Saturday, March 31, 2012

7 Healthy Meal Ideas You Can Use Right Now

If your life is like just about everyone else's, then you know how hard it is to make healthy meals you can use no matter how busy you are at the moment you get hungry. Here are 10 healthy meal ideas you can use today, and any day. A little prep and a bit of smart shopping will take care of the rest.BreakfastBurritos - I love eggs for breakfast, but that doesn't mean I'm stuck with a plateful of the same thing every day. Pick up some sprouted grain tortillas. Scramble some whole, organic eggs using a spot of organic butter, some sea salt, some fresh herbs and even a slice of nitrite/nitrate free bacon. Wrap in the tortilla and breakfast is ready.Oatmeal - Oatmeal provides excellent levels of fiber, carbohydrates which digest slowly and taste great. You don't have to worry about spending half an hour over the stove making it either. 5 minute steel cut oats are the perfect morning option. I alternate between tossing some raw almonds and blueberries on top and mixing in an egg or two during the last minute of co

oking. Both choices taste great, it just depends on what I'm in the mood for.LunchThere is no way to eat right if you plan on having lunch out every day. Once in a while it is manageable, but you need to bring a lunch with you if you work outside of the home. This will involve a bit of preplanning, or creative use of leftovers from the night before.Salads - Lots of people think taking salads to work is boring, but they are just plain wrong. When you go food shopping, buy a variety of dark leafy greens, not just lettuce. Pick up arugula, mizuna, baby mustard greens and chard, watercress or any other green you like. These greens add zing and variety to your salads.Use protein left over from dinner the night before, toss on a few slivered raw almonds, some pomegranate seeds, seasonal vegetables or anything else that strikes your fancy. A dash of sea salt, some lemon juice and an avocado, olive oil and freshly ground pepper top a perfect lunch.Kabobs - Some cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumber, lightly steamed bro

ccoli, zucchini, or any other veggie that will hold its shape and chunks of grilled chicken or fish are ideal for putting on skewers.Leftovers - Whatever you made last night with such care will be just as healthy for lunch. I almost always make extra just for this purpose. I pack a portion or two for lunches later in the week and I have a couple of days in which I can just grab a meal from the fridge with no thought at all.Delicious DinnersPerhaps the reason I like dinners best is that they set me up for several days of healthy eating with no additional effort. It is easy to throw an extra salmon fillet or chicken breast on the grill. Extra brown rice or quinoa can be converted in to part of lunch of reheated with some scrambled eggs for breakfast.Steak and Potatoes - If you think you can't enjoy classics, you are wrong. It is just a matter of tweaking them a bit. I bake sweet potatoes which are more nutritious and prepare a salad or stir fry some chard or kale. I heat my grill and put on some lovely grass fe

d sirloin steaks. Extra steak will be sliced for lunch tomorrow. Dinner is served.Slow Cooker Chili - Beef doesn't grace the table every day, no matter how much I like it. I precook some organic ground chicken. This goes in my crock pot with some crushed tomatoes, chopped celery, and chunks of carrots, mushrooms, sea salt, onion, garlic and chili powder to taste. Sometimes I make my own chili powder. I leave it on low and head out the door. When I get home all I have to do is make some brown rice or eat it right out of the pot with a sprouted grain tortilla.By starting with the right ingredients at home, I am capable of making numerous nutritious, simple meals that feed me well in matter of minutes. There are so many other choices we haven't even touched upon. Get your kitchen in order and you will find that making healthy meals ideas work for you is just as easy as picking up some fast food.

Best Sources of Zinc

zinc

What can high-zinc foods do for you?

Help balance blood sugar Stabilize your metabolic rate Prevent a weakened immune system Support an optimal sense of smell and taste What events can indicate a need for more high-zinc foods?

Impaired sense of taste or smell Lack of appetite Depression Growth failure in children Frequent colds and infections

Calf's liver is an excellent source of zinc while very good sources of zinc include crimini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, venison, and spinach. World's Healthiest Foods rich in
zinc










For serving size for specific foods, see Nutrient Rating Chart below at the bottom of this page. Description

What is zinc?

Zinc is a micromineral needed in the diet on a daily basis, but only in very small amounts (50 milligrams or less). The other microminerals that all humans must get from food are arsenic, boron, cobalt, copper, chromium, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc.

The first research studies to demonstrate the zinc's important in the diet focused on the issue of growth. When foods did not supply sufficient amounts of zinc, young men in Iran and Egypt were found to have impaired overall growth as well as impaired sexual maturation. These initial studies on zinc reflected some of the key functions served by this mineral, including regulation of genetic activity and balance of carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar. How it Functions

What is the function of zinc?

Regulating genetic activities

Zinc is an important regulator of many genetic activities. The cells of our body each have a special compartment called the nucleus, and inside the nucleus are approximately 100,000 genes. These genes provide instructions for the cell, and the cell has to decide which instructions to read. Zinc is essential for reading genetic instructions, and when diets do not contain foods rich in zinc, instructions get misread, or not read at all. (In biochemistry terms, the gene-reading process that requires zinc is called gene transcription.) Supporting blood sugar balance and metabolic rate

Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, is often required to move sugar from our bloodstream into our cells. The response of our cells to insulin is called insulin response. When the foods in our diet do not provide us with enough zinc, insulin response decreases, and our blood sugar becomes more difficult to stabilize. Metabolic rate - the rate at which we create and use up energy - also depends on zinc for its regulation. When zinc is deficient in the diet, metabolic rate drops (along with hormonal output by our thyroid gland). Supporting smell and taste sensitivity

Gustin is a small protein that is directly involved in our sense of taste. Zinc mus be linked to gustin in order for our sense of taste to function properly. Because of this relationship between zinc and taste, and because taste and smell are so closely linked in human physiology, impaired sense of taste and smell are common symptoms of zinc deficiency. Supporting immune function

Many types of immune cells appear to depend upon zinc for optimal function. Particularly in children, researchers have studied the effects of zinc deficiency (and zinc supplementation) on immune response and number of white blood cells, including specific studies on T lymphocytes, macrophages, and B cells (all types of white blood cells). In these studies, zinc deficiency has been shown to compromise white blood cells numbers and immune response, while zinc supplementation has been shown to restore conditions to normal. Deficiency Symptoms

What are deficiency symptoms for zinc?

Because of the link between zinc and the taste-related protein called gustin, impaired sense of taste and/or smell are common symptoms of zinc deficiency. Depression, lack of appetite, growth failure in children, and frequent colds and infections can also be symptomatic of insufficient dietary zinc. Toxicity Symptoms

What are toxicity symptoms for zinc?

Zinc toxicity has been reported in the research literature, and in 2000 the National Academy of Sciences set a tolerable upper limit (UI) of 40 milligrams for daily intake of zinc. (This limit applies to all individuals age 19 and over.) A metallic, bitter taste in the mouth can be indicative of zinc toxicity, as can stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea mixed with blood. Impact of Cooking, Storage and Processing

How do cooking, storage, or processing affect zinc?

Like most minerals, zinc is present in many different forms in food, and can vary greatly in its response to cooking and processing. In some foods, where a greater percent of zinc is found in water-soluble form and contact with water is great, high losses of zinc can occur.

For example, when navy beans are cooked, 50% of the original zinc is lost. The processing of wheat is another example of the susceptibility of zinc to substantial loss. In 60% extraction wheat flour - the kind that is used to make over 90% of all breads, baked goods, and pastas sold in the U.S., almost 75% of the original zinc is lost. Factors that Affect Function

What factors might contribute to a deficiency of zinc?

In addition to dietary deficiency, problems in the digestive tract can contribute to zinc deficiency. These problems include irritable and inflammatory bowel disorders, as well as insufficient output by the pancreas that prevents proper digestion of food.

Protein deficiency, and deficiency of one particular part of protein - the amino acid cysteine - can also contribute to zinc deficiency by preventing synthesis of transport and storage molecules that are used to shuttle and store zinc in the body.

Loss of zinc through chronic diarrhea or profuse sweating (as might occur with heavy physical labor or athletic training) can also contribute to deficiency of this mineral. Nutrient Interactions

How do other nutrients interact with zinc?

A Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) for zinc of 40 milligrams per day was set by the National Academy of Sciences in 2000 for all adults 19 years and older. The establishment of this limit was largely related to the ability of zinc - particularly supplemental zinc - to impair the status of other nutrients.

The most important of these nutrients are copper and calcium. Even at moderate doses of 18-20 milligrams that can easily be obtained from food, zinc can compromise the body's supply of copper unless foods rich in copper are also included in the diet. When few foods high in calcium are included in the diet, high levels of zinc intake (usually obtained from supplements) can also decrease absorption of calcium from the intestine into the body.

Although zinc is associated with these potential detrimental effects on copper and calcium, it is also supportive of other nutrients. The best studied of these nutrients in vitamin A. Without zinc, vitamin A cannot be effectively transported around the body, and cannot efficiently be mobilized when it is needed. Health Conditions

What health conditions require special emphasis on zinc?

Zinc may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions:

Acne Alcoholism Alopecia Alzheimer's disease Anorexia nervosa Atopic dermatitis Benign prostatic hypertrophy Cervical dysplasia Common cold Crohn's disease Diabetes Epilepsy Graves' disease Herpes simplex HIV/AIDS Infertility (male) Inflammatory bowel diseases Influenza Macular degeneration Osteoarthritis PMS Psoriasis Rheumatoid arthritis Seborrheic dermatitis Senile cataracts Food Sources

What foods provide zinc?

Calf's liver is an excellent source of zinc. Crimini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and venison are very good sources of zinc.

Good sources include asparagus, chard, scallops, lamb, beef, maple syrup, shrimp, green peas, yogurt, oats, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, turkey, miso, and spelt.

