How does Ronald McDonald look nowaday?

I was doing some research and came across an article on McDonalds and thought to myself “When was the last time I ate there”? Thankfully I could not remember the last time I ate fast food at all. It seems like everywhere you go there is a McDonalds restaurant on the corner. Now they are in hospitals, colleges, airports, and even churches.

I remember watching a documentary Super Size Me and it was very interesting but sad of all the negative health effects that Morgan Spurlock developed just by eating fast food all those times, not to mention all the weight he gained as well. He put his health on the line just to educate and demonstrate how our bodies react to these foods. If you haven’t seen the documentary I highly recommend it.

Fast food costs are inexpensive and tastes very good, but the negative effects on physical health last much longer. With the high-calorie meals come more fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar — and therefore fewer vitamins, minerals and other nutrients — than in healthier foods. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that these eating habits create nutritional deficiencies along with weight gain. The health problems that stem from overweight and obesity alone can severely limit lifestyles and shorten life spans.

Fast food can be the biggest contributer to obesity. Fast foods are loaded with fat and calories. Ordering without limits may have negative effects on your health and weight. Hamburgers with multiple  patties, cheese, bacon and mayonnaise may exceed the 65mg fat limit recommended by the USDA for the whole day.

Many drive-through foods and drinks have high sugar content, including milkshakes, 62g of sugar, and colas, 44g, in 16-oz. servings as per the USDA. Fast foods contain high amounts of cholesterol and salt, two nutrients that contribute to cardiovascular health problems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report a direct link between sodium intake and negative effects on blood pressure, and note that Americans consume most of their sodium in processed and restaurant foods.

What have fast food companies done to make things better?

Fast food companies are developing healthier options to meet the desires of healthier consumer needs.. Many fast food chains now offer healthy options including low-fat, low calorie foods; fresh foods; bottled water; and salads made with fruits and vegetables. Some stand-outs in fast food nutrition include low-fat salads and sandwiches and grilled chicken.

Other healthier options have been added to many fast food menus. Low-fat yogurt, fruit cups and wheat buns can replace some of the higher fat and lower fiber meal options. However, these healthy choices have the ability to take a wrong turn when mixed with unhealthy selections, such as fried chicken and high-fat dressing on the salads, cookies, candies or high-sugar granola mixed into the yogurt or whipped toppings on the fruit. Stick with the food in its most natural form to get the highest nutritional benefit from it.

Thanks for reading LJAY HEALTH

References
USDA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sodium Fact Sheet
USDA: Nutrient Database
AHA: Eating Fast Food
Office of the Surgeon General: Overweight Consequences

 

Whole Wheat vs. Whole Grain

There can be some confusion when it comes to choosing whole wheat or whole grain and the differences between the two. Whole grain and whole wheat look very similar. Sometimes I cannot tell the difference between the two without tasting them. Whole grain has a richer taste than whole wheat does. Whole grain has a more darker texture than whole wheat does.

One of the main differences between whole wheat and whole grain is the process used to prepare the grain flour. With whole-wheat flour, the grain has gone through a refining process that has removed some of the nutritional value . However, whole-grain flour does not go through this refining process, and maintains the natural level of nutrients.

I have done some research and created a chart which distinguish both at a glance.

All in all, in my opinion Whole Grain bread wins in this battle. Some may argue, however eating any food that hasn’t gone through a refining process is always better over processed food in my eye. Also for those who want to try and minimize sugar spikes will choose whole grains over whole wheat.

Thanks for reading as always! -LJAY HEALTH 

Pre 30 Day No Refined Sugar Challenge

Hi everyone! Monday, July 23, 2012 starts the first day of LJAY HEALTH 30 days of eating no refined sugar challenge.  The challenge will end on Friday, August 24, 2012. If you are looking to see increased fitness results or just an improvement of overall health you should join the challenge. This challenge will also test your mental strength as well!

If you are on Facebook, follow and Like my Facebook page to stay up to date on live post daily.- facebook.com/ljayhealth 

You can also find the Facebook link on the left side of this screen and click the Like button. The Facebook page will consist of other people who are also doing the challenge. Share ideas, stay motivated, share results all on the page!!

Things to know about Refined Sugar

Refined sugars consist of foods such as cakes, cookies, candy, table sugar, foods with high fructose corn syrup (donuts. chocolate, certain cereals, vending machine snacks etc.

