Monday, July 29, 2013

7 'Unhealthy' Healthy Foods

by Andrea Metcalf: written originally for WomensForm.com
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If you’re looking for smarter ways to eat, we have seven foods that you should NOT cross off your grocery list, despite unhealthy eating myths!

"Everything that tastes good is bad for you." This is a line we always hear when it comes to eating healthy. But, contrary to popular belief, this actually isn't true. When it comes to dieting and losing weight, you don't always have to cut out the foods that you love most. Check out this list of "unhealthy" foods that are healthy.

7 Good-for-You Foods 

1. Potatoes

Potatoes are high in nutrition, including potassium and fiber. The way that Americans tend to prepare the vegetable, deep fried or loaded in salt, can make them very unhealthy. But, if you roast them and top them with herbs, they can be quite good for you. They can also increase brain function, help prevent cardiovascular disease, and provide a great source of vitamins and minerals that are great for your skin.

2. Beef

Lean beef is a great source of protein, zinc, phosphorus, B-Complex vitamins and iron. A lean, 3-ounce serving of beef makes up less than 10 percent of a daily 2,000 calorie diet. Calorie for calorie, beef has more protein than practically any other food, which is great since most Americans have an iron deficiency. 

3. Eggs

You’ve heard that you should only eat egg whites and not the entire egg. But, the truth is that the yolk of the egg contains cholesterol that is good for you. This cholesterol is called “dietary cholesterol,” which is better than the kind of cholesterol that is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and strokes. Eating eggs can also help with neurological function and reduced inflammation.
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4. Canned Veggies

Canned vegetables tend to have a bad reputation. They are not considered to be as healthy as their fresh versions, but the truth is that they can be just as healthy, if not healthier, as fresh veggies. Canned vegetables are typically processed and canned when their nutritional content is at its highest, keeping all the vitamins stored inside the can for you. What’s more, canned veggies have a long shelf life and are usually quite inexpensive.

5. Pizza

Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list, pizza, can actually be quite good for you, depending on how you top it. The sauce can be very nutritious for you, as it often includes vitamin-rich garlic, olive oil filled with good cholesterol, and basil and oregano, which are high in fiber and Vitamin K. If you select smart toppings like low-fat cheese and green veggies, there’s no reason you should cut out this American favorite from your diet.

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an incredible product with what seems like a never-ending list of uses. While in the past coconut oil was written off as a terrible article clogger, it is now known that coconut oil contains no cholesterol or trans-fats. Coconut oil can be used to give your hair a better shine, moisturize skin, remove makeup, clean leather shoes, combat canker sores, serve as a homemade toothpaste when combined with baking soda, add a bit of sweetness to drinks and more.
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7. Bananas

Bananas are a superfruit that can give you a healthy dose of fiber, manganese, Vitamin C, potassium, and Vitamin B6 all for around 100 calories. Bananas are a healthy carbohydrate and are a great choice when refueling after a workout or grabbing a mid-morning snack to combat cravings.
Overall, it’s difficult to understand what foods the media is pushing as healthy or unhealthy, but a diet of lean meats, fruits, and vegetables is always on par with a healthy diet!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Slim Summer Wardrobe Secrets

Written By: Andrea Metcalf for Fitstudio
Slim Summer Wardrobe Secrets
It’s a mid-summer night’s dream. You’re headed out for evening cocktails, clad in a maxi mini dress and strappy sandals. You look drop dead fabulous…if you’re a size 4 and 5-foot-10! The truth is that most of our bodies have features that require some creative dressing. Years of TV training taught me some wardrobe tricks that camouflage your flaws and flaunt your best features. Here are some tips.

Your issue: Thick arms

Do: Wear a halter top that draws the eyes up toward your face and gives the illusion of contours.
Don't: Wear cap sleeves and scoop necks that make you look chunkier up top.
Workout tip: You may think that lifting weights will make you thicker on top, but it’ll actually create natural lines and definition that will slenderize your arms. Try hand walking side planksand cable kneeling extensions.

Your issue: Cankles

Do: Try a maxi dress or a “mullet” dress (short in front, long in back) to camouflage your ankles. Sandals that lace up the leg work, too.
Don't: Wear mules — they’ll make your ankles appear heavier.
Workout tip: You want to create curvature by toning up your lower legs. Add plyo box jumpsand calf raises to your routine.

Your issue: Broad back

Do: Wear a strapless dress that shows off your back (yes, show it off!). A broad back gives the illusion of a smaller waist!
Don't: Put on strappy or one-shoulder dresses that break up your back.
Workout tip: Focus on strengthening your core muscles, particularly your obliques, which create that cinched waistline. I’m a big fan of the oblique v-up.

