Beauty Health for Life

Todays question is born of a full-body rash, and its kinda many questions.

Q: How do you deal with your food allergies? Do you cook mostly at home? Do you buy special food products? (In which case, which are your favorites?) What happens when you go out to eat? Do you alert the server or the cook? Do you find managing your allergy is an expensive undertaking? Is having it a pain in the butt, or do you barely think about it anymore?

A: Still no idea about my own outbreak of hives, but Im super curious to read how yall cope, and I think I might turn responses into tomorrows article. Fire away, and thank you!

Want to ask the interweb a question? Post one in the comment section, or write to Cheaphealthygood@gmail.com. Then, tune in next Tuesday for an answer/several answers from the good people of the World Wide Net.

Mice fed an antioxidant found in green tea -- epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG -- and corn starch had a significant reduction in increase in their blood sugar -- blood glucose -- levels compared to mice that were not fed the compound, according to Joshua Lambert, assistant professor of food science in agricultural sciences.

"The spike in blood glucose level is about 50 percent lower than the increase in the blood glucose level of mice that were not fed EGCG," Lambert said.

The dose of EGCG fed to the mice was equivalent to about one and a half cups of green tea for a human.

Lambert, who worked with Sarah C. Forester, postdoctoral fellow, and Yeyi Gu, graduate student, both in food science, said EGCG was most effective when the compound was fed to the mice simultaneously with corn starch. For humans, this may mean that green tea could help them control the typical blood sugar increases that are brought on when they eat starchy foods, like breads and bagels that are often a part of typical breakfasts.

"If what you are eating with your tea has starch in it then you might see that beneficial effect," Lambert said. "So, for example, if you have green tea with your bagel for breakfast, it may reduce the spike in blood glucose levels that you would normally get from that food."

The EGCG had no significant effect on blood sugar spikes in mice that were fed glucose or maltose, according to the researchers who released their findings in the online version of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. Lambert said that the reason blood sugar spikes are reduced when the mice ate starch, but not these sugars, may be related to the way the body converts starch into sugar.

An enzyme called alpha-amylase that is produced in both the mouth and by the pancreas helps break down starch into maltose and glucose. EGCG may inhibit the enzymes ability to break down the starch, the researchers indicated, since they also found that EGCG reduced the activity of alpha amylase in the pancreas by 34 percent.

If the mechanism holds in humans, this may mean that people who want to limit the blood sugar spike should skip adding sugar to their cup of green tea.

"That may mean that if you add sugar into your green tea, that might negate the effect that the green tea will have on limiting the rise in blood glucose level," Lambert said.

Lambert added that the green tea and the starch would need to be consumed simultaneously. For example, drinking a cup of tea well after eating a piece of toast would probably not change the blood sugar spike.

For the study, researchers separated mice into several groups based on body weight. After a fasting period, the mice were given common corn starch, maltose, or sucrose. One group of mice received EGCG along with the feed, while a control group was not fed the compound.

The researchers then tested the blood sugar levels of both groups.

Lambert said the researchers next step is to test the compound on people.

"The relatively low effective dose of EGCG makes a compelling case for studies in human subjects," the researchers said.

Which salads are highest in calories and fat -– and which are lowest?

When youre looking to order something relatively healthy from a fast-food menu, you probably go for a salad. But did you know some fast-food salads are as high in calories and fat as a double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (740 calories, 42 grams of fat)?

Two key ingredients can make or break your fast food salad: chicken (specifically, whether you choose "grilled" or "crispy" style) and salad dressing. Although some fat helps make salad dressing taste good, many fast-food dressings go too far. A serving of blue cheese dressing at Carl’s Jr., for example, adds 320 calories and 34 grams of fat to your salad.


Below are my picks for some of the best and worst salad options at the 10 top fast food chains. The "best" salads were those with the most fiber and the least saturated fat; the “worst” salads had the highest levels of saturated fat, total fat, and/or calories.
Best Fast Food Salads

All these fast food entrée salads have less than 5 grams of saturated fat, and most have less than 15 grams of total fat. Those with more than 15 grams of fat feature nuts, which are nutrient-rich and contribute "smart" fats (monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat). Because of the fat and sodium content of many fast-food salad dressings, Ive suggested using only half a pack of dressing with some of these salads. That should be plenty for most people.

   1. Taco Bell Chicken Ranch Taco Salad (Fresco Style). This salad has 240 calories, 6 grams total fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 1,110 milligrams sodium, 6 grams fiber, and 23 grams protein. Ingredients: beans, fiesta salsa, lettuce, rice, southwest chicken, tomato.

   2. Taco Bell Chipotle Steak Taco Salad (Fresco Style): 220 calories; 7g total fat; 2g saturated fat; 960 mg sodium; 6g fiber; 41g protein. Ingredients: beans, fiesta salsa, lettuce, rice, steak, tomato.

   3. McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken (with 1/2 packet Southwest dressing): 370 calories; 12g total fat; 3.5g saturated fat; 1,130 mg sodium; 6g fiber; 30g protein. Ingredients: Mixed greens, oven-roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted corn, black beans, poblano peppers, cheddar & jack cheeses, and tortilla strips.

   4. Chick-fil-A Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad (with Fat Free Honey Mustard): 390 calories; 15g total fat; 4.5g saturated fat; 1065mg sodium; 5g fiber; 25g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli florets, Jack and cheddar cheeses, grilled chicken, garlic and butter croutons, honey-roasted sunflower kernels.

   5. Wendy’s Mandarin Chicken Salad (with 1/2 packet Oriental Sesame Dressing but without crispy noodles): 395 calories; 18g total fat; 2.3g saturated fat; 880 mg sodium, 4g fiber; 29g protein. Ingredients: Salad greens, grilled chicken fillet, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds.

   6. Chick-fil-A Chargrilled Chicken & Fruit Salad (with Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette): Calories: 360; 10g total fat; 3.5g saturated fat; 810mg sodium; 4g fiber; 23g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, carrots, Jack and cheddar cheeses, grilled chicken, fresh fruit medley, Harvest Nut granola.

   7. Jack in the Box Grilled Chicken Salad (with Low-fat Balsamic dressing): 286 calories; 10.5 g total fat; 4g saturated fat; 1,140mg sodium; 4g fiber; 28g protein. Ingredients: Mixed salad greens, grilled chicken tenders, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, carrots.

   8. Carl’s Jr. Cranberry Apple Walnut Grilled Chicken Salad (with 1/2 packet Raspberry Vinaigrette): 380 calories; 17g total fat; 4.5g saturated fat; 915 mg sodium; 4g fiber; 26g protein. Ingredients: Mixed salad greens, grilled chicken, feta cheese, apple slices, dried cranberries, glazed walnuts.

   9. KFC Grilled Chicken BLT Salad (with Hidden Valley Ranch Fat Free dressing: 255 calories; 7g total fat; 2.5g saturated fat; 1,160 mg sodium; 3g fiber; 36g protein. Ingredients: lettuce, oven-roasted chicken, diced tomatoes, bacon bits.

  10. Carl’s Jr. Original Grilled Chicken Salad (with Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette): 235 calories; 7.5g fat; 3g saturated fat; 1,090 mg sodium; 3g fiber; 24g protein. Ingredients: Mixed greens, grilled chicken, red onions, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and cucumber slices.

Worst Fast Food Salads

Most of these entrée salads have more than 10 grams of saturated fat, 35-59 grams of total fat, and up to 900 calories. Some have more sodium than most U.S. adults should consume in an entire day (1,500 mg), as recommended by the CDC.

   1. Wendy’s Chicken BLT Salad (with Honey Dijon dressing): 790 calories; 53.5g total fat; 13.5g saturated fat; 1,665 mg sodium; 3g fiber; 38g protein. Ingredients: Salad greens, fried chicken filet, grape tomatoes, bacon, shredded cheddar, garlic croutons.

   2. Arby’s Chopped Farmhouse Chicken Salad, Crispy (with Buttermilk Ranch dressing): 670 calories; 48g total fat; 12.5g saturated fat; 1,470 mg sodium; 4g fiber; 33g protein. Ingredients: Salad greens, popcorn chicken, pepper bacon, cheddar cheese.

   3. Jack in the Box Chicken Club Salad (with Bacon Ranch dressing): 866 calories; 59g total fat; 12g saturated fat; 2,168 mg sodium; 5g fiber; 38g protein. Ingredients: Mixed salad greens, crispy chicken, bacon, cheese, seasoned croutons.

   4. Carl’s Jr. Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad (with Chipotle Caesar dressing): 710 calories, 50g total fat; 12g saturated fat; 1,960 mg sodium; 6g fiber; 37g protein. Ingredients: Spring salad mix, grilled chicken, roasted corn, black bean salsa, red onions, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and tortilla strips.

   5. Taco Bell Chipotle Steak Taco Salad: 900 calories, 57g fat, 11g saturated fat, 1,700 mg sodium, 8g fiber, 28g protein. Ingredients: crispy tortilla "bowl," steak, beans, cheddar, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, tortilla strips, reduced-fat sour cream, chipotle dressing.

   6. KFC Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad (with Creamy Parmesan Caesar dressing): 650 calories; 48g total fat; 11g saturated fat; 1,340 mg sodium; 4g fiber; 32g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, crispy chicken, Parmesan cheese, Parmesan garlic croutons.

   7. Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips Salad (with Buttermilk Ranch dressing): 780 calories; 49g fat; 10g fat; 1,825 mg sodium; 5g fiber; 43g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, carrots, grape tomatoes, broccoli florets, Jack and cheddar cheeses, fried chicken strips, garlic and butter croutons, honey-roasted sunflower kernels.

   8. Burger King TenderCrisp Chicken Garden Salad (with Ranch dressing): 680 calories; 46g total fat; 9g saturated fat; 1570 mg sodium; 4g fiber; 28g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cheese, crispy chicken.

   9. Sonic Drive-In Crispy Chicken Salad (with regular Ranch dressing): 534 calories; 37.6g fat; 8.5g saturated fat; 1,334 mg sodium; 5g fiber; 21g protein. Ingredients: Lettuce, crispy chicken, carrots, jack cheese, grape tomatoes, red cabbage, croutons.

  10. McDonalds Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with Crispy Chicken (with Ranch dressing): 540 calories; 35g total fat; 8.5g saturated fat; 1,500 mg sodium; 3g fiber; 30g protein. Ingredients: Mixed Greens, grape tomatoes, carrots, jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon, crispy chicken.

This is the Husband-Elect.


(With Han Solo’s head.)

Over the next week, every single meal he consumes will come from our kitchen. If all goes well, it will cost under $25, total.

He is six-feet-tall, 205 pounds, and in his mid-30s. According to WebMD and a few other sites, he requires around 2600 calories each day. According to the USDA, it’s a little over 3000. I’m going to shoot for somewhere in the middle.

I’m doing this for two reasons:

1. I’m used to feeding myself, and it ain’t no thang. But being a stunning, brilliant, muscular dude, Husband-Elect’s needs are very different. Once we have a better idea of what he requires in a given week, it’ll help us eat for the rest of our lives.
2. Writing this blog, I tend to go on all like, “Why don’t people just EAT HEALTHIER? It’s so much CHEAPER and EASIER than they think and blah blah blah presumptivecakes.” With this experiment, I’m (hopefully) putting my money where my keypad is.

As part of the experiment, I’ll post at the end of every day. Husband-Elect will chime in occasionally, as he is erudite and good at words and stuff. Beyond our comments, these entries will include:

• The content of each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks).
• The cost of each meal.
• The time it took to prepare each meal. (And maybe for the dishes? I haven’t decided yet.)
• The nutritional aspects of each meal. This will definitely include calories, fat, and fiber, which is what we usually list after recipes at CHG. Other than that, I’m not sure.
• Miscellaneous shopping and prep notes.

Next Wednesday, we’ll do a final tally of cost, time, and nutrition, as well as recipes, a shopping list, and a breakdown of what we learned. It’s gonna be a good time.

Of course, like everyone, we have benefits and drawbacks related to our income, location, space, transportation, etc. The biggest ones are as follows:

ADVANTAGES

• He’s not a picky eater, except for bottled raspberry dressing. Boy, he hates that.
• He was a vegetarian for six years in his early-to-mid twenties, and has no problems with beans, produce, or weird soy products. (We’re still going to incorporate meat, though.)
• We’re both water and occasional coffee drinkers, meaning I don’t have to buy soda or juice.
• There are two decent supermarkets within a half-mile of my place, and they’re both running pretty sweet sales this week. ($1.49 for 5 lbs potatoes, $0.66 for pasta, etc.)
• I’m using my pantry, which is well stocked with herbs, spices, vinegars, and oils.

