In this week’s podcast, I talk about the differences between conventionally-raised and grass-fed beef. In particular, I take a closer look at some of the nutrition claims you sometimes hear. If you’re eating grass-fed beef because you’ve heard it’s higher in omega-3 or other nutrients, you’ll want to read or listen to it here!
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Does Caffeine Increase Fat-Burning During Exercise?
Q. I read recently that the consumption of caffeine prior to exercise will assist the body in using body fat as fuel, up from 21% to 40%. The remaining fuel comes from stored carbs. Any truth to the story?
A. There may be a grain of truth to the story but not much more. Taking caffeine before exercise has been shown to increase energy expenditure (the number of calories burned) during exercise by around 10%. So if you would normally burn 200 calories in a half-hour, some extra caffeine might help you burn 220. Continue reading “Does Caffeine Increase Fat-Burning During Exercise?”
What are Nightshades and Why Do People Avoid Them?
Q. What’s the deal with nightshades? Why are they supposedly bad? I love eggplants and tomatoes but wonder if I should limit my consumption of this group of foods.
A. Here’s the deal: Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (as well as potatoes and tobacco) all contain an alkaloid called solanine. The Latin name for this family of plants is Solanaceae, but they are more commonly known as the “nightshades.”
People with arthritis are often advised to avoid nightshade plants because they supposedly aggravate joint pain. But nightshade plants aren’t a problem for everyone, just a small number of people who have a particular sensitivity to solanine. It’s a little bit like an allergy…some have a noticeable reaction while others have no reaction at all.
Continue reading “What are Nightshades and Why Do People Avoid Them?”
Best Fruit and Nut Bars
I make a batch of these almost every weekend to get us through the week. They are so much yummier than packaged energy bars! Let them cool completely before removing them from the muffin tin. They’re a little crumbly when they’re warm.
What’s the Deal with Ultra-Pasteurized Milk?
Q. I would like to hear more about ultra-pasteurization of milk. I have noticed that organic milk does not spoil as fast as non-organic milk. Is it the ultra-pasteurization? And why is organic milk ultra-pasteurized while regular milk is not?
A. Ultra-pasteurization, which heats milk to 260 degrees F. as opposed to the 160 degrees F. required for regular pasteurization, triples the shelf life of milk. Most big-brand organic milk is now ultra-pasteurized, so that’s probably why you’ve noticed that it doesn’t spoil as quickly as normal milk.
As to why the ultra-pasteurization process has been widely adopted by the organic market and not the conventional milk market, I can only speculate. Continue reading “What’s the Deal with Ultra-Pasteurized Milk?”
This Week’s Podcast: How to Eat Less Without Feeling Hungry
As you may have noticed, whether I’m talking about reducing your risk of heart disease, preventing Type 2 diabetes, or slowing the aging process, one piece of advice keeps coming up over and over again: Maintain a healthy weight. Of course I realize that this is a lot easier said than done. In order to lose weight, you have to eat less and when you eat less you usually feel hungry, which most of us find unpleasant. So this week, I have some tips for you on how to eat fewer calories without feeling hungry.
Roasted Cabbage with Eggs
Here’s an easy, satisfying supper for about 50 cents a serving–and more than a day’s supply of vitamins C and K. For a slightly heartier meal, make it with two eggs per person, or accompany with a small serving of egg noodles.
Dessert Rules
Q. I am a healthy, active person trying to maintain my weight. About once or twice a week I will have a nice dessert at my favorite bakery, staying within my allotted calories for the day. My question is: though I’m keeping calories down, is it still healthy?
A. Well, sweets aren’t exactly health-promoting. Nonetheless, But I do believe that a healthy diet can include the occasional sweet treat. Here are my guidelines: