Cancer burger? Fast food wrappers contain carcinogenic chemicals, study says

The next time you get a craving for a greasy burger from the drive-thru, you may want to reconsider. A new study has found that fast food packaging contains cancer-causing chemicals – showing that the risk of quick meals goes beyond trans fats and calories. It's no secret that fast food contains a huge amount of oils, but in an effort to repel those oils, the packaging is actually posing a huge risk to consumers, according to a new study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters.

In an effort to determine whether the wrappers contained harmful chemicals, the researchers gathered 400 take-out packaging samples from fast food restaurants across the US. They then analyzed them for fluorinated chemicals, a family of chemicals which has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, decreased fertility, thyroid problems, changes in hormone functioning in adults, and adverse developmental effects and decreased immune response in children. Forty-six percent of food contact papers and 20 percent of paperboard were found to contain the harmful chemicals. But the problem wasn't just contained to the wrappers.

The chemicals were found to migrate from the packaging to the food itself. "Food contact material is a direct route of exposure to these chemicals for us, it’s as if you were drinking them in your drinking water,” Tom Brunton of the Green Science Policy Institute, which was involved in the study, told CBS Bay Area. Study co-author Graham Peaslee, a physicist at the University of Notre Dame, said he was "very surprised to find these chemicals in food contact materials from so many of the samples we tested," according to a Green Science Policy Institute press release.

He went on to note that the chemicals are "persistent and some bioaccumulate in the body," and stressed that "safer non-fluorinated alternatives" are available. Co-author Dr. Arlene Blum of UC Berkeley and the Green Science Policy Institute also stressed that "we can stop using fluorinated chemicals where they are not necessary, such as in food packaging, and all be healthier." And although fluorinated chemicals are also found in everyday products including water-repellent outdoor gear, stain-resistant clothing and furniture, and non-stick pans, Brunton was quick to point out that they are likely the most harmful in the fast food context. "You're likely not going to get the same exposure from those products...you're not eating your rain jacket...," Brunton said. The Green Science Policy Institute noted, however, that many major retailers have eliminated high-fluorinated chemicals from their products, and encouraged the fast food industry to do the same.

The TRUTH about yo-yo diets: Losing and regaining weight rapidly can make your hair fall out, and harms the heart more than obesity

Losing weight rapidly, only to pile it all back on again — yo-yo dieting — is a trap many fall into; a survey in 2014 found 60 per cent of yo-yo dieters will try up to 20 diets in their lifetime. And you don't have to be losing and gaining huge amounts of weight to be a yo-yo dieter (it can be as little as between 7lb and 1st), but the weight gain and loss occurs over weeks and months, rather than years. This way of dieting has been blamed for a range of health issues including hormone imbalances and osteoporosis.

A study presented last week at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions found it could also harm the heart — and the risk increases the more often you try and fail to keep weight off. 'This is particularly worrying since we know many yo-yo dieters have been on multiple failed diets, each time regaining more weight than they lose,' says Rebecca McManamon, of the British Dietetic Association. Studies show the body strives to maintain its weight at a 'set point'. 'The body will protect itself against weight loss during a period of calorie restriction, which is probably an evolved protection mechanism, says Rebecca McManamon.

It also means people don't suddenly gain weight if they overeat for short periods. 'However, in protracted periods of starvation, weight loss does occur and your body gets used to functioning at a lower energy level,' she explains. 'Unfortunately, this resets the metabolism so when you start eating normally again, you will put on weight more quickly.' (Intermittent fasting, as in the popular 5:2 diet, when people fast for two days and eat normally for five, is thought to be too short a period to kick start 'starvation mode'.) Muscle loss is another problem.

We need muscle to burn calories. 'When the intake of calories drops below a certain level, the body will start to digest your muscle cells as well as remaining body fat to make energy,' says Kathryn Freeland, a personal trainer who runs Absolute Fitness in London. 'Less muscle mass can slow down metabolism even further, compounding the problem of rapid fat gain when you start to eat normally again.' In the latest study, presented last week, researchers from the Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island analyzed data from 158,000 women over 50. Over 11 years, the women of normal weight who admitted to yo-yo dieting more than four times, were three-and-a-half times as likely to die from a heart attack than women whose weight stayed stable, even if they were obese.

