Halloween can be hazardous to eye health

WASHINGTON — Playing dress up at Halloween can pose potential hazards if decorative contact lenses and eye makeup are part of your costume.

“So, you want to look like a zombie, or you want to look like vampire and that sort of thing, but what you’re seeing through is just a very, very small little hole in the middle of that lens,” Coastal.com in-house optician and eye health expert Christopher Day said.

“A lot of these cosmetic Halloween lenses, the decorative lenses, have little small holes in the middle for you to see through and the entire rest of that contact lens is all design.”

Vision already limited can become completely blocked

Day said decorative lenses can be dangerous if they’re either too loose or too tight and slip down past your pupil.

“While you blink it back into place, or shove it back into place — that half second or that one second — if it happens at the wrong time there could be some very, very serious consequences,” Day said, especially if you’re behind the wheel driving.

Poor lighting can add to potential problems

Whether you’re trick-or-treating, at a party or driving, lots of Halloween-related activities happen in low-light conditions, and Day said combining that with diminished vision can present problems.

“You could be tripping over something; you could be crossing the street and look for oncoming traffic — you might not see that traffic,” Day warned.

Problems with the fit can harm eye health


“The [lens] material is one thing; the fit is a completely different matter,” Day said. “You can have an FDA-approved contact lens material, but if you have not had an eye care professional check that lens [for proper fit] on your eyes, you have no guarantee of the safety of that lens.”
Some of the things the can happen, according to Day, include: scratching your cornea while trying to remove an improperly fitted contact or oxygen deprivation in the eyeball if the lens is too tight.

“Your eye is the only structure in your body that doesn’t get oxygen from blood. It gets all the oxygen from the air,” Day said.

“When the contact fits too tight, you’re risking suffocating your cornea.”

An oxygen-deprived cornea can become swollen with extra water and turn from clear to slightly milky-colored and foggy. And it can become hard to see through, which indicates damage is occurring.

“It is reversible; the eye is a very, very, very resilient mechanism. But, it’s best to be safe,” Day said, adding that if you suspect something is going on, you should go to your optometrist.

It’s best to be stingy with eye makeup

When gathering with friends to get costumes ready, Day warns about the potential hazards related to sharing Halloween eye makeup. These include infections, corneal ulcers and sty.

“Make sure you’re not sharing any makeup application products, such as brushes or pencils,” Day said.

How to Make Halloween Safe for Kids With Food Allergies

Halloween is a candy-fest for children, but if your child suffers from a food allergy, an innocent piece of candy can pose a serious, life-threatening reaction. Here’s some alternatives to candy and a way to alert trick-or-treaters that your home is allergy aware.

If your child has food allergies, they don’t have to feel left out during treat-based holidays like Halloween. Through the Teal Pumpkin Project, households are displaying signs and teal pumpkins to show trick-or-treaters that their home is allergy-friendly.

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Meeting

Lunchtime often provides a crucial moment to refresh during a hectic workday, conference or meeting. But without carefully considering the nutritional value of this midday meal, people can often find themselves in a post-lunch slump, or even tugging at their tightening waist bands as the weeks go by.

Seemingly balanced lunch options can hide a lot of calories. A typical boxed lunch of a turkey sandwich, apple, small bag of potato chips and cookie can stack up to almost 1,400 calories. With national nutritional guidelines recommending approximately 700 calories per meal, eating those extra calories even once a week can add up to gain of more than 10 pounds per year.

Sugary sodas, juices, and other artificially sweetened beverages also play a leading role in sabotaging healthy eating. Michael Moss, author of Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, asserts that Americans drink 46 gallons of soda and sweetened beverages each year, contributing to consumption of 71 pounds of sugar and 85 pounds of corn syrup annually.

HOW YOU CAN HELP MAKE HEALTHY FOOD A STAPLE ON EVERYONE’S TABLE

For many people, putting healthy, wholesome food on the dinner table is a no-brainer, and a daily thing. But for those living in poverty—or a food desert—it just isn’t that easy. Sure, most people know processed food is bad. But making nutrient-rich meals on a food stamp budget is tricky—especially when you’re short on time and energy. But three big-time names in the food industry are working to make access to healthy food easier, for everyone.

