After researching somewhat seriously the fine print,   the conclusion was, I was consuming  a bundle of sugar a day, just by the number of sodas that I had drank. The typical  soda drink for lunch,  perhaps one for dinner, and maybe one later on in the evening.

I seem to always get plenty of exercise, but I was slowly growing around the waistline. something that I have heard from a lot of my readers.                                                                                                                             One day, I decided to see how much gain and I was shocked to find that I had ballooned into obesity big time, weighing 245 lbs. Now the advantaged that I have , I can hide it more easily since I am 6″1″ tall. I could stretch it out a bit, nevertheless I was heavier than I had ever been. Now the truth was, carrying all those extra pounds around, was making my legs and feet ache by the end of the day, and I was just plain wore out.

Now if I were to listen to my own advice, thinking that I was consuming  about 135 grams ( 3 sodas x45 grams)  a day in sugar, just with this one unhealthy habit, what would happen if I just quit drinking the sodas and replaced it with water. Seem like a place to start.

Soda Confession

Since January of 2010 I have broken down and had a couple of sodas but you could count them on your fingers. I have  increased the intake of water,  close to the 8 glasses of water. On hot days. I have passed that. With further research by some of of my articles on Trehalose I find  adding a couple teaspoons to a gallon of water, was refreshing, more energy, and drank less.

Upon drinking the more water, ending the soda routine, and the continued exercise I already was getting, I have slowly dropped several pounds each month since. I have probably eaten more sensibly since I am now known, as the sugar monitor in the family.

I have lost 35 pounds.

Now, I am certainly no nutritionist and do not proclaim to be one, but if just those simple changes can help myself, how many others might be able to do the same. I am thinking positive here, but I think a lot might find this to be an easy step to becoming healthier.

Pick your biggest advocate of weight gain

Now mind just happened to be sweets, the sodas, cookies, ice cream, and pies. I can not really help it, they were all on the dinner table every meal. My Mom and my Wife love to cook. ( MY ADDICTION)

Todays Health Comments…

Sugar has become many folks addiction, being that their intake is overwelming. Like myself I decided to pick on one at a time. Moderation has become my attitude, not saying that I will go cold turkey, but I have chosen to read the fine print on labels now, seeing that sugar or its supplements are in the majority of foods and drinks we eat. Less sugar equals a healthier

`Yes, those health benefits acclaimed from some  beverages, if  you do drink too much,  their health benefits vanish!

Now, summer is coming, and some of you feel that these  beverages  are just part of your life. You  have  this  need to  satisfying  your ongoing thirst.

Can these drinks be actually healthy?

Oooops… I forgot to mentioned, the drinks we are discussing, because if you have had more than 1 or 2. by the time you finish reading this article. you will either not  be able to finish or the health benefits will no longer be of any benefit.Yes they will have vanished, and now become a health risk.

 OK, here it is… some will argue that these  beverages, drinks such as beer, wine, or your favorite margarita are  healthy if drank in moderation. This means, just because you may benefit from 1 or 2 drinks, DON’T  Get CONFUSED,  that more is better, because that is far from the truth, actually creating health risks if you do.

 With some research, a bottle of beer, glass of wine, or even a margarita all have about the same amount of alcohol. The kicker here is…despite wine’s popular image, experts say  they’re all probably equally good for your health when consumed in moderation.

“If you drink alcohol, beer, or wine in moderation, it probably does have a reasonably healthy effect,”

says Gerald Fuller, PhD, a biochemist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

Fuller says it’s the ethanol, a pure form of alcohol found in all types of alcoholic beverages, that makes the various libations good for you, but only in moderation. That means an average of no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men. More than that, and the benefits evaporate quicker than the frothy head of a freshly poured beer. ( Vanished)

Studies have shown that ethanol can have a variety of positive effects on heart health such as raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels, preventing dangerous blood clots, and allowing the blood to flow more smoothly throughout the body, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Alcohol may also boost your health in several other ways as well. Studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption can increase insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of diabetes, ward off some types of cancer, and prevent bone loss.

“We do know that ethanol itself has an effect, but there are lots of products in beer and wine such as hops and grape skins that may also have benefits,” Fuller tells WebMD. But he says researchers still haven’t exactly defined what those effects — both positive and negative — may be.

Alcohol Tips

* There is No Need To Start for its health benefits and some people such as pregnant women.people with liver disease, people on medications, and those recovering from alcohol addiction,the risks of drinking way outweigh the health benefits gained. There are other alternatives to receiving the same benefits without the use of alcohol/

*Drinking in moderation is the KEY Word if you do drink .(no more than one drink per day for women, and no more than two drinks per day for men).

*Asking for Help, if you think you have a problem. Talk to your Doctor or a health professional.

*People who drink may benefit from getting  multivitamin with folic acid, since alcohol  has a depletion effect on our body’s nutrients, and those nutrients need to be replaced by either a healthy diet or vitamins.