Dr Somail Rasla, lead author of the study, says gaining weight as part of yo-yo dieting increases heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, which do not fall back to normal when weight is lost again. If these cycles keep repeating, these health problems worsen over time, putting strain on the heart. Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, says the findings seem to back up previous studies linking yo-yo dieting to cardiovascular disease. Yo-yo dieting increases inflammatory markers in the blood which are associated with lots of diseases, including arthritis. Yo-yo dieting has one obvious effect — constantly losing and regaining weight can leave permanent stretch marks and sagging and drooping skin. 'This depends on how much weight you gain and lose, how often and also your age and the elasticity of the skin, but it is a common issue,' says Dr Nick Lowe, a consultant dermatologist in Harley Street, London. Older women with less elastic skin will be more prone to sagging.

Quick weight gain followed by rapid weight loss puts more strain on skin than gradual weight change. Restrictive diets can also affect the plumpness of the skin, as a lack of protein in the diet can affect the production of collagen, which gives skin its firmness. Famine followed by feast can disrupt the release of hormones from the pituitary gland which drives the menstrual cycle, stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs. If a woman rapidly loses weight this process shuts down because the body goes into starvation mode and concentrates its resources on vital functions, which don't include reproduction, says Gillian Lockwood, a consultant obstetrician, gynecologist and fertility expert based in the Midlands. Unfortunately, according to Dr Lockwood, many overweight women who want IVF on the NHS are told that they have to lose weight in order to qualify for the free treatment, and this can encourage crash dieting. 'If a woman is 6lb overweight, it will take her a year or more to lose that safely, but many women and their partners feel a sense of urgency. 'Not surprisingly, they may dramatically cut their calorie intake, sometimes down to 400 calories a day.'

And women who rapidly lose weight to reach the necessary BMI have very poor outcomes when it comes to getting pregnant, as the IVF is unlikely to work. This applies only to crash dieters. Yo-yo dieting does seem to affect bone density, although the jury is still out as to whether yo-yo dieting or periods of restrictive dieting is the problem. Our bone is constantly being broken down, absorbed into the body and replaced. A recent U.S. study found that women whose weight fluctuated had increased bone resorption when their weight fell, which was not replaced when they regained the pounds. Feasting periods do not make up for bone loss in the fasting times. Trichologist Anabel Kingsley says yo-yo dieting is a common cause of poor hair conditions and hair loss: 'One of the first things we always ask is about people's diet, which is fundamental to healthy hair. 'Yo-yo dieters are stressing their hair.' She says that, at any one time, 90 per cent of head hair is in a growth phase and just 10 per cent is in the resting phase, when it sheds. 'Restricted calorie intake pushes more hairs into the shedding phase because the hair follicles have fewer nutrients to sustain them.' Rapid weight gain also disrupts normal hormone levels and stresses the hair follicles.

'People on restrictive diets are not getting enough key minerals and vitamins such as calcium to keep their teeth and gums healthy,' says Mervyn Druian, of London Cosmetic Dentistry. 'Yo-yo dieters are more prone to gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.' Those who have dramatically cut back on eating also produce less saliva, which is triggered by the chewing action, which helps protect the teeth from acid attack. On the weight gain cycle, people who eat a high carbohydrate diet are at risk from tooth decay. 'Bacteria in the mouth thrive in these conditions and release acid in larger quantities,' adds Dr Druian. Studies have suggested there may be a correlation between yo-yo dieting and some cancers.

One theory is that it may lead to a reduction in the number and effectiveness of immune cells, which are the body's initial line of defence against tumour cells. A 2004 study showed a reduction in these cells the more times post-menopausal women lost weight.

