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Tag: Nutrition

Pancakes can be a powerhouse

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Getting a good healthy start to your day with a hearty breakfast can set the tone for a productive day. Eggs are a great choice, but eggs day after day can get boring. A tasty alternative can be pancakes. But knowing what the dangers packed in pancakes are can help you make them a healthy choice.

Pancakes are high in carbs and contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but they can contain lots of fat, calories, and sodium. Still, pancakes can be a great addition to the variety of your morning meal. Knowing what they contain can be helpful to your healthy diet.

A 3.5 oz. serving of pancakes (2 cakes) contains about  221 calories, although the addition of butter and maple syrup can add considerable calories, obviously. A serving of pancakes contains 8.8 g of fat/ 3.8g are saturated fat. Avoid more than 15g of saturated fat per day. They also contain 27.2 g of carbohydrates, which is about 10% of what you should have in a day. You also get 8.1 g of protein which is about 17% of the average amount of this macronutrient.

Pancakes pack both a savory and sweet taste which is what makes them so satisfying. They contain about 4.3 g of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends under 25 g for women and 37 g for men. Salt in your batter constitutes 308 mgs of sodium and the recommended limit is at about 2000 mg, so measure your daily intake carefully.

But pancakes are a good source of phosphorus (20%) and calcium (18%) of your daily requirements. This makes them a good option for increasing bone strength and your body’s ability to manufacture RNA and DNA. Pancakes also provide significant levels of iodine and riboflavin as well as smaller amounts of vitamin C, Thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, vitamin B-12, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron.

Whole-wheat flour will provide extra fiber and whole grains. I have also have attached some great recipes for high protein versions of these little-griddled beauties. While we found the recipes to contain great food additives, we in no way endorse the brands promoted. We use the recipes as additional options to our already great pancake recipes. We shop directly from a manufacturer that manufactures an entire suite of performance supplements that can “jack up” the nutritional value of your morning meal, as well as help control blood sugar! We have discovered the amazing power of pancakes when made with the proper ingredients. No syrup needed. Yes, they are that good!

Do you need to add vitamin D and calcium to your diet?

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Because vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, it plays a role in your bone health. Studies involving older adults have associated low vitamin D levels with an increased risk of falls and fractures. Another finding shows that at age 50, your kidneys may become less effective at metabolizing inactive vitamin D into its active form.

At age 70 and beyond, your body will produce about one-third less vitamin D through sun exposure than it did when you were 21. Plus melanin, which determines your skin pigmentation and protects your body from harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV),can also impair your skin’s ability to produce enough vitamin D from sunlight. Darker-skinned individuals may need up to 10 times more sun exposure to produce adequate vitamin D levels as compared to a person with lighter skin. Who knew?

Another good thing about getting adequate sun exposure is that your mood automatically elevates when you are in the sun, thanks to the brain hormone serotonin. Researchers examining the effects of vitamin D on the moods of 80 elderly patients found the ones with the lowest vitamin D levels were 11 times more likely to suffer from depression. So sunning daily and taking a vitamin D supplement can help ward off depression.

If you are obese, some experts recommend you increase your intake of vitamin D. Why? Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, when your fat cells uptake it, less is available for use elsewhere in your body.

Here is a list of vitamin D deficiency symptoms that most people ignore from Healthyway.com.

The optimal vitamin D level for general health ranges between 40 to 60 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). The ideal way to raise your vitamin D is by regularly and sensibly exposing large amounts of your skin, such as your arms, back, chest and legs, to sunshine. Getting outdoors at or around solar noon is the best time to soak up the sun. If for whatever reason you cannot get outdoors, or not frequently enough to receive sufficient UV exposure, consider taking an oral vitamin D3 supplement along with vitamin K2 and magnesium.

My company offers a wonderful K2-D3 supplement, offering the right balance of vitamins K2 and D3 is critical to regulating calcium and helping ensure you get optimal performance from this essential mineral.

