6 Health Foods That Really Aren't

By: Amber Pietrobono, Nubella News Nutrition bars and low-fat cookies must be good for you, right? Well, just because something sounds healthy doesn't mean it actually is. Many of the products marketed as nutritious involve more hype than health. How can you weed through the claims to separate fact from fiction? Read on to uncover six "health foods" that really aren't that healthy after all. 1. Reduced-Fat Foods. Perhaps they should change the label to "Less fat than the original, which had tons of fat." According to a spokeswoman from the American Dietary Association (ADA), "Reduced-fat foods are heavily marketed, and the marketing works. You only think it's healthy." But the truth is, most reduced-fat products are still high in fat. For this reason, the ADA encourages consumers to read reduced-fat food labels very carefully. 2. Pretzels. What a great snack, right? Actually, pretzels are high in sodium and low in fiber, which is why people can eat a lot of them and still not feel satisfied. According to the ADA, pretzels serve as a filler, but they don't add anything nutritious to your diet. Instead, try replacing them with a sandwich, fruit, or raw vegetables—foods that curb hunger and add nutrients to the body. 3. Cheese Crackers. As with pretzels, people generally consider cheese-flavored crackers a fairly healthy snack. But they're generally low in fiber and high in sodium, according to the ADA. What's more, the cheesy flavor is almost always artificial. 4. Granola Bars. They seem so wholesome, but according to the ADA, their main ingredient is usually sugar. Oftentimes, these treats are also high in fat and coated in chocolate. For these reasons, the ADA recommends replacing them with lower-sugar options, like a bowl of cereal or a bag of trail mix. 5. Energy Bars. These power-packed treats might seem like a sensible snack or meal replacement, but the "energy" touted on the label usually means a whole lot of calories, along with artificial flavorings and preservatives. In some cases, they may even contain trans fats. For a healthier alternative, try low-fat yogurt or a piece of fruit. 6. Sports Drinks. It's tempting to think that by guzzling down a sports drink, you'll become the next Tom Brady or Serena Williams. But according to the ADA, the electrolyte replacement in these drinks is designed for people who exercise rigorously. So unless you work out like a sports hero, you'll wind up consuming a lot of unnecessary calories. For mere mortals, a half-cup of water every 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient during workouts. {source}

Hungry Girl Recipe: Rhapsody in Bleu

Ingredients: One 5-oz. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast cutlet 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese, room temperature 1 oz. (about 3 slices) 97 - 98% fat-free ham slices salt and black pepper, to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put chicken in a large sealable plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, and seal. Using a meat tenderizer or a can, carefully pound chicken through the bag until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Remove chicken from the bag, and season to taste with salt and pepper on both sides. Lay the chicken flat and spread the cheese wedge over it. Evenly layer the ham slices on top of the cheese. Starting with one of the longer sides (or any side, if it's square), tightly roll up the chicken breast cutlet, and secure with toothpicks. Place chicken roll in a baking dish lined with foil and/or sprayed with nonstick spray, and then cover the baking dish with foil. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the foil covering the dish. Continue to bake (uncovered) for an additional 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy! MAKES 1 SERVING POINTS® value 5

Recipe courtesy of Hungry Girl

Weight Watchers Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tomatoes and Olives

POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 6 Preparation Time: 10 min Cooking Time: 60 min Level of Difficulty: Easy Works with Simply Filling A fabulous pasta salad alternative. Wheat berries are very versatile: use them in pilafs, hot cereal or homemade bread. Ingredients 1 1/2 cup(s) uncooked wheat berries, soaked in water overnight 1/2 tsp table salt 1 1/2 cup(s) tomato(es), seeded, chopped 8 large olive(s), kalamata, pitted and coarsely chopped (about 1/4 cup) 1/3 cup(s) low-fat vinaigrette, balsamic variety 1/3 cup(s) mint leaves, fresh, finely chopped Instructions Drain and rinse wheat berries; place in a medium-sized saucepan and cover with several inches of water. Add salt; bring to a boil. Simmer, partially covered, until wheat berries are tender, about 1 hour; drain completely. Spoon wheat berries into a serving bowl and add remaining ingredients; stir to coat. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving. *Notes* Basil can be swapped for the mint.