Eliminating sugar from your diet stabilizes your blood sugar levels. When you eat foods that contain sugar, your pancreas releases insulin to help redistribute the sugar in your blood to your cells for energy. Your body stores excess sugar in your muscles and liver, according to LiveStrong.com.

Depending on your body’s response, consuming sugar may cause spikes in your blood sugar or glucose levels. When you eliminate sugary foods, you reduce these peaks, stabilizing your blood sugar. Eliminating sugar also reduces food cravings caused by drops in blood glucose, ridding yourself of the up-and-down pattern of your blood sugar levels.

The single largest source of calories for Americans comes from sugar—specifically high fructose corn syrup. Just take a look at the sugar consumption trends of the past 300 years:

In 1700, the average person consumed about 4 pounds of sugar per year. (very, very low compared to today) 
In 1800, the average person consumed about 18 pounds of sugar per year.
In 1900, individual consumption had risen to 90 pounds of sugar per year.
In 2009, more than 50 percent of all Americans consume one-half pound of sugar PER DAY—translating to a whopping 180 pounds of sugar per year!

Sugar is loaded into your soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, and hidden in almost all processed foods—from bologna to pretzels to Worcestershire sauce to cheese spread.

Here is a very interesting articles posted by MenHealth identifying 20 Most Sugar-Packed Foods.

http://eatthis.menshealth.com/content/20-most-sugar-packed-foods-america?article=5&page=1

Join LJAY HEALTH in this challenge and help spread the word about this challenge. I am very excited about this challenge! 

Post 30 Day No Refined Sugar Challenge

Happy 4th of July-Gluten Free Beer

Happy 4th of July!! If you are going to drink beer you might as well drink some gluten free beer. Kicking back with a beer isn’t that easy when your diet doesn’t include gluten. With a large number of people adopting gluten-free diets, many companies are making beer that’s free of wheat, barley, rye, and malts. Remember portion control is key to keeping it healthy!

Nutritional facts: Serving size- 1 bottle (may vary depending on brand)

• Calories- 150
• Total fat-0
• Sodium-60gm
• Total Carbohydrates-13g
• Protein-1g

What is Gluten- Gluten is a protein found in wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, malts and triticale. It is used as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent, often as “dextrin”. A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease, the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis, and wheat allergy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free_diet

Some gluten free foods include:

• Eggs
• Beans
• Fresh meats, fish etc
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Most dairy products

Happy 4th of July and thank you for reading -LJAY HEALTH

7 Healthy Tips

Maintaining a healthy lifestyles can sometimes be frustrating due to all the different directives from doctors, healthy experts and family members and friends. I came up with 7 quick healthy tips that you can focus on to help improve and maintain your overall health and well being. Always remember that portion control is everything, too much of even healthy food can be a negative impact on your health.

1. Eat a balanced, Healthy Breakfast. Typically breakfast should include protein, complex carbs and healthy fat. Studies show that people who eat a regular breakfast maintain their weight and have a lower risk of diabetes. Try and avoid breakfast bars as many of them have too much sugar, too many calories and little protein. Try to include boiled eggs, make a protein shake mixed with protein, milk of your choice, and fruit, or some cut up fruit to take with you if you are rushing in the morning. Drink a cold glass of water as soon as your wake up to hydrate your body from the water loss through perspiration while sleeping. Have a handful of nuts including almonds, cashews, walnuts.
2. Boost Cardiovascular Health with Physical Activity. Only 30 minutes of physical activity a day can improve cardiovascular health, reduce LDL cholesterol and help normalize weight. Some ways to increase your daily activity could be to park furthest away from your work building, or store. Use a bike for transportation, jump rope whenever possible. I keep a jumprope in my car at all times Take the stairs instead of the elevator if it’s a short flight. 
3. Get at least six to eight hours of sleep. Avoid caffeine before bed. Close your eyes and do deep breathing exercising for 10 minutes. In yoga we practice breathing exercises all the time and it helps me to renew my mind and calms me down. Breathe in your nose and out your mouth, take deep breathes frequently especially when working out. Turn your phone on vibrate to avoid being disturbed while you are sleeping. If you have a hard time sleeping take a few caps of Melatonin (a natural sleep aid) before bed.
4. Eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetable a day. Veggies and fruits are high in fiber and contain a large amount of antioxidants. These foods help protect you from heart disease, cancer and many other illnesses. I cant remember the last time I was sick or had to use my health insurance I eat fresh produce, organic when possible.
5. Lift weights. Lifting weights helps increase bone density and lower body fat which increases metabolism and lower heart disease risk. If you are new to lifting weights, get a personal trainer to show the ropes or buy fitness magazines for different routines. Practice air squats, lunges, pushups and pullups. I have posted some videos on my youtube account with some of the routines. Youtube account name=ljayhealth Stair climbing, jogging, running and other workouts requires your body to work against gravity also boosting strength and endurance.
6. Stay Hydrated.  You all have heard or know you are supposed to get in at least eight glasses of water per day. However if your exercising you should have more than this. Staying hydrated keeps you mentally focused and help maintain blood pressure, improves physical performance. During work days I keep a jug of water with me and drink it constantly throughout the day. When I workout I sip of water frequently. Try and avoid drinking too much caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and increases the body needs for water. Foods high in water like fruits and vegggies count towards  your daily water intake!!! If you are not a fan of water, adding lemons to enhance the water taste may help you increase your water intake.
7. Wash your hands. I previously posted a article on germs and their negative effects. Germs are everywhere and they are surrounding you right now. Washing your hands frequently helps to prevent you from becoming sick from bacteria and flu like symptoms. Wash your hands after leaving the restroom, pumping gas, opening and closing doors and typing on your computer. Avoid from touching your face, rubbing your eyes and licking your fingers. Use hand sanitizer while in the gym, and wipe down the equipment after your are done working out.  According to HandHygiene, during a 16 hour period we touch our face at least 250 times per day, 7500 times a month, and 90,000 times a year.

