Smarter Eats: Meat Safety

Veggies and grains take up most of the real estate on my meal plates, but when it comes to protein, I enjoy the lean varieties of fish and chicken. But I am no stranger to beef and pork, either. Though I make my best effort to shop with a grocery list, I can end up at the supermarket without a game plan and eyes bigger than my stomach. When faced with an overabundance of produce, I tend to make tons of salad and sides, but when it comes to having too much raw meat, I know I can freeze it. To eliminate the risk of food-borne illness from meat that has made a turn for the worse, I follow these rules of thumb : Fish and poultry should be cooked or frozen with two days of purchasing. Same goes for ground meat and uncooked sausages. Cook beef, lamb, and pork within three to five days of purchase or freeze. When freezing, keep meat in butcher paper since the sticker will have the information about the cut of meat and the date purchased, but do use the added protection of heavy-duty plastic wrap or a freezer-grade plastic bag. If you’re barbecuing this holiday weekend, brush up on your food safety tips for your kitchen prep, grill, and buffet.

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Smarter Eats: Meat Safety

Grocery Shopping in Pictures

OnSugar blogger Running Nina shared with us this picture of her recent trip to the grocery store. Looking pretty healthy, Running Nina! Today I went to Jewel because we desperately needed some groceries in the house. I took my big green lululemon bag and decided that once the bag was full, that would be it! Look at all those goodies! I did take out the bananas and bread from the bag so they wouldn’t get squished, but they would have fit in there! Loads of deals to be had here . . . I got all of this for a mere $40. To see the stylish lululemon bag that she fit all of her groceries in, head over to Running Nina . And why not start your own OnSugar blog , and show us what’s in your grocery bag? Your posts could be featured here on FitSugar.

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Grocery Shopping in Pictures

Making the Better Choice

Filed under: Motivation , Tipping the Scales Getty Images I had a beautiful aha moment the other day. In the midst of moving issues and emotional stress , I realized that sometimes being healthy doesn’t mean picking the vegetables over the potato chips. Of course, that is a great example of making a healthy choice. There are times when being healthy might mean actually paying attention instead of blindly making food choices. There are times when perhaps it isn’t about making the right choice but about making the better choice. Sometimes being healthy means making the best choice available to you at the time. Sometimes being healthy means eating out and choosing to keep your meal small or getting the value size instead of the mega or extra-large food mountain. I finally stopped making food choices based on my feelings and started making a conscious effort to at least pick the better option. I actually logged in to my tracking system. I took the first step toward getting my healthy lifestyle back on track, and it felt amazing! I have also learned the importance of just saying no. No, I don’t need to finish that meal. No, I don’t need dessert every day. No, I don’t need the fried option; the grilled selection will do just fine. People like to say that it is the small decisions that add up to big rewards. I am committed to creating opportunities for minor successes with the confidence that those tiny changes will reap large benefits in the (hopefully) near future. When I realized that even though I didn’t have any fresh fruit or vegetables but managed to stay in my calorie range for a few days, I was ecstatic! Yes, I could have been upset because I didn’t have any fruits or veggies, but I chose to focus on the fact that I was in control and managed to stay within an acceptable calorie range. It has been weeks since I’ve went a day eating less than 2,000 calories. I am not proud of the food selections I have made, but I made them. Now the only option I have is to learn from those mistakes and move on. Aside from my aha moment, I had a small problem with my scale. Somehow, the scale did not survive the move. When I took it out of my husband’s trunk to use earlier this week, it refused to function. I think the scale was trying to send me a message. Perhaps instead of stepping on the scale and being disappointed, I get another week or two to work on getting my habits back on track and to hopefully see the numbers read my pre-move weight. I am actually excited to go buy a new scale and resume my weekly weigh-ins. While I did not make large strides in the exercise department recently, I am happy because we found an apartment that has a gym facility on site . I will be able to resume my fitness routine and I am thrilled! I am looking forward to starting and ending my day with quick walks with my dog and enjoying the treadmill and other machines in the gym area. I feel like I am seeing the light at the end of a very dark series of unhealthy choices. I am mentally, emotionally and physically ready to be on track, and I have started taking those steps. It is amazing how much clearer the path of weight loss is when you actually have a plan to follow. I don’t necessarily mean a detailed plan such as a specific gym routine or an itemized diet plan . Rather, the plan for me is to track my food, start with a simple exercise such as walking leading into running and to continue making the better choice. After decades of dieting only to gain it back, two That’s Fit readers have decided to finally rethink their relationship with food and exercise over the next year to move toward a lifetime of fulfilling, healthy living. Come by every week as Ashley and Lee share their successes and challenges as they tip the scale. While Ashley is eating healthier, Lee has resolved to ditch diet soda. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Making the Better Choice