Recipe courtesy of Weight Watchers

Fire up the grill

By Sidra Forman, Best Life chef You can smell summer in the air—the warm breezes, the fragrant flowers, and even the aroma of sunblock. But my favorite summer scent is the smoky smell of barbecue. In my opinion, grilling is one of the best ways to cook. First, you can't beat the time factor: Virtually no planning or prep is required. And more importantly, it's so easy to create healthful meals because barbecuing adds flavor to foods without having to use a lot of fat. In fact, you can even enjoy the classics (like steaks and hamburgers), and still keep your calories in check. Use these tips to create a healthy, tasty meal on the barbecue. Get ready to fire up the grill! Make a better burger. Use lean beef (95 percent), or try a buffalo burger with naturally lean ground buffalo meat, a turkey burger or a veggie burger. Choose a slim steak. Lean cuts, such as a T-bone, sirloin and flank steak, are your best bet. These are great on the grill especially if they are marinated for about 15 minutes and not overcooked. Again, Buffalo steaks are a good choice because they're naturally lean. Grill your veggies. Throw corn on the cob right on the grill instead of boiling it for a more intense roasted flavor. Or feel free to experiment: Just about any other veggie works, including sweet peppers, onions, fennel, summer squash, whole leaves of hearty greens such as kale, or wedges of cabbage or radicchio. Enjoy chicken stripped. Be sure to remove the skin (it's loaded with saturated fat), and marinate before cooking to keep chicken moist and flavorful. Source

6 Easy Ways to Beat the Heat

Keeping cool on hot summer days isn't only a matter a comfort--it's vital for good health and even survival. Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board A little fun in the sun is one thing, but when it could put you at risk for heat stroke, it's time to take some precautions. That's the message from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and experts all across the country, who warn both adults and children alike that heat stroke is a potentially deadly illness to be avoided--even if it means sacrificing a day at the beach. Summer Survival Strategies "Heat stroke is not an accident," says Dr. Marilyn J. Heine, an emergency-room physician in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. "But it's a condition that generally can be prevented with a little effort and lots of common sense." She offers the following tips for keeping cool: Don't overexert yourself. Drink a quart of fluids an hour. Wear loose clothing light colors and fabrics, as well as a hat and sunscreen, and stay in the shade or indoors if possible. Open windows and use fans, or turn on the air-conditioning. If you don't have air-conditioning, go to a public place that does, like a mall, library, or movie theater. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can speed up dehydration. Check on elderly and chronically ill persons regularly to make sure they're holding up under the heat. Happens Too Frequently Despite the many preventative measures people can take, heat stroke happens frequently. "Over the summer, we see too many cases of heat-related illness in the emergency room," Heine says. In addition to professional athletes--most notably the Minnesota Vikings' Korey Stringer, who died in August 2001 after succumbing to heat stroke and multiorgan system failure--players at the high-school and college level, as well as nonathletes, have all fallen victim in recent years. In fact, Heine recalls a 78-year-old woman who was rushed to the ER after a neighbor noticed she hadn't left her apartment for two days when temperatures surpassed 90 degrees. The woman was dehydrated, with a temperature of 104.7 degrees and decreased blood pressure of 100/70. Fortunately, she was resuscitated with intravenous fluids and then hospitalized, Heine says. What Is Heat Stroke? Heat stroke is an injury to internal organs caused by excessively high body temperature that can damage the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and other organs. There are two types of heat stroke: exertional, or activity-induced, which primarily affects athletes, laborers, and soldiers; and classic, or non-exercise-induced, which can affect anyone exposed to extremely hot environments for extended lengths of time. In general, those most at risk for classic, or non-exercise-induced, heat stroke are the elderly; infants; people with chronic illness, such as heart and other cardiovascular diseases; and people on certain medications. Individuals who consume large amounts of caffeine and alcohol may also be susceptible, Heine warns. Symptoms of Heat Problems So, how can you predict when the heat is most likely to take its toll? Relative humidity of at least 70 percent and temperatures of 95 degrees or more are the first warning signs, according to the National Weather Service. Also, be alert to other heat-related afflictions, such as heat cramps (characterized by muscle spasms and a normal temperature), and heat exhaustion (evidenced by pale, moist skin, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, elevated temperature, and profuse sweating). If you experience any of these symptoms, get out of the heat, rest, and drink plenty of cool fluids, preferably ones containing sugar and salt, Heine suggests. The symptoms of a full-blown case of heat stroke are similar to those mentioned above but are even more severe and may include: profuse sweating, then hot, dry, red skin; high fever; vomiting; confusion; seizures during cooling; unconsciousness. Blood pressure may be low or high; lack of sweating is common, though athletes may perspire; and body temperature often will be 105 degrees or higher. If a friend or family member experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately, move the victim to a cooler location, remove any heavy clothing, fan the body, apply a cool sponge or cloth to the skin, and encourage the individual to drink cool fluids. At the hospital, the patient probably will be given fluids intravenously, Heine says. Source / Article

Boredom does not play nicely with my diet!