Arsenic, Lead Found in Popular Protein Supplements

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Whether for weight loss, muscle building, or simply as a convenient quick meal on the go, many Americans turn to protein powders and drinks.

But a new study shows that many of the top-selling powders and drinks may contain concerning levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, and toxins like bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in some plastic containers and food can liners.

These substances have been linked to cancer, brain damage, and reproductive issues. When products were tested, many contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal and 55 percent tested positive for BPA.The problem is, these toxins accumulate in your body and can stay there for years. Frequent consumption of foods that contain them can have adverse effects on your health.

This article from Consumer Reports provides a review of popular protein powders and drink supplements available today, and whether they’re necessary for most people.

The company I work with manufactures protein supplements and happily each product is made from only the finest ingredients to deliver the healthy, benefits. Every product in one line is also soy-free, gluten-free, and GMO-free, does not contain artificial sweeteners, and is kosher. A few specific products are also dairy-free and vegan.

Whether your goal is to maintain healthy blood sugar, build muscle, achieve a healthy weight, or just snack smarter, you need to be knowledgeable to protect your body every step of your journey. I’ve attached this article to help learn more about healthier for you flavors and formulas. You owe it to yourself to make an informed healthy choice.

Should you be gluten-free?

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If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease you should most certainly be gluten-free. Celiac disease is a genetic phenomenon which scientists trace to certain genes. There is a disorder called gluten intolerance that indicates that you should avoid excessive exposure to gluten.

Oddly, scientists know less about gluten intolerance than they do about full-blown celiac disease. The article below from Medical News Today will provide you with some more detailed information about gluten intolerance.

Gluten is the name for the proteins that give wheat its unique baking qualities. While wheat is the greatest source of gluten, there are other grains, which contain these proteins as well. This article gives us valuable insights into the foods and symptoms of gluten intolerance.

Remember, there are differences between celiac disease, wheat allergies, and gluten intolerance. You will find some answers here. Become a label reader (which most of us should do more of). Make sure you know which of the foods you eat contain wheat and try to avoid them.

Gluten can cause inflammation, which can be the source of risks to other diseases. While the gut is the most vulnerable to this inflammation, there is evidence that the inflammation can worsen symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, lupus and inflammatory bowel disease.

My company has developed, manufactures and offers many gluten-free products that can make living with gluten intolerance much more tolerable. It will never be easy, but it can be easier. It begins by knowing what you are ingesting and what it contains. Be well.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312898.php

Sunshine in a bottle: Vitamin D3

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The Harvard School of Public Health suggests an estimated 1 billion people worldwide have low vitamin D levels, with deficiencies noted across all age and ethnic groups.

You are at risk of missing out on vitamin D from natural sun exposure if you spend most of your time indoors, use topical sunscreens or wear long clothing for religious reasons.

This study from Health Impact News supports an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu. Individuals with common lung diseases, such as asthma or emphysema, may be particularly susceptible to respiratory infections from vitamin D deficiency. Another study, done in Japan, indicated schoolchildren taking 1,200 units of vitamin D per day during winter reduced their risk of contracting the flu by about 40 percent.

Here is a list of vitamin D deficiency symptoms that most people ignore from Healthyway.com.

If for whatever reason you cannot get outdoors, or not frequently enough to receive sufficient UV exposure,consider taking an oral vitamin D3 supplement along with vitamin K2 and magnesium.

I take an excellent Vitamin D3 supplement that provides 2000 IUs of vitamin D3 to battle the effects of Vitamin D deficiency to support my immune system, bone health and mood. It’s the same vitamin D my body produces when exposed to the Sun without exposure to, harmful UV rays.
This combined with my Peak Performance = Optimal health!

Even if you are in good health, I encourage you to have your level tested twice a year by your primary health care provider and think about taking a vitamin D supplement like I do.