19 Totally Doable Ways To Actually Keep The Weight Off

1. Focus on where you are now and how far you’ve come.

2. Set some creative food goals that have nothing to do with weight.

3. Set one simple health-related goal each month.

4. Or, each month focus on two of the following: diet, exercise, and alcohol.

5. Eat healthily 80% of the time (and don’t feel bad the other 20%).

6. Don’t spiral because of one day of overeating.

7. Put vegetables in EVERYTHING.

8. Compete with friends or family to stay active.

9. Have a hearty breakfast, a medium-sized lunch, and a light dinner.

10. Don’t let your routine get boring in the name of maintaining your goal

11. Eat slowly and savor your food.

12. Make going to the gym basically part of your work day.

13. Or use your workouts to legit train for…life.

14. Evaluate your progress by how you feel and how your clothes fit.

15. Only ‘cheat’ if you’re going to enjoy it and NOT feel guilty about it.

16. Expect some fluctuation with your weight; it’s totally normal.

17. Jot down what you eat — and how you feel — in a journal.

18. When there’s an actually really special treat around, go ahead and eat it.

19. Or just make dessert a part of your daily routine.

11 Nutritionist-Approved Late Night Snacks

Caroline Kee

Maybe you ate dinner early or you stayed up late and now you’re hungry again. Or you just really want a snack to go with Netflix. But you’ve also heard it’s not great to eat right before bed, so what’s the best thing to snack on when you’re starving at night?

We checked in with registered dietician Abby Langer and registered dietician Despina Hyde, diabetes expert at NYU Langone Weight Management Program, to find out.

First of all, it’s kind of a myth that you won’t burn off anything you eat right before bed.

Sure, your metabolic rate slows down a bit, but it doesn’t stop, says Langer. Yes, when it comes to weight management, it’s better to eat your biggest meals around the time of day you’re most active, but in general, your total calories matter more than the timing. And a reasonable snack that satisfies your hunger before bed isn’t enough to derail your healthy eating efforts. The only time Langer really suggests restricting nighttime eating is if you’re exhibiting symptoms of binge-eating disorder and having a cutoff time at night is helpful for you.

So if you’re actually hungry, you should eat — no matter how late it is.

“If you go to bed hungry, you won’t sleep, which is probably worse,” says Langer.
But if you’re noticing that you’re always starving before bed, that probably means you’re not eating enough throughout the day. You might be eating too few calories or not enough protein to actually fill you up, both of which can cause you to overeat later. “If you restrict too much or fast during the day, your body will tell you it’s starving,” says Hyde. This intense, stomach-pang hunger can lead to bingeing, especially on high-carb or high-fat foods because your body wants instant energy.

If you’re going to eat before bed, pick something relatively light and leave some buffer time before you lay down.

Avoid a too-big meal, since your body will have to work harder to digest, which might actually keep you awake. But if your schedule leaves you with no choice but to eat dinner close to bedtime, Hyde suggests something that’s about 40% veggies, 40% carbs, and 20% protein.
And don’t go immediately horizontal after you eat — spend some time sitting up reading, watching TV, doing the dishes, whatever. This reduces your risk of indigestion and acid reflux, says Hyde. If you notice any acid reflux symptoms, don’t eat within an hour of laying down, says Langer.

And avoid anything fatty, spicy, super sugary, or caffeinated.

Capsaicin, which makes food spicy, can cause indigestion and discomfort, which wrecks your sleep. And foods with a lot of oil or fat (like deep-fried anything) will also take forever to digest. Not only will this keep you up, but it also means those acidic stomach juices are around for longer while your body is horizontal, which can cause acid reflux, says Hyde.

Sugar also isn’t great for sleep, so try to avoid things with lots of added sugar like candy or chocolate. If you’re really craving something sweet, something with naturally occurring sugar like fruit or dairy are better options.

A good nighttime snack would be around 200 calories with complex carbs and protein.

“Complex carbohydrates like whole-grain breads are great because they release serotonin when digested, which helps calm you down,” says Langer. And adding a little protein will keep you full until breakfast. Hyde also suggests drinking a big glass of water or a cup of hot tea (decaf), to help you feel full and hydrated.

