Energy Drinks – Helpful Or Hurtful?

Energy drinks are a very popular fad and are growing in numbers and products throughout the world today. People use them because they promise more energy and are perceived as healthy drinks. But the question is, are they really good for you or are they hiding something? Let’s take a more in-depth look at what is in most of these energy drinks to really get a good idea of what you’re putting in your body.

A good majority of energy drinks on the market today come loaded with high fructose corn syrup. What is high fructose corn syrup? It’s the same ingredient that you will find in most sodas and cans of pop today. It’s basically a generic form of sugar that gives you an immediate rush of energy but can also pack on pounds and make your belly bigger.

The ones that do not have high fructose corn syrup in their ingredients will include some type of artificial sweetener which may even be worse than sugar itself. These artificial sweeteners will trick your body into thinking its getting calories when it’s really not. What this does is only makes you hungrier and will increase your appetite, especially if you drink a lot of these sweeteners.

One of the main ingredients in these energy drinks is caffeine. Caffeine can help you feel more alert and active when you’re tired but there are healthier alternatives in places you can get your caffeine intake instead. For example, certain teas and coffees include plenty of antioxidants that these energy drinks just do not have. Read the rest of this entry »

Healthy Lunch Box Ideas for Kids

Packing your child a nutritious lunch is as easy as going to your pantry and refrigerator. Lots of good ideas are just waiting to be discovered. From bread to carrot sticks and granola bars to pudding, there is bound to be some sort of combination to make a good, healthy lunch enjoyable to your child.

All children have different tastes and preferences. Knowing your child’s likes and dislikes regarding each food group is a must. A meat item such as turkey or chicken breast is fantastic. It doesn’t matter if your child likes it on a sandwich; many children will eat it plain rather than on a sandwich. Peanut butter is a great source of protein and folic acid. Add some jelly for a child that has a sweet tooth. Sometimes that sweetness will satisfy your child’s want for a rich dessert.

Children generally prefer white bread, and it will not hurt them to eat it. Toast the bread, too. Try substituting a very mild wheat bread or even wheat crackers. Children like to make their own little sandwiches using crackers, cheeses, and sandwich meats. The peanut butter on wheat crackers is an excellent idea as well.

Most children prefer cheese on their sandwiches, so add a slice of real American or Kraft Deluxe Sharp Cheddar. As you introduce new foods at home, keep in mind the different kinds of cheeses like Monterrey Jack, Colby, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Provolone. According to your child’s preferences, pack several slices of cheese for a serving of dairy along with a peanut butter sandwich. If your child does not like cheese, try a yogurt of your child’s preference.

Know the kinds of vegetables that your child will eat. Carrot and celery sticks are a widely used snack. Also try raisins, apple slices, orange slices, banana halves, and even pickles. Though prepackaged fruit servings are sold in grocery stores, it is often better and more nutritional to cut the fruit and vegetables yourself. Don’t be afraid to pack nontraditional fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, fresh pineapple, and kiwi slices. With such yummy things to eat, your child’s lunch may be subject to a bit of envy from other children and even teachers.

Other ideas include dry cereal like Cheerios or Chex, peanuts, granola bars, or baked chips. These serve as the “chips” part of a packed lunch. Check the nutritional content of the packages before you decide which types of “chips” to pack. Make your own Chex mix with pretzels, Cheez-Its, yogurt raisins, Cheerios, peanuts, dried cranberries, banana chips, etc. There are so many possible combinations. Add some M&Ms to the mix and alleviate the need for a dessert. Read the rest of this entry »

Organic Foods – The Healthier Route

Going organic is a tagline we often hear nowadays. This is for a good reason. More and more people are realizing the vast benefits that one can get from supporting the organic production of food. Many studies have found that the use of too much chemicals in everyday food can lead to a number of health problems.

If you still have not made up your mind if this is a route you would actually want to partake in, here are some of the top benefits of organic food that may convince you to jump into the bandwagon.

Organic Food can Contribute Positively to One’s Health
Foods are not prepared with the use of chemicals, pesticides and inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, these kinds of food do not have traces of strong chemicals that can have adverse effects on the health of a person.

Cancer is just one of the many health risks that have been linked to pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Organic farming, on the other hand, utilizes natural way of raising crops with the use of natural fertilizers. It is safe to assume that organically produced foods actually reduce numerous health risks.

Aside from that, many nutrients are found in higher levels in organic foods. For example, chromium, which is deficient in most western diets, is found to be 78 percent higher in organic foods than in foods that have been produced otherwise.

Selenium, a popular antioxidant that protects the body from environmental chemicals, cancers and heart diseases, has been found to be almost 400 percent higher in organic foods. Calcium, lithium, magnesium, and boron are other types of nutrients and minerals that are also found higher in foods that have been produced organically. Read the rest of this entry »