author: Patrick Carpen

It is a widely accepted idea that some foods do more good to your body than others. In other words, some foods are healthier to eat than others. In this article, I set out to examine some of the natural nutrition sources that experts consider to be exceptionally “healthy” for your body. Remember, you are what you eat!

The Apricot is number one on my list. Apricots contain beta-carotene which helps to prevent free radical damage and gives protection to the eyes. An average sized apricot gives you 17 calories, 0 fats, and 1 gram of fiber. They may be eaten dried or soft.

Next, I’ll strongly recommend the mango fruit. Accounting for approximately 50 percent of all tropical fruits produced worldwide, mango is one of the most extensively exploited fruits—for good reasons. A medium sized mango packs 57 mg of vitamin C—almost your entire daily dose. Considered a model “superfruit”, it boosts your immune system and helps prevent arthritis.

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Author: Mike Roussell

We all want results. Whether it is more muscle, less fat, or both. We want results. You can lift all the weights you want and grind out session after session of interval training but if you aren’t paying attention to what you are eating then all this effort is a waste. The #1 most important part of any fat loss or muscle growth program is nutrition.

Nutrition is confusing though right?

There are new “discoveries” being reported by the media almost every day. It is a full time job keeping up with all this information. Fortunately you can get that body you want. You can achieve that lean, muscular body that you’ve been coveting by consistently applying relatively simple nutritional guidelines.

I call these guidelines the 6 Pillars of Nutrition. Here they are:

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Author: Cedars Sinai Medical Center

Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 21, 2008) – The holiday season may bring visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads, but trouble can ensue when pies, cakes, cookies and other fatty holiday treats start dancing on our plates.

With careful planning and smart choices, you can have your fill of holiday cheer without filling your plate with calorie-rich foods, said Netty Levine, RD, CDE, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, at  Cedars- Sinai Medical Center.

“You can enjoy your favorite traditional holiday foods in moderation without dragging extra pounds into the New Year,” Levine said. “Make smart choices at parties and in buffet lines, and on days you’re not celebrating make sure you’re eating healthy, well-balanced meals.”

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Author: Jan Richards

When the holidays arrive, many people forget all about their diets and healthy eating. Weight gains of 7 – 10 pounds are common between Halloween and Christmas. To make the holidays easier, these tips will help you with healthy eating through the season and not gaining weight. Most traditional foods can be made low fat.  Turkey is very lean without the skin, and gravy can be made without any fat. Potatoes that are served without butter can be very healthy. The beloved pumpkin pie is nutritious, although it can be made into a fatty dessert with the adding of whipped cream.

Even though the holidays are in, don’t forget about the exercise. Keeping weight off during the holiday season is burning off the extra calories. You should plan a walk after meals, park farther from stores when you shop, and take a few walks around the mall before you begin shopping.

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Author: Daniel Tolmie

Multivitamins – who uses them?  Well, you probably do, Americans spend $4,000,000,000 a year on multivitamins alone.  70 % Australians are no less keen on them, spending a tiny $2,300,000,000, and yes … that is a ton of zeros!!

Who needs them?  Well the number of people that can say that every day they honestly eat a well-balanced diet of containing lots of fruits, nuts and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, along with chicken and fish is not just low, it is merely non-existent.  Of the people who think they are doing well, most do not realize the sheer quantities that have to be consumed to maintain that ‘well-balanced diet’.

Okay, so almost everyone needs a multivitamin, but which one to choose?  Having 30,000+ vitamins on the market presents so much choice it normally is a case of finding the bottle you think looks the nicest … or the cheapest.  After all, a vitamin is a vitamin right?

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Author: Deidra Garcia

1. Beverages can cause you to gain weight.

•    True

•    False

TRUE: Many men don’t realize that beverages are often loaded with empty calories. Even fortified waters can contain as many calories as a can of soda. In fact, a recent study found that most men don’t accommodate for these extra calories with their meals.  A better bet is to stick to drinking plenty of water, as it keeps your system well-hydrated, helps food break down easier and doesn’t pack on the pounds.

2. Fasting is a good way to drop a few pounds.

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Author: Chuck Arnone

Many of our readers asked for simple nutrition tips for women.  Women today are busier than ever before. Their stress is exacerbated by today’s fast paced, pre-packaged, convenience based society and the toxins that come from antibiotics and household cleaners.  Iron-deficiency anemia is very common in young women. Women need nutrition and they need to be CLEAN from toxins. Here’s a nutrition tip for all women — berries are your friends.

While women’s role in the food chain is essential to produce that all-important resource, food, it paradoxically does not guarantee women even minimum levels of nutrition.  Women are often responsible for producing and preparing food for the household, so their knowledge  or lack thereof  about nutritions effect on the entire family.  Women with adequate stores of iron and other micronutrients are less likely to suffer fatal infections and are more likely to survive bleeding during and after childbirth.  Women in developing countries are also regularly deficient in vitamin A, iodine, and energy.  Women of child-bearing age are recommended to take folic acid supplements and consume a folic-rich diet.  Women are also at higher risk for developing osteoporosis and need more calcium and vitamin D to prevent it.  Studies showed that women with vitamin D insufficiency absorb less than 10 percent of available calcium.

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