The superstar chefs in question: Seamus Mullen, an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author; Bill Telepan, the executive chef of Wellness in the Schools, a non-profit dedicated to, in part, improving children’s health by providing healthy school lunches; and Joseph “JJ” Johnson, the chef in residence at the Chef’s Club, who volunteers in Harlem each week, serving a home-cooked healthy lunch to 89 low-income tenants.

“When you first have children, you start thinking about the food you’re going to give them from birth,” Johnson said at a luncheon hosted by The Horticultural Society of New York to honor the chefs. “I’m a new dad of twins and am already thinking about the type of purees I’m going to feed them. But as your kids get older, you lose focus and forget. That’s when they start eating processed food—and you can’t count on the school to feed them ‘real food’ because many aren’t providing that.”

Are Carbs a Bigger Health Foe Than Fats?

Many people think of fat as being enemy No. 1 in our battle to eat and stay healthy. Just look at all the low-fat and fat-free products that crowd grocery store shelves. But could fat have been unfairly maligned all these years? Is the true dietary foe standing in the way of our health and well being actually carbs?

A recent large international study suggests that may be the case. The study, published in the Lancet, looked at the self-reported diet, cardiovascular disease and mortality of adults ranging in age from 35 to 70 in 18 countries across five continents, following participants for, on average, just over seven years.

The researchers concluded that it was higher carbohydrate intake that was associated with a higher risk for mortality, while fat intake was related to lower mortality.

Those who were in the top 20 percent of carb consumption were at 28 percent higher risk of dying earlier than those in the lowest 20 percent of carb consumption, although higher carb consumption was not associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular-disease mortality.

5 bite-size health tips for all that Halloween candy

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. As a child, I looked forward all year to dressing up and going trick-or-treating. I still love putting on costumes and carving pumpkins.

But as much as I love the holiday, it also has its share of detractors. There is plenty of debate about whether parents should limit their kids' access to Halloween activities and candy, in the name of fending off a lifetime of sugar cravings, or let them eat their fill. With childhood obesity on the rise and many parents eager to limit added sugars in their children's diets, which approach is best for helping kids learn healthy eating habits?

I spoke to dozens of parents about how they handle Halloween candy, many of them fellow dietitians. At one end of the spectrum of control are parents who avoid taking their kids trick-or-treating and take them swimming or bowling instead. They say their kids haven't complained about missing out on the festivities. And there are the parents who subscribe to the "switch witch" or "candy fairy" approach. They take their kids trick-or-treating and may let them have a couple of pieces of candy that evening. But once the kids are in bed, the parents switch out the candy stash for a toy. Blaming the candy's disappearance on a witch or fairy helps displace any anger the kids might feel toward their parents.

This Super-"Healthy" Food Is Messing With Your Hormones

Amy Shah, M.D., is a nationally renowned functional medicine doctor and trained ayurvedic practitioner. She’s also one of the lauded instructors in our first-of-its-kind Advanced Functional Nutrition Program, where we bring the best minds in nutrition together to dive deep into the healing power of food. You can find out more about Dr. Shah, the rest of the faculty (including groundbreaking doctors like Mark Hyman and Frank Lipman), and this revolutionary training here.

A food that's healthy for one person might not be healthy for another—for this reason, I try to really stay away from universally declaring one food a villain and one food a hero in my practice. While, yes, most functional doctors like myself agree that fast food and processed food aren't great for people, things start to get murky when you enter the realm of dairy, whole grains, meat, and protein powders.

There is, however, one food group that I consistently find interferes with my patient's hormone goals. It's deemed healthy, but time and time again in my practice, I've found it to get in the way of my patients' abilities to find natural hormone balance.

Health Tip: Keeping Home-Delivered Food Safe

(HealthDay News) --Whether you have a new baby, a sick family member or are simply ordering take-out, you are probably having food delivered to you at home.

Refrigerate delivered food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below if you don't eat it immediately.

If you don't think you'll eat all the food at once, divide it into portions and refrigerate or freeze what you don't plan to eat now.
Remove any stuffing from whole cooked poultry before refrigerating.

Foods delivered cold should be eaten within 2 hours, or refrigerated or frozen.

Healthy food choices near schools may promote healthier teeth

Freepik.com

A study has recently suggested that policies that promote healthy eating environments could have a greater impact on children's oral health than school programs running in isolation to encourage kids to take good care of their teeth.

