Archive for November 5th, 2009
Don’t Make the Same Mistake
As a follow up to yesterday’s post, and as we strive to lose unwanted fat, the need to be aware of what we eat has become more apparent. So here are a few more healthy eating tips.
You choose snacks that are “made with real fruit”
Pictures of luscious-looking fruit adorn the packaging, and the labels claim that there is real fruit inside–but don’t think you can count these snacks as one of the four to five daily servings the new dietary guidelines recommend. Treat these snacks as candy, which is what they really are, and eat them sparingly. Satisfy your sweet tooth with real fruit instead. If you’re looking for convenience, pack a single-serving box of raisins or other type of dried fruit.
You toast your health with a glass of wine
More than 100 studies have found that moderate drinkers have about one-third lower risk of heart disease than those who abstain. But excessive drinking–three or more alcoholic beverages a day, most studies agree–has also been proven to send blood pressure climbing. New evidence shows that even light to moderate drinking on an empty stomach can contribute to high blood pressure risk. It’s better to enjoy that drink over dinner.
You have an after-dinner mint instead of dessert
The cooling taste of mint may sound like just the thing after a heavy meal, but it could spell trouble. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, mints are high on the list of foods that can cause heartburn, the telltale burning in the lower chest that occurs when juices from the stomach creep up into the esophagus. Mint seems to relax the muscle that keeps the valve at the top of the stomach clamped down, increasing the odds of reflux. Other surprising culprits: caffeine-containing food and beverages, such as chocolate, soda, and coffee.
Live healthy!