Did you hear that whole wheat bread edged out white bread in total sales for the first time…EVER!

(Full article can be found here:  http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-01/business/ct-biz-0801-bread-squeezed–20100801_1_bread-sales-white-bread-wheat-bread)

And while we all know that wheat bread is recommended as a healthier alternative to white bread, what’s the difference?

Both white and whole wheat bread are made from wheat flour.  Wheat berries used to make flour have three parts: the bran, the germ and the endosperm.  White flour uses only the endosperm, while whole-wheat flour uses all the three parts, each of which contains nutrients essential for your health.

And why is that good for us?

Whole wheat bread is much higher in fiber than white bread.  Fiber aids digestion.  But fiber’s benefits go beyond healthy digestion.  Fiber also helps you feel full and makes it easier for you to control your weight.  Whole grains have been shown to reduce the risk of  heart disease by decreasing cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood coagulation. Whole grains have also been found to reduce the risks of many types of cancer. They may also help regulate blood glucose in people living with diabetes.

How can you tell if bread is whole wheat or not?

Read labels.  Look for the word “WHOLE” as in “Whole Grain” or “Whole Wheat” in the ingredient list.  If bread is labeled “Wheat Bread”, this doesn’t mean that you’re getting the nutrients of WHOLE WHEAT bread, as bread can be made with a combination of white and whole-wheat flour.  So, it’s important to read the label!

1) Taste

2) Health

3) Environment

4) Economics

Taste: Local food is sold directly to consumers.  Therefore, we skip the processing and packaging, and instead, we get to focus on the taste, the freshness, and the quality of the food.

Health: Even if the food is NOT organic, smaller local farms often use less pesticides on their crops than larger factory farms, which consequently, is better for your overall health.

Environment: Food from our grocery stores travel, on average, around 1,500 miles.  Extra miles means extra fuel.  Extra fuel means extra green house gas emmisions.

Economics: With extra fuel and extra packaging, comes extra costs.  Buying locally minimizes these additional costs.  Additionally, bringing business to our local economy keeps the local community businesses thriving.

If you are interested in learning more about seasonal and local farming, check out these sites:

http://www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/ (Thanks Kori!)

http://www.homesweetfarm.com/CSA.htm (Thanks Noe!)

So, being the warm-natured person that I am, I have had to learn alternative ways of keeping my body cool, especially during the summer months. Check out these great cooling foods and a great recipe to keep these summer months manageable for your body and your health!

Great tips for “cooling” the body:
1) Water: The summer sun will naturally dehydrate you, and therefore make you un-cool. And who wants to be un-cool? Carry that reusable water canteen around and keep it full. If you are easily bored with water, try your favorite summer fruit juice or even coconut water. Summer fruits and coconut are typically very high in water, so it will help keep that body cool!

2) Seasonal Fruits: Berries, mangoes, melons, citrus, papaya, and cherries are all great summer fruits that will help keep your body cool. You want fruits that are high in water. Avoid reaching for the chips (which can heat up the body). Instead, reach for your favorite fruit. And if you must reach for the chips, cover it with a yummy mango salsa…maybe the two will equal each other out?!?!?!

3) Seasonal Veggies: Arugula, beets, corn, cucumber, okra, onions,and zucchini are just a few summer veggies. Keep snacking and enjoy the amazing summer flavors.

Summer is a great time to celebrate food! There are so many possibilities! Just thinking about the summer food, the fun in the sun, and great times with family makes these hot summer months seem very doable!

Check out this super simple recipe from cooks.com

1 lg. cucumber

DRESSING 1:
1-2 tbsp. salad oil
1-2 tbsp. vinegar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. finely chopped herbs

Peel the cucumber, starting at the tip and work towards the talk. Cut into fine slices. Mix with salad dressing.  For a slight variation:  add 2 tbsp. sour cream and a small onion!

I recently saw a movie trailer for the upcoming documentary:  Forks over Knives.  I am personally a strong believer in using food as medicine and more importantly as a form of preventing illness.  What we put into our bodies (food, air, drink, and even thoughts) directly affects our health.