Here are some nutritionist-approved snack ideas to get you started:

1. High-Fiber Cereal and Milk

Serving size:
½–¾ cup high-fiber cereal (like Kashi Go-Lean, All-Bran, Fiber One Twigs)
½ cup milk or unsweetened non-dairy milk
¼ cup fruit (optional)

2. String Cheese or Babybel

Serving size:
1 Babybel round
1 string cheese stick

3. Avocado or Hard-Boiled Egg on Crispbread

Serving size:
2 Ryevita or Wasa crispbreads
1 hard-boiled egg or ¼ avocado

4. Banana With Peanut Butter

Serving size:
1 banana
1–2 tablespoons peanut/almond/cashew butter

5. Fruit and Nuts

Serving size:
¼ cup nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts)
½ cup fresh fruit or ¼ cup dried fruit

6. Turkey Slices on Bread

Serving size:
2–4 slices turkey breast
1 piece whole grain toast
2 tomato slices or 6 cucumber slices

7. Greek Yogurt With Granola or Fruit

Serving Size:
¾–1 cup greek yogurt
2 tablespoons granola or nuts
¼ cup fruit

8. Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers

Serving size:
1 oz cheese
4–6 wholegrain crackers

9. Whole Grain Toast With Nut Butter

Serving size:
1 piece whole grain toast
1 tablespoon peanut/almond/cashew butter

10. Pistachios

Serving size:
¼–⅓ cup dry salted pitachios

11. Cottage Cheese

Serving size:
½–¾ cup cottage cheese
¼ cup fruit or veggies (optional)

Could health warning labels stop parents buying sugary drinks for kids?

by Marie Ellis

Although kids are consuming less added sugar today than they were in 2000, they are still taking in much more sugar than is recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania wanted to examine whether warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) would have an effect on parents and whether they would be less likely to purchase them.

"Some states have introduced bills requiring SSBs to display health warning labels," says lead author Christina Roberto, PhD, "but to date, there is little data to suggest how labels might influence purchasing habits, or which labels may be the most impactful."

She adds that because over half of children under 11 years of age drink SSBs daily, "there is a growing concern about the health effects associated with consumption of these beverages."

Previous studies have shown that many SSBs marketed for children contain up to 7 tsp of sugar per 6.5 oz, which is twice the recommended daily serving of sugar for children.

According to the researchers, certain types of SSBs - such as flavored waters and fruit or sports drinks - may need warning labels because many parents believe they are healthy options for their kids.

Findings similar to those on effects of tobacco warning labels
To conduct their study - which is published in the journal Pediatrics - the researchers carried out an online survey of 2,381 parents with at least one child between 6-11 years of age.

The parents were from diverse backgrounds; many of them identified as racial and ethnic minorities, which are groups with the highest obesity rates in the US.

Participants were divided into six groups: a control group, which did not see a warning label on beverages; a calorie label group, which saw a label that only displayed the beverage's calorie count; and four warning label groups, which saw one of four variations of warning labels that cautioned about possible negative health effects.

Next, the researchers asked the participants to choose a beverage for their child.

Although the specific text of the health warning labels did not affect the parents' purchase choices, the researchers say the presence of the label did have a meaningful effect.

Results revealed that 40% of parents in the health warning label groups said they would choose an SSB for their kids, whereas 60% of participants who did not see labels on the beverages said they would.

Additionally, 53% of parents who saw the calorie labels said they would choose an SSB.

Roberto says their findings are similar to those from studies that examined the effects of tobacco warning labels, which have been shown to encourage smoking cessation.

"Regardless of the specific wording," she says, "results show that adding health warning labels to SSBs may be an important and impactful way to educate parents about the potential health risks associated with regular consumption of these beverages, and encourage them to make fewer of these purchases."

'Warning labels have potential to motivate behavior change'
These findings are timely, as last week, the US Department of Agriculture issued new dietary guidelines that recommended limiting sugar to 10% or less of daily calories.

After evaluating consumer support for SSB warning labels, the team also found that around 75% of the study participants support adding them to beverages.

The team hopes that in light of their results, future research will focus on how labels influence choice for consumers.

Roberto adds:


"We can now say that warning labels have the potential to educate parents and motivate behavior change when it comes to purchasing SSBs, which could help gain support for bills requiring labels to be added to beverage containers, but there are also many unanswered questions that require further study."