Your issue: Wide waist

Do: Make belts a staple in your wardrobe. Rocking a wide belt over a long dress or separates creates the curves you don’t have. Dresses with empire waistlines are another slimming option.
Don't: Stock up on shapeless, flowy dresses that drop down to the floor. Structure is your best friend.
Workout tip: Doing cardio training regularly will help, and it’ll reduce your overall body fat as well as strengthen your core muscles. One top calorie-burner: Burpees.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Summer Outdoor Fitness Safety

Written by Andrea Metcalf originally for FitStudio

Summer Outdoor Fitness Safety
Weather temperatures are topping out, so naturally, outdoor workouts are top of mind. Before you burst out your front door, make sure you’re prepared for the party. These six simple tips help keep you safe under the sun.
Stay hydrated. You’re supposed to sip before, during and after your workout. And if you’re already thirsty, you’ve waited too long. But water alone may not cut it when the weather is super-hot. Your body needs carbs, sodium and potassium to function at your athletic best. My top pick is coconut water. You’ll know you drank enough when your urine runs almost clear.
Be sunblock savvy. You probably think you’re getting twice as much sun protection from SPF 100, compared to SPF 50 — and you may stay in the sun longer because of it. However, when properly applied, SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of sunburn rays; whereas SPF 100 only blocks 99 percent, according to the Environmental Working Group. Surprised? That means you need to keep your workout short; reapply sunscreen during your water breaks, and wear protective clothing, such as a hat and shades.
Cover your eyes. Shades aren’t just a stylish accessory; they also serve a purpose. Overexposing your eyes to harmful sun rays can deteriorate your vision. Plus, squinting throughout your workout can lead to tension headaches, and eventually wrinkles. That’s not the look you want! Choose glasses with polarized lens and UVA/UVB protection. Go large — the more of your face they cover, the better.
Don’t wait for chafing. Anytime your body is sweating continuously and exposed to constant friction with fabric on skin, you risk chafing. And it’s not fun. Think ahead and apply an anti-chafing lubricant under your arms, between your thighs, around your waist where workout pants can rub, beneath your buttocks where sweat collects — every crease you can think of. Another tip: Opt for clothing with wick action fabric to help pull the sweat away from your body and let air in.
Exercise at dawn or dusk. The sun is at its highest and hottest from about noon to 3 p.m. You don’t want to be outdoors hoofing up hills during those hours. Save your workouts for the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Also, pay close attention to the heat index, which is even hotter under direct sun, and the humidity. It’s more difficult for your body to cool itself down when the humidity is 60 percent or higher, expert sources report.
Know when to cool it. The proverbial “wall” you usually push through may be an indicator of heat exhaustion this time of year. If you feel faint, dizzy, confused, fatigued, or experience heavy sweating, nausea, headache, or cool, moist skin with goosebumps, stop immediately. Head indoors, remove your clothes, hydrate immediately, take a cool shower, and hover by the A.C. If symptoms persist for more than 30 minutes, call your doctor. Heat exhaustion may progress into heat stroke if untreated.

Monday, July 8, 2013

High Potassium Foods Lower Blood Pressure

by Andrea Metcalf: written for Womensforum

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We've got a list of the top foods you should eat to lower your blood pressure! 

More than 1/3 of all adults have high blood pressure over the age of 65. And although daily exercise and a sodium-restricted diet can help lower blood pressure, getting enough potassium in your diet may also play a key role in keeping your body healthy. Potassium is essential to good health, so we've got some of the best foods you can eat to get a good dose of potassium each day!

Potassium could be a key in lowering high blood pressure. The recommended daily allowance for potassium is 4700 mg a day. However, 90 percent of men and 99 percent of women in the U.S. are not currently getting that daily intake. 
If you are looking to boost your potassium intake, check out these foods that are high in potassium. We've got suggested serving sizes and the amount of potassium they each contain.
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Foods with High Potassium Levels
  • Clams - 3oz (or 73 grams), 231 mg of potassium
  • Beet greens - 1/2 cup, 909 mg
  • Yellowfin tuna - 3oz, 441 mg
  • Low-fat plain yogurt - 1 cup, 220 mg
  • Swiss chard - 1 cup, 549 
  • Acorn squash - 1/2 cup, 347 mg
  • Sweet potato (with skin) - 1/2 cup, 475 mg
  • Lima beans - 1/2 cup, 401 mg
  • Edamame - 1/2 cup, 482 mg
  • Coho salmon - 3oz, 455 mg
  • Spinach - 1 cup, 558 mg
  • Tomato sauce - 3/4 cup, 371 mg
  • Bananas - 1 piece, 358 mg
  • Orange juice - 3/4 cup, 200 mg
These potassium super foods are sure to boost your levels. Stay happy, stay healthy