In order to better help you identify foods that feature a high concentration of nutrients for the calories they contain, we created a Food Rating System. This system allows us to highlight the foods that are especially rich in particular nutrients. The following chart shows the World's Healthiest Foods that are either an excellent, very good, or good source of zinc. Next to each food name, you'll find the serving size we used to calculate the food's nutrient composition, the calories contained in the serving, the amount of zinc contained in one serving size of the food, the percent Daily Value (DV%) that this amount represents, the nutrient density that we calculated for this food and nutrient, and the rating we established in our rating system. For most of our nutrient ratings, we adopted the government standards for food labeling that are found in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Reference Values for Nutrition Labeling." Read more background information and details of our rating system. World's Healthiest Foods ranked as quality sources of
zincFoodServing
SizeCalsAmount
(mg)DV
(%)Nutrient
DensityWorld's
Healthiest
Foods RatingWorld's Healthiest
Foods RatingRuleDV>=75% OR
Density>=7.6 AND DV>=10%DV>=50% OR
Density>=3.4 AND DV>=5%DV>=25% OR
Density>=1.5 AND DV>=2.5%Public Health Recommendations

What are current public health recommendations for zinc?

The Recommended Dietary Allowances for zinc, set in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, are as follows: Males and females, 0-6 months: 2 milligrams Males and females, 6-12 months: 3 milligrams Males and females, 1-3 years: 3 milligrams Males and females, 4-8 years: 5 milligrams Males and females, 9-13 years: 8 milligrams Males 14 years and older: 11 milligrams Females 14-18 years: 9 milligrams Females 19 years and older: 8 milligrams Pregnant females 18 years or younger: 12 milligrams Pregnant females 19 years and older: 11 milligrams Lactating females 18 years or younger: 13 milligrams Lactating females 19 years and older: 12 milligrams

The National Academy of Sciences set a tolerable upper limit (UI) of 40 milligrams for daily intake of zinc. (This limit applies to all individuals age 19 and over.) For more details on this, see the Toxicity Symptoms section above.

References

Cerhan JR, Saag KG, Merlino LA et al. Antioxidant micronutrients and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in a cohort of older women. Am J Epidemiol. 2003 Feb 15; 157(4):345-54 2003. Chandra RK. Micronutrients and immune functions. Ann NY Acad Sci 1990;587:9-16 1990. Dunn MA, Blalock TL, Cousins RJ. Metallothionein. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1987;187:107-119 1987. Festa MD, Anderson HL, Dowdy RP, et al. Effect of zinc intake on copper excretion and retention in men. Am J Clin Nutr 1985;41:285-292 1985. Forbes RM, Erdman JW Jr. Bioavailability of trace mineral elements. Ann Rev Nutr 1983;2:213-231 1983. Groff JL, Gropper SS, Hunt SM. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. West Publishing Company, New York, 1995 1995. Hambridge KM, Casey CE, Krebs NF. Zinc. In: Mertz W. (Ed), Trace elements in human and animal nutrition. 5th Edition, Volume 2. Academic Press, Orlando, Florida, 1986 1986. Meiners CR, Derise NL, Lau HC, et al. (1976). The content of nine mineral elements in raw and cooked mature dry legumes. J Arg Food Chem 1976;24:1126-1130 1976. National Research Council. Recommended Dietary Allowances, 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1989. 1989. Pedersen B, Eggum BO. The influence of milling on the nutritive value of flour from cereal grains. Part 2. Wheat. Qual Plant Plant Fds Hum Nutr 1983;33:51-61 1983. Prasad AS, Cavdar AO, Brewer GJ, et al. Zinc deficiency in human subjects. Alan R Liss, Inc, New York, 1983 1983. Smith JC Jr, McDaniel EG, Fan FF, et al. Zinc: a trace element in vitamin A metabolism. Science 1973;181:954 1973. Solomons NW, Cousins RJ. Zinc. In: Solomons NW and Rosenberg IH. (Eds). Absorption and malabsorption of mineral nutrients. Alan R Liss, New York, 1984 1984. Spencer H. Minerals and mineral interactions in human beings. J Am Diet Assoc 1986;86:864-867 1986. Wada L, King JC. Effect of low zinc intakes on basal metabolic rate, thyroid hormones and protein utilization in adult men. J Nutr 1986;116:1045-1053 1986. Wu FY-H, Wu C-W. Zinc in DNA replication and transcription. Ann Rev Nutr 1987;7:251-272 1987.

View the original article here

6 Steps To Easy Healthy Meals.

Easy healthy meals can frequently be a challenge, yet with some thorough planning you can arrange tasty healthy meals on the table in no time at all.

The solution is to get yourself organised, so you don't fall back on the ease of processed foods. Nearly all people guess that these are the quickest option, which they may be in some instances, nevertheless if you have the ingredients to hand and get into a system, you will soon be preparing meals without thinking and the resulting health benefits will be well worth the initial trouble.

 Step 1
 Plan your meals forward consequently you are not scrambling around wondering what to make at the last minute, then end up going for convenience above healthy meal ideas instead. By planning ahead you can make certain you pick fast, and easy nutritious meals that are well balanced.

Step 2
 While you do your weekly shop make certain you have canned or frozen vegetables along with any fresh ones you are obtaining. By doing this you will continually be able to get ready e
asy healthy meals no matter how pressured you are and how little time you have for preparing.

Step 3

Strive to cook more therefore you can use the left overs for added meals. This can be spare veg or meat that can then be quickly transformed into different recipes and the beauty is you've only had to prepare once, saving plenty of time and work.

 Step 4
Consider creating a convenience meal, that is also a family favorite once a week. Everybody enjoys a pizza or lasagne and by joining it with a salad, you gain a quick ready meal for all the family. It's not the healthiest of options, although at times it can be hard sticking solidly to one program.

Step 5
A terrific way of having fast healthy meals is to buy pre-cooked meats from your local barbeque restaurant. Then all you need to add is the canned or frozen vegetables and dinner is on the table all set to go.

Step 6

Why not try out crockpot cooking which has become in vogue again. With a quick search on the internet you will hit upon a number of meal ideas through your handy crock pot.

This information was supplied by EasyHealthyMealsGuide.
net. You can find out more about easy healthy meals at their website.

5 Easy Steps To Make Tasty And Healthy Dinner Recipes In 30 Minutes Or Less

Looking for ideas for quick and tasty healthy dinner recipes? Then this is the perfect read for you. Dinner is the most important meal of the day where the family gathers and looks forward to healthy family meals together . But time always seems insufficient, specially when you work full time; it's challenging enough to quickly prepare a scrumptuous dinner, more so in making it healthy too. As such, on numerous toxic days, having a compilation of quick, tasty, nutritious recipes on hand is one great thing that can help prevent you from conveniently turning to to-go or ready-made foods which are usually bad for your health and your budget. I'm talking of nutritious evening meals you can quickly put together in 30 minutes or less. Yes, it's achievable! Healthy dinner recipes do not have to be boring or time-consuming. Let me give you some helpful tips that worked really well for me. Prepare Ahead Of Time With lack of planning, you easily turn to reaching for the take-out food menu. Have a plan in place, at leas

t 5 meals every week, and ensure that all ingredients are within reach. If possible, utilize Saturdays to cook several meals for the coming week. That way,you'll have an entire week covered; all you've got to do is take it out the night before, put it inside the icebox and prepare it as soon as you get home. Even more important is that you will have a meal with flavor and texture you will surely enjoy.

Spice Up Your Meals Preparation Healthy dinner recipes for great evening meals don't have to taste flat. Add various herbs and spices into your meals. It's ideal to bring out the flavor by adding spices rather than having lots of fat and calories into your food. Use those wide range of herbs and spices that may just be sitting in your cabinet for a long time. Usually, the flavor can easily be altered by utilizing a new set of spices and herbs . Go try it!Develop A Working Framework For Dinner Dishes Healthy meals become easy if you have developed a system to follow. Make it a habit to keep your healthy dinner recipes to a basic formula of protein with carbohydrates plus veggies and you will eventually find healthy meal creation a breeze. This system can definitely include a vast range of options - roasted chicken, pasta with cheese and broccoli, grilled meat with peppers and onions with tortillas, sauteed meat with vegetables on rice. You have a plethora of possibilities! Reduce Prep Time With Frozen Vegetab

les

Everybody benefits from having more vegetables and offering frozen veggies is excellent in getting more into your familiy's meals. Keep a wide variety of frozen vegetables on hand. Alter the taste with spices & herbs, butter mixed with lemon juice or Italian dressing. Simply put your vegetables in the microwave or on the stovetop with a veggie steamer for a short while and you instantly have your vegetables for your meal. Fruits Can Be Equally Awesome Too It is a great idea to get your fix via having fresh fruits as it enables you no to give in to your cravings for sugary treats. During evening meals, include fresh fruit as an after-dinner dessert, or as a side, or you can even add some into the main course of your healthy dinner recipes. Fruit gives you loads of vitamins and minerals plus it also healthily satisfies your binging for sweets. A great variation too is to juice an array of vegetables then add in fresh fruit to help flavor. You won't only get the added benefit of vegetables but also the great

taste of fruit juice. The flavor is absolutely amazing! Like what I mentioned, wholesome eating is not synonymous with boring taste and lengthy prep work. With a dash of creativity, planning and some recipes, you can easily whip up healthy dinner recipes which are not only beneficial for you and your family but also taste wonderful. Follow these ideas and you will be well on your way to being a professional, healthy foods at-home chef in no time. Searching for actual tasty healthy and balanced recipes? Visit my site to instantly get FREE delicious healthy dinner recipes. And if you're really serious about starting or maintaining healthy eating habits for you and your family as well as staying in shape more for life, take a look at my review on The Diet Solution Program's compilation of over 50 done-for-you healthy recipes and meal plans. A MUST READ just before you purchase! Click Here HealthyDinnerRecipesReview.com Excited to seeing you there.