Researchers from Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique - INRS in Quebec City, Canada, including Dr. Tracie Barnett of INRS, took a look at schools in Greater Montreal to see how oral health was being promoted and what incidence this had on cavity rates in children.

The study concluded that prevention programs are important, but that school food environments play a leading role in the appearance of cavities in kids aged eight to 10.

Food choices in and around schools vary greatly and affect the general health of children.

11 Amazing Gifts for Your Healthy Food Loving Friend

Trying to find the perfect gift for your friend? While plying your friend with candies and cakes, or a dinner at a trendy-but-greasy restaurant is easy and fun, it’s not always the best thing, especially if you know that they’re working towards a healthier lifestyle. Finding a gift that is both healthy and useful for someone that is trying to make good choices can sometimes be just as difficult as making good choices. Here are some thoughtful suggestions to show that you care about their desire to improve their health.

Blender

Whether they are into protein shakes or fruit smoothies, a blender is a fantastic tool for any health-food nut to have.

Fruit of the Month

Like any other subscription food service, you can pay once for your friend to be delivered a different seasonal fruit each month of the year. They often come with recipe ideas to help you figure out what to do with a large quantity of one type of fruit.

Eating this 'healthy' food for lunch is actually making you gain weight – this is why

If you are a chicken salad type of person, it may be time to rethink your lunch choices.

This is because a large salad of mixed greens and chicken can leave you hungry after you’re done.

While you are getting protein from the chicken, you are lacking fat and fibre which are essential to helping you feel full.

If you are missing out on fat and fibre with lunch, you will likely succumb to the 3pm sugar cravings and feel extremely hungry before your next meal.

To fix this, all you need to do is add some other form of protein like chickpeas, beans, legumes or avocado to your salad.

3 Peanut Butter Desserts That Pack Protein and Healthy Fats

Love peanut butter cups? Hate the calories? Here are protein-packed peanut desserts that keep your taste buds and your waistline happy!

Peanut butter may be a childhood staple, but the nutty spread is actually an ideal snack food for healthy adults, too. The classic toast topper isn’t exactly low in calories—a 2-tablespoon serving is typically around 200 calories—but it packs an impressive punch when it comes to good-for-you monounsaturated fats and protein. After all, just one golf ball-sized serving provides a solid 8 grams of protein.

Above all, it’s the condiment’s creaminess that lends itself well to crafting rich desserts. The best part about peanut butter is that it makes treats taste totally indulgent but also offers some nutrition, unlike empty sources of fat that are often added to sweets, like heavy cream or butter.

In this video, we’re showing you three of our go-to peanut butter desserts that are high in protein and perfect for your sweet tooth. From peanut butter-infused crispy rice treats to lightened up peanut butter kiss cookies and crunchy chocolate ‘haystack’ bites, these three healthy dessert recipes offer slimmed-down versions of your favorite nutty confections.

You won’t believe how easy it is to make diet-smart swaps in these recipes. For example, we used puffed brown rice cereal to bring some fiber to our peanut butter crispy rice treats, and added naturally-sweet dried cherries for an extra layer of flavor, too. For our chocolate-covered peanut butter bites, we melted semisweet (rather than milk) chocolate chips to cut the sugar content.

If you aren’t sold yet, know this: all three of the peanut butter desserts have fewer than 200 calories per serving and take under an hour to make from start to finish. Diet-friendly and ready stat? Yes, please.

Watch the video above to see how simple it is to whip up the three decadent-tasting peanut butter desserts that are high in protein and heart-healthy fats. The nutrients help keep you feeling satisfied, so you’re less likely to overindulge later. The bottom line? PB lovers, feel free to go nuts with these must-try recipes.

Simple healthy food swaps: How to cut calories from fall favorites

As we head into fall and the nights get colder, many of us have the urge to fill up on heavier meals.

It’s time to break out the Crock-Pots, bake those freshly-picked apples, and start roasting those pumpkin seeds. But not all of these heartier dishes have to be diet-breakers.

New York-based dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot, founder of The F-Factor Diet, shares her favorite seasonal tips. From using fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg, to making root vegetables the hero ingredient on our plates, here’s how you can incorporate all the great things about fall, without dropping or destroying your diet.