Too Good to Be Food: Special K Blueberry Crisps

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss , Too Good to Be Food SpecialK.com Special K Blueberry Crisps proclaim they are here to help “stay the course” in a world full of temptation. Two bars for only 100 calories, drizzled with vanilla icing and made with real fruit. Sounds decadent, yet portioned right to me. This seems like something that could go well with an afternoon skim latte or cup of tea, or with a glass of milk as an after-school snack. So I had to dive into this Special K treat to see whether it is Too Good to Be Food? What’s in It: Enriched flour, sugar, fructose, glycerol, vegetable oil, dextrose, maltodextrin, contains 2 percent or less of modified cornstarch, nonfat dry milk, apple powder, blueberry puree concentrate, reduced mineral whey, invert sugar, cornstarch, soy lecithin, leavening, salt, DATEM, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, mono- and diglycerides, sodium alginate, cellulose gum, cellulose gel, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, malic acid, tricalcium phosphate, color added, vanilla extract, red #40, BHT for freshness, blue #1. The first ingredient in enriched flour is wheat, which may have you thinking positive thoughts. However, don’t let it fool you — wheat has the same nutritional profile as white flour. It is whole-grain flour that differs. Niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and folic acid enrich the flour, but more nutrients are stripped from the whole-grain flour than is replaced by the addition of these five vitamins. The second ingredient is sugar . Well, you probably know how I feel about that. At least it’s not an artificial sweetener, but it is a “fruit” crisp? Where is my fruit? Glycerol is up next and is similar to sugar in caloric content, but has a lower glycemic index and is used for sweetness, as a humectant and for consistency. I am neutral here. Overall fat content is two grams, saturated fat 1 gram and trans fat 0 grams so this is certainly not alarming. The next ingredient is TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone), which is used for freshness of fats and, according to the FDA, can cause “nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, delirium, a sense of suffocation and collapse.” All of a sudden those fats don’t seem quite as innocent anymore. Fructose and dextrose are both naturally occurring sugars — again similar to sugar. At least they are not artificial, but again, where is my fruit? Maltodextrin follows; it is made from starch and is often added to up the fiber content of a food, but there is less than 1 gram here! There you have it — the majority of these Fruit Crisps are just flour, oil, sugar and maltodextrin! What about all these other ingredients? For better or worse, the next ingredients make up only two percent or less of this product. Apple powder and blueberry puree concentrate are in there. Hooray for some fruit, albeit not its “real” form and in a very small dose. The next ingredient is reduced mineral whey. Whey is the liquid that remains when milk is curdled, and this is that liquid broken down further. Invert sugar is broken-down sugar, used in the product to maintain moisture and make the product sweeter. Did we not get enough sugar in the first half of the ingredients? Salt is next, and the sodium content is 80 mg . Not bad. But that’s not the only ingredient used to maintain freshness. DATEM (diacetyl tartrate ester of monoglyceride) functions as a dough conditioner by the esterification of fatty acids (a.k.a. it turns into fat), so it gets a no on my list. Citric acid is a natural preservative and found in fruits and vegetables. Following is mono and diglycerides — a processed fat used to extend the shelf life of foods such as fruit products. Sodium alginate is another emulsifier extracted from brown algae — and you may just see this ingredient in your cans of paint, too! We are getting close to the end; I promise! There are some thicken agents, and some harmless ingredients to control acid, as well as a calcium fortifier. The last three ingredients are three things I do like avoid. Red #40 and blue #10 are both artificial colorings. Even though they are generally recognized as safe, some artificial colorings have been linked to ADHD , asthma and inflammatory skin conditions . In general, I recommend avoiding artificial colorings. BHT is used as a preservative but should be avoided namely because there are safer options! Studies have shown an increase and a decrease in the risk of cancer associated with BHT. I say avoid this ingredient whenever possible! Bottom Line: This certainly has a laundry list of ingredients and no major nutritional power such as antioxidants , fiber or calcium . But to its credit, the majority of the ingredients make up less than two percent of the product, and the calorie, fat and sugar content is OK for a portioned snack. However, I still say, it’s too good to be food. Although it may help control calories if your other option is a blueberry donut, there are many other real food options out there! A cup of blueberries with a piece of dark chocolate can satisfy your craving with a whole lot more nutrients and definitely as much flavor — real flavor, that is! Calories : 100 Fat : 2 g Sat. Fat : 1 g Trans Fat : 0 g Cholesterol : 0 mg Sodium : 80 mg Total Carbohydrate : 20 g Fiber : less than 1 g Sugar : 7 g Protein : 1 g Nationally recognized nutrition expert and published author of “The O2 Diet ,” Keri Glassman is the founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life , a nutrition practice based in New York City. For years, Keri has been a leader in advancing a “whole person” approach to health and wellness. She has dedicated her career to creating services and promoting education through her Nutritious Life brand. You can be friends with Keri on Facebook or follow her on Twitter . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Too Good to Be Food: Special K Blueberry Crisps