Friday, March 30, 2012

3 Top Tips For Healthy Meals

When we are young, the concept of healthy meals is very black and white. Vegetables are good and fast food is bad. Cleaning your plate is good and being wasteful is bad. As we grow up, no one bothers to tell us that, in reality, individual foods are neither good nor bad- only too much food is bad. In fact, the idea that we need to clean our plates has gotten us into big trouble.As it turns out, nutrition isn't black and white at all. On a physiological level, it can be extremely complicated. Sometimes we do all the right things and still can't seem to manage our weight, our energy, or our health. Of course, if we could only live on the Biggest Loser Ranch we wouldn't have any of the obstacles that make eating healthy meals so complicated and impractical in the real world.If only there were a few simple rules that made eating healthy simple?!The good news is, there are three simple tips that can make healthy meals more of a no brainer. After all, we don't all have the time or money to study nutrition, to visit

a certified nutritionist, or to order all our meals packaged and ready-to-eat.If you assess your diet regarding the three guidelines below, you will be doing a better job than most towards getting the nutrients and energy your body needs. (And by "diet" I don't mean that four letter word that signifies perpetual deprivation but simply, what you consume daily.)The Three Tips are to

1) keep your meals colorful

2) keep your meals small and frequent, and

3) keep your meals fresh.As we explore these criteria in a little more depth, it will highlight some reasons you should incorporate them into your lifestyle.1) Keep Your Healthy Meals ColorfulOur body needs six different nutrients to function optimally during the day. These include carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Most of us don't have time or sufficient interest to make getting our daily allowance of amino acids and essential vitamins a scientific venture. So how can you make sure you are getting what you need? Answer: by keeping your meals colorful. It is that simple.Picture a plate containing fish and chips beside a smoked salmon salad with a whole grain roll. One of these plates is monochromatic and the other has reds, greens, browns and whatever else your imagination used to dress it up. The more colorful plate has half the calories, more than twice the nutritional benefit, and will provide more lasting energy. Meanwhile, the monochromatic plate is also more likely to make you

feel sluggish and desperately thirsty as a result of excessive sodium levels. The point is, picking healthy meals is a choice you are free to make.While carbohydrates ( like bread, potatoes, rice, and starchy vegetables) and protein ( like meat, beans, and dairy) should be components of every meal, the more fruits and vegetables you add, the healthier and more colorful your meal will be. Even adding peas and carrots to the fish and chips plate would significantly increase the nutritional value of this dish. Presentation is not just for cooking shows- it is for your health, too.People who eat mindfully (or in other words, don't have a weight problem) enjoy food with all of their senses. Practice making your meals and snacks colorful by incorporating a variety of food groups. This way they will be a feast for your senses, your belly, and your body.2) Keep Your Healthy Meals Smaller and More FrequentA healthy eating schedule is going to vary from person to person. Three square meals a day is sometimes the only t

hing someone has time to prepare and enjoy. However, food is fuel. If you are hungry, eat. If you are not hungry, don't. For many people, enjoying 4-6 smaller meals everyday actually helps them function more efficiently.Deprivation is not beneficial for your body or mind. You have to eat to lose. However, most of us are used to mindlessly eating portion sizes that are larger than what we really need. You want to be satisfied but not stuffed.More frequent, smaller meals keep your metabolism revved and make it less likely that you will store food as fat instead of burning it for fuel. It also keeps your energy levels and blood sugar levels steady which decreases the likelihood of overeating at your next meal or suffering crashes in energy that cause you to crave lousy, processed foods and sweets.Anyone who has ever grocery shopped on an empty stomach knows that creating healthy meals is easier if you don't let yourself get overly hungry. By making sure you have a healthy breakfast and healthy snacks available f

or the day ahead, you will be significantly less likely to feel the need to stuff your face and you will find it easier to manage your weight. Overall, focusing on eating to keep your energy up and your hunger under control will help you be a pleasant, healthy person.3) Keep Your Foods FreshEating healthy meals doesn't mean buying packaged foods that say they are healthy on the outside of the box. Healthy meals should include fresh foods. If everything you eat is unwrapped, microwaved, delivered, or frozen, you need a serious diet overhaul. What your body craves is nutrients, not preservatives and added chemicals. Processed foods are more calorically dense and harder for your body to breakdown so they are more likely to be stored as fat than natural food.If the ingredients list on a packaged food item is a bunch of words you don't recognize or have never seen before, don't buy it. Instead, build a skill for life and learn to cook the meal from raw ingredients. Ingredients that aren't in your granny's pantry,

don't habitually belong in yours. In other words," if it doesn't grow, let it go". While it may seem like a convenient time saver now to buy the ready made stuff, preparing your own healthy meals will help you live longer, easily making up for the time it takes to prepare meals in the long run.It takes conscious effort to incorporate these rules into your daily routine, but they will quickly become habitual with practice. Your efforts start in the grocery store where you can focus on choosing fresh foods and ingredients that will allow for plenty of nutritious choices for healthy meals and snacks in the days ahead. Then all you have to do is focus on including a variety of food groups to ensure you always add at least a splash of color. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, the more the merrier as far as your body is concerned.Making color a priority, eating smaller meals as frequently as your hunger dictates, and seeking out fresh foods will pay off. In fact, assessing your healthy meals along these three

guidelines might just help you save your health and your money. The more you fill your body with quality nutrients, the less you will crave U.F.O's (unidentified food objects). After all, having access to and eating healthy meals is a luxury, not a punishment.

Eating Healthy 101

The number of diet programs and crash diets that are currently popular online and in magazines will blow your mind, and you may find that trying to follow some of these diets will actually do more harm than good for your body. Eating healthy is more than just dieting, but it is something that you actually need to integrate into your life until it becomes your way of life. Eating healthy can help you to eliminate serious diseases, fight viruses, and have a healthy life.There are four macronutrients that you need to eat:1. Protein is the building block of muscle, but red meat is often high in fat. The best protein that you can find will be in legumes, and legumes contain more protein than meat or chicken. However, you will find that chicken, eggs, turkey, fish, and other lean proteins are often more enjoyable than a bowl of baked beans, so don't hesitate to switch up between the lean proteins you eat.2. Fat is an essential nutrient for your body, particularly the fat found in avocadoes, fish, and nuts. Keeping your fat consumption low is essential for overall health, as too much fat in your diet will do your body more harm than good.3. Carbohydrates are the nutrients that your body converts into energy, and you will find that eating a lot of carbohydrates will be essential for excellent health. However, focus on eating the complex carbs like whole grains, oats, and vegetables rather than the empty calories of simple carbs like white bread, white rice, and noodles.4. Liquids are essential for keeping your body healthy, as liquids help to restore the balance in your body by replenishing fluid lost through sweat and urine. Make sure to drink a lot of water if you want to remain healthy, and avoid sugary or carbonated drinks that will do more harm than good.Macronutrients are the main nutrients that your body needs, and these four macronutrients will be essential to being in good health. However, there are micronutrients that you also need to eat, specifically the vitamins and minerals that are found in healthy food li ke Omega-3 and iron in fish, potassium in bananas, Vitamin A in carrots, and Vitamin C in citrus fruits. All of these micronutrients will be incredibly important to help you stay healthy, and you should eat these as much as possible.If you are not getting enough of these micronutrients from the food you eat, you may want to consider a multi-vitamin or supplement to help you provide your body with all of the nutrients it needs. A lack of these nutrients will cause a number of disorders, which is why it is essential to provide as much as your body needs.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Food of the Week: Crimini Mushrooms

Mushrooms, crimini Mushrooms, crimini What's New and Beneficial About Crimini Mushrooms

You can definitely make a difference in the health benefits you get from mushrooms by being extra careful with the temperature at which you store them. A recent study looked at color and texture changes in mushrooms over a 6-8 day period, including color changes that were associated with the mushrooms' phytonutrient content (discoloration was related to a reduction in these important nutrients). As temperatures moved closer and closer to room temperature (the researchers stopped at 59°F/15°C in their study), discoloration and hardening became more and more problematic. Prevention of discoloration and hardening required the researchers to take the temperature down all the way to 38°F/3°C over this 6-8 day period. Since 38°F/3°C is great temperature setting for your home refrigerator, what we're talking about here is careful refrigeration of mushrooms as soon as you've arrived back home from the grocery store. Leaving mushrooms out on the countertop is worth avoiding, and you never want to store them even temporarily in a cabinet. Like most mushrooms, crimini mushrooms can provide us with unique immune system support. But contrary to public belief, these common button-type mushrooms have recently been shown to surpass some of their more exotic mushroom counterparts (like shiitake or maitake mushrooms) in terms of immune system benefits. We've seen several recent studies that placed button mushrooms at the top of the mushroom list with respect to regulation of unwanted inflammation. Included here were studies on laboratory animals involving the development of arthritis--an area where we expect to see more news about the health benefits of mushrooms. Protection against cardiovascular disease has become an area of special research interest in crimini mushrooms. Along with extracts from oyster, shiikate, maitake, and white button mushrooms, extracts from crimini mushrooms have been found to reduce the binding of certain immune cells onto the lining of the aorta. When mushrooms reduce this binding, they also lower risk of damage to the aorta and risk of blood flow problems. For women who are at risk of hormone-dependent breast cancer, crimini mushrooms may be an important diet addition. These mushrooms have recently been shown to be a significant source of conjugated linolenic acid (CLA)--a unique type of fatty acid that can bind onto aromatase enzymes and lessen the production of estrogen. Since some breast cancer tumors are dependent upon estrogen for their growth, this blocking of the aromatase enzyme by the mushrooms' CLA may lower risk of this breast cancer type. The presence of CLA in mushrooms is fascinating, because we typically expect to find this type of fatty acid exclusively in animal foods like milk, cheese, and meats. Crimini mushrooms may sometimes be a valuable source of vitamin B12. Even though this B12 issue can be a little confusing, we believe it's important for you to know that recent studies have found significant amounts of vitamin B12 in some samples of fresh crimini mushrooms. The B12 in these mushrooms was apparently produced by healthy bacteria growing on the surface of the fresh mushrooms. Mushroom content of B12 varied significantly, and sometimes it varied from farm to farm. That kind of diversity makes sense to us because growing conditions for mushrooms can vary dramatically. Traditionally, we've thought about animal foods as being our only reliable source of vitamin B12. Animals tend to store up small amounts of this vitamin after it has been produced via being consumed in a food or produced by bacteria in their digestive tract. This way of thinking about vitamin B12 still holds true. However, it might also be smart for us to start thinking about fresh mushrooms (including fresh crimini mushrooms) as a potentially valuable source of vitamin B12. While we cannot ask fresh mushrooms for a vitamin B12 guarantee, we can count on them for a variety of other important health benefits, and along with these benefits, we may also be getting a boost in our B12 intake. WHFoods Recommendations