Cream of broccoli soup: Broccoli is known to pack a major nutritional punch, but when combined with heavy cream and cheese, its health benefits can drown. To get the nutrition from the vegetable and the texture of a creamy soup, use unsweetened almond milk as a lower-calorie dairy-milk alternative. Using a hand blender, mix onion, broccoli, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper with the almond milk to make a light-yet-tasty bowl of broccoli-based goodness. You can even sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top — and this tweaked version will still save you about 200 calories per serving.

Basis for Ayurvedic Treatment for Stress

A surge in the number of patients who are suffering terribly due to excessive stress makes it a hot topic of discussion in the medical circle. Ayurvedic remedies for stress is slow and consistent, thus aiming to cure the root of the problem.

We all experience stress in our life. The problem of stress is not new. It has been plaguing mankind for generations. A surge in the number of patients who are suffering terribly due to excessive stress makes it a hot topic of discussion in the medical circle. Ayurvedic medicine for stress is truly beneficial as it focuses on solving the problem from its roots.

In Ayurvedic Treatment, it is commonly believed that there are three guns in a person, namely ‘sattva’ (knowledge, purity), ‘rajas’ (action, passion) and ‘tamas’ (inertia, ignorance). Eliminating stress in our day to day life is all about maintaining a balance between these three guns. In order to eliminate stress, it is important to have adequate sleep, eat glutton free foods, exercise daily and meditate in order to understand your own problems.

You can now get your Healthy Food delivered from Facebook?

Instead of updating your Facebook status about how badly you’re craving a veggie-packed Buddha bowl, now you can just order it directly from the app instead.

According to a press release, Facebook recently launched a new service that lets you order food for pickup or delivery…straight from the platform where you ogle the photos of colorful acai bowls and drool-worthy avocado toast that your friends are sharing.

The aptly-named Order Food addition—which you can find on the mobile app or desktop browser version within the “Explore” menu—lets you search by nearby restaurants or cuisine to find something healthy (and approved by your entire social network via comments). 

The social media network is working services like EatStreet, Delivery.com, and DoorDash to make the ordering process a little easier.

Facebook is working with popular services like EatStreet, Delivery.com, and DoorDash to make the ordering process a little easier. Since the social network is working to be the middleman between popular purveyors and consumers, might you soon be able to order your boxed bone broth and smoothie superfoods from Amazon via Facebook, too?

So rather than bouncing between apps to find a certain restaurant, Facebook keeps everything all in one place (including who’s in your spin class and those regrettable tagged photos from 10 years ago).

Eater reported that Facebook is currently testing the same service for select restaurants on Instagram. Which makes us think two things: One, we’d really like to make sure avocado toast is covered. And two, wow, are we ever cooking for ourselves again?

These are the healthy foods wellness pros always stock up on. And when you need them, here are some healthy late-night dinner options you’ll love.

Diwali: Avoid energy drinks that may cause brain haemorrhage; 4 healthy drink choices that promote weight loss

New Delhi: It’s not just sweets that make you put on unwanted weight, mindless snacking and drinking sugary beverages can add unnecessary calories and result in disastrous health outcomes.

Unfortunately, sweet beverages are readily available and heavily promoted through media advertising, special offers, sporting and entertainment events although it’s already a well-known fact that they can influence an individual’s health. 

A number of studies have linked soft drinks to various diseases such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. According to the researchers of the American Heart Association, energy drinks can be life threatening, especially for those who already have blood pressure or cardiac issues. Perhaps, these drinks may also disrupt sleep patterns, increase blood pressure, cause heart palpitations and anxiety, and contribute to digestive problems, as per the National Institute of Health.

Also, a woman in California claimed that her husband’s obsession with energy drinks caused a brain haemorrhage that cost him part of his skull, AOL reports. 

Healthy food for all

On Oct. 18, 92 restaurants throughout 19 cities in Canada will be fundraising for their local community food centres. Participating restaurants in Winnipeg include Ben Kramer Pop-up at Kitchen Sync (370 Donald St.), Chew (532 Waterloo St.), deer + almond (85 Princess St.), Forth (171 McDermot Ave.), King + Bannatyne (100 King St.), and Promenade Café and Wine (130 Provencher Blvd.).

Restaurants for Change is a third party fundraiser event that will be gathering funds for NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre and Community Food Centres Canada. Lila Knox, director at NorWest Co-op CFC, said the money raised at this event helps them grow the programs they offer and raise awareness about the work they do in the community.

Knox said community members are living in a food desert. NorWest Co-op CFC looks into providing access to healthy food but more so builds skills, develop a strong community and confront the issues that lead to poverty and hunger.