Gear Review: Pearl Izumi Barrier Convertible Jacket

No matter how understated your fashion sense, once you hop on a bike, you want to your clothes to speak - or rather, shout out your presence. I know the styles of cycling are none too pretty, but unnatural neon colors make you highly visible on a bike, making them a must wear. Since two-wheeling is no time to be inconspicuous, I am loving my new screaming yellow Pearl Izumi Barrier Convertible jacket ($100). The company sent me one to test, when I contacted them about gearing up for bike safety this Fall. Since Summer in the SF Bay Area is as cold as most of our Winters, I had plenty of opportunities to test out this windbreaker. In a phrase: it works well. Here are the features, aside from its glaring color, that I really appreciate when in the saddle: Pockets: I love pockets and this jacket has plenty. Two zippered pockets in the front, and one at the chest that fits my iPhone. There are three open mesh compartments on the inside of the back of the jacket. Zip-off sleeves: This jacket easily converts into a vest and the sleeves fold nicely and fit into the back pocket of your jersey. This two-for-one feature makes this Barrier Convertible perfect for long Autumn rides. Vents: You don’t overheat when climbing in this jacket since it has many well-placed vents. Washable: The jacket washed up really well - no residual stink, no big wrinkles. If screaming yellow is not your thing, the Barrier Convertible jacket also comes in black, white, red, and bright blue. Take advantage of REI’s Labor Day Sale; this jacket is marked down to $75 now through Sept. 6. Review your gear in the Good Gear/Bad Gear community group. We’d love to hear your opinions, both good and bad, of your latest fitness purchase.

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Gear Review: Pearl Izumi Barrier Convertible Jacket

Fit Buzz: What Is the Tastiest and Healthiest Lunch You Pack?

Filed under: Diet & Weight Loss Getty Here at Fit Buzz, we ask our users, fans and followers a different diet and fitness question each week. Stay tuned for weekly updates! What is the tastiest and healthiest lunch you pack? Bobbi K. Lunches vary but the best snack is almond butter and apple slices! Alexa W. Add a little vanilla yogurt if your almond butter is too thick… now I’m addicted to it! NCsoccerMom Tortilla sandwich rolls - Laughing Cow spreadable light cheese, lettuce, grilled chicken (or sandwich meats) tossed in light Italian. RonPoggi PB&J is the perfect food! Organic PB, real fruit jam on whole wheat bread. Yummy! Pinksky4U They have little peanut butter take-alongs. You can add nice fruit and let them dip for a different lunch. Rjdutton My daughter always has fresh fruits and vegetables in her lunch and nothing preserved!! Want to stay healthy this fall? Check out our Fresh Fall Meal plan to get creative ideas for delicious autumn meals. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Fit Buzz: What Is the Tastiest and Healthiest Lunch You Pack?