People do not usually consider mushrooms, including crimini mushrooms, as a part of their meals that can offer great nutritional value. However, the nutritional value of crimini mushrooms may surprise you. One cup of crimini mushrooms provides a good, very good, or excellent source of 18 different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant phytonutrients. To maximize their flavor and the retention of their nutrients it is important to not to overcook them. That's why we recommend healthy sautéeing crimini mushrooms for just 7 minutes to bring out their best flavor while maximizing their nutrient retention. For more on our Healthiest Way of Cooking crimini mushrooms see the How to Enjoy section.
Nutrients in
Mushrooms - Crimini
5.00 oz-wt raw (87.00 grams)
















This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Mushrooms, crimini provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Mushrooms, crimini can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Mushrooms, crimini, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart. Health Benefits

Immune System Support

White blood cells play a key role in the health of our immune system, and without healthy and balanced activity on the part of our white blood cells, we cannot protect ourselves from diseases caused by microorganisms or from allergy-related problems. There are many important types of white blood cells, and these include monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. All three types of immune cells have their activity levels shifted by substances found in crimini mushrooms! In a remarkable way, unique phytonutrients found in crimini mushrooms change the way these white blood cells go about their business. In some cases, they prevent white blood cells from becoming active when they would be better off remaining inactive. In other cases, they trigger white blood cell activity when more activity is needed. The list of immune-impacting phytonutrients in crimini mushroom is both unusual and lengthy. It includes beta-D-glucans, fucogalactans, APO (2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one), p-tolyl-hydrazine, and a wide range of substances involving unique combinations of protein-plus-carbohydrate components. The role of a healthy immune system in helping protect us against arthritis, development of cancer, and development of cardiovascular disease has been examined with a focus on dietary mushroom intake, and evidence suggests that crimini mushrooms can help lower our risk of these health problems by supporting balanced activities among the white blood cells of our immune system.

One final note may be in order when thinking about crimini mushrooms and our immune system. One key nutrient for healthy immune system function is vitamin D, and crimini mushrooms do provide measurable amounts of this vitamin. However, the relationship of vitamin D to mushrooms can be complicated. The form of vitamin D most commonly found in mushrooms is ergosterol (sometimes called vitamin D1). This form of the vitamin is not active in humans as a hormone. With the help of sunlight, some of the ergosterol in mushrooms can be converted into ergocalciferol (sometimes called vitamin D2). However, since mushrooms do not require sunlight for growth, they are sometimes produced without exposure to light and, in this case, would not provide D2. (Some mushroom growers deliberately expose mushrooms that are being grown in the dark to a short burst of light that can help some of the D1 in mushrooms get converted into D2.) Even though D2 can be useful to our cells, this D2 form of vitamin D is still not the fully active hormonal form. That fully active form (vitamin D3, cholecalciferol) is not provided by mushrooms whether exposed to light or not. From our perspective, the bottom line for vitamin D and mushrooms is much like the bottom line for vitamin B12 and mushrooms. You cannot count on mushrooms to be helpful with your vitamin D requirements (just like you cannot count on them to be helpful in meeting your vitamin B12 requirements), but you may end up getting some bonus vitamin D (and vitamin B12) benefits from crimini mushrooms, along with their other amazing health-supportive nutrients. Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Risk of many common health problemsâ?"including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer--is increased by the presence of chronic unwanted inflammation. Many factors can contribute to chronic inflammation, and these factors include overproduction of molecules in our body that tell it to launch an inflammatory response. If production of these molecules--called pro-inflammatory molecules--can be reduced, chronic inflammation can be reduced or sometimes prevented altogether. Intake of whole fresh mushrooms, mushroom extracts, and powdered/dried mushrooms has been shown to accomplish precisely this result--blocked production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In some studies, crimini mushroom appears to be a better blocker of certain pro-inflammatory molecules than its fellow mushrooms like shiitake and maitake. These anti-inflammatory studies have usually been conducted on laboratory animals, and have usually focused on pro-inflammatory molecules like IL-10 (interleukin-10), IL-12 (interleukin-12), and IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma). The results of these studies have been consistent and also clear: to avoid chronic overproduction of pro-inflammatory molecules, it's helpful to include crimini mushrooms in a diet. Antioxidant Benefits

There are two outstanding types of antioxidant support provided by crimini mushrooms. The first type involves their nutrient composition, and the second type involves their impact on oxidative metabolism. In terms of nutrients, you don't have to look far to find key players in antioxidant world: crimini mushrooms provide an excellent amount of selenium, and a very good amount of zinc and manganese. All three minerals are critical antioxidant nutrients and are also required for the functioning of antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant content of crimini mushrooms also includes some unusual antioxidant molecules. The best studied of these molecules is ergothioneine (technically identified as 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine). Ergothioneine is an amino acid-like molecule that has not only been shown to have antioxidant properties but to also specifically help prevent oxidative damage to DNA (our genetic material) and proteins.

In addition to providing us with these key antioxidant nutrients, mushrooms also impact our oxidative metabolism. Intake of crimini mushrooms and crimini mushrooms extracts has been studied in relationship to the activity of several oxidative enzymes, including SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GPO (glutathione peroxidase). Most of these oxidative enzyme studies have been conducted on animals, including mice, rats, and chickens. Addition of mushroom to the animals' diets in relatively small amounts has been shown to increase enzyme activity and in the case of GPO, to increase the cell's supply of glutathione (GSH) itself. In the minds of many researchers, GSH may be a central antioxidant in many cellular activities. Cardiovascular Benefits

Since the health of our circulatory system depends on great antioxidant protection and effective regulation of inflammation, it is not surprising to see crimini mushrooms providing impressive cardiovascular benefits. This mushroom is simply to rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients to go unheralded in this cardiovascular area. As might be expected, research studies show that crimini mushrooms can help protect us from cardiovascular disease by protecting our blood vessels from oxidative damage as well as chronic inflammation. This protection has been specifically shown with respect to the aorta--our body's largest blood vessel. Cardiovascular protection by crimini mushrooms extends beyond these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory areas, however. Research studies on laboratory animals with high blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs) have also shown that daily intake of crimini mushrooms over a period of 1-2 months can reduce levels of all three blood fats (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and TGs.

The cardiovascular benefits from crimini mushrooms also involve their B vitamins. In addition to being an excellent source of vitamins B2, B3, and B5 (pantothenic acid), crimini mushrooms are a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of folate. As described earlier in this profile, these mushrooms also sometimes provide us with a significant amount of vitamin B12. The B vitamin choline (about 19 milligrams per cup) is also provided by this B vitamin-rich food. One hallmark risk factor for cardiovascular disease (especially atherosclerosis) is an elevated level of homocysteine. This amino acid lies at the intersection of many complicated metabolic pathways important to the healthy function of our cardiovascular system. Deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12 or folate can increase our risk of elevated homocysteine and, along with it, our risk of cardiovascular disease. By providing us with these critical homocysteine-balancing B vitamins, crimini mushrooms provide us with yet another tool for improving our cardiovascular health. Anti-Cancer Benefits

A fascinating twist in the story of crimini mushrooms, immune support, and anti-inflammatory benefits involves cancer cells. In some ways, cancer cells can be considered the opposite of healthy cells. With healthy cells, we want to avoid chronic inflammation, and we want our immune system to maintain a sense of respect for the miraculous functioning of each healthy cell. With cancer cells, the situation is somewhat reversed. In the case of cancer cells, we would like our immune system to be unusually active and to send out white blood cells that can dismantle and deactivate cancerous or cancer-like cells.

In some situations, it can also be helpful for inflammatory activity to be increased in cancer cells. Increased activity of pro-inflammatory molecules (for example, prostaglandin E2, also called PGE2) can sometimes cause a cancer cell to shift itself over into a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). In this case, the cancer cell can be prevented from causing more disruption among healthy cells.

The immune system's ability to actively detect and deactivate cancer cells (or potentially cancerous cells) and the inflammatory system's ability to help trigger apoptosis in cancer cells (or potentially cancerous cells) are abilities that can be enhanced by intake of crimini mushrooms. We've seen recent studies on laboratory animals as well as lab studies on different cancer cell lines that show significant anti-cancer benefits from crimini mushroom extracts and also from dried, powdered crimini mushrooms. (Extracts and dried powder forms are used to enable measured consumption by the laboratory animals.)

Of special interest in this health benefits area have been studies on breast cancer and prostate cancer. In the case of breast cancer - especially hormone-related breast cancerâ?"it may be the presence of a special fatty acid called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) in mushrooms that is especially important. CLA may be able to bind onto aromatase enzymes in the cancer cells and lessen their ability to produce estrogen. Since some breast cancer tumors are dependent upon estrogen for their growth, this blocking of the aromatase enzyme by the mushrooms' CLA may help prevent or control this type of tumor. In the case of prostate cancer, blocking of the aromatase enzyme by CLA has also been a research focus since prostate cancer cells are known to produce aromatase enzymes. Blocking of a second type of enzyme (called 5-alpha reductase) by mushroom extracts has also been a focus of prostate cancer studies. It's important to remember that most types of cancer begin their development in situations where there has been chronic unwanted inflammation related to lack of anti-inflammatory nutrients and also in situations where there has been chronic unwanted oxidative stress due to lack of antioxidant nutrients. By providing us with their unique mix of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients, crimini mushrooms may be able to help us decrease our cancer risk not only for breast and prostate cancer, but for other cancer types as well. Description

Crimini mushrooms are a coffee-colored variety of the world's most commonly eaten mushroom, commonly called the "button" mushroom. The names "white button," "crimini" and "portobello" all refer to this same scientific category of mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Different strains (also called "isolates") of Agaricus bisporus are used in commercial mushroom production along with varied growing conditions and varied time periods of cultivation to produce different varieties this of widely loved food. White button varieties are typically obtained from select strains that can be harvested at a relatively immature stage of growth. Strains used to produce crimini mushrooms are typically harvested at an intermediate growth stage. Baby bella mushroom, mini bella mushroom, baby portobello mushroon, and portobellini mushroom are other names for crimini mushrooms. Crimini mushrooms are also sometimes referred to simply as "brown mushrooms." Portobello mushrooms are crimini mushrooms that have been allowed to grow to full maturity.