I believe this movie is another great example on how we can improve our health in order to create optimal health and happiness!  Let me know what you think!

You can read the following story…

What has happened to us?  Despite the most advanced medical technology in the world, we are sicker than ever by nearly every measure.  Two out of every three of us are overweight. Cases of diabetes are exploding, especially amongst our younger population.  About half of us are taking at least one prescription drug.  Major medical operations have become routine, helping to drive health care costs to astronomical levels.  Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the country’s three leading causes of death, even though billions are spent each year to “battle” these very conditions.  Millions suffer from a host of other degenerative diseases. (Click HERE to read more)

He recently shared a yummy recipe that is quick and delicious: the Salmon Burger.  Salmon, more specifically, wild Alaskan salmon, is a great source of omega 3’s which are very beneficial for the heart and our skin.  Check out this delicious recipe and see those fine lines start disappearing!

Salmon burgers:

• 1/4 cup light soy sauce
• 3 TBSP black sesame seeds
• 2 green onions chopped
• 2 TBSP sambal chili paste
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Combine above in a food processor

Form 3 patties

Cook on medium head in a non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook approximately 5 min per side

Wasabi Mayo:

• 1/2 cup light mayo
• 3 TBSP wasabi paste
• 3 TBSP soy sauce

• Wisk together (update proportions to taste)
• Slice english cucumbers and avocado very thinly
• Assemble burger on wheat bun, top with Wasabi mayo and vegetables

For decades, Americans have been huge consumers of soda, but with much attention now on health and wellness, attitudes toward soda are shifting. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we’re examining what’s going on in the world of soft drinks. Today, NPR’s Jeff Brady looks at efforts to tax soda. And Michele Norris gets two different views of the health effects of soda: from Gail Woodward-Lopez of the Center for Weight and Health; and from Maureen Storey, senior vice president for science policy at the American Beverage Association.

Click HERE to Listen

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes… youjust want to eat chocolate.

For some people, it is music to the ears to hear news stories reporting that chocolate is healthy?  So before you start downing Snickers and Reece’s, be sure you understand what makes chocolate (specifically, dark chocolate) healthy.

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association’s August 27th issue, dark chocolate helps lower high blood pressure.

Dark chocolate is also a potent antioxidant, reported by Mauro Serafini of Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals which are destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments.

So what is it, exactly, that makes darker the smarter choice for chocolate? Plant phenols, to be specific. By definition, plant phenols are “mostly products of the phenylpropanoid pathway and comprise a large variety of compounds. They are strong antioxidants and might prevent oxidative damage to biomolecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins which play a role in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. They may also interfere with all stages of the cancer process, potentially resulting in a reduction of cancer risk.”

The high-cocoa content in dark chocolate bars contains loads of epicatechin, an active member of a group of compounds called plant flavonoids. Flavoniods keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries.

Dark chocolate ranks above other forms and flavors because  it contains much higher percentages of cocoa. Standard chocolate manufacturing and flavoring destroys up to half of the naturally occurring flavoniods, but companies have now perfect a method helping preserve up to 95% in the darker version of our coveted little treat.

All of this fabulous news doesn’t mean you should over-indulge. While dark chocolate is plant-derived, it is still high in caloric content. Enjoy sparingly and as a pleasant reward for your hard work or for celebrating with loved ones.

Other facts:

Dark chocolate contains 8 times the number of antioxidants found in strawberries

Helps relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide and balances certain hormones in the body.

longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/p/chocolate.htm

]]> http://www.definebody.com/nutrition/what-makes-dark-chocolate-healthy/feed/ 0 http://www.definebody.com/nutrition/define-nutrition/ http://www.definebody.com/nutrition/define-nutrition/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:05:08 +0000 Hank http://www.definebody.com/?p=600 Jamie Oliver’s recent Ted Talk award speech was extremely informative and appropriate for today.  We thought you might find this interesting!

By eating fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, you will feel more energetic and healthful to start your summer off right!