What You Taught Me About Being Vegan

On Monday (after my failed attempt at veganism ), I asked FitSugar readers for advice on how to make vegan dishes taste richer, a list of the best vegan cookbooks, and good protein sources. Let me just say: when I need help, you bunch really pull though! I was overwhelmed by the amount of thoughtful responses I received. And whether you’re a flexitarian, carnivore, or ominivore, I think that the information our readers passed along will add healthy elements to any diets. This is especially true since most of their suggestions follow Michael Pollan’s mantra , which is a favorite of mine: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” See the tips for a healthy vegan diet when you read more. Favorite cookbooks . Hands down, the big favorite is Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz . Actually, you love any of Isa’s books for her great vegan dishes that never skimp on taste. Other favorites are The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, and Vegan Yum Yum ($10). Making dishes rich and creamy . To give dishes a more meaty taste, many of you rely on the smoky flavors found in paprika, smoked salts, and liquid smoke. As for creamy dishes, you’re all about the purée! Blending up nuts, avocado, or legumes is an easy way to give dishes a creamy feel. Beyond that, vegan dairy substitutes like almond milk, Earth Balance spread, and soy cheese are also favorite ways to make dishes taste creamier. Protein? That’s easy . Many of you shut down the belief that a vegan diet lacks protein; you find it everywhere: legumes, nuts , whole grains , and seeds are common sources. Oh, and all of you love quinoa ! It makes dishes feel hearty, and is full of protein too. Tofu, tempeh, and seitan products received an honorable mention.  

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What You Taught Me About Being Vegan

Looking to Lose Weight the "Healthy Way" [Forum]

Well I am new to the world of blogging, so I decided with dietblog. I am hoping I will finally be able to start my diet, and STICK with it this time. I had a baby 7 months ago, and now I am struggling to actually get in the mood of happy weight loss. My goal is to lose 30lbs, but the healthy way. Ive lost 10lbs with the weight watchers diet, which made me very happy, but fell off the wagon. Ive tried the hCG diet for about a week, and I felt like I was starving myself. I gave that up because it didnt give me the motivation to take care of my baby or even clean the house. I am a stay at home mommy who is currently going to school online. When I stress, I turn to food. So I need help! I’m hoping that I can get the support I need through the dietblog community, so hello everyone!

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Looking to Lose Weight the "Healthy Way" [Forum]

Celebrate Summer Lovin’: 10 Healthy Date Activities

Uh-oh! Like it or not, the final days of Summer are driftin’ away. If you’re looking to take a vacation from your usual workouts, take advantage of the season and carve out some time with your favorite cutie or health-minded pal for a calorie-burning date. Tell me more, tell me more, you say? Here are a few of my favorites activities to cool you off, heat things up, and keep you moving. View Slideshow ›

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Celebrate Summer Lovin’: 10 Healthy Date Activities

Wax On and Wax Off to a Better Bod

The dog days of Summer are quickly coming to a close. Before the lingering warm days are gone, I dare you to take advantage of them by washing your car and giving your body a good workout. Last weekend, I busted out a bucket, sponges, a hose, and my waterproof shoes. An hour later, I had a sparkling set of wheels and my guns were ablazin’. If you’re up for it, engage in these steps and add any other tips to the comments! Put some elbow grease into your washing movements with circular motions. Think like Mr. Miyagi . . . wax on, wax off. If you are covering a large side of the car, you can lunge from side to side as you clean and dry the car. When you’re washing the back of the car, add some leg lifts while you swipe with the sponges. When it’s time to clean the wheels, practice your squats - remember they’re not just for the gym anymore. Time for the grill! After drying off the car, prop yourself up on the bumper for a few push-ups.

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Wax On and Wax Off to a Better Bod

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