Todays Health Site is taking an open minded position with this article…

 The Key to drinking Alcohol, is Moderation, or simply all of the health benefits from drinking,  vanish. If you have drank more than the 1 or2 drinks, just like the magician who vanished from the crowd, the ill effects takes on another side which can lead to several illnesses. These drinks can wear many faces, good or bad, depending on the person drinking them and the amount drank. Drinking is a personal responsibility to our health as well to others well being. If others are not, reach out, you may save someones life. To a healthier Life. Do Not Drink and Drive!

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Todays Health

After several articles, we have put together three articles covering some of our  healthy beverages, healthy fruits and nuts, and healthy foods that perhaps have stood out for their health benefits.

If you search through this site and my blogroll sites, you will find some of these foods and drinks covered in more detail.

This first segment is going to list… “Drinks Good For You”

WATER

MILK

CHOCOLATE MILK

GREEN TEA

MINT TEA

 TOMATO JUICE

 ORANGE JUICE

Most people think of  “WATER” as the most needed for a healthy body. Water is crucial for survival — it’s the foundation for your body fluids such as your  blood and digestive juices.

Water helps nutrients get absorbed and be transported, and it helps eliminate waste. If you should lose as little as 1 percent to 2 percent of your body weight, it can seriously impact your body’s ability to function. It’s commonly said that you should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day to stay healthy. This is just a common rule, as so many factors can affect how much water your body needs.

CAUTION: not all water is EQUAL, or even good for you.  Some Tap water can be potentially contaminated with chemicals, pesticides or even pharmaceutical drugs.

 And bottled water, which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has weaker regulations than the Environmental Protection Agency requires for tap water.Purifing your water through various processes, sometimes the need to boiling your water, or filtration of water may provide a healthier water.

This comes down to reading the fine print.

Milk curbs food cravings, helps protect against osteoporosis, stabilizes blood sugar,  is the ideal source of calcium,  it contains vitamin D, which is needed for maximum calcium absorption. ‘The calcium causes your body’s cells to burn the fat,allowing  those who are seeking to loose weight, to  choose this drink.   See also our Past article on Chocalate Milk.

Mint Tea eases cramps and helps ward off indigestion. “Mint is an antispasmodic, so it can relax muscles, which combats stiffness and aches.

Soy Milk lowers risk of heart disease, contains soluble fiber and soy protein, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and triglycerides, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, but Soy contains phytoestrogens, which may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. 

 Tomato Juice may protect against several cancers. Tomato products are the richest source of the antioxidant lycopene, reducing the risk of lung and stomach cancer, as well as pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, breast and cervical cancers. Lycopene also appears to protect the lungs and heart against oxidative damage.

Cranberry Juice helps prevent gum disease. Research suggests that the same anti-bacterial properties present in cranberry juice that fight off urinary tract infections may also protect against periodontal disease. Experts theorize that a component of the juice called nondialysable material (NDM) inhibits bacteria from sticking to the gums.

Orange Juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, may also ward off cataracts, cancers and birth defects. It can boost your immunity.  Orange juice is also a potent antioxidant that may protect you against a variety of diseases. Vitamin C  improves immune-cell functioning, enabling your body to fight off infections more efficiently. It’s a good source of folate, which protects against neural-tube defects in fetuses. 

There are many nutritionists who continue to debate whether  fruit juices, because of their sugar content, are really healthy. Most would agree that eating whole fruit is always better for you than drinking their juice.You may want to limit your intake to no more than one glass (six to eight ounces) daily. “Make sure the label says 100 percent juice, not ‘juice drink’ or ‘cocktail.”‘

However drinking fruit juice, certain types of juice do have their benefits.

A Study by the University of California, Los Angeles, ranked 10 beverages according to their levels of disease-fighting antioxidants. The conclusion was that the 10 best antioxidant-rich beverages  were mostly fruit juices.

1. Pomegranate juice

2. Red wine

3. Concord grape juice

4. Blueberry juice

5. Black cherry juice

6. Açaí juice

7. Cranberry juice

8. Orange juice

9. Tea

10. Apple juice

Todays Health Suggests… if you choose to drink juice, to do so so in moderation. Further, ”Read the Fine Print”, as there are major differences in juice quality out there.

Always remember, if you get dehydrated, it will make you feel sluggish and can lead to a host of health problems. So be sure to drink up and drink healthy! ]]> http://todayshealthsite.com/todays-health-shares-healthy-choices.html/feed 27 http://todayshealthsite.com/milks-secrets.html http://todayshealthsite.com/milks-secrets.html#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:34:45 +0000 d68452s http://todayshealthsite.com/?p=375  ”Something to Moo about… or Who cares”!

Now I would be the last person to give up my addiction for a  cold glass of milk. I enjoy my glass of milk several times a day,  my habit was formed by having access to the white stuff, all of my early years, growing up on Grade A Dairy. Today, Milk, has been my most favorite drink. Now knowing that, and my interest  for  the fine print written on  my gallon of Milk, here is something that may surprise you.

