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Modern Diet

The modern American diet is responsible for many of the health issues in our country. Business Insider's 11 charts highlight exactly what those problems are.

See them here: http://www.businessinsider.com/whats-wrong-with-the-modern-diet-charts-2014-2
Are there any reasons you feel belong on the list?

Eating Bugs for Protein

There's a great free source of protein right outside of your door. As an American, "food" is probably the last thing on your mind when looking at a bug. However, for many people around the world, it's a great source nutrition! Would you or have you ever eaten a bug for the health benefits?

"A few years back, my husband and I were eating in a Mexican restaurant in New York City when the table next to us started laughing and carrying on about their appetizer. A father and teenage son were eating, while the mother and daughter were clearly declining the offering. When they offered us a bite — and told us they were eating were chapulines, or grasshoppers — my husband and I passed, saying that we were just too full to partake."

Read more about it here: http://www.babble.com/body-mind/the-protein-source-in-your-own-backyard-that-has-everyone-buzzing/

All About Eggs

‪Eggs‬ are delicious and teeming with ‪‎nutrition‬! Learn 12 useful and interesting facts about them on Crunchy Betty.

http://www.crunchybetty.com/12-things-you-should-know-about-and-do-with-your-eggs

"2. Pastured Eggs have higher nutritional value than commercial eggs. Especially when it comes to vitamin D. We’re talking 4-6 times more vitamin D.Most of this can be attributed to a pastured hen’s own access to ample sunlight and critters and grass that, in addition, has had access to ample sunlight.
Check out all the other nutritional benefits to pastured eggs, according to Mother Earth News."

Eat Fat to Lose Fat

Fat free alternatives may have a fewer calories, but does cutting fat out of your diet actually help in losing body fat? Fats are an essential part of your diet and are necessary for your body to process food and nutrients the way it needs to in order to use stored fat as fuel. Coach Calorie shares the details.

"Fat is one of those essential macronutrients.  More specifically, we are talking about essential fatty acids (EFAs). When your body doesn’t get in enough of the nutrients it needs, it will send out hunger signals to tell you to eat until it does get them. Essential fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body, so they need to be consumed through your diet.Omega-3 and omega-6 are the two essential fatty acids we must ingest because the body cannot synthesize them. Most of us get in enough of the omega-6 fatty acids, but are lacking with the omega-3s. Good sources of EFAs include seeds, nuts, and fish. I like to supplement with fish oil to get my EFAs. Essential fatty acids might be the only essential fats, but saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats play a large role in the body too." - Tony Schober 

Learn more about it: http://www.coachcalorie.com/eat-fat-to-lose-fat/

Eggs: Whites vs Yolks

The debate over the health risks of yolk is strong, but do you know the actual nutritional difference between it and eggs whites? FitSugar has the charts side by side for comparison.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Egg-Whites-Healthier-Than-Egg-Yolks-364527

Have you ever considered skipping on egg yolks?

Eat This Before You Run

Do you know what snacks are the best to eat before you go for a run? FitSugar has a chart of the foods you should and shouldn't consider as well as when to eat it!

Read more here: http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Eat-Before-Run-24108225

Time	Food Ideas	Foods to Avoid
2 hours before	300- to 400-calorie meal containing carbs, protein, and healthy fats: Cooked quinoa and grilled chicken Whole wheat pasta with cheese and veggies Peanut butter and jelly sandwich Greek yogurt with blueberries and sliced almonds Wrap filled with grilled fish, avocado, and mango	Tons of fibrous veggies: Broccoli, onions, beans High-fat foods that are hard to digest: Burgers, fries, ice cream

Keep reading to find out what to eat (and what to avoid) an hour or 15 minutes before a run.

Time	Food Ideas	Foods to Avoid
1 hour before	150-calorie snack containing easily digestible carbs and a little protein: Whole wheat toast with nut butter Whole grain crackers and hummus Small bowl of cereal Half a fruit and nut bar Cheese stick and carrots	Gas-producing fruits: Pear Apple Melon
15 to 30 minutes before	Small serving of easily digestible carbs: Banana Applesauce A few saltine crackers Raisins	Large serving of protein and carbs, and high-saturated fat and high-fiber foods: Pasta Bagel and cream cheese Fried chicken Granola bar (high in calories and fiber)

50 Healthiest Foods

The  most nutritious foods are right at your fingertips. Do you frequently include any of these into your diet? If not, you're missing out on some of the healthiest foods in existence.
See the complete list and slideshow on The Huffington Post!

"And so we turned to some of our favorite medical and nutritional experts to come up with this list of 50 of the healthiest foods, presented alphabetically. Pad your grocery list with these and you'll be on your way to a healthier, more vibrant diet. Of course, even as we editors finished the list, we started thinking of more ("How could carrots not be on the list?" "What about black pepper?"). So we plan to follow up with a second list of healthy foods. Let us know in the comments which of your favorites we skipped and they could appear soon."

See them here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/healthy-food-healthiest-list_n_1636409.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

The Facts of Fast Food.

We talk about healthy eating on this blog alot, but very rarely discuss the foods that aren't good for you.

We hear it all the time -- "Fast Food is bad for you". But how bad is it exactly? We know about the trans fat, high calorie, and high sodium counts. We know about the grade D meat, the processed vegetables, and are told the nutritional information on charts behind the registers with type too small to read. They even are honest about their practice of using preservatives in their food.