Your Starbucks drink may have 25 spoons of sugar in it

Ivana Kottasova

Flavored drinks served by the likes of Starbucks can contain up to 25 teaspoons of sugar per serving, according to a new report by a British campaign group Action on Sugar.

That's three times the amount of sugar in one can of coke, and more than three times the maximum adult daily intake recommended by the American Heart Association.

The report said that 98% of hot flavored drinks sold at major coffee chains in the U.K. have excessive levels of sugars per serving, with 35% containing nine or more teaspoons of sugar -- the same amount as a can of Coca Cola.

The research focused on drinks sold in the U.K., but nutritional information published on the companies' website show that sugar levels are similar in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Action on Sugar describes itself as "a group of specialists concerned with sugar and its effects on health." Its advisers and staff include doctors, nutritionists and public health specialists. It analyzed 131 hot drinks, including flavored lattes, chai teas, mocha coffees and mulled fruit drinks. The survey touched on nine big coffee shops and food chains in Britain including Starbucks, Costa and Pret a Manger.
The group also campaigns against hidden sugars in everyday food, organizes "Sugar awareness week," and advises people on how to eat less sugar.

The report said Starbucks' hot mulled fruit grape with chai, orange and cinnamon was the "worst offender," with 25 teaspoons of sugar.

Two other popular Starbucks choices -- vanilla latte and caramel macchiato -- contain more than eight teaspoons of sugar each, according to the company's U.S. website.

Starbucks said it has committed to reduce added sugar in its "indulgent drinks" by 25% by the end of 2020. "We also offer a wide variety of lighter options, sugar-free syrups and sugar-free natural sweetener and we display all nutritional information in-store and online," a Starbucks spokesperson said.

A medium Dunkin' Donuts vanilla chai has over 11 teaspoons of sugar, while a hot macchiato includes 7 teaspoons. KFC's mocha contains 15 teaspoons of sugar. A large mocha at McDonald's  has 11 teaspoons, and a chai latte massimo at the British chain Costa Coffee includes 20 teaspoons.

"These hot flavored drinks should be an occasional treat, not an 'everyday' drink. They are laden with an unbelievable amount (of) sugar and calories and are often accompanied by a high sugar and fat snack," said Kawther Hashem, a researcher for Action on Sugar.

Health campaigns against excessive sugar contents has been gaining momentum in recent years. The World Health Organization has recently suggested cutting the recommended sugar intake for adults in half, to about 25 grams, around 6 teaspoons, of sugar for a normal weight adult a day.

What Is the 'Best Diet' for You?

Angela Haupt

What makes a diet best? In Best Diets 2016, the latest set of exclusive rankings from U.S. News, the DASH diet beat out 37 others, including Atkins, Jenny Craig and Slim-Fast, to win the "Best Diets Overall" crown. Among the 17 commercial diet programs marketed to the public, Weight Watchers and the Mayo Clinic Diet came out on top. (Our methodology explains how.) We also ranked the diets on likelihood of weight loss, ability to prevent and control diabetes and heart disease, healthiness and how easy they are to follow.

Our analysis puts hard numbers on the common-sense belief that no diet is ideal for everybody.

Take DASH, the Best Diets Overall winner. It wasn't created as a way to drop pounds, but as a means of combating high blood pressure (it stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). The federal government, which funded the research behind DASH, doesn't even call it a diet – it's an "eating plan." If losing weight is your No. 1 goal, a diet in our Best Weight-Loss Diets rankings would be a more likely choice. Or if you have diabetes, you might want to look especially hard at Best Diabetes Diets.

That's why we're giving you lots of tools. Each diet was scored by a panel of experts in short-term and long-term weight loss, on how easy it is to follow, how well it conforms to current nutrition standards and on health risks it may pose – plus its soundness as a diabetes and as a heart diet.

Besides the rankings and data, each diet has a detailed profile that tells you how it works, what evidence supports (or refutes) its claims, a nutritional snapshot – right down to daily milligrams of potassium – and, of course, a close look at the food you'd eat, with photos. All of it is reliable and easy to understand.

