Weekly Wellness
Issue 398
Featured Article
REMOVED
Fitness Tip
Wine and Your Health
A little wine is known to be a good thing; too much wine a "no-no". So how much is too much? And how little is enough for a health boost? Researchers continue to study these questions, but here is what we know so far:
One glass a day:
- Reduces heart attack risk
- Cuts inflammation
- Protects memory
- Guards against osteoporosis
Two or more...
- Boosts breast-cancer risk
- Hurts bones
- Raises odds of diabetes
- Ups lung-cancer risk
- May lead to addiction
Nutrition Tip
Caffeine gives a boost of mental alertness
Drinking coffee gives a boost of mental alertness and reduces heart rate even when you don't drink coffee every day. Canadian researchers, writing in the Journal Nutrition Research, found that both those who drank coffee every day and those who only drank it twice a week saw the benefits of a caffeine boost when given a coffee with 140 milligrams of caffeine and then asked to perform mental tests. See also: Caffeine - The low-down on caffeine intake and your health.
Quip or Quote of the Week
Quip
Experts estimate that 75 to 80 percent of our daily sodium intake comes from processed and restaurant foods, not from the salt we shake onto food when cooking or eating.
Quick Recipe
Swiss Morning Muesli
1/2 cup cooked rolled oats
8 ounces fat free soy milk (or regular)
1 chopped Granny Smith apple
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Top oats with all ingredients.
Tidbit(s)
Holiday treats you can indulge in!
- Snowman Peeps: 130 calories, 0 grams fat, 33 grams carbs in 3 men
- Candy Canes: 60-80 calories, 0 grams fat, 16 grams carbs in 3 canes
- Tootsie Pop, candy cane flavor: 60 calories, 0 grams fat, 15 grams carbs per pop
- Archway Cookies, reduced-fat ginger snaps: 140 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 25 grams carbs in 5 cookies
Food Facts
Lighten up drinks: When making your favorite drink recipe, replace half of the fruit cocktail or soft drink with club soda. You'll cut the calories, but still have plenty of flavor and nice fizz.
Almond skins contain flavonoids that oxidize LDLs (low-density lipoprotiens, the "bad" cholesterol) in lab tests. They are a top source of vitamin E. And in a study comparing weight loss of participants, almonds were as helpful as complex carbohydrates. Serve some up at your holiday parties and give the gift of a health boost!
Tasty Tidbit...
When serving tortilla wraps and pinwheels during the holidays, use red and green tortillas for a festive look and extra taste sensation.
More Cooking Tips and Quick Cooking Tips on the Web site!