"The community food centre came out of a community consultation done in 2013 that showed a need for food security and programs that would bring community members together for community development," she explained, adding the Canadian food system is a "complicated issue."

Healthy food, regular exercise keep arthritis away

Healthy food and regular exercise were highlighted today to avoid the problem of over 100 types of Arthritis, a major life style disease in Bihar too, doctors said here.

This was underlined at a press meet of Global Orthopedic Forum on the World Arthritis Day here.

Leading Othopedic surgeons V K Sinha, Amulya Kumar Singh, Rajeev Anand, Rakesh Chaudhary, Kusum Gopal Kapoor and Usha Didwania were present on the occasion to spread awareness against arthritis.

They said lack of healthy food intake and regular exercise and prescribed walking, jogging and yoga kept oneself healthy.

"There is no need to go out of Bihar for routine problems related to bone as proper treatment is available in the state itself," V K Sinha said.

Kusum Gopal Kapoor and Usha Didwania highlighted that arthritis was a common problem among women particularly after menopause and advised regular exercise for them to stay healthy.

Try mindful eating for a healthier lifestyle

Mindfulness is being aware of your presence and thoughts. When someone practices mindfulness, they have a sense of control in their lives. When practicing mindful eating, we begin to know when we are truly hungry instead of grabbing a cookie every time we go by the cookie jar. We begin to really taste our food and follow those hunger cues. Mindful eating is enjoying each bite of healthy food, sip beverages we enjoy and taking the time to taste the different combination of spices and food. When you prepare meals, think of spices, textures that might complement each dish we prepare. It’s also important that we remember to breathe. Eat slowly and breathe during your meal. Take deep breaths and let the air enlarge your lungs. This relaxing technique can help tell your brain you are finished eating before you over eat.

Other ways you can practice mindful eating

• Be aware of when and why you are hungry. Ask yourself if you are eating because you’re hungry or if you’re simply eating out of boredom or stress.
• Try not to eat in the car. Save time for a nice sit down dinner. You will eat less and because you’re eating at home, you’ll tend to reach for healthier foods rather than what’s easiest to eat on the go.
• Concentrate on nourishing yourself with healthy foods. Try to eat many vegetables and fruits. Keep in mind that fruits and veggies of different colors offer different nutrients!
• Eat slowly and savor each bite. Notice how small portions can fill you up when you go slow and enjoy each mouthful one at a time.

Mindful Eating can help us reach our dietary goals and weight and still feel good about ourselves.

Healthy food is key to a healthy mind

The risk of developing depression is directly linked to diet, lifestyle and exercise, a ground-breaking index developed by Swinburne researchers has found.

The Risk Index for Depression (RID) developed by Swinburne lecturer Dr Joanna Dipnall, reveals that an individual is more likely to become depressed if their diet is poor, their lifestyle is erratic and they do not exercise.

Dr Dipnall, who lectures in the Department of Statistics Data Science and Epidemiology, says she developed the RID to help identify the most common risk factors for depression and to give health professionals an early intervention tool.

"The RID is about prevention," she says.

"It aims to identify individuals with a predisposition to depression as well as which is the key determinant that would reduce this risk."

We are what we eat: Healthy food

Because of high calorie and low physical exercise, the younger generation is getting fatter. Obesity is increasing day by day, not only in the developed countries but also in the developing countries

In the span of less than five decades, we have witnessed a great change in the food habit of Nepalese people. Processed foods are already the part of life not only in the cities and towns but also in the villages. Instant noodles, biscuits, cheese balls, potato chips and many more are the favorites of many children. Carbonated beverages have already traveled a long distance to the remote areas. The young generation, living in the cities or villages; mountains, hills or Tarai; are fond of eating spicy, sweet, sour and salty foods.

This is not only due to the preference of their taste buds but also due to the ignorance of parents on the nutritional benefits of these snacks. Candies, toffies, spicy and salty tidbits are the normal giveaways by the guests visiting friends and relatives. When the parents from a village visit the local hatbazar or local market center, these snack foods are the preferred treats for the kids. The adverts in the radio and television channels also trigger the children’s perception towards processed foods.

They are easy for parents and tasty for the kids. Even for school tiffin, these are the most preferred snacks. They are very easy to buy, carry and eat. These foods are a boon for busy parents, who have very less time for food preparation for their children.

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It really is the most important meal of the day: Skipping breakfast 'could lead to heart attacks'

Missing a morning meal was linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a build-up of plaque


Skipping breakfast could lead to hardening of the arteries, raising the risk of heart attacks, scientists claim.

And their research further suggests why breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.

Missing a morning meal was linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to a build-up of plaque.


Previous research has been carried out into the health benefits of eating breakfast but researchers said this is the first study to link the meal to atherosclerosis.

Author Dr Valentin Fuster, editor of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, said: “People who regularly skip breakfast likely have an overall unhealthy lifestyle.

“This study provides evidence that this is one bad habit people can proactively change to reduce their risk for heart disease.”

Researchers in Madrid examined male and female volunteers who were free from cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease.

A computerised questionnaire was used to estimate the usual diet of the participants and patterns were based on the percentage of total daily energy intake consumed at breakfast.


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Three groups were identified during the study - those consuming less than 5% of their total energy intake in the morning, those consuming between five and 20% and those consuming more than 20%.

The first group skipped breakfast and only had coffee, juice or another non-alcoholic drink, the second were “low-energy breakfast consumers” and the third were deemed “breakfast consumers”.

Of the 4,052 participants, 3% skipped breakfast, 69% were low-energy breakfast consumers and 28% were breakfast consumers.

Research revealed atherosclerosis was more frequent in those who skipped breakfast and also higher in those who had low-energy breakfasts compared to breakfast consumers.

It also showed cardiometabolic risk markers were more prevalent in those who skipped breakfast and low-energy breakfast consumers compared to breakfast consumers.

Participants who skipped breakfast had the greatest waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, blood lipids and fasting glucose levels.

Dr Jose Penalvo, the study’s senior author, said: “Aside from the direct association with cardiovascular risk factors, skipping breakfast might serve as a marker for a general unhealthy diet or lifestyle which in turn is associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

“Our findings are important for health professionals and might be used as a simple message for lifestyle-based interventions and public health strategies, as well as informing dietary recommendations and guidelines.”

Further findings showed participants who skipped breakfast were more likely to have an overall unhealthy lifestyle, including poor diet, frequent alcohol consumption and smoking.


They were also more likely to be hypertensive and overweight or obese, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The totally unsexy path to healthy eating (and why we’re not following it)

When it comes to nutrition, moderation simply isn’t sexy. What grabs our attention and our clicks are headlines like “The poison lurking in your kitchen,” as if we’re one bite away from death, and “Why you must eat this exotic superfood,” as if we’re one bite away from a miracle.

Unfortunately, these alluring-but-false promises distract us from a more moderate, and ultimately more successful, path to better health. A balanced eating plan that offers both nutrition and pleasure can help you be your best while actually allowing you to enjoy your food — no extremism required. What’s sexier — or saner — than that?

Christmas Gift Ideas 2017

Countdown To Christmas 2017

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Make this more exciting with Highlight deals Sale Schedule!

Healthy food swaps to beat afternoon cravings for chocolate, chips and soft drink

10 quirky tricks to beat food cravings (that are backed by science)

It’s the same old story: your intention to ride the healthy eating train is derailed as soon mid-afternoon rolls around and suddenly all you can think about are chips. Chocolates. Soft drinks.

The reason you crave junk food in the afternoons is basically because food manufacturers are wretched devils who deliberately concoct products that call out to your body’s hard-wired, insatiable desire for fatty, sweet and salty treats. (Damn them.)

“It’s addictive — it triggers the same hormonal response as drugs as alcohol do in our brain,” nutritionist Amelia Phillips explained on Today Extra.

Phillips is well aware that swapping the salty crunch of chips for, say, an apple isn’t going to cut it, and offers realistic suggestions to see you through your afternoon cravings.

“If you want that crunchy, salty flavour, try fava beans or dried chickpeas,” she says. “You can get them at all the major supermarkets and they have three times as much protein, half the salt, and 90 less kilojoules — so much healthier than chips.”