These tools will be at least a start at helping you, your mother, your brother – whomever – find that elusive perfect-for-me diet. Once you've whittled down your eligible diets to a few, consider your personality and lifestyle. If you're a foodie, you probably won't be happy with a plan built around frozen dinners, such as Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig, or mostly just-add-water meals, like Medifast. If cutting carbs will make you cranky and resentful, you'll want to stay away from low-carb diets such as Atkins and South Beach.

Then think about what did and didn't work the last time you were on a diet. Was it too restrictive? Lots of diets we covered don't consider any food off-limits. Didn't provide enough structure? Some plans will tell you exactly what to eat and when.

With any diet, ask yourself: How long can I stay on this? No matter how good it looks – or how good it might make you look – if you can't stick with it in the long run, you'll be right back where you started after a couple months.

And consider physical activity – an important component of any healthy lifestyle. Does your plan lay out a specific exercise program, or are you on your own?

The questions are endless. Right now, you may have no idea what will or won't work for you. That's what we're here for. We're not going to tell you what diet you should be on, but we can help lead you to a winner – the Best Diet for you.

Here's which diets came out on top in the nine different ranking lists:

Best Diets Overall

1. DASH Diet

2. MIND Diet (tie)

2. TLC Diet (tie)


Best Weight-Loss Diets

1. Weight Watchers

2. HMR Program


Best Fast Weight-Loss Diets

1. Biggest Loser (tie)

1. HMR Program (tie)


Best Diabetes Diets

1. Fertility Diet

2. Biggest Loser (tie)

2. DASH Diet (tie)


Best Heart-Healthy Diets

1. Ornish Diet

2. TLC Diet


Best Commercial Diet Plans

1. Mayo Clinic Diet (tie)

1. Weight Watchers (tie)


Best Diets for Healthy Eating

1. DASH Diet

2. TLC Diet


Easiest Diets to Follow

1. Fertility Diet (tie)

1. MIND Diet (tie)

1. Weight Watchers (tie)


Best Plant-Based Diets

1. Mediterranean

2. Flexitarian

Where Thanksgiving calories hide -- and how to burn them off!

When you sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, the cards will be stacked against your diet. Those favorite dishes are just so high in calories -- hello, stuffing and sweet potato casserole! -- and there are just so many of them, it can seem impossible not to splurge.

But with the right planning and a serving of willpower, you can have a healthy (or healthier) Thanksgiving.http://ow.ly/UZG9e

Delicious Recipes for Mother's Day Brunch

Passion Fruit Mimosas

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons grenadine
1 1/2 cups chilled passion fruit juice
1 (750 ml) bottle chilled prosecco
Orange slices, for garnish
Preparation

1. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon grenadine into each of 6 flutes; top with 1/4 cup passion fruit juice, then fill with prosecco. Garnish, if desired.

Braised Kale Frittata

Ingredients

6 large eggs
4 large egg whites
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 ounce Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, grated (3 TBSP)
2 tablespoons chopped oregano
Cooking spray
2 cups Braised Kale without cheese, drained, finely chopped
3/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, whisk the first 6 ingredients (through oregano).

2. Lightly coat an 8-inch ovenproof cast-iron or nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium. Add the kale and tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until hot (about 3 minutes). Add the eggs and swirl to distribute.

3. Transfer to the oven and bake until set and hot (about 20 minutes). Cut in wedges.

US Kids' Diets Put Them on Road to Heart Disease

By Maggie Fox

American kids eat too much sugar and salt, they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, and far too many are overweight, a new study shows.

The findings may not surprise parents, but they are disturbing to the researchers, who say these children are being set up for early heart disease.

None of the 8,900 children aged 2 to 11 who were surveyed were doing everything right. But even more striking: Most were missing the goal on three out of four measures of healthy living.

"Our findings indicate that, in general, children start with pretty good blood pressure," said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, who oversaw the study.

"But if they have a horrible diet, it will drive a worsening body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol levels."

The study comes from a nationally representative group of children, and the researchers say their findings can be translated to U.S. kids as a whole.

Fewer than 1 percent of the children in the study had four or five of the main components of a healthy diet: eating four and a half cups or more of fruits and vegetables each day; three servings of whole grains a day; two servings of fish a week; minimal amounts of sugar; and below 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.