Mushrooms are as mysteriously unique as they are delicious. While often thought of as a vegetable and prepared like one, mushrooms are actually fungi, a special type of living organism that has no roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds. Technically speaking, mushrooms are not vegetables. In fact, technically speaking, mushrooms are not even plants! Mushrooms do not require either soil or light in order to grow. All that's required is decaying organic matter of some kind, including the kind found in decaying wood, decaying leaves, or manure. While mushrooms can be cultivated, they easily grow wild in many regions of the world due to their unusual and fairly simple growth requirements.

The unique nature of mushrooms as a fungus that grows on decaying matter is one of the reasons that we encourage purchase of certified organic mushrooms. Growth media used in the commercial production of non-organic crimini mushrooms can be inconsistent in terms of quality, and we believe that your risk of contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, and other unwanted substances will often be lowered through the purchase of certified organic mushrooms. (At present, there are no organic certification standards created exclusively for mushroom production. But at the same time, many organic standards created for production of all foods apply to the growing of organic mushrooms as well. For example, regulations for the composting of manure in production of certified organic mushrooms are stricter than the regulations for the composting of manure in production of non-organic mushrooms.) History

Button mushrooms have grown wild since prehistoric times, having been consumed as food by the early hunter-gatherers. Since ancient times, mushrooms have been thought to have special powers. The Egyptians thought that they granted immortality, and since only the pharaohs were felt to be worthy of this gift, the common people were not even allowed to touch mushrooms, let alone eat them. In ancient Rome, people oftentimes referred to mushrooms as cibus diorumâ?"food for the gods. The folklore of many cultures, including Russia, China, and Mexico held that eating mushrooms could give someone superhuman strength.

Historians are not entirely certain about the time period in which humans first began cultivation of mushrooms for food, but this cultivation most likely began in Asia, involving cultivation in China, Japan, and India. The first Western cultivation dates back to the 17th century in Europe. Especially well-known is mushroom cultivation that began in France, specifically in the catacombs (underground caves and tunnels) that lay beneath the city of Paris. The button mushrooms are sometimes referred to as Paris mushrooms ("champignons de Paris") for this reason. Mushrooms are still commercially produced underground in the Tours and Saumur regions of France. China is currently the world's largest commercial producer of mushrooms, following by Europe and then the United States. Within the U.S., about 70% of all mushrooms are grown on the east coast, with the state of Pennsylvania having the highest U.S. yields. How to Select and Store

Look for crimini mushrooms that are firm, plump, clean and brown in color. Those that are wrinkled or have wet slimy spots should be avoided. If your recipe calls for caps only, choose mushrooms that have short stems to avoid waste. Fresh and dried button mushrooms are available throughout the year.

When selecting mushrooms, we encourage you to choose certified organic versions. Even though we encourage the purchase of organic for all foods, we believe that it's important to understand some of the potential differences between mushrooms that have been produced organically versus non-organically. Unlike wild mushrooms, commercially produced mushrooms are the result of a complicated cultivation process that involves three distinct steps.

The first step involves composting. The goal of this first step is to create an environment (substrate) in which the mushrooms can grow. The preparation of compost often includes the use of animal manure, and we believe that rules for the organic composting of animal manure are both stricter than the rules for non-organic compositing and can result in healthier compost.

The second step involves spawning. Because the spores (reproductive elements) of mushrooms are too small for growers to handle directly, they are germinated to form threadlike substances called mycelia, and then combined with grains to form what is called "spawn." Organic regulations for seed stock and seed preparation apply to preparation of spawn in mushroom production, and, once again, we believe that the stricter organic regulations can result in healthier spawn. Once the spawn have been prepared, they are added to the compost and allowed to develop into mushroom colonies. During this spawn colonization step, the mushrooms remain in their vegetative state of development. They have yet to look anything like the mushrooms we purchase in the grocery store.

A final step in the mushroom production process is to trigger a change in their development from the vegetative phase to the reproductive (fruiting) phaseâ?"allowing the mushrooms to transform into their familiar food form. In order to trigger this change, an additional later of material is added to the spawned compost. This layer of materialâ?"called the casingâ?"may include field soil, leftover mushroom substrate (called spent mushroom substrate) or other substances including sphagnum peat moss. Once again, we believe that the stricter organic regulations for soil and soil amendments can help to produce a healthier final product. Examples of unwanted contaminants that may be greatly reduced or eliminated by stricter organic standards include synthetic herbicides, insecticides, and heavy metals.

The best way to store loose button mushrooms is to keep them in the refrigerator in a loosely closed paper bag wrapped in a damp cloth or laid out in a glass dish that is covered with a moist cloth. Whether you use a paper bag, a damp cloth, or a glass dish, it's worth avoiding all storage methods that leave the mushrooms stacked in one big clump. The less surface contact they have with one another the fresher they will stay. A great step to avoid clumping is to make a first layer of mushrooms inside your paper bag or on top of your damp cloth or glass dish, and then cover this mushroom layer with a paper towel. A second layer of mushrooms can then be placed on top of the paper towel. These storage methods will help preserve the mushrooms' moisture without causing them to become soggy and keep them fresh for several days. Once mushrooms have developed a slimy layer across their surface, they are not longer fully fresh.

Mushrooms that are purchased prepackaged can usually be stored in the refrigerator for 3-7 days. However, to maximize freshness, we recommend removal from the original container and storage according to one of the methods described above. Recent research has shown refrigerator storage to be especially important for preserving mushroom phytonutrients. In research studies on button mushrooms, loss of phytonutrients related to discoloration and hardening of mushrooms has been shown to occur over a 6-8 day period as storage temperatures get increased from 38F/3C (a common household refrigerator temperature) to 59F/15C (a temperature much closer to room temperature). These study findings are good reasons not to leave mushrooms sitting out on the countertop or even storing them temporarily in a cabinet.

Dried mushrooms should be stored in a tightly sealed container in either the refrigerator or freezer, where they will stay fresh for six months to one year. How to Enjoy

Tips for Preparing Mushrooms

Mushrooms are so porous that if they are exposed to too much water, they will quickly absorb it and become soggy. Therefore, the best way to clean mushrooms without sacrificing their texture and taste is to clean them using minimal, if any, water. To do this, simply wipe them with a slightly damp paper towel or kitchen cloth. You could also use a mushroom brush, available at most kitchenware stores.

If using the whole mushroom in a recipe, simply slice off the very bottom of the stem, which is usually a bit spongy. If your recipe only calls for the caps, gently break off the stems with your hands and discard (or save for making soup stock). A Few Quick Serving Ideas

Healthy sautéed mushrooms and onions make a great side dish Add finely chopped mushrooms to a pot of tomato pasta sauce. After removing the stems from mushrooms, stuff them with your favorite vegetable medley or soft cheese. Make the classic brunch favorite...the mushroom omelet. Healthiest Way of Cooking Crimini Mushrooms

We recommend Healthy Sautéeing crimini mushrooms for maximum flavor and nutrition. Heat 3 TBS of broth over medium heat in a stainless steel skillet. When broth begins to steam, add sliced mushrooms and Healthy Sauté for 7 minutes. It is best to stir constantly for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Toss with our Mediterranean Dressing and your favorite optional ingredients. For details see, 7-Minute Healthy Sautéed Crimini Mushrooms WHFoods Recipes That Feature Crimini Mushrooms

Individual Concerns

Crimini Mushrooms and Purines

Crimini mushrooms contain naturally-occurring substances called purines. Purines are commonly found in plants, animals, and humans. In some individuals who are susceptible to purine-related problems, excessive intake of these substances can cause health problems. Since purines can be broken down to form uric acid, excess accumulation of purines in the body can lead to excess accumulation of uric acid. The health condition called "gout" and the formation of kidney stones from uric acid are two examples of uric acid-related problems that can be related to excessive intake of purine-containing foods. For this reason, individuals with kidney problems or gout may want to limit or avoid intake of purine-containing foods such as crimini mushrooms. For more on this subject, please see "What are purines and in which foods are they found?" Nutritional Profile

As might be expected from such an unusual food that is technically neither plant nor animal, crimini mushrooms boast an unusual array of phytonutrients that can be difficult to obtain from other foods. These phytonutrients include special types of carbs (for example, the polysaccharide-like molecules beta-D-glucans or fucogalactans) and special organic compounds called hydrazines and hydrazides. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a unique type of fatty acid also found in crimini mushrooms. Many of the above-mentioned phytonutrients provide support to our immune system and help prevent unwanted inflammation.

Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of many minerals including immune-supportive selenium, bone-building copper, heart-healthy potassium, and energy-producing phosphorus. They are also an excellent source of B vitamins including energy-promoting vitamin B2, pantothenic acid, and niacin. In addition, crimini mushrooms are a very good source of heart-healthy vitamin B1 and vitamin B6; immune-supportive zinc, bone-healthy manganese,. They are a good source of heart-healthy folate, and muscle-building protein.