DISADVANTAGES

• We share a small Brooklyn apartment with another couple and their barky little dog. Storage and prep space are extremely minimal.
• Husband-Elect likes beer. I have no idea how to include this, and it made him tear up a little.
• I walk to my grocery stores, so I only buy what I can carry. That makes bulk purchases fairly difficult, unless Im feeling cavalier about my vertebrae.
• It’s February, which means most fresh produce is out of the picture. I’ll be leaning pretty heavily on frozen veggies.
• We do not have a dishwasher. Tragic.
• In the midst of all this, I hafta come up with two new recipes for CHG and Serious Eats. Yoinks.

So far, I can tell you this: it’s Day 1, and I’m already in trouble. I figure we have about $3.55 per day to work with, and I’m going to end up around $4, with nowhere near as many calories as he needs. But more on that later this evening.

Readers, any tips? Have you ever tried anything like this? I’ve done my shopping, but need all the help I can get.

~~~

If you like this article, you might also dig:

• 1 Chicken, 17 Healthy Meals, $26 Bucks, No Mayo
• The Eat Your Veggies Experiment, Part 2: Results
• Eating on $25 a Week: the Experiment

Frequent, regular consumption has strongest effect and is linked to more aggressive disease

Regular consumption of deep-fried foods such as French fries, fried chicken and doughnuts is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, and the effect appears to be slightly stronger with regard to more aggressive forms of the disease, according to a study by investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Corresponding author Janet L. Stanford, Ph.D., and colleagues Marni Stott-Miller, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research fellow and Marian Neuhouser, Ph.D., all of the Hutchinson Center’s Public Health Sciences Division, have published their findings online in The Prostate.

While previous studies have suggested that eating foods made with high-heat cooking methods, such as grilled meats, may increase the risk of prostate cancer, this is the first study to examine the addition of deep frying to the equation.

From French fries to doughnuts: Eating more than once a week may raise risk

Specifically, Stanford, co-director of the Hutchinson Center’s Program in Prostate Cancer Research, and colleagues found that men who reported eating French fries, fried chicken, fried fish and/or doughnuts at least once a week were at an increased risk of prostate cancer as compared to men who said they ate such foods less than once a month.

In particular, men who ate one or more of these foods at least weekly had an increased risk of prostate cancer that ranged from 30 to 37 percent. Weekly consumption of these foods was associated also with a slightly greater risk of more aggressive prostate cancer. The researchers controlled for factors such as age, race, family history of prostate cancer, body-mass index and PSA screening history when calculating the association between eating deep-fried foods and prostate cancer risk.

“The link between prostate cancer and select deep-fried foods appeared to be limited to the highest level of consumption – defined in our study as more than once a week – which suggests that regular consumption of deep-fried foods confers particular risk for developing prostate cancer,” Stanford said.

Deep frying may trigger formation of carcinogens in food

Possible mechanisms behind the increased cancer risk, Stanford hypothesizes, include the fact that when oil is heated to temperatures suitable for deep frying, potentially carcinogenic compounds can form in the fried food. They include acrylamide (found in carbohydrate-rich foods such as French fries), heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (chemicals formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures), aldehyde (an organic compound found in perfume) and acrolein (a chemical found in herbicides). These toxic compounds are increased with re-use of oil and increased length of frying time.

Foods cooked with high heat also contain high levels of advanced glycation endproducts, or AGEs, which have been associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Deep-fried foods are among the highest in AGE content. A chicken breast deep fried for 20 minutes contains more than nine times the amount of AGEs as a chicken breast boiled for an hour, for example.

For the study, Stanford and colleagues analyzed data from two prior population-based case-control studies involving a total of 1,549 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1,492 age-matched healthy controls. The men were Caucasian and African-American Seattle-area residents and ranged in age from 35 to 74 years. Participants were asked to fill out a dietary questionnaire about their usual food intake, including specific deep-fried foods.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to look at the association between intake of deep-fried food and risk of prostate cancer,” Stanford said. However, deep-fried foods have previously been linked to cancers of the breast, lung, pancreas, head and neck, and esophagus.

Because deep-fried foods are primarily eaten outside the home, it is possible that the link between these foods and prostate cancer risk may be a sign of high consumption of fast foods in general, the authors wrote, citing the dramatic increase in fast-food restaurants and fast-food consumption in the U.S. in the past several decades.

