The French called tomatoes “apples of love.” American colonists believed they were poisonous. Today the average American eats 90 pounds of tomatoes a year! And today we know a juicy tomato is loaded with positive nutrition: two antioxidant vitamins—vitamin C and beta carotene (which forms vitamin A)—and a natural plant substance called lycopene. Lycopene, which
Cherimoya, feijoa, pepino: Sound foreign? They’re specialty fruits. This National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month is the time to enjoy them both for their flavor and their nutrient and phytonutrient benefits. Enjoy exotic fruits over ice cream, frozen yogurt, or even cereal; in a fruit smoothie or salad; or by themselves for their unique flavor.
Your heart beats faster and faster as your exercise gets more and more strenuous. Why? It’s pumping more oxygen, so your body can produce more and more energy. Like leg and arm muscles, your heart muscle needs regular workouts. But how fast is safe and healthy? Your target heart rate—beats per minute (bpm)—during a workout
Looking for a relaxing eating adventure that can be as flavorful as it is nutritious? Try tapas! Spanish tapas likely originated as street food. Served cold or hot, today these little plates of food are made with a limitless variety of high-quality ingredients—mostly without much effort, but with plenty of flavor and an array of
Energy drained? No time just for you? Too many choices? Maybe it’s time to balance, to simplify. Some say, “Live simply so you can simply live.” After all, balanced living is good not only for your head, but for your whole body. Get “real simple” to put more balance—and more fitness—in your life. Just say
Shopping for groceries this week? Go easy on foods with trans fatty acids, found in many processed foods. What makes them unhealthy? Processing these plant-based fats has made them saturated. Trans fatty acids may boost harmful LDL-blood cholesterol levels, perhaps more than other saturated fats do, while lowering protective HDL-cholesterol. How much transfat is okay?
If you’re trying to keep your weight in a healthy range, or looking for another motivation to do so, consider this: We’ve long known that obesity ups the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, as well as cancer. Now experts say that mounting evidence suggests a link to cancer is more than
For their color splash and health benefits, beets—both the root and the greens—are hard to beat! Their color is a sure sign of antioxidant benefits. Fresh or canned, beets are good for you: just 50 calories in a medium-size beet, almost no fat, and a good source of folate, potassium, fiber, and health-promoting antioxidants. Eat
I scream, we scream—do you scream for ice cream? Ninety percent of United States households buy ice cream, and we average about five gallons per person yearly. But which ice cream? Premium has richer flavor, yet more fat and calories. Choose reduced-fat, low-fat, light, or fat-free if you’re cutting back on fat; lactose-free, if you’re
Grilling again? Because grilling is a low-fat way to cook, it’s healthy— and can make healthful food even tastier. Try these hints to add flavor, yet no fat or salt: Marinate veggies as well as meat, poultry, and fish. Marinate with oil-and-vinegar dressing in a zip-top plastic bag for quick cleanup. Time your basting. Brush