For an in-depth nutritional profile click here: Crimini mushrooms. In-Depth Nutritional Profile

In addition to the nutrients highlighted in our ratings chart, an in-depth nutritional profile for Mushrooms, crimini is also available. This profile includes information on a full array of nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more. Introduction to Food Rating System Chart

In order to better help you identify foods that feature a high concentration of nutrients for the calories they contain, we created a Food Rating System. This system allows us to highlight the foods that are especially rich in particular nutrients. The following chart shows the nutrients for which this food is either an excellent, very good, or good source (below the chart you will find a table that explains these qualifications). If a nutrient is not listed in the chart, it does not necessarily mean that the food doesn't contain it. It simply means that the nutrient is not provided in a sufficient amount or concentration to meet our rating criteria. (To view this food's in-depth nutritional profile that includes values for dozens of nutrients - not just the ones rated as excellent, very good, or good - please use the link below the chart.) To read this chart accurately, you'll need to glance up in the top left corner where you will find the name of the food and the serving size we used to calculate the food's nutrient composition. This serving size will tell you how much of the food you need to eat to obtain the amount of nutrients found in the chart. Now, returning to the chart itself, you can look next to the nutrient name in order to find the nutrient amount it offers, the percent Daily Value (DV%) that this amount represents, the nutrient density that we calculated for this food and nutrient, and the rating we established in our rating system. For most of our nutrient ratings, we adopted the government standards for food labeling that are found in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Reference Values for Nutrition Labeling." Read more background information and details of our rating system. Mushrooms - Crimini
5.00 oz-wt raw
87.00 grams
19.14 calories
NutrientAmountDV
(%)Nutrient
DensityWorld's Healthiest
Foods RatingWorld's Healthiest
Foods RatingRuleDV>=75% OR
Density>=7.6 AND DV>=10%DV>=50% OR
Density>=3.4 AND DV>=5%DV>=25% OR
Density>=1.5 AND DV>=2.5%

In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Mushrooms, crimini

References

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[Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005] Prevention Research 3: Biological and Biochemical Mechanisms in Prevention. Abstract #1580. 2005. Martin KR and Brophy SK. Commonly consumed and specialty dietary mushrooms reduce cellular proliferation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2010 Nov 1;235(11):1306-14. Epub 2010 Oct 4. 2010. Martin KR. Both common and specialty mushrooms inhibit adhesion molecule expression and in vitro binding of monocytes to human aortic endothelial cells in a pro-inflammatory environment. Nutr J. 2010 Jul 16;9:29. 2010. Melgar MJ, Alonso J and García MA. Mercury in edible mushrooms and underlying soil: bioconcentration factors and toxicological risk. Sci Total Environ. 2009 Oct 1;407(20):5328-34. Epub 2009 Jul 24. 2009. Mohapatra D, Bira ZM, Kerry JP et al. Postharvest hardness and color evolution of white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). J Food Sci. 2010 Apr;75(3):E146-52. 2010. Phung S, Ye J, Hur G et al. White button mushrooms and prostate cancer prevention. AACR Meeting Abstracts, Apr 2005; 2005: 1221. 2005. Ramkumar L, Ramanathan T, Thirunavukkarasu P et al. Antioxidant and Radical Scavenging Activity of Nine Edible Mushrooms Extract. International Journal of Pharmacology Year: 2010 Vol: 6 Issue: 6 Pages/record No.: 950-953. 2010. Ren Z, Guo Z, Meydani SN and Wu D. White button mushroom enhances maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and their antigen presenting function in mice. J Nutr. 2008 Mar;138(3):544-50. 2008. Roberts JS, Teichert A and McHugh TH. Vitamin D2 formation from post-harvest UV-B treatment of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and retention during storage. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Jun 25;56(12):4541-4. Epub 2008 Jun 4. 2008. Shao S, Hernandez M, Kramer JK et al. Ergosterol profiles, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activities of button mushrooms as affected by tissue part and developmental stage. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Nov 24;58(22):11616-25. Epub 2010 Oct 20. 2010. Shiuan C. Anticancer Activities of White Button Mushrooms. The Journal of Nutrition. Bethesda: Dec 2004. Vol. 134, Iss. 12S; pg. 3532S-3533S. 2004. Smiderle FR, Sassaki GL, van Arkel J et al. High molecular weight glucan of the culinary medicinal mushroom Agaricus bisporus is an alpha-glucan that forms complexes with low molecular weight galactan. Molecules. 2010 Aug 25;15(8):5818-30. 2010. Wu D, Pae M, Ren Z et al. Dietary supplementation with white button mushroom enhances natural killer cell activity in C57BL/6 mice. J Nutr. 2007 Jun;137(6):1472-7. 2007. Yu S, Weaver V, Martin K et al. The effects of whole mushrooms during inflammation. BMC Immunol. 2009 Feb 20;10:12. 2009. Zhu BZ, Mao L, Fan RM et al. Ergothioneine prevents copper-induced oxidative damage to DNA and protein by forming a redox-inactive ergothioneine-copper complex. Chem Res Toxicol. 2011 Jan 14;24(1):30-4. Epub 2010 Nov 3. 2011.

More of the World's Healthiest Foods (& Spices)!


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Popcorn Packed With Antioxidants

Study: More Antioxidants in Popcorn Than in Some Fruits and Vegetables; Other Experts Say More Study Neededpopcorn

March 25, 2012 -- Popcorn, already known to be a good source of fiber, has higher levels of healthy antioxidants than some fruits and vegetables, according to new research.

"Based on fiber, whole grains, and antioxidant levels, popcorn is the king of snack foods," says Joe Vinson, PhD, professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton.

But he isn't suggesting that anyone scrap fruits and vegetables in favor of popcorn. It's not yet clear how much of popcorn's healthy antioxidants get absorbed by the body.

Vinson and Michael Coco, Jr., a chemistry student at the university, analyzed four commercial brands of popcorn, including two air-popped and two microwave varieties.

They evaluated antioxidants known as polyphenols. These compounds are found in a wide variety of plants. Antioxidants undo the damage that can be done by unstable molecules known as ''free radicals."

"Everyone knows plant foods have antioxidants," Vinson tells WebMD. "But nobody has even looked at what is in popcorn with respect to these compounds."

Vinson and Coco ground up the hull and the ''fluffy stuff," Vinson says, and checked the polyphenol levels.

Most of the polyphenols -- about 90% -- were in the hull, Vinson says.

The four brands tested had slightly different serving sizes, from a little under an ounce to a little over. The antioxidants per serving ranged from about 242-363 milligrams (mg).

In comparison, they found that a serving of many fruits has about 160 mg of polyphenols.

Popcorn's polyphenols are not as diluted with water as those are in fruit, Vinson says."Popcorn starts out about 15% water and ends up a couple percent."

He calls popcorn "a wonderful high-fiber snack," but like other experts, he warns that adding too much butter and other oil can quickly ruin popcorn's healthy image. He presented the study, which was partially funded by Weaver Popcorn Company, today in San Diego at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting.

The study is a good first step, but it wasn't designed to measure health benefits, says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, PhD, professor of nutrition at Tufts University and senior scientist and director of Tufts' Antioxidants Research Laboratory.

The next step is to figure out how much of popcorn's polyphenols get out of the hull and into your gut, Blumberg says. 

Vinson agrees.

Blumberg is studying polyphenols and other substances in whole grains. He is evaluating how much of the compounds, and which ones, get into the blood. That study is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and cereal maker Kellogg's.

"We already know whole grains are good for you," Blumberg says. What scientists now need to figure out, he tells WebMD, are which components are really important in improving health.

The information could be useful for people who grow crops, he says. They could then grow the crops to produce whole grain with more of the compounds found to be healthiest.

The Vinson study does suggest that popcorn is not bad as a snack, says Kantha Shelke, PhD, a Chicago food chemist and spokeswoman for the Institute of Food Technologists.

"Popcorn is a whole grain," she says. "It's minimally processed." But more information is needed, she says, on what amount of popcorn's antioxidants actually go to work in your body.

These findings were presented at a medical conference. They should be considered preliminary as they have not yet undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal.


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3 simple, healthy meals that you can start now

Is it possible to assemble a meal plan that is simple and healthy? One that is not going to be complicated and difficult to follow? Yes, it is possible and I'll show you how to create healthy eating plans and then help you achieve your health goals while shedding fat from your body. Here are 3 healthy eating plans that can start working right away: Breakfast Protein should be included in each meal throughout the day and breakfast is no exception. Be sure to include organic eggs, cottage cheese, butter, raw nuts, smoked fish as a component of your healthy breakfast. Carbohydrates should be included as oatmeal, sprouted grain bread, fruits and / or vegetables. 3 great breakfast examples are: Oatmeal with almond butter, topped with fresh berries and a little Stevia to sweeten. 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 slice sprouted grain toast and ½ grapefruit Smoked salmon slices tomato and 1 green apple Lunch The same rules apply as breakfast. An easy way to ensure you always have a protein available for healthy lunch

is to pack up the leftovers from dinner the night before. Remnants of the legs of burgers, chicken or wild fish are all great to include in salads or vegetables.

3 lunche samples are: Baked Tilapia over sauteed spinach, green salad with chickpeas (oil and vinegar as a dressing), followed by ½ cup of pineapple. Remains of chicken thighs with sweet potato and half broccoli. Read more of portobello mushroom burgers and brown rice. cooked vegetables or a green salad. 1 orange. Dinner You really can be creative with dinner. Look for recipes that are quick and easy and modify their own healthy ingredients as needed. Again, always remember to include protein and carbohydrates. 3 great dinner samples are: Mexican Salad: Ground beef on chopped lettuce and tomato, guacamole, rice and coffee. Grilled salmon on asparagus, green salad (oil and vinegar as dressing), followed by a fresh fruit salad. Buffalo meatballs over pasta with broccoli fried rice. Snacks You never want to let your body get too hungry. Hunger often leads to overeating of unhealthy food and makes sticking to a healthy diet more difficult. It is important to have on hand items for snacks and never

experience hunger or low blood sugar without having a choice of nearby healthy choices.