Just 3 percent of boys and 2 percent of girls ate enough whole grains daily. "More than 50 percent of children consumed more than the recommend amount of sugar-sweetened beverages," the researchers wrote.

Fewer than 10 percent ate the recommended four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the survey found. And 30 percent were overweight or obese, Lloyd-Jones and colleagues reported in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

And these bad habits put many on the road to heart disease. About 40 percent of the kids already had poor or worrying cholesterol levels.

"It seems that children in the United States are losing their ideal cardiovascular health status," the researchers wrote.

Many studies have shown heart disease starts young — with artery-clogging blockages starting sometimes as young as age 3. Ultrasound examinations of children as young as 10 have shown they can have arteries that are already as clogged as those in some middle-aged people.

A study published last year showed that nearly a third of kids screened at pediatric clinics in Houston had unhealthy cholesterol levels by age 9 to 11.

But the studies also show an easy fix. One found young women who had reported eating the most fruits and vegetables in their 20s were 40 percent less likely to have dangerously blocked arteries in their 40s.

Other studies show that eating a diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fats and low on fatty meat, dramatically cuts the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Laila Ali fights to raise awareness about heart disease

By Cassandra Spratling, Detroit Free Press
(Photo: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

Champion boxer Laila Ali is fighting a new fight: one to raise awareness among women about the importance of taking care of their health.

Her latest bout was in the public service ring speaking before hundreds of women at the Detroit Marriott at the Go Red for Women event sponsored by the American Heart Association's Southeast Michigan chapter.

"We can take control ... no matter what stage you are in your life right now," Ali told an audience of 600 women, most of them dressed in red. Ali, who has retired from boxing, is the daughter of the iconic boxer, Muhammad Ali. She challenged women to step up and start taking care of themselves.
"This is a fight and I feel like we're losing, and as you've heard, I don't like to lose," said Ali. "When I heard one in three women will die of heart disease I was stunned.

The good news is it can be prevented." Ali outlined a multistep plan to help women on the journey to optimal health, acknowledging that she remains on that journey herself and knows it's not easy. "First, you have to be aware that you can and must take care of yourself," she said.

Every day offers a new opportunity to make a choice about what to eat and when and whether to exercise, she said. "It has to be a priority," she said.

Other steps she outlined, included:
■ Be honest with yourself about the changes you need to make.
■ Map out a plan with a wellness plan. For many women that plan should include losing weight, exercising and reducing stress.
■ Eat a diet heavy on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean meat. 

She called eating right a fight for your health. She cited a nutritionist who likened eating right to fueling a luxury vehicle. "Your body is like a sports car; put in the best quality gasoline. What is it going to take to get the best performance?" Acknowledging her own weakness for sugar, she said, "Decrease your sugar. Trust me I tried to find a way around that one."

She echoed earlier speakers in encouraging women to drink more water and exercise. "Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels," Ali said.

Prior to Ali's talk, Go Red for Women chairperson Janice Cosby, offered her definition of what GO RED Means:

G is for Get your numbers. (Cholesterol, high blood pressure and other indicators of heart health).

O is for Own your lifestyle.

R, Realize your risks.

E, Educate yourself and your family.

D, Don't be silent.  Donate time and resources to raising awareness and money for heart health, especially among women.

For more on the Go Red For Women program, go to https://www.goredforwomen.org/

10 Tips for Cooking a Healthy Thanksgiving Meal!

1. Leave the marshmallows and brown sugar out of the sweet potatoes.

2. Slim down your stuffing by adding more vegetables like celery and carrots.

3. Use herbs and spices like garlic and rosemary to flavor dishes instead of butter and salt

4. When baking, use extracts like vanilla, almond and peppermint instead of sugar and butter.

5. Instead of adding chocolate chips, use dried fruit, like cranberries.

6. Use olive oil instead of butter (even in mashed potatoes)

7. Use whole grain breads instead of white

8. Substitute low-fat or fat-free for heavy cream

9. Bake, grill or steam vegetables instead of frying

10. Prepare less food; you'll save time and money!

Easy Soup Recipe for Healthy Hair!

