Looking for a good night’s sleep? (Who isn’t?) Try eating foods that are high in fiber. A new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, concludes that eating a high-fiber diet may correlate with sleep that is deeper and more restorative, with few interruptions — it’s called “slow wave sleep” — whereas consuming a diet that is low in fiber and high in saturated fat and sugar has the opposite effect. What’s more, the researchers found, just one day of high-fat, low-fiber eating can negatively affect the quality of your night’s sleep. So you may want to lay off the buttery sugar cookies before bedtime — or have a high-fiber snack instead.
A little information can be a powerful thing — especially when it comes to the sugar content in beverages. When parents were shown warning labels letting them know that certain drinks (sodas, fruit juices, sweetened teas) contained added sugar, which has been shown to contribute to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay, they were 20 percent less likely to buy those drinks for their children, according to recent research. The results suggest that warning labels on sugary drinks — similar to tobacco warnings on cigarettes — could help people make healthier choices, researchers say. “There is still room for some basic education [about sugar in drinks,]” the study’s lead author, Christina Roberto, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told Time.
The secret to sticking to your New Year’s resolution to exercise more may be lurking in your coffee cup. A new study, published in the journal Sports Medicine, suggests that caffeine can help people stick to their fitness plans because it reduces the perception of effort during activities that require exertion. In other words, a cup of coffee may make working out seem less difficult and daunting — and make you more inclined to head to the gym instead of surrendering to sedentary activities like plunking down in front of the TV. Could be worth a shot — or, hey, a double shot.
Amy Reiter is a writer and editor based in New York. A regular contributor to The Los Angeles Times, she has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Glamour, Marie Claire, The Daily Beast and Wine Spectator, among others, as well as for Salon, where she was a longtime editor and senior writer. In addition to contributing to Healthy Eats, she blogs for Food Network’s FN Dish.
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An enchilada, by definition, is a corn tortilla filled with various ingredients and drenched in cheese and sauce. Today’s recipe doesn’t involve any rolling of tortillas, nor does it require covering with copious amounts of cheese. However, every bite will remind you of the flavors of this popular comfort food.
We could go on and on about the health benefits of sweet potatoes, but you’ve already heard the spiel. The problem with these fleshy orange tubers is that some people just don’t like them, no matter what — and when we slather on butter and brown sugar to mask the taste, we’ve completely lost sight of the original purpose.
Roasted
Fried
Mashed
Scalloped
Gratin
Vacation time is around the corner, which means you may come face to face with airport food. Although recently many airports have started offering healthier fare, there are still many unhealthy choices available; making healthy choices can be difficult, especially when you’re really hungry or thirsty and have nowhere else to go. I was curious to know which foods nutritionists would never grab when faced with this dilemma, so I asked seven nutritionists who like to travel what foods are on their no-no list.
Energy Drinks
Cold Airport Sandwiches
Fried Food
Yogurt Parfaits and Fruit Smoothies
Sugary Foods
High-Sodium Drinks and Snacks
Muffins
Many families are hitting the beach or the slopes for some quality time. If your vacations are usually filled with junk food, here are some simple strategies to upgrade your travel food game.
It’s true: You can have your cheese and eat it, too, especially on this national food holiday. Many cheeses are naturally lower in fat and calories, like Parmesan and Romano. Use the size of your thumb for measuring the proper portion, which is about an ounce of cheese. One ounce of Parmesan has more protein than the same amount of red meat (10 grams) and clocks in at 111 calories, 7 grams of fat and 5 grams of saturated fat. An ounce of whole-milk mozzarella has 85 calories, 6 grams of fat and 4 grams of saturated fat. Cheese also has calcium, vitamin B12 and phosphorus, and counts towards the USDA’s recommendation of three daily servings of dairy.
Have you taken a stroll down the frozen-foods aisle lately? Dinner options are a lot different than you might remember. There are way more choices to select from, including many that claim to be a healthier choice. As if that weren’t confusing enough, there are also delivery services that bring frozen meals to your doorstep. But are these frozen meals really healthier, quick alternatives to a home-cooked meal? Here are four you may want to give a try.