3 healthy snacks are: 2 tablespoons almond butter with half of apple Trail mix of nuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried fruit (no sugar added) Cottage cheese and pineapple Achieving the ideal body weight can be a challenge. If you have the ideal weight relative your height, you deserve an applause as you are in the minority. If not, there are countless health problems associated with being overweight. Fat loss does not have to be difficult, especially if you have a few tricks up your sleeve. By this I don't mean I would ever want you to take a dangerous, radical approach to your fat loss but only one that would be healthy and prove great results at the same time. Incorporate some of these foods in your daily diet and you'll see an incredible difference in the weight loss results. Following simple and healthy meals like these is the first step in achieving your health goals.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Eating Healthy - A Lifestyle

Eating healthy is a choice every time we put food in our mouths. It takes the right mindset. You can't eat McDonald's three times a day and expect to lose weight. Your body needs certain nutrients to function properly and keep your metabolism at a healthy rate. I heard a statement once and it is very true, it goes like this, "we dig our graves with our teeth." Wow! How true is that? If a person constantly eats junk food day after day year after year eventually those bad eating will catch up to them. We have to take responsibility for what we eat.Diets don't work!Every year during January so many people make the decision to make a new years resolution to lose weight. The sad truth is that a good number that make this decision fail. If you are reading this and have stuck to a new years resolution congratulations. Why do a good many new years resolutions fail? Diets don't work! If you make a new years resolution and are serious write down your goals. Be specific. What is your goal weight? What are you going to s acrifice to make that goal weight? To make your goals a lot of times sacrifice is necessary to meet them.Support, Support, SupportTo successfully lose weight and keep it off you have to have peer support. It doesn't matter if it is your husband/wife, friends, brother/sister or whoever. You have to have that go to person when times get tough. It is extremely important to have at least one person to keep you accountable or you will most likely fall off the wagon and go back to your old bad eating habits.Stay CommittedWhen it comes to eating right and sticking to a workout routine staying committed is one of the hardest things to do. On the days when you don't want to workout when you do actually workout it is so rewarding and can be some of the best workouts you do. Eating right is the same way. It is really hard to do when you get together with family and friends especially during special occasions where there are sugary treats galore. You have to make a conscious decision during these times to eat right and n ot follow the crowd. You are the one that has to look at yourself in the mirror when you get home.Remember food is your friend when it comes to weight loss, but it can also be your enemy if you choose to eat the wrong foods. Next time you have a big mac attack eat a piece of fruit or enjoy a nutrient rich salad instead. Healthy eating is a big part of losing weight and keeping it off.

Monday, March 26, 2012

10 Tips To Prepare Healthy Family Meals

Let's start with the observation that family meals help fight obesity. We will see that a healthy diet has something to do with the family aspect and fooding heritage practices. So how to prepare healthy family meals? There is a strategy: 1. Plan your success Plan your family meals ahead, then eat a healthy snack, then go shopping to avoid impulse buying. You need healthy food options at your fingertips when you're hungry and start cooking. Do not shop on an empty stomach. Just make sure you do not snack, if you're not eating or preparing family meals. These seemingly innocent bites that can be done here and there (to "taste" while cooking), can be added quickly and come to a lot of energy. If you eat too much in your kitchen, you will be very difficult to participate in family meals... and not eating too late. 2. Simple cooking The golden rule is to keep the simplicity when preparing a healthy meal for your family. Avoid recipes that require many steps and ingredients. A simple dish, grilled or baked, w

ithout too many ingredients and steps, accompanied by vegetables and starches is a good option. 3. Stick to lean meat Buy the thinner slices of meat (without fat or skin) and remove any part of any visible fat before preparing healthy meals. Use ground beef at least 95% lean. Remember that lean meat, are very useful for preparing family meals in a healthy way. Also try the ground turkey sandwich for a change, or change at least one third of the beef with ground turkey breast. Be sure to buy some ground turkey breast and not the variety that contains parts of the skin and dark meat, which makes it more fat. 4. Use non-stick cookware To prepare healthy meals, buy pots, pans that are non-sticking. Non-stick cookware allows you to avoid using oil for healthier options such as wine, water or fruit juice. Use and care of your non-stick pans, as recommended by the manufacturer to extend their lifespan. 5. Change cooking methods To prepare your meals healthier, try to bake, broil, roast, or poach (dip food in

water that is right on the boil) your protein sources. Rather than sprinkle with butter or margarine to reduce the amount of saturated fat and trans fat, basting flavored vegetable broth, white wine or orange juice without sugar. Avoid recipes that call for heavy sauces or sauces for roasts to keep your low-fat menus. 6. Bread is important Instead of using bread sold in supermarkets, usually full of trans fats and oils, replace them with cereals bread. Avoid cereals breads that provide more than 4 grams of sugar per serving. Read labels and choose cereals also have more fiber. In preparing healthy family meals, the crumbs are not insignificant. 7. Add the sugar naturally Reduce the amount of fat and sugar in recipes does not mean giving up taste and pleasure when you prepare your family meals. Replace half the oil with applesauce or fruit puree to get a muffin or a cake as sweet. Use 33% less sugar in cakes. Use unsweetened dried fruit like raisins or chopped dates to add a natural sugar to your cereal. Y

ou can also try sugar-free syrup. 8. Focus on dairy products made from skim milk Did you know that 28 grams of whole milk contains one gram of saturated fat? A glass of whole milk containing 8 grams of saturated fat is bad for the heart. We recommend that you eat mostly dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese, etc..) Skim milk (skim milk) to prepare healthier family meals. Evaporated skim milk has a creamy consistency and works so well. Condensed milk is low calorie but suit very well in sauces, cakes, ice cream, tea, coffee, etc... For all the recipes to prepare in the context of family meals, replace a whole egg with two egg whites to reduce fat, cholesterol and calories. 9. Reduce desserts portions To reduce the calories and fat calories in the desserts (cheesecake, for example), replace the low-fat cheese with whole milk ricotta cheese. Or when the recipe calls for cream, try fat-free plain yogurt instead. It can produce a very healthy dessert as part of family meals by taking some precautions. 10. Dou

ble the ingredients As you take the time to cook the dish, why not try to do more to save time during the week or month? Double the ingredients for the recipes and freeze half of your finished dish. If you regularly eat out for lunch or for your children, you can also freeze the food, make individual boxes, and heat in a microwave oven. You just have to warm up boxes in the office. This discourages the need or temptation to ride to the candy and soft drinks distributor in the office. For more information and quality advices, I encourage you to check out this site about simple healthy recipes and cooking tips.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Practice Healthier Lifestyle! Here's 4 Healthy Meals in A Vegetarian Weight Loss Program

A lot of people are now beginning to adopt a vegetarian weight loss diet for health reasons, while some would go vegetarian as a way and some are for environment purposes. Find out some information about this diet by reading this article about the proper way of eating if you decide to practice vegetarian. You actually need not memorize the kind of foods to eat and which ones to avoid, all you need to learn are the process of preparing the best vegetarian diet recipes for weight loss. Before you begin planning your vegetarian meal, it is best that you first find out what are the vegetarian friendly ingredients that contain high calories. Yes, you heard it right - there are some vegetarian foods that are also rich in calories and these foods are not recommended if you are trying to lose weight. Examples of these are corn syrup, caramel, and margarine, as well as all types of fried vegetarian foods. As soon as you’ve gathered enough information about the weight loss program of vegetarian dieting, it’s time

that you look for the best recipes that you can follow. But be very careful with choosing the right meal, because maintaining a good health is more important than losing weight. Here are some of the healthy vegetarian weight loss diet recipes that you can consider doing at home in your kitchen.

Minestrone - Minestrone is a healthy Italian vegetable soup recipe that is filled with several different ingredients - veggies, pasta and beans. This is one of the most delicious vegetarian meals that is so easy to prepare and is guaranteed to satisfy your hunger, even if you are on a diet. The soup is very nutritious and could lower your consumption of calories, especially if you don’t eat much of the pasta and beans. Pumpkin soup - This is another hearty vegetable meal that is recommended to those who are trying to lose weight. When doing this recipe, make use of soy milk instead of the usual cream milk, so to make it more nourishing. A good alternative to pumpkin soup is the carrot and asparagus cream soup, where you simply need to add some croutons made of whole wheat bread in order to add extra flavor. Indian vegetable curry - There are several Indian recipes like the Indian vegetable curry that you can find in the Internet. And when you cook these Indian dishes, add some coconut milk instead od m

aking use of yogurt or milk. Indian vegetable curry is certainly a delicious and satisfying vegetarian meal, and is best serve with a little basmati rice on the side.

Rice salad - Rice salad is another vegetarian diet that you may want to consider. And aside from being more delicious as compared with the usual white rice, this salad is also filled with fiber and some other nutrients, too. This vegetarian dish is best for people who do not want to feel starved even if they are on a weight loss diet. Aside from helping you to lose weight, a Vegetarian diet also helps to greatly improve your stamina and concentration and even your sense of well-being. In fact, some athletes who decided to go vegetarian have greatly improved their endurance to almost 3 times as compared with others who remained carnivorous. So if you want to live healthy and shed those extra pounds off, it’s time that you go for a vegetarian weight loss diet now. Besides meal selection, you still have to handle other factors that can hinder your weight loss effort. See how to get over these issues on weight loss solution. Moreover, see work out plans for women to complement the diet program.