 

Low Sodium Foods to promote heart health

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Most people eat much more sodium (salt) than they need. This can lead to health problems like high blood pressure. To lower the amount of sodium in your diet, follow these tips when you go food shopping:

  • Choose fresh instead of processed foods when you can.
  • Use the Nutrition Facts label to check the amount of sodium. Look for foods with 5% Daily Value (DV) or less. A sodium content of 20% DV or more is high.
  • Look for foods labeled “low sodium,” “reduced sodium,” or “no salt added.”
To preserve your heart and keep pressure in check, get plenty of fruit and vegetables.
  • Any fresh fruits, like apples, oranges, or bananas
  • Any fresh vegetables, like spinach, carrots, or broccoli
  • Frozen vegetables without added sauce
  • Canned vegetables that are low in sodium or have no salt added
  • Low sodium vegetable juice
  • Frozen or dried fruit (unsweetened)
  • Canned fruit (packed in water or 100% juice, not syrup)
Breads, Cereals, and Grains

Compare labels to find products with less sodium. When you cook rice or pasta, don’t add salt.

  • Rice or pasta
  • Unsweetened oatmeal
  • Unsalted popcorn

Tip: If your food comes with a seasoning packet, use only part of the packet. This will lower the amount of sodium in the food.

Meats, Nuts, and Beans

Choose fresh meats when possible. Some fresh meat has added sodium, so always check the label.

  • Fish or shellfish
  • Chicken or turkey breast without skin
  • Lean cuts of beef or pork
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds
  • Dried peas and beans
  • Canned beans labeled “no salt added” or “low sodium”
  • Eggs
Dairy Products

Choose fat-free or low-fat milk and yogurt. Be sure to check the label on cheese, which can be high in sodium. Milk and yogurt are also good sources of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.

  • Fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
  • Fat-free or low-fat yogurt
  • Low- or reduced-sodium cheese (like natural Swiss cheese)
  • Soymilk with added calcium
Dressings, Oils, and Condiments

When you cook, use ingredients that are low in sodium or have no sodium at all.

  • Unsalted margarine and spreads (soft, tub, or liquid) with no trans fats
  • Vegetable oils (canola, olive, peanut, or sesame)
  • Sodium-free, light mayonnaise and salad dressing
  • Low-sodium or “no salt added” ketchup
  • Vinegar
Seasonings

Try these seasonings instead of salt to flavor your food.

  • Herbs, spices, or salt-free seasoning blends
  • Chopped vegetables, like garlic, onions, and peppers
  • Lemons and limes
  • Ginger
Supplements

Sometimes food alone doesn’t work and we want to avoid a regimen of prescribed medications. So we had supplements to keep high blood pressure away.

  • Grape Seed/Skin Extract
  • We use a super-concentrated, natural extract associated with maintaining healthy blood pressure already in the normal range and also supports healthy endothelial function. The power of nearly 10,000 grapes in every bottle—ProvexCV® Blood Pressure Support.

 

Heart-Healthy Foods to Prolong Your Life

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When it comes to your heart, what you eat matters. Follow these tips for heart-healthy eating:

  1. Eat less saturated and trans fat. Stay away from fatty meats, fried foods, cakes, and cookies.
  2. Cut down on sodium (salt). Look for the low-sodium or “no salt added” types of canned soups, vegetables, snack foods, and lunch meats.
  3. Get more fiber. Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to add fiber to your diet.

Take this list with you the next time you go food shopping.

Vegetables and Fruits

Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. Buy vegetables and fruits that are in season, frozen, or canned.

  • Fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, and broccoli
  • Leafy greens for salads, like spinach and kale
  • Canned vegetables low in sodium (salt)
  • Frozen vegetables without added butter or sauces
  • Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, pears, and peaches
  • Canned fruit in 100% juice, not syrup
  • Frozen or dried fruit (unsweetened)
Dairy Products

Look for fat-free or low-fat milk products. Or choose soymilk with added calcium.

  • Fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
  • Fat-free or low-fat yogurt (choose options with less added sugar)
  • Cheese (3 grams of fat or less per serving)
  • Fat-free or low-fat soymilk with calcium
Breads, Cereals, and Grains

For products with more than one ingredient, make sure whole wheat or another whole grain is listed first.

  • 100% whole-wheat bread
  • Whole-grain breakfast cereals like oatmeal
  • Whole grains such as brown or wild rice, barley, and bulgur
  • Whole-wheat or whole-grain pasta
Meat, Beans, Eggs, and Nuts

Choose lean cuts of meat and other foods with protein.

  • Seafood, including fish and shellfish
  • Chicken and turkey breast without skin
  • Pork: leg, shoulder, tenderloin
  • Beef: round, sirloin, tenderloin, extra lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
  • Beans, lentils, and peas
  • Eggs and egg substitutes
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds
Fats and Oils

Cut back on saturated fat and look for products with no trans fats.

  • Margarine and spreads (soft, tub, or liquid) with no trans fats
  • Vegetable oil (canola, olive, peanut, or sesame)
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • Light mayonnaise
  • Salad dressings that are oil based instead of creamy
Daily Supplements

For most people, diet and exercise aren’t enough to deliver optimal heart health. That’s why we use proven, natural solutions yo address six controllable factors for optimal heart health.

  • Omega-3s are good fats—polyunsaturated fats—that are derived from fish, nuts, and seeds. Our favorite is Crème Delight®— Peach Mango Tango with 1,080mg of research-proven EPA/DHA essential fatty acids, this supplement provides daily support for eye, heart, and brain health–in a flavor the whole family loves.
  • Mom used to give us cod-liver oil every morning especially in winter to help us avoid flu and keep us healthy. The taste was not a favorite and we weren’t enamored of it. Today we use Vitality Coldwater Omega-3® a pure, concentrated DHA and EPA Omega-3’s for superior cardiovascular and brain health benefits. Two soft gels include the research-recommended dose with no fishy aftertaste.  
  • CardiOmega EPA®— with 1,000 mg of EPA plus 100 mg DHA this supplement is designed to support high levels of activity, since we’ve become serious about fitness and getting to a healthy weight, we find this helps promote rapid recovery and reduce activity-induced inflammation all while protecting our heart. 

Take care of your heart, it’s the only one you have!

Whole Grains & High Fiber

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In this society that is possessed with health and healthy weight, and that is a good thing, many have chosen to increase their consumption of whole grains and high in fiber foods.

Whole grains are high in nutrients and when you eat them, you just feel good. That’s not surprising since they are not only high in vitamins, they contain a good amount of essential minerals, like zinc, iron, magnesium, and manganese, as well.

But, as the article I have included below, points out there are great differences between whole grains and refined grains, even when enriched. There are many choices when selecting your whole grains and, in most cases, there are a variety of preparations, which will allow you to add interest to your menu.

In addition to delicious variations you will be able to concoct that will make your fare delicious, you will be adding great benefits to increase your health and prevent or protect against many maladies that plague our contemporary, fast-paced lives.

Whole grains (and high fiber) will reduce your risks from heart disease, stroke, and obesity. If you are going to increase your intake of whole grains you may want to consider some supplementation to assure that your diet is balanced and truly healthy.

www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-benefits-of-whole-grains

 

Keep Your Heart Healthy

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Take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

To help prevent heart disease, you can:

  • Eat healthy.
  • Get active.
  • Stay at a healthy weight.
  • Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
  • Control your cholesterol (“koh-LEHS-tuh-rahl”) and blood pressure.
  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
  • Manage stress.