Following these tips daily will help prepare you and get you on the road for living a healthier lifestyle! Thanks for reading as always. -LJAY HEALTH

Cutting the Salt Intake

I recently read in article on USA Today website regarding salt and figured I would post some comments about the article. Salt is not only table salt but it is Sodium found in almost every food especially frozen foods, chips and fast foods. Very important that you look on the nutrition label and keep track of the sodium amount. Sodium increases water retention in the body so you weight more, increases blood pressure levels, may lead to kidney failure and clogs the blood arteries.

Most recently, a study published in the journal Stroke made headlines confirming a direct link between sodium intake and increased stroke risk. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 100,000 deaths a year could be prevented with population-wide sodium reductions. And while the U.S. Dietary Guideline’s sodium cap is 2,300 milligrams, the American Heart Association has lowered its recommendation to no more than 1,500 milligrams a day. That’s less than one teaspoon of salt. But most of us are getting at least double that — a whopping average of over 3,400 mg. daily.

• An estimate of over 100,000 deaths per year could be prevented just but a reduction of sodium. This is a powerful statement and eye opening that this amount is as high as it is. The recommended amount for sodium intake is about 1,500 mg a day. However on average people are consuming 3,400 over twice the recommended amount.

Things to do to lower your sodium intake according to the USA Today article:

1. Focus on fresh
Up to 75% of the sodium we eat comes from prepared and processed foods, so simply cooking at home from fresh, minimally processed ingredients will give you a big head start. For example, pre-cooked seasoned chicken breast can have more than 500 mg. sodium in 3 ounces. If you buy it fresh and season and cook it yourself, even if you use some salt, it will likely have half the sodium.

2. Boost flavor healthfully
Instead of leaning on salt for flavor, amp up healthy seasonings such as citrus and citrus zest, fresh and dried herbs, ground spices, chile peppers, vinegars, onion, garlic, and ginger.

3. Buy low-sodium
When you do use products in cans or jars, buy the low-sodium or no-salt-added versions. You can always add other seasoning and even add a touch of salt if necessary, but this way you are in control of how much.

4. Add salt sparingly and reduce incrementally
Don’t think “all or nothing.” A little salt can go a long way in terms of boosting flavor and there’s no need to eliminate it completely. Cut back a step at a time so your taste buds can adapt, starting with three-fourths of the salt you might typically use, then reduce to half over time.

Foods with high sodium levels according to WebMD:

• Frozen dinners= 787 mgs per dinner
• Cereals= 250 mgs of sodium per cup
• Vegetable juices= 479 mgs of sodium per cup
• Canned vegetables=730 mgs per can
• Packed deli meat=363 mgs
• Soy Sauce= 1,024 mgs

Most of these foods almost reach our recommended daily intake of 1,500 mgs of sodium a day. There are such as fast foods burgers and fries which exceeds our daily intake in one serving.

Things that you can do to start limiting your salt intake:

• Don’t go cold turkey and cut all the sodium out at one time. However, make smalls strides to cutting it. Every day try to reduce your sodium intake by 3-5 mg.
• Use garlic salt or sea salt as a substitute.
• Avoid eating frozen foods and eat fresh foods instead.
• Drink more water to help flush the sodium out of your body. Drinking water helps to flush the sodium out of your kidneys when filtered.