Eat Healthy Like the Caveman

The skeletal remains of early humans during the Paleolithic age show that they were more strong boned and muscular than the human remains in the later geologic periods. This gave rise to the conclusion that the foods people ate during the Stone Age served to prevent excess weight and promote good health. Modern are thus well-advised to eat healthy like the caveman.Eating as the caveman did means sticking to a diet that consists of animal meat, fish, fruits and vegetables in their most basic forms. You should pick your meals on the assumption that they were the kind available to man when there was as yet no agriculture system and chemical additives and processing were not yet invented.Paleo FoodsIn the Paleolithic diet, the chief protein source was meat that came from lean animals that roamed in the wilderness and hence contained less fat. The caveman also ate a lot of fish and fowl, including insects. For the other sources of nutrition, the caveman gathered fruits and vegetables, non-starchy roots and tubers. Other sources of vitamins were nuts and berries.Sources of ProteinMost of the protein intake of the caveman came from undomesticated animals that fed on grass. For this reason, the caveman had an estimated cholesterol level of only 125 milligram per deciliter of blood as against 200 mg of modern man. This is only to be expected since domestication of animals increases their content of saturated fats. When man consumes the meat from such animals, this also drives up his blood cholesterol levels.Sources of carbohydratesThe caveman sourced his carbohydrates mostly from fruits and vegetables and less from grains. One study showed that more than 100 kinds of fruits and vegetables were consumed by the early humans. We must do the same if we want to be as strong and muscle-bound as the cavemen.Sources of fiberThe Paleo diet derives its dietary fiber also from fruits, roots, nuts and other non-cereal food plants. Fiber is essential in the proper functioning of the digestive system. Modern man frequently complains of a bum stomach because he gets his fiber supply mostly from cereals and grains, whose acid content disrupts food absorption in the digestive tract.Sources of vitamins and mineralsMeat from game animals and food from wild plants gave the caveman higher levels of vitamins and minerals on top of his supply of protein and carbohydrates. This happened because the cavemen ate their meats and food plants right after the animals were hunted and the plants gathered, with virtually no cooking and certainly no processing.Foods to AvoidThe foods to avoid that are not in the Paleo diet are any processed foods. These include canned and frozen foods as well as snack foods. You may have sugar, salt and all kinds of dairy and grains but only in moderate amounts.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Benefits of Eating Healthy

Gain Muscle Lose FatThe best way to lose weight and to keep it off, is to eat the proper foods and to build lean muscle mass with a quality exercise and diet program.What is the proper diet to help with losing the pounds? The main ingredient that most people need to increase in their diet is protein and probably lower their carbs. However, it is important to have a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Consulting a doctor or certified nutritionist is definitely a good step, along with finding the best quality weight loss program to help you along your way.Benefits of Healthy EatingThe basic components of healthy eating are important to be aware of so that you can understand how and why they have a positive effect on your body and mind. Proteins have amino acids which help repair and build muscle, especially after working out. Carbohydrates, at least the complex ones, assimilate through your body slowly and keep energy levels steady and even. They also deliver vitamins, minerals and fibe r. With fats you need to know that not all fats are bad for you. Poly and mono unsaturated fats are not only good for you in the correct amounts, but vital to optimum body function.Proteins and DietFor an excellent source of protein, look to poultry and lean red meats. They are low in saturated fat and provide a complete array of proteins. Also these meats will offer a wide variety of preparation methods, which will help keep meals and cooking interesting. A couple of tips; try to stay away from the pre-packaged lunch type meats, they are full of salt, preservatives and fillers. Learning to cook is a great way to help in keeping mealtimes fun and engaging.Fish is another wonderful source of protein. Tuna, Salmon and Sardines are some of the richest types. They are also full of Omega 3's and 6's, which are great for your heart and brain health.Don't forget the milk and eggs. Milk is another good way to get protein and much needed calcium. While eggs have gotten a bad rap over the years, in moderation they are actually excellent additions to any meal plan. One way to use eggs in meals is to use one whole egg along with just egg whites. This will provide protein, but limit the fat.Carbohydrates and DietCarbs are your energy source. They supply your body with fuel for everyday functions and workouts. Oats, brown rice and potatoes are some good sources for complex carbohydrates and will digest slowly in your body, helping to maintain even blood sugar levels. Don't neglect the simple carbs, they are needed to provide quick surges of energy before exercising. Afterward's they should be combined with some kind of protein shake to help with recovery. Glucose shakes are easy and a quick way to get simple carbohydrates.What are Healthy Fats?Many people are not aware that healthy fats are vital for a healthy functioning body. Mono and Poly unsaturated fats are what you mainly want to aim for. Fish, olive oil and some nut oils (almonds) are excellent sources of healthy fat. Remember to still be conscious of your healthy fat i ntake, because too much can still deposit unwanted pounds on your hips and belly.Last, but not least, don't lapse on your vegetables and fruits. They are excellent providers of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Not only can they be meals on their own, but they can be great additions to numerous types of meals.Healthy LifestyleFinally, along with a healthy eating and exercise program, it would be beneficial to implement the following healthy lifestyle tools. First, eat smaller meals throughout the day (four or five), this will keep your metabolism constantly working, helping to keep the pounds off and build lean muscle. Also eat smaller portions; too much food is a problem for many people. Put a lot of effort into changing up your meal and exercise plans. Variety will help in maintaining your interest and enthusiasm.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

A New Year for Eating Healthy

Happy New Year everyone!! It's that time when many people make New Years resolutions. Often these resolutions have to do with losing weight or eating healthy. These are certainly wonderful goals. I'd like to help take your resolutions about food and eating and turn them into healthy habits that last.I think I've heard every excuse in the book for not eating healthy, but here are the top 3:I can't afford itI don't have timeHealthy food isn't available at my storeThere are more. Our brains come up with all sorts of reasons to keep going with unhealthy eating habits that don't benefit our bodies.While I understand where all these excuses come from, I'm committed this year to provide my readers with excuse-free recipes. The plain truth of the matter is this: you are either committed to eating healthy and feeding healthy meals to your family or you aren't. Let's be honest here. Will you have to spend some time in the kitchen and the grocery store? YES. Will you have to educate yourself a bit on ingredients and tak e some time at the store to read labels? YES. Will it cost you big bucks at the store to eat healthy? IT DEPENDS. If you're looking to replace all the unhealthy foods you love with healthier options, it will cost more money - much more. The benefit of this way of eating will eliminate some artificial ingredients (good), but is a limited way to improve your eating habits.However, if you can change some of the foods you eat, little by little, and start getting a taste for healthier foods altogether, the impact on your wallet at the store will be minimal. Related to Well-Body Wednesdays, it is my mission this year to provide you with versatile recipes that feed a family, are healthy, and are reasonably-priced in order to bust some of these excuses. In addition to the nutritional value of each serving, I'll provide the cost per serving. Keep in mind, the price will be based off of my local grocery store (Midwest area) and I won't include the cost of seasonings that I would expect most of you have in your pantry. Stay tuned.

Monday, March 19, 2012

7 Day Detox Diet - Eating Healthy to Lose Weight

A 7 day detox diet can help you lose fat really fast while eating healthy to lose weight.If you want to know just what a detox cleanse can do for you - take a minute and read this article.7 day detox diet1- Fast Weight LossThis is the most popular side effect of doing a cleansing program like this.You can lose up to a pound a day if you follow the right detox for your particular body. Losing weight fast is highly motivating and will help you stick with the plan.When you watch the Biggest Loser TV show and see huge weight loss each week you see how it motivates the participants. You can experience the same motivation and excitement as you see the numbers on the scale go down quickly.2- Energizes YouMost people feel surges of energy after just a few days. This is because you are cleaning out the toxins in your body. And you are feeding your body with nutritious foods it craves.If you have been feeling sluggish (and being overweight can certainly make you feel that way) detoxing your body will rejuvenate you in a big way.When you feel more energy to tackle each day, you tend to have a more positive outlook on your life. This extra energy will help you tackle your "to-do" list with a better attitude. It will also help you exercise more often and that leads to faster weight loss.Come on - it is only 7 days. They fly by. And your result is a much slimmer happier you!

8 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Doesn't it seem that healthy food is more expensive? Our family has made a huge decision over the last 6 months to focus on healthy eating and lifestyle choices, and we've learned a lot along the way. With 4 small kids (ages 2 to 9), my husband and I have to stay healthy and fit just to keep up with it all! To stretch our dollars while eating healthy, I always keep the following tips in mind...1. Cook at Home We all know that eating out is not only more expensive, but also much less healthy. The portions are typically larger than necessary and you truly don't know what's in your dinner. Hitting that drive-through might seem fast and easy, but we pay for it both in cost and health.2. Plan Your Meals in Advance One way to avoid the temptation of last-minute drive-thrus and processed, pre-prepared meals in our constantly busy schedules is to create a weekly menu plan. Sticking with simple, healthy meals along with cooking ahead and freezing meals works wonders in this area.3. Eat Less Meat Many times, the most expensive item on your grocery list is... (yep, you guessed it!)... meat. Although fresh meat is part of a healthy diet, don't forget about other healthy sources of protein such as beans, eggs, fish, and even canned tuna or chicken, which is usually less expensive and just as nutritious. Toss these on a salad or whole-grain pasta dish - and there's your healthy dinner!4. Buy Locally Farmer's Markets are an excellent resource for discounts on fresh fruits, and vegetables. Many communities also have small businesses that focus on gathering fresh produce from local, organic farmers each week.5. Save on Canned & Frozen Vegetables and Focus on Healthy Sale Items In planning your grocery trip, focus on the healthy sale items each week. When canned or frozen vegetables go on sale, stock up... and keep in mind that just because that sugary snack is on sale, it doesn't mean that you need to buy it!6. Focus on Whole Grains Stock up on whole grains when they go on sale. Cereals, pasta, and oatmeal have a long shelf-life, and you can get excellent deals on these products when combining Buy 1 Get 1 Free sales and coupons!7. Avoid Processed Foods Processed and pre-packaged foods are often a source of unidentifiable and unhealthy ingredients. If you focus on whole foods, you'll avoid these unknowns all together.8. Keep a Stocked, Healthy Pantry We try to keep our pantry stocked with healthy choices, such as whole-grain pasta, canned vegetables, whole-grain crackers, nuts, canned healthy meats and more. Use those 6-week sales cycles and stock up at that rock-bottom price on those healthy choices! Plus, knowing that I can throw together a quick meal for my family that is both healthy and frugal gives me a small sense of peace in our hectic, busy 4-kids-in-lots-of-activities everyday lifestyle!