Tag Archives: fiber

Tips for Healthy Digestion

Do you remember that episode of Magic School Bus where the kids on the bus fly into their classmate’s mouth and learn about the inner workings of digestion? Information simple enough for elementary school children, right? So, why are so many Americans struggling with knowledge about food choices and their reactions as your body breaks it down?

Without digestion, you won’t be able to get the essential nutrients you need. As your body breaks down food and it travels through the intestines, all those components of food are caught and stored. Everything you decided to put in your mouth, be it an apple or a Snickers bar, will play a role in your digestion.

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Posted on July 16, 2023 by Rebecca

Nuts Help Lower Cholesterol

According to a recent review of 25 studies, eating 67g of nuts on average every day – a portion the size of a small bag – reduces cholesterol levels by 7.4 percent.

The research team at Loma Linda University in Southern California believe that nuts help block the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream

“Increasing the consumption of nuts as part of an otherwise prudent diet can be expected to favorably affect blood lipid levels (at least in the short term) and have the potential to lower CHD [coronary heart disease] risk,” say the researchers in a prepared statement.

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Posted on May 18, 2023 by Jason

Top 10 Ways to Lose Weight… and Keep it Off!

This article is brought to you by our wonderful biggest loser newsletter sponsors – The Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge. Guest Blogger Emily Fonnesbeck RD,CD is the Registered Dietitian for the Biggest Loser Resort.

So you want to lose weight. But, where do you start? While the following recommendations may be simplistic, if done consistently, they will bring about noticeable changes.

1. Eat Breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It will jump-start your metabolism and improve performance. You will notice less cravings and preoccupation with food, and higher energy levels. Studies show that people who start their day with a big healthy breakfast, tend to eat less calories overall. Food is fuel! You need fuel in the morning, not right before bed.

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Posted on April 28, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Seaweed’s Secret Weight Loss Ingredient

If you’re a sushi fan like I am, you already probably enjoy a roll with seaweed wrapped around it. Well, there’s good reason to enjoy a little of this oceanic algae: new research shows that it has a special kind of fiber that reduces your body’s fat uptake by more than 75 percent.

If you can’t stand the idea of eating seaweed, there will be options, such as bread that will be fortified with the special fiber, which is called alginate.

“This research suggests that if we can add the natural fiber to products commonly eaten daily, such as bread and yogurts, up to three quarters of the fat contained in that meal could simply pass through the body.”

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Posted on April 19, 2024 by Jason

Do Packaged Foods Need a Fiber Boost?

Dietitians have been trying to get people to eat more fiber for a long time. It is recommended that we get 25-30 grams per day. Dietary fiber is found in foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans.

Fiber helps with lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, and promote digestive regularity. Also, when you eat fiber, you are more full and satisfied. You tend to eat fewer calories and maintain a healthy weight. Despite these benefits, many people don’t eat enough of these foods. In fact, 70 percent of Americans do not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. There’s a good chance they may not be getting enough fiber either. This is why one of the reasons companies are adding fiber to food products.

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Posted on April 14, 2024 by Rebecca

The F-Factor Diet

The American Dietetic Association has named March National Nutrition Month. But to help us think a bit more deeply about our eating habits, the ADA has a second message that coincides with the themed month: Nutrition From the Ground Up.

So if you’re wondering if that means eating more foods from nature, you’re right, and if you’re thinking that this message is a call to build a healthier diet, you’re also right.

One of the foundations of developing a healthy eating plan is consuming plenty of plant-based foods, or foods from the ground. And while fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are full of disease-fighting vitamins and minerals, they also share the common denominator of containing fiber.

We now know that most Americans don’t get enough of the 25 recommended grams of fiber a day, but rather than relying on the new line of processed foods that are added with synthetic fibers, which can cause gastrointestinal distress and may not offer the same health benefits as fiber in its natural form, we thought we would focus on a diet that is all about helping you eat more fiber: The F-Factor Diet.

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Posted on March 3, 2024 by heather

Three Steps to Lowering Your Cholesterol

February is American Heart Month. It’s a time to bring awareness to heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in the United States, so you and people you love don’t become a statistic.

heart appleBe honest. Do you know your numbers? Your cholesterol numbers. You should have your cholesterol measured once a year after age 30, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems. High cholesterol can double the risk for heart disease. It’s entirely possible that your body will produce too much cholesterol, even if you take steps to lower it. However, many people are successful at lowering their cholesterol with some simple changes.

There are three ways you can make your cholesterol levels better. (more…)

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Rebecca

The Skinny on NutriSystem’s FlavorFulls

nutrisystem logoIf you are one of the millions of Americans who just joined NutriSystem’s Jump Start program last week as a way to kickoff your weight loss New Year’s resolution, you probably noticed that your meal package came with a new NutriSystem product called FlavorFulls.

So what exactly are FlavorFulls? These fiber-packed powdered diet drink mixes, which are included in every Jump Start package, are designed to help keep your digestion in balance and your hunger under control.

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Posted on January 7, 2024 by heather

Popcorn Packs a Nutritional Punch of Antioxidants and Fiber

bowl of popcornMovies are a passion of mine. It’s especially important to me now that I’m a parent of two youngsters and spend so much time home-bound. Butterless popcorn is a great little snack while you’re watching a new DVD release. If you think that it’s healthy, there’s a kernel of truth to that.

There’s a new reason to pop some of your favorite movie-viewing snack, sans the slabs of butter. According to findings presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, popcorn contains more antioxidants and dietary fiber than any other snack food. (more…)

Posted on September 5, 2023 by Jason

Diet with Soluble Fiber Helps IBS Sufferers

upset stomachIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that affects the large intestine (colon) and comes with symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. While it doesn’t cause permanent damage to the colon, it can be severely uncomfortable.

As many as one in 10 people is estimated to have IBS. Its exact cause is unknown, but treatments are known. Many of those people who rely on dietary adjustments often turn to bran to help improve their symptoms caused by IBS. But a Dutch study of 275 patients shines a not-so-favorable light on that approach. (more…)

Posted on September 2, 2023 by Jason

Dieting Words of Wisdom from Elizabeth Ward, RD

I recently had the incredible opportunity to interview Elizabeth Ward, a registered dietitian and author of Expect the Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During and After Pregnancy. She was gracious and knowledgeable and consented to a brief interview during BlogHer ’09, where she shared her tips and hints for living a healthy lifestyle.

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Posted on August 3, 2023 by Carmen