But what kind of preservatives and how much exactly? Many of you remember a few years back when activist Morgan Spurlock debueted with his epic documentary "Supersize Me"-- a film following a 30-day time period in which he eats only McDonald's food for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner -- exposing the drastic affect on Spurlock's psychological and physical health, while exploring the fast food industry's influence and its encouragement of poor nutrition for profit.

If that wasn't enough to shake the Big Mac out of our hands, Author and Obesity Activist Julia Havey set out to find the truth about fast food as well. In an attempt to prove exactly how processed and full of additives a McDonalds hamburger really has, she has been aging a McDonalds cheeseburger for 4 years -- and it does better than a human being.

Wanna find out what happens to this 4 year old burger? Check out the video below courtesy of DietHealth.com!





*Do you have an idea for an article, have questions or need advice? Please write us at elementfitnessny@gmail.com! Subject: Blog

8 Superfoods for Fat Burning and Overall Health

If you are like the millions of Americans trying to maintain or lose weight, chances are your doing a couple of things to aid you in your quest. These probably include being calorie conscious, reducing your daily fat intake and keeping an eye on your portion sizes.

But dieters beware: filing up on processed snacks and prepared foods that promise to keep you within your caloric guidelines can actually hinder your metabolism as your body tries to function under nutrient-lacking food.

What you eat is just as important as how much you eat, and the right foods can help you drop pounds by jump-starting your overall metabolic rate and help curb cravings. ††

These eight Superfoods can aid you in reaching your weight loss goals while still providing you body with the fuel and energy it needs.



Wild salmon

Long has it been known that fish fats are good for your heart, but did you know they shrink your waist too? Salmon is loaded with those Omega-3 fatty acids clinically proven to improve insulin sensitivity. Having stabilized blood sugar levels can help build muscle and decrease belly fat. And we all know, the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns naturally. Try to opt for wild salmon, if you can, it has a tendency to contain fewer pollutants.††

Apples

A study at Penn State University recently found the old-adage to be true. Well, sort of. An apple a day can keep weight gain at bay. Apples are notoriously high in fiber (up to 4-5 grams each!) which makes them "filling" in nature. People who chomped an apple as a before-meal snack will eat less calories than those who have chosen a less fiber-full nosh. Plus, apples are loaded with antioxidants that may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition leading to excess belly fat. †


Dark Leafy Greens

Broccoli, kale, spinach, collard,and other greens are rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, B9 (folate) and C, and full of iron and calcium. Not only that, but these leafy greens have a high fiber content and super low in calories, so you can eat to your hearts content and not "ruin your day". Plus, there's a million and one ways to prepare them; try a raw salad, steaming or sauté them with garlic and a tablespoon of olive oil. ††††

Blueberries

According to recent research from the USDA Agriculture Research Service, blueberries contain the highest level of antioxidants out of all frequently consumed fruit. These little guys also deliver a whopping 3.6 grams of fiber per cup. Fiber isn't just about feeling full: studies have shown that fiber may actually even prevent some of your consumed fats from being absorbed.

Don't like blueberries? Well, don't get too blue, all berries are indeed good for you. However, those with a blue hue are among the best of the bunch -- so try blackberries, or boysenberries instead. †

Chiles

Need a reason to spice up your meals? How about your metabolism? Chiles contain a compound called "capsaicin", which produced a thermogenic effect when consumed. It English, it means they cause the body to burn extra calories for up to 20 minutes after you eat them. Need another one? You can't gulp down spicy food. The nature of flavor on your tongue leaves you feeling more satisfied and forces you to eat slowly -- giving your brain time to register that your stomach is full. †††

Pomegranates

The juice has long been in the spotlight of marketing hypes, but pomegranate seeds deserve their own 15 minutes of fame. Another fruit low in calories and high in fiber, these guys can satisfy your aching sweet tooth without blowing your diet. Pomegranates are also loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants -- and 105 calories a pop, they're super fun to eat! ††††

Yogurt

Dietitians often refer to yogurt as the perfect food -- with its holy trinity of protein, carbs, and fat -- it can stave off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels at a steady pace. In a study at University of Tennessee, people on a low-calorie diet that included yogurt as a breakfast food or snack had a 61% more overall fat loss and lost 81% more belly fat than those on a similar diet plan that omitted yogurt. Also, yogurt is loaded with active cultures which is great for balancing your digestive tract and maintaining regularity. ††

Avocado

Don't let the 29 gram fat content of an avocado make you walk away from the guacomole bowl -- it's that healthy fat that makes it a superfood. Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help to lower cholesterol. Also -- avocados offer you a heaping source of potassium, a mineral that helps your body regulate blood pressure. Adequate intake of potassium can help to guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke and promote overall cardiovascular health.

Add avocado to your sandwich instead of mayo for a creamy texture and a shot of flavor. Keep in mind, avocados do contain a lot of calories for their size -- about 165 calories each -- so it's best to keep an eye on your portions. † - †††††



** Do you have an idea for an article, or do you need advice? Please write us at elementfitnessny@gmail.com! Subject: Blog


† www.self.com
†† www.bhg.com
††† www.webmd.com
†††† www.healthdiaries.com
††††† www.whfoods.com