Lets spread the word today and help reduce the illness and death toll by educating friends, family, coworkers on some of the health benefits of reducing sodium intake.

Thank you for reading as always!! -LJayHealth

The Secret to Weight Loss

The secret to losing weight:

-Cut the junk foods
-Intake fewer calories
-Reduce Sugar Intake
-Reduce Sodium Consumption
-Cut back on on complex carbohydrates
-Drink plenty of water (eight 8 ounces a day)
-Engage in physical activity at least 30 minutes a day
-Remove the stress from your life

Although this may seem like alot but it is actually very simple. Foods that are low in calories, sugars, and sodium are idea for daily food intake. Foods such as fruits, green vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains ,nuts and seeds tends to put your metabolism into full blast. When we remove extra sugar from our food intake our blood sugar levels stay normal and allows the liver to conduct its primary job (burning fat). When loosing weight it is also important to watch out for the sodium intake. A surplus in sodium stores in our body as water weight. The average amount of sodium that we should intake daily is no more the 1500mg. Foods that are high in sodium are sodas, fried foods, added salt, and frozen dinners. Be sure to check the nutrition labels for sodium amounts when grocery shopping, you may be surprised how fast the sodium amount rises quick throughout the day.

A major way of removing the access fat cells is cutting back on the complex carbohydrates. White breads, white rice, pasta, and flavored cereals.(Remember if its white, its not right). Instead it is ok to result to whole wheat products instead; wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice,and whole grain cereals. When we intake complex carbohydrates it is then digested into our bodies as sugar and then the excess is stored into fat cells.

Engaging in physical activity at least 30 minutes a day allows the body to burns the fat cells away. Exercising also promotes perspiration which helps to unclog our skin pours for healthier skin, opens our blood vessels for increase blood flow, and helps to unclog blocked arteries which can lead to health issues.

Regular exercise has been proven to help:

Reduce stress
Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression
Boost self-esteem
Improve sleep

Throwing out the junk foods:

A friend of mine was so concerned that she was not eating as healthy as she could be; so she invited me into her kitchen to examine some of the foods she had stored in her pantry and refrigerator. During my analysis I threw out the whole milk, white bread, butter, sodas, the container of sugar, cookies, candy, potato chips and frozen dinners. She was somewhat upset that these foods were being thrown away due to the money she had spent on them but it was time for her to realize those foods were affecting her health tremendously. We then took a trip to the local grocery and replaced the foods with more healthier selections such as fat free milk, wheat thin crackers, water, diet soda, wheat bread and so on. This was a major change for her but she knew that it would be better for her health which was most important. A week later she called me and told me that she was down 4 pounds!! All she did was change the way she was ate, and going from a unhealthy eating situation to a more nutritional way of eating.

My advice to you:

Just as my friend dropped 4 pounds in only one week by changing her food selection you too can do the same. Get motivated today to throw out the junk the same way I did for my friend. If you feel that wasting money isn’t necessary, offer the foods to a family member or a friend. It is time to take control of your weight and most importantly your HEALTH.

Simple Lunch & Dinner Creations

I was a little hungry the other day and there was not alot of food options in the fridge, so I decided to cut up some red, green and banana peppers and mix them together. I was actually surprised how filling this dish was and also the taste was amazing. Bell peppers are a great source of Vitamin A,C, B6 and rich in antioxidants.  I will definitely be making this again!

Ingredients are simple and inexpensive:

• 1 green pepper
• 1 red pepper
• Banana peppers

Here is another simple dish that I decided to make the following day. Steamed and raw broccoli mixed with a hint of Asian sesame seed sauce. Broccoli is a excellent source of fiber, Vitamin C and K. I made this dish in less than 5 minutes, filled me up and was delicious. They key is to mix steamed broccoli with some raw broccoli. Try it out and let me know how you like it.

Ingredients:

• Steamed and Raw Broccoli
• Kraft light Asian Sesame seed dressing 

There are always ways to keep it simple, inexpensive and healthy at the same time. Find more ways to incorporate more of these in your daily meals and share your ideas with us. Have a great day!