Milk has been well known and established for its health benefits… endorsed by medical professionals, and studies have proclaimed their statements. It  has been commercialized,  milk for strong bodies, strong bones, strong teeth, because of the calcium that is found in milk.  Perhaps why growing up, I never had any broken bones, and took some serious kickings from some  of those not so happy cows.

Why, does man always seek out, new and improved versions, it seems sometimes we can not leave mother natures products alone. Some one comes along with this idea or  study and says we need to have this Vitamin A Palmitate, and Vitamin D3. Why because we  are lacking in these, due to our eating habits, milk became a candidate for these vitamins, so our children as well as us adults would remain healthier.

                                            Ok, that’s great … but we still can not leave well enough alone, but now:

                                                      We need more PRODUCTION of MILK,  from the SAME COWS! 

  What was thought to be the Answer … Growth Hormone…Rbst. Cows treated with this, produce more milk.

It has become controversial, some countries have banned the products having this chemical, and many  like ourselves put this on our milk containers so small I could hardly see the small print

“According to the FDA, No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbst treated and non-rbst treated cows” 

Now this is not New News , even old perhaps, but the facts are gathering around milk and its outcome may very well effect our todays health:

Breast cancer is the lowest among countries that consume the lowest amount of milk.

Finland having the highest consumption of milk, has the highest rate of insulin dependent diabetes.

Prostrate cancer linked to countries where males consumes high volume dairy products.

Breast milk verses cows milk for babies becoming a hot topic.

                                                       NOW… LOOK CAREFULLY,  YOU CAN FIND… MILK labeled:

                                              “This milk comes from cows NOT Treated with growth Hormone rbst”.

However, dairies where this milk comes from, may be up for legal problems…because the company who created the growth hormone is taking legal action against those speaking out.

For healthier choices, again reading  the fine print. asking questions, and seeking out what is right for you.

Chocolate milk is being rediscovered, after perhaps being sat back on the shelf,  with just fond memories, of that rich, thick chocolate drink, once stirred up from the can sitting up in the cupboard or from the local supermarket.

It has had its Glory Years, one might say. Then  came the NEW age of sugar craze drinks, diet drinks,  sports drinks, but now we have come full circle again, HEALTHY DRINKS!

Now CHOCOLATE MILK  has been taunted by the rumors, that tainted milk has been used, and other such nonsense, that non resable milk was being used. The Food and Drug administration would love to hear about that one. Since they set stringent rules to provide the safety of the foods we eat and drink. So if the milk does not meet their criteria, it not sold.

Now according to Keith Ayoob EdD.,registered dietition and Associate of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstien College of Medicine, “Milk is a Sports drink,Plus”.  He goes on to further say to WebMd. ” It will supply you with things you need wether or not you’re working out”.

Studies have shown, that your intense exercise, reduces the muscle’s supply of glucose, glycogen, a important source of fuel for any exercise. This needing to be replenished by taking in a serving of carbohydrates approximately 30 minutes after the long workout.

SO Now… Chocolate milk  is being rediscovered as the next Sports Drink!

The additional benefits, drinking more  chocolate milk,  provides the much needed Calcium, Potassium, and Vitamin D.

This drink should be a no brainer for teenagers and adults who are looking for a healthier choice.

“Health drinks and Reading the Fine Print”, got me  going.

After I had recently purchased a fruit juice for my breakfast drink, to find out it had pear juice and apple juice as fillers of which I thought I had purchased as it stated, 100% cranberry fruit concentrates… take notice, the fruit concentrates.

Now I know I am not the only person being misled when we walk down the beverage aisle or buy at the fast food place, local watering hole, or where ever you might find the drinks I am about to talk about.

You may just find out that some of these favorite drinks are  only healthy to your waistline….guaranteed to do so. What did I just say…what you may be drinking, if your one who states ” I don’t eat that much and I am still not losing weight”,  it may be due to what you drink.

Americans, I think have a drinking problem, anything that taste good, they drink . Ok, here is some truth to swallow literally,  82 grams of added sugar, according to the FDA, every day. How much is that, 20 teaspoons.

Now if you just looking  to drop a few pounds, you have traded in your soda for diet, whole milk drinks for lowfat, and  rarely touch the hard stuff, you still may be taking in roughly 20% just from beverages
But do not miss this… You may be consuming one of these liquid disasters and be drinking up a couple days’ worth of calories in a few moments. 

I hope you are paying ATTENTION!

Not to sound like I am picking on any particular brand…I will not disclose , but look at this Vitamin water (any flavor; 20 oz bottle) 130 calories 33 grams sugar. Check yours out!

Now you already heard about my juice…but check this one out,  a real imposter (23.5 oz can) 360 calories ,84 g of sugar  (5 percent juice, 95 percent sugar water) and is sold at gas stations and convenience stores al across America .

Now that its approaching summer and your tempted by a Smoothie…
This ? Smoothie (30 oz) 1,170 calories, 169 g sugars, 30 g fat 

For Todays Health ask for the ingredients list or read the fine print before you drink up.
 
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