Obesity May be Linked with Increased Cancer Risk; Shed Extra Kilos With these Foods

An unhealthy and high fat diet does not only affect your waistline, but it may also trigger the risk of cancer. According to a new report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40 percent of the US cancer diagnoses can now be linked to overweight and obesity.
According to the report, a majority of American adults' weight is more than recommended and being overweight or obese puts people at a higher risk of developing a number of cancers. Out of all the cancer diagnoses, nearly 55 percent of female cases and 24 percent of male cases were linked to obesity. These cases statistically affect the older adults, mostly between the ages of 50 and 74 years old.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has identified certain types of cancers that have been linked to overweight and obesity- meningioma, multiple myeloma, adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, cancers of the thyroid, post-menopausal breast cancer, stomach, liver, uterus, ovaries, colon and rectum among others. Out of these, colon, rectal, pancreatic, breast, liver and ovarian are the most dangerous types of cancers.

Black tea may help with weight loss, too

UCLA researchers have demonstrated for the first time that black tea may promote weight loss and other health benefits by changing bacteria in the gut. In a study of mice, the scientists showed that black tea alters energy metabolism in the liver by changing gut metabolites.

The research is published in the European Journal of Nutrition.

The study found that both black and green tea changed the ratio of intestinal bacteria in the animals: The percentage of bacteria associated with obesity decreased, while bacteria associated with lean body mass increased.

Previous studies indicated that chemicals in green tea called polyphenols are absorbed and alter the energy metabolism in the liver. The new findings show that black tea polyphenols, which are too large to be absorbed in the small intestine, stimulate the growth of gut bacterium and the formation of short-chain fatty acids, a type of bacterial metabolites that has been shown to alter the energy metabolism in the liver.

5 food events to celebrate "Oktober" for good causes

Dine out for good causes—and cheers with a beer

Wednesday, Oct. 4
REAP Food Group’s Farm to School program has been providing low-income students in the Madison Metropolitan School District with fresh, healthy local meals and snacks for a while now—and Farm to School Night Out, a day-long fundraiser, is a chance for you to help provide young students with healthy food. If you’re looking to dine out this Wednesday, make sure you check out restaurants like Short Stack Eatery, Cooper’s Tavern, Forage Kitchen and Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry, as participating restaurants will donate 10 percent of all sales to the cause. reapfoodgroup.org

Wednesday, Oct. 4
Time to roll out the barrel! As a part of Atwood Beer Week, BarleyPop Tap and Shop is hosting Super Barrel Aged-Night to showcase its impressive list of barrel-aged beer. Brews include Coconut Porter by Avery Brewing Co., Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout by Central Waters Brewing Co. and Aged Imperial Mayan Mocha by Odd Side Ales. Cheers! 4-10 p.m., facebook.com

9 foods you should always have in your refrigerator

Everyone wants to eat healthily, but it can sometimes be hard when we live busy lives. This is why it’s important to stock your refrigerator with healthy food options so you aren’t tempted to reach for unhealthy food.

When it comes to healthy eating, there are a few essentials you need—healthy carbohydrates, good fats, vegetables, and protein. Once you have those four points, your meal is complete.

Your basic shopping list should include chickpeas, kidney beans, tuna, and salmon, which are great because you can keep these items on hand for many months without worrying about spoiling. With these key items in hand, you have the basic foundation to create several different menu items hassle-free.


Your next list of groceries should contain frozen vegetables, brown rice, and frozen fruits. These are good ingredients to have because not only do they not spoil, but they can be added into just about anything such as snacks, smoothies, and entrees.

Five foods that help burn fat

When it comes to weight loss, it’s the million dollar question: what food should we eat to burn fat?

To answer the question, you need to first understand the positive role fat plays in our lives. Quite simply, our bodies need fat. It protects our organs, keeps us warm, aids cell growth, and gives us a long-lasting form of energy. But, as with anything, you can get too much of a good thing.

Excess fat in our bodies is harmful and can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, especially if it is stored around the midriff, coating important organs. According to the UK’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey, we habitually exceed the recommended intake in saturated fat – hence our rather unflattering nickname, The Fat Man of Europe.

On the Menu: Navigating food and nutrition trends

Liz Weber is a Registered Dietitian at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. Today’s “On the Menu” segment helps navigate through the latest food and nutrition trends. The latest trends on the scene include matcha green tea powder, beetroot powder, spirulina, and activated charcoal. But are these foods or products worth your money and which ones may actually be healthy for you? Follow this true or false guide with explanation on which trends are worth your attention.

True or False

Beetroot powder vs. whole beets

Beetroot powder has the same amount of fiber per serving as a whole beet.

True. However; this depends on the brand. Because beetroot powder is a supplement, the purity of the product may not be created equal due to lack of FDA regulations. When you are looking for the best beetroot powder, aim for at least 2 grams of fiber per serving (generally 2 tsp-1 Tbsp powder). Try adding the powder to smoothies, baked goods, pasta sauces, salad dressing, dips, and soups.

How To Make Healthy Chocolate Pancakes

Freepik.com

If you get the craving for fluffy, rich pancakes but are on board the healthy eating train, try these pancakes made with nutritious, whole food ingredients.

Using buckwheat, besan flour, cacao and almond milk, these gluten-free pancakes are hearty and decadent, and are served with fresh banana, macadamia date caramel and chocolate vanilla sauce.

Sounds to good to be true? Give these a whirl to find out.

Aretha Frankenstein's Insanely Great Pancake Mix - 32 Oz Box

Chocolate pancakes with macadamia caramel and chocolate vanilla sauce

Fluffy chocolate, gluten-free pancakes with fresh banana and caramel sauce made using macadamia nuts and soft fresh medjool dates. Yes, this recipe is chocolate caramel banana-y bliss.

Food pantry provides healthier offerings

NORWALK — When Bill Peltz began organizing this fall’s food drive at the United Church of Rowayton in partnership with Person-to-Person, the food pantry sent him a list of healthy requests: salmon and chicken in water, unsalted nuts and seeds, granola bars and other foods low in salt and sugar.
The list was part of the Person-to-Person’s initiative for healthier foods.

In the aisles of the nonprofit’s newly renovated pantry, clients can load their carts with rutabagas, apples, tuna, peanut butter and beans. A recipe of the week is printed on cards for inspiration, and volunteers are available to discuss nutritional choices.
“The other day, I found bok choy, and I was blown away,” said Domica Skipworth, a recent client at Person-to-Person. “What I like is I always find great nutritional things.”

Making Room for Healthy Snacks

There are times when you just want a quick nibble of something, rather than a full-blown meal. But often, our craving for a quick fix can lead us into temptation. We go for the sweet options of chocolates and sugar loaded confectionery to quell those hunger pangs. But with a bit of thought, we can make some different choices. Healthy snacks don’t have to equal ‘bad for you.’ Try these ideas:

NUTS AND SEEDS

Dieticians are raving about the nutritional qualities of nuts and seeds. Full of nutrients, nuts and seeds give us a boost of energy when we need it. They contain the important ‘plant proteins’ currently raved about by vegans and nutritional specialists as helpful in beating cancer and heart disease. Nuts and seeds are mineral rich and full of healthy fats, also good for bones, for boosting the immune system and for energy.

It’s easy to incorporate nuts and seeds in your day time snacking. If you work, just take a few mixed nuts and seeds in a little air tight snap lid box to tuck in your pocket or handbag. When the snack attack hits, pop that lid and munch away.

Really Healthy Food

If you really want to get healthier, follow these recommendations and get ready to feel a blitz of stamina like never before:

LOOK FOR VARIETY!

Getting all of the nutrients you need is easy if you eat a variety of foods. Get away from monotony! Fill your plate with food from all the colors of the rainbow. And make sure to eat from all food groups of plant origin: fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, and nuts.

Freepik.com

RESTRAIN THE JUNK-FOOD!

Although restraining the consumption of meat has enormous advantages for your health, it is possible to be a “vegetarian of junk food”. After all, fritters, cakes, biscuits, and hamburgers can be made without ingredients of animal-origin fats. It is good that you enjoy them from time to time. But, please, do not live on fries and soda. Be sure to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains. Your body -and your mother- will thank you!

Health experts: Ingredients in processed foods prevent healthy eating

CLARKSBURG — Fruits and vegetables are not as popular as chips and cookies, but the reason may be that processed foods have altered our sense of taste, health officials say.

Taste buds adapt to diet, according to Extension Specialist Gina Wood, the expanded food and nutrition program coordinator for West Virginia University Extension Service.

“If one eats a diet that’s high in sugar, salt and fat they develop a preference for those foods, and other foods may not taste good to them any longer,” she said.

Wood said some people never develop a taste for fresh foods because of having been fed highly processed, convenience-type foods and fast food from childhood. This is the second generation that’s unable to prepare a home-cooked meal, she added.