My Starbucks Addiction-Keeping it Healthy

I love Starbucks coffee, I go at least 3x a week and sometimes 4x a week. People always ask me how do I stay in shape with drinking so much Starbucks coffee and always going there. The truth is; it is easy to keep in shape with drinking Starbucks coffee but only if you drink the right thing.  I keep it simple when ordering coffee, regular black coffee with soymilk and 1 splenda packet. Taste amazing. This is so much better for you than drinking a iced latte or frappucino.

If you drink at Starbucks and you want to keep it healthy here are some good tips:

• Never add whip cream (if your coffee comes with whip cream ask them not to add it)
• Save your self calories by avoiding the Venti cup size, go with the tall or grande cup size instead
• If you need sweetener, use splenda instead of pure sugar.
• Substitute regular milk for soymilk (If you don’t like soymilk  simply choose no fat milk for you coffee)
• Stay away from the danishes and sweet snacks at the counter
• When ordering, always ask for you preferred coffee to be “light”. Choosing “light” will substitute the whole milk for low fat milk, removes the whip cream, and it doesn’t add sugar.

If you can follow these tips you too can stay in shape and still enjoy the great taste of Starbucks coffee.

Breakfast (Break-the-Fast)

 

Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I have no appetite what so ever and my first instinct is not to eat anything before starting my day. But this is a definitely a MUST NOT DO. Our bodies need fuel for energy first thing in the morning to help us have a productive and energized day. Although I have no appetite the first thing I do is have a 16 ounce glass of cold water to get my metabolism going, then I will have a small protein shake or protein bar, or nuts before my workout.  Breakfast stands for Break-the-Fast, and the fast is us going through 6-8 hours of sleeping with no food, or water intake giving our bodies the proper nutrients. When I started to eat breakfast regularly I noticed that I had a ton of energy throughout the day, and I wasn’t as hungry for lunch and dinner which helped to control my portion size for those meals. I also noticed that when I went to gym I had so much energy to get my workout done and made me feel great.

Any breakfast may be better than no breakfast, there are foods you may want to avoid because they’re high in sugars, sodium, saturated fats and calories. Cut back on sugary cereals, high-calorie pastries, and meats like bacon and sausage that are high in saturated fat and sodium. Foods to avoid: Bagels, donuts, pastries, pancakes, and FAST FOOD.Breakfast should include protein and plenty of fiber; the combination will help satisfy your hunger and will keep you feeling full until lunch time. The protein can come from low-fat meat, eggs, nuts or dairy products. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A healthy breakfast doesn’t need to be extravagant or take a long time to prepare. Try something simple like a hard boiled egg, whole grain toast and 100% fruit juice.  Food to consume: Eggs (any style), protein smoothie, protein bar, fruit, oatmeal minus the sugar instead add fruit to your oatmeal, and low fat, low calories yogurt.

Eating breakfast may be good for losing weight. People who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. Some experts believe eating breakfast keeps your metabolism running because skipping meals causes the body to kick into ‘starvation’ mode. This really isn’t the case, however, because it takes three or for days of not eating for the body to start gearing down.

Skipping breakfast is a common strategy for people who are trying to lose weight, but it’s usually not a successful one. Your body (or maybe your brain) expects to be refueled a few times each day, so when you skip meals you may feel so hungry that when lunch time comes, you over-eat or maybe you choose foods that are not the healthiest choices.

Intaking an early morning snack increases the metabolic rate (how fast you burn calories) and kick starts your body into gear, telling it what to expect the rest of the day. If breakfast isn’t had, your body doesn’t process your next meal as quickly and tries to hold onto those nutrients. Since it didn’t get any morning fuel, it tries to hold onto the afternoon meal as long as possible — instead of burning it right away.

Skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make weight control more difficult. Breakfast skippers tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or nibble on high-calorie snacks to stave off hunger. Several studies suggest that people tend to accumulate more body fat when they eat fewer, larger meals than when they eat the same number of calories in smaller, more frequent meals. To teens, especially teenage girls, skipping breakfast may seem like a perfectly logical way to cut down on calories and lose weight. It’s important for moms to educate their kids about the importance of the morning meal and the role it plays in maintaining good health and preventing obesity. http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/most-important-meal

My Breakfast Smoothie Recipes

Almond Protein Smoothie

10 Almonds

8 ounces of soymilk  (chocolate, vanilla, plain), skim milk, or almond milk

1 cup of ice cubes

1 scoop of protein powder of your choice

Blend for 30 seconds

Banana Fruit Smoothie

1 small banana

2 tablespoon of raisins

1/2 cup of sliced strawberries

1 scoop of protein powder of you choice

8 ounces of soymilk, skim milk, almond milk