Healthier holidays

The Holidays are right around the corner and no matter what you celebrate, there is most likely food involved... Lots of food. 

It's the phenomenon that motivates New Year's resolutions; the pounds that magically appear between Halloween and Jan. 2. In her article, Elizabeth Giorgi talks about the problems and potential solutions to packing on the holiday pounds. 

Problem 1: Holiday comfort foods.

At the end of the ear, low fat substitutes may not curb the craving. Which can be alright, as long as it is all in moderation. 

"Eat smaller amounts of calorie-dense foods, and larger amounts of fruits, vegetables and other such foods," the article states. 

Problem 2: Old-fashioned recipes. 

Cream, butter, sugar, more butter and some extra sugar. Seems like the base for a lot of traditional deserts. A solution? Change up the recipe! There are whole publications dedicated to lightening up your favorite meals, one example, Cooking Light. That way, if you don't want to waste ingredients perfecting your Super Secret Low-Cal Cookies, search for one someone already made. Most likely, no one will notice the difference. 

Problem 3: Pot-lucks and Buffets. 

If where you are eating doesn't have the same health-conscious values as you, it can be hard not to pack on the pounds. The key is to plan ahead and maintain that "moderation" mantra. 

Some things you can stuff yourself with? Salads and broth-based soups. 

Problem 4: Stress levels rise and the temperature drops. 

Stress causes most people to eat more, and with everything going on, its no wonder the pounds pile on. The best way to fight the stress is to work out. Any physical activity can lower stress levels, but yoga and others like it does a great job. Instead of dishing out the big bucks for a class, try finding something on the internet for free, like a podcast. 

Working out also helps with weight management, so keep it as a priority. 

Problem 5: Alcohol.

It adds extra calories, reduces inhibitions and can dehydrate you. An unfriendly combination to your waistline. Just limit your intake and drink lots of other liquids. 

Just for kicks, here is a look at the caloric value of some holiday drinks:

• Hot buttered rum = 418 calories
  
• Margarita = 408 calories 
• White Russian = 355 calories 
• Mud-slide = 295 calories 
• Brandy Alexander = 246 calories 

Problem 6: "I will burn it off after the holidays" mentality. 

Truth is, you will regret it. Losing weight is a lot harder than putting it on. Instead, aim to maintain your weight through the holidays, and then get even more fabulous after Jan. 1. 

Depression cured by food?

An article in the Sacramento Bee points to using food as a possible treatment for depression. 

"There's growing recognition in the medical community that the right food choices can improve your mood," the article states. "Though drugs are often considered the first line of treatment for depression, a dietary change might be all you need, says James Gordon, a psychiatrist who advocates non-drug approaches to depression."

So, what food makes you feel great? 

1. Salmon for the omega-3 fatty acids. 

2. Oatmeal, soymilk and two eggs yields the amino acid tryptophan, which helps release the hormone serotonin in the brain. 

3. Spinach, peas, navy beans, orange juice, wheat germ and avocado are all high in B vitamins which may help some depression patients. 

4. Vitamin D. While the article states taking a supplement may help, most people's daily requirement for the vitamin my be obtained through 15 min of sun exposure a day. It may make your brain's neurotransmitters work more efficiently. 

5. Broccoli and Blueberries are good examples of how vegetables and fruit, when mixed with lean proteins, stabilize blood sugar, which can effect moods. 

6. Whole grains. Also rich in B vitamins, they also slowly release their sugars, because they are complex carbohydrates, which take longer to break down into glucose, the fuel our body needs and loves. 

Foods to avoid: 

1. Red meat. High in omega-6 fatty acids, the article suggests to cut down on these, when omega-3 fatty acids are increased, but it doesn't say why...

2. Fried food, rich in trans fats, along with making you fat, they also decrease neurotransmitter function.  

Maybe the next time your feeling down, try to switch up your diet and see if you can change your mood. 

Interested in a simple and easy salmon recipe? Here is a clip from the show "Good Eats" with Alton Brown on the Food Network. 

People going bananas over new diet in Japan

A new fad diet in Japan has been clearing supermarket shelves of bananas, because the new fad diet is eating a banana for breakfast while sipping warm water. Named the "Morning Banana Diet," the new fad has increased banana sales by 40 percent.

While it may not seem like much, there are other rules to the diet. Broken down it's quite simple:

Breakfast: Raw Banana with warm water.

Lunch: Whatever a "normal" lunch is for you.

Dinner: Same as lunch.

An afternoon snack is allowed, but no deserts, dairy or alcohol. No eating after 8 p.m. and exercise if the mood strikes.

While this all sounds great, what's so special about this diet? I don't really see much, except a cut in calories with having only a banana and water for breakfast.

Some Facts about Bananas:

Averages about 175 calories per banana.
Has 0.33 grams of fat per 100 grams.
12.33 grams of sugar (the good, natural kind, of course) per 100 grams.
2.6 grams of fiber.
1.09 grams of protein.
It contains vitamin A, most of the B complex vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

All in all, a great fruit. The fad diet claims that the enzymes and fiber in the banana speed up digestion and your metabolism which will make you loose weight.

What do the experts say?

From the startribune.com, "Bananas pack lots of potassium and fiber and few calories (a medium banana has 100 calories). Most Americans don't eat enough vegetables or fruits, so eating more fruit is a good idea. However, different fruits have different nutrients, so variety is essential. Bananas are high in carbohydrates, and Lehrman said people tend to do better with a high-protein breakfast."

'There is no magic bullet, no magic food or one certain thing that's going to help someone lose weight,' said Brenda Navin, a registered dietitian and personal trainer at Woodwinds Health Campus in Woodbury. Claims that one 'miracle' food holds the answer have led to such fad diets as the cabbage soup diet, grapefruit diet, lemonade diet and even a cookie diet."



The video playing in many of the banana-less supermarkets.

Welcome to my blog!

Here it is, hours of brainstorming and I have come up with the perfect blog... Food. Alright, not just food, but more specifically food and diet news and trends.

Every week there are new stories about a new food that will reduce this, or increase that, or is a great source of something, and this is a place with information from all of that. This blog will highlight some of the most interesting stories as well as bits and pieces of other fun information I stumble across.

Enjoy!