You include parents who often give fast food to your child? Although they will eat voraciously, eventually junk food will not only lead to obesity, but also the risk of an asthma attack.

Not without reason, a study published in the journal British Medical Association examined half a million children aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years.

Researchers then examined the eating habits and health problems such as itching of the skin, which is a symptom of eczema or dermatitis, nasal congestion and impaired even if the child does not have the flu. In the study mentioned, about three or more serving junk food increases the risk of asthma by 39 percent in adolescents and 27 percent in children.

Not just asthma, skin diseases such as eczema or dermatitis are also at increased risk in children who frequently eat junk food.
Previous studies, suggesting that saturated fat on junk food is a trigger of inflammation in the immune system. Unknown, inflammation causes many health problems for junk food lovers.

Conversely, if the consumption of junk food is replaced with fruits, then the risk of asthma symptoms and skin diseases is declining as much as 11-14 per cent. Provide a variety of foods that are right for your child. Do not make sense to be lazy and whining children often give your reasons for junk food.

Potassium is a chemical element that is essential for the body, especially the nervous system and muscle contraction. Potassium is also used by the autonomic nervous system (SSO), which is the controlling heart rate, brain function, and other important physiological processes.


Potassium is found in most of the body in the form of electrolyte and abundant in the digestive tract.

In the body, potassium is usually working with sodium or sodium (Na) to regulate the bodys electrolyte balance charge. This balance is maintained by adjusting the amount of potassium intake from foods and the amount of potassium removed.


For adequate intake of potassium for the body, you can eat some foods, as quoted from Healthmeup, below.

1. Baked potato. A baked potato with skin contains 840 mg of potassium. Potatoes suitable for a diet, because a large potato with skin contains only 160 calories.

2. Melon. One piece of melon contains 60 calories, but rich in potassium as much as 680 mg. Melon delicious eaten just like that, processed sebaghai drink or in your salad bowl.

3. Raisins. The dried grapes are also rich in potassium. A half cup of raisins contains 555 mg of potassium. Used as a complementary bowl of delicious raisin oatmeal you at breakfast. In addition, the raisins are also a type of dried fruit that can supply energy because it is easily absorbed.

4. Avocado. Fruit is often referred to as fruit butters this one, containing 602 mg of potassium. Avocados can be processed as juice, mixed salad, or dionsumsi granted.

5. Dried apricots. If you like to eat dried fruit, dried apricots can be the right choice. Half a cup of apricots contains as much as 480 mg of potassium.

6. Tomato juice. One of the complementary manufacturing of this sauce not only contains lycopene, but also enriched with potassium. In one cup of tomato juice, you will get the benefits of 480 mg of potassium.

7. Orange juice. In addition to the wealth of vitamin C, orange juice also has the benefit of as many as 503 mg of potassium in each glass. Orange juice can be enjoyed at breakfast or lunch before heading.

8. Yoghurt. There are many reasons for you to enjoy a dish of yogurt. In addition to natural fibers, yogurt is fortified with 530 mg of potassium in each cup. Add yogurt pure in fruit salad, or a refreshing glass of smoothie.

Infections caused by bacteria are one of the causes strep throat. Itching in the beginning, then sore and painful swallowing, are some unpleasant conditions throat when you have a problem. Consequently, it is not only difficult to swallow, but it can also lead to fever.

If you are reluctant to take medication from a doctor, there are some foods you can eat to relieve the symptoms of strep throat.

1. Lemon juice with honey. A glass of lemon juice is not only refreshing, juice is rich in vitamin C will give double Table: especially when mixed with a few tablespoons of honey. Consumption of honey and lemon juice with no ice. Vitamins in both will help heal your throat diseases.

2. Honey ginger tea or tea. A glass of warm tea mixed with ginger or honey can be an alternative medicine that also warms your throat. ginger and honey can serve to coat the throat and prevent irritation.

3. Chicken soup. A bowl of hot chicken soup is not only delicious as the day the rain. Chicken soup turned out to function as anti-inflammatory and prevents the virus from entering the body. Add some spices like ginger and pepper. Additionally mix some vegetables to add to usefulness.

4. Bananas. Creamy texture makes bananas are easy to swallow, including for people who are strep throat. Bananas contain vitamin B6, potassium and vitamin C.

5. Eggs. Wealth protein in eggs can help in dealing with inflammation and pain in the throat. To get the benefits, the consumption of egg whites, boiled or scrambled with a little olive oil.

6. Whole wheat pasta. Not only the texture is too soft, whole grain pasta contains many nutrients such as fiber, iron, and vitamins such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, and vitamin E.