Everyone is at risk for heart disease. But you are at higher risk for heart disease if you:

  • Have high cholesterol or high blood pressure
  • Smoke
  • Are overweight or obese
  • Don’t get enough physical activity
  • Don’t eat a healthy diet

Your age and family history also affect your risk for heart disease. Your risk is higher if:

  • You are a woman over age 55
  • You are a man over age 45
  • Your father or brother had heart disease before age 55
  • Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65

But the good news is there’s a lot you can do to prevent heart disease. Throughout National Heart month we will be sharing healthy heart tips and stories.

 

Do you Get Enough Calcium?

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Since you were a kid, your mom has been telling you, “Drink your milk. You need the calcium.”  It’s true. You need calcium for strong bones and teeth.

Everyone needs calcium, but it’s especially important for women and girls. Many people, including most women, don’t get enough calcium.

  • Calcium is essential for optimal bone health
  • Calcium helps with proper muscle contraction
  • Calcium is critical to nerve function

Calcium can help prevent Osteoporosis, which makes your bones fragile and more likely to break. Some people don’t know they have it until they break a bone. One in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis. Calcium helps to keep your bones strong and less likely to break.

Protect your bones – get plenty of calcium every day.
Women:
  • If you are age 19 to 50, get 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium every day.
  • If you are age 51 or older, get 1,200 mg of calcium every day.
Men:
  • If you are ages 19 to 70, get 1,000 mg of calcium every day.
  • If you are age 71 or older, get 1,200 mg of calcium every day.
Kids:
  • Kids ages 9 to 18 need 1,300 mg of calcium every day.
How can you get enough calcium?

There are 2 easy ways to get your calcium.

1. Eat foods with calcium every day.

But, did you know milk is not the only source of calcium? Calcium is also found in vegetables like kale, most nuts and in the following foods:

  • Fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt, and cheese
  • Soymilk with added calcium
  • Broccoli and dark green leafy vegetables
  • Tofu with added calcium
  • Orange juice with added calcium

For more ideas, check out this list of foods that are high in calcium.

2. Take a calcium pill every day.

You can take a multivitamin or a pill that has calcium. We like Vitality Calcium Complete. It contains four sources of calcium for timed release replenishment plus magnesium and Vitamin D to help maintain healthy bones and teeth. Plus, it’s powered by Oligo® for maximum mineral absorption.

Recent studies have shown that the benefits of calcium and Vitamin D extend far beyond strong teeth and bones. Vitality Calcium Complete goes above and beyond “daily minimum values” to deliver the optimal amounts of minerals from the best possible sources. Calcium is essential to optimal bone health as well as the proper function of the heart and nerves. But without Vitamin D3, calcium is very difficult for the body to absorb. Absorption isn’t the only difficulty. Once it’s in the body, calcium can remain in the bloodstream unless there is enough vitamin K2 to direct it to your bones and teeth for proper storage. To maximize the benefits of Vitality Calcium Complete, we pair it with Vitamins K2-D3.

Talk to your doctor before you start taking extra calcium.

Check food labels.

nutrition label highlighting percent daily value of calciumThe Daily Value (DV) on a food label tells you the amount of a nutrient (like calcium) that’s in a serving of the food. Foods that have at least 20% DV of calcium are excellent choices. Foods with at least 10% DV of calcium are good, too.

For example:

  • A cup of fat-free milk has about 300 mg of calcium, or 30% DV.
  • Some kinds of breakfast cereal have 600 mg of calcium per serving, or 60% DV.
If you take a calcium pill, make it easy to remember.
  • Take it at the same time every day. For example, take it when you brush your teeth before bed.
  • Leave the pill bottle out where you will see it, like on the kitchen counter or by the bathroom sink.
Get enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb (take in) calcium. Your body makes vitamin D when you are out in the sun. You can also get vitamin D from:

  • Salmon and tuna
  • Milk with added vitamin D
  • Some breakfast cereals, yogurt, and juices with added vitamin D
  • Mushrooms
  • Vitamin D pills

Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D pills.

Eat healthy.

Along with eating foods high in calcium or taking a calcium pill, it’s important to eat other healthy foods– like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and foods with protein.