The ingredients in this Chicken Soup recipe are stuffed with hair health enhancing nutrients. Bon appetit!

Chicken Soup with Rice and Green Peas

Skinless chicken provides plenty of high-quality protein which is necessary for healthy hair growth. This nutritious chicken soup also features carrots, which are rich in both beta-carotene and vitamin C, two key nutrients for maintaining healthy hair.

Ingredients

4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 small onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup green peas
2 small ribs organic celery, diced
2 small carrots, sliced
1/2 cup short grain brown rice, washed
2 cups skinless, organic chicken, cooked and diced

Directions
-Soak rice in cold water from 15 minutes to one hour. This will reduce cooking time, or use instant rice!

-Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add pre-soaked rice and vegetables. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.

-Add cooked chicken and simmer for 3-4 minutes.

20 Healthier Halloween Candy Choices!

1. Hershey’s Special Dark
2. Twizzlers
3. Peanut M&Ms
4. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniature
5.Tootsie Rolls
6. 3 Musketeers
7. Tootsie Roll Pop
8. Payday
9. Mounds
10. Almond Joy
11. Raisinetes
12. Kit Kat
13. Jolly Rancher
14. Dum Dum Lollipop
15. Nestle Crunch
16. Air Head
17. Mike & Ike
18. SweetTarts
19. Heath Bar
20. Smarties

Recipe for Breast Health

Raw kale greens are really delicious in salads. Because they are not as tender as softer greens like lettuce, they actually improve from sitting in this citrusy Southwestern style vinaigrette. The citrus ‘cooks’ the kale, very much like ceviche, adding tremendous flavor. Creamy avocado brings smoothness, roasted corn sweetness, and black beans protein. This is one tasty, easy meal.

Ingredients
3 tablespoon grape seed or canola oil
Juice from 2 limes
2 cups washed cilantro leaves and tender stems
¼ red onion, chopped
Salt, to taste
1 teaspoon grape seed or canola oil
1 cup frozen corn
4 cups chopped kale
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (see Ann’s Tips)
1 cup quartered cherry tomato
½ avocado, diced
Baked Tortilla Chips or warm tortilla

1. Blend the oil, lime juice, cilantro leaves, red onion and salt until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. In a wide skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is well browned, about 5 minutes. Tip into the dressing.

3. Add the kale, black beans and cherry tomato to the bowl, and mix well until well coated. Let sit for at least 15 minutes. Just before serving top with diced avocado and tortilla chips, if using, or serve with a warm tortilla.

9 Foods Men Need to Eat

While many men are less conscious about what they eat, experts say that at times, eating healthy can mean different things for men and women because both sexes have their own set of dietary requirements.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also known as superfoods because of their numerous benefits. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which, studies say help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease and lower cholesterol - all common ailments in men.

Oysters
Oysters have high levels of zinc - essential for men's fertility and sexual health. Zinc maintains healthy testosterone levels and is excellent for healthy sperm production. It is also great for the hair.

Whole grains
Whole grains contain healthy levels of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Whole grains like oats and brown rice have healthy amounts of B vitamins, good for over-all well-being and they also help alleviate depression. Studies also say that folate can keep sperm healthy, while biotin helps curb hair loss.

Garlic
While garlic is known for the role it plays in protecting the heart, it is said that men who consume garlic regularly have lower cholesterol levels.

Salmon
Not only is salmon a great source of protein, it is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to lowered levels of bad cholesterol. They also reduce the risk of heart disease, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and depression.

Blueberries
Experts say that blueberries have high levels of proanthocyanidins, which are linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Blueberries are also said to be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and age-related memory loss.

Broccoli
Broccoli, as well as cabbage and sprouts, contains a strong cancer-fighting chemical called sulphoraphane, which is said to reduce men's risk of developing bladder cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer.

Eggs
Suffering from hair loss? Make sure you include eggs in your diet. Eggs have high sources of protein, important for hair growth. The yolk is also a good source of iron.

Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice helps lower cholesterol levels and prevent hypertension because it is packed with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Some studies have also suggested that having pomegranate juice daily can slow down the progress of prostate cancer.