My first week back on Weight Watchers did not go so well. I found it hard to stick to my daily point allotment, and though I did okay while at work? All bets were off once I got home. Anything and everything I wanted I ate. And really, where is that going to get me? Not anywhere close to my goal for sure, and I know this. SO WHY is this so damn hard? The other thing that I am failing miserably at? Exercise. I got up bright and early on Saturday morning and climbed the incline with a friend of mine. Last night I set my alarm early enough to get up to work out before starting my day and I snoozed the alarm multiple times and slept longer instead. Working out in the evenings once the kids go to bed usually works for me, but I'd rather get my daily exercise out of the way first thing in the morning. But I can't ever get up to do it. I'm stuck in a rut big time. I had a pep talk with myself this morning while I was putting my lunch together. I must stick to my points! I must stop being so lazy and make time to work out - FOR ME. And really, there is no other option at this point. I know what I need to do and now it's time to just do it already. Yeah. JUST DO IT - self.

5 Healthiest Summer Habits

By Laurie Saloman Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board It's summertime, and the living is easy. But this hottest of seasons can bring with it special health risks, including sun damage, food poisoning, and insect-borne diseases. Follow these five tips to have your best, healthiest summer yet: 1. Practice good pedicure hygiene. We all want our feet to look good now that they're on display, but take basic precautions to avoid infection. Buy a pedicure kit and bring it with you to each appointment (some salons sell them and keep them for you) so you're not sharing instruments with every other customer. Try not to get pedicures if you have cracked skin or any cuts on your feet. 2. Self-tanners are the new sunbathing. A golden hue looks lovely on everyone, but exposing your skin to the sun's harsh rays is inviting damage. And don't even think about lying in a tanning bed. It's just as bad for you as, if not worse than, sunbathing outdoors. The perfect solution for those pasty white legs and arms? Self-tanner. There are tons of brands out there, from gels to creams to foams. Experiment a bit and see what works to turn you from pale to glowing. 3. Invest in two spatulas. When grilling, don't use the same spatula for putting raw beef patties on the grill and turning them that you use for removing them when they're cooked. The meat may be cooked, but the juices from the raw meat aren't--and they're still contaminating the spatula. The last thing you want at your next cookout is a case of food poisoning! 4. Don't sweat extra sweat. It's only natural that you may break a sweat several times a day in this hot weather. While there's no need to shower incessantly, you probably want to cleanse your face a little more often. Go for gentle cleansers that won't dry you out, and bring a small bottle with you to the beach or poolside barbecue to refresh yourself after a round of volleyball or frisbee. Or carry around small cleansing wipes--they're easily stashed in your purse. 5. Do tick checks. Ticks are most prevalent in northeastern states with high populations of deer, but Lyme Disease can occur anywhere. Make it a point to check yourself (and your kids) after any outdoor romps, especially in or near woods. The Centers for Disease Control suggests that if you find an attached tick you remove it immediately with sharp tweezers and watch for signs of illness such as a red "bullseye" rash or fever. Source / Article

Things I have been really bad about lately

Weight Watchers: Which really means? MY DIET. First it was a vacation to California, and then it was family in town which was followed by friends in town. Then I went to Chicago and now here we are. I started tracking my points again online on Monday since things have finally settled down, but I have yet to stick to my daily allotted number of points. Why does this diet business have to be so damn tough? Exercise: I’m an all or nothing type of girl when it comes to exercise. I most definitely HAVE to stick to a regular routine in order to stick to an exercise plan at all. If I skip one day, or miss a day because something comes up, I simply fall off the wagon and the plan is thrown out the window. And then I remind myself over and over and over again that I need to get back into the habit of working out. And then that turns into – well maybe tomorrow. I know that I do this. I hate this about myself. Why does exercise have to be so stinking hard? Losing Weight: Go figure that this is the third point on my list right? Combine a not so good diet with little to no regular exercise; it’s no shock that I haven’t reached my goal yet. I’m close, but not there which in turn makes me re-evaluate (day in and day out) what it is exactly that I’m doing. Or in this case, what it is exactly that I’m not doing. With that said, I have managed to maintain my weight just the same. It fluctuates up and down, and up and down on a regular basis, which is fine I guess. But not quite good enough. Yet again I’m re-committing myself to this healthy lifestyle with the hopes that I don’t fall off the wagon yet again. Why does living a healthy lifestyle have to be so difficult? So tell me – what challenges do you face?

Slimmer - Stronger - Injury Free

Your workout routine is going great, the weight is peeling off, and then all of a sudden…ouch! A twisted ankle, sore back or pulled muscle sidelines you. The last thing you need when you're working so hard to reach your goal is to have an injury get in the way of your workouts. Staying injury-free is as simple as following a few easy guidelines, says physical therapist Jack Younghans, D.P.T., who offered these tips: Take time to warm up. Don't jump right into your workout at full speed. Slowly ease into it with a five- to 10-minute warm-up session. Don't skip stretching. Spend about five to 10 minutes stretching after you've warmed up. And don't forget to stretch after your routine, too. Perfect your form. Knowing how to use the equipment or how to do moves can keep you healthy. If you're not sure, ask someone or hire a trainer to get started. Pace yourself. Spread out your activity throughout the entire week. Trying to squeeze your workouts into one or two days can definitely result in injury. Tune into your body. Pay attention to how you're feeling during a workout. Often times, our body gives us signs that it has had enough. Remember that overexertion can easily lead to injury. Source

Trim your grocery bill & your figure

There are many cash-saving tricks you can use when you go food shopping, including clipping coupons or applying for rebates. But there are even easier ways to cut your grocery bill, such as these save-by-section tips from Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger, R.D. Use them as you shop—no clipping or form-filling-out required. PRODUCE Buy in season. In the late summer, opt for blackberries and blueberries. In the fall months, go for apples, and in the winter, choose citrus fruit. Not only will you get the best buy, but you'll also get the tastiest fruit. Go for frozen. Frozen produce is cheaper and it's often more nutritious than "fresh," which has been hanging out in the produce section too long. MEAT Keep your protein portion small. Many people think of meat as the star of the show, but you should really only have about two to four ounces per meal. Instead, fill up on grains and veggies. Stock up on sales. Take advantage of good deals by buying extra and freezing. (Use herbs and spices to add flavor to frozen meat and fish.) You can separate them into individual servings and wrap them well so you have healthy portions whenever you need. Go for meatless protein sources. Beans, eggs or egg whites (including liquid eggs), and tofu are all cheaper than meat. DAIRY/MILK Freeze your cheese. You can freeze some dairy, like cheese, so stock up when there are sales. Don't forget to go for reduced-fat versions! Don’t be a label snob. All milk brands must meet the same government standards, so they're the same in terms of nutrition; opt for the least expensive to save. Source

How to Stay Healthy When Your Kids Are Sick

Here, how to stay healthy (no matter how many germs have invaded your home). By Laurie Saloman Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board If someone comes in to work coughing and sniffling, you probably take pains to avoid him. You try not to share an elevator, move to another desk if you can, and don't touch the same keyboard he's using. At a family party, an under-the-weather relative might blow you an air kiss rather than offer her customary hug and kiss. But what if the sick person in your midst is your own child? How can you stay healthy when you need to be on constant call for someone who's probably a little lax about keeping his bacteria to himself? Parents magazine offers five great tips for staying healthy no matter how many germs have invaded your home: Try not to snuggle too much. It can be tough to resist the urge to smother your feverish little one with comforting kisses. But the more you touch, the greater the likelihood that you'll contract some of her germs. Try using your voice to soothe her, or restricting your kisses to her forehead (away from her mouth). Avoid sharing. Normally it's great to teach kids to be generous with what they have. But when one of them is sick, it's best to have the rest of the family stay away from his toys, towels, cups, utensils, and clothes. Even a communal tube of toothpaste can harbor bacteria. Dial up the hot water. It may be environmentally friendly to use colder water when doing the laundry, but hot water kills more germs. Make sure you wash your hands after you toss in your child's clothes, towels and blankets, and sanitize the machine between loads by running it empty with bleach. Kick them out of the kitchen. It's lovely to have your child sit at the table coloring or reading, but not when he's ill. Bacteria can survive on tabletops and counters, which means you run the risk of your child's germs invading your family's food supply. Especially avoid letting your child touch the refrigerator or freezer door handles. Be a hand washing nut. You're always reminding your children to wash up, so don't forget to do it yourself. Scrub the fronts and backs of your hands for at least 20 seconds, and follow up with hand sanitizer for extra insurance. And keep small bottles of sanitizer in your handbag as well. You may feel like this is overkill, but germs often are spread through hand-to-hand contact. Article courtesy of Quality Health