Two-thirds of American adults are medically overweight or obese, and the incidence of medically significant obesity is rising rapidly, especially in children and teenagers. Unless this epidemic is brought under control, earlier appearance of diabetes and heart disease is expected to get worse.

“People who feel stressed, as many do in the midst of a financial recession, may turn to food for comfort and start to overindulge,” says Dr. Leonard Mastbaum, fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (FACE), senior medical advisor with OPTIFAST, a medically monitored weight loss program that focuses on changing patients’ lifestyles and how they interact with food.

Emotionally based overeating, or using food to satisfy negative feelings not related to hunger, is a frequent threat to maintaining good, healthy eating habits. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it accounts for 75 percent of overeating.

“The problem is that this behavior does not resolve the underlying problem and is often followed by feelings of shame or guilt, and a decrease in feelings of self-worth,” adds Dr. Jamy Ard, assistant professor of nutrition sciences and medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and medical director with OPTIFAST. “This process may lead to repetitive overeating and the onset of a downward spiral — resulting in significant weight gain.”

The current recession is not easing the situation. In a recent survey of 1,000 Americans, 25 percent responded that they were more likely to turn to high-calorie comfort foods because of the economic situation. Washington University in St. Louis has also reported strong evidence that economic uncertainty can cause significant weight gain.

The good news is that emotional (non-hunger) eating can be controlled with some effort. Mastbaum and Ard suggest the following steps:

* Take note of when you’re eating, but aren’t actually hungry.

Clues include eating a short time after a meal, or while doing activities such as reading or watching TV, sudden cravings for a particular food and feelings of guilt or self-deprecation after eating.

* Learn what triggers emotional eating for you.

Keep a diary and record when and what you eat and what you are experiencing or feeling at the time (boredom, anger, frustration, etc.), take note of how hungry you are at the time by rating your hunger on a scale of one to 10. Study the diary to try to determine your triggers and what foods you turn to at these times. Some studies suggest that chewy and crunchy foods are more commonly consumed during periods of stress, frustration or anger, while creamy foods are often used to combat feelings of loneliness or depression. Make eating a solitary activity rather than eating while taking part in another activity.

* Make a list of non-eating activities that you enjoy, to help alleviate your emotional eating triggers.

Physical activity can boost your mood. Keep a list of activities you enjoy with you at all times. This activity or exercise could make you feel better and will provide you with alternatives when you feel the urge to eat inappropriately.

* Recognize when you’re lapsing and eating on a non-hunger basis. Try to learn what triggers your own inappropriate eating.

Some clues: emotional “hunger” comes on suddenly, is associated with a craving for a specific food and is followed by feelings of guilt or shame.

* Get to the root of your feelings and take action to change them.

Much of the financial stress that stems from the recession may feel like it’s out of your control. Try to find actionable steps you can take to feel more in charge—it will help you feel like you’re making progress and, ultimately, less overwhelmed.

Overcoming emotional overeating is crucial to the success of any diet or weight loss plan. It’s also an important part of maintaining a healthy weight, but even the most dedicated dieters struggle with it.

The longer emotional eating is a challenge, the more weight gain and negative health effects are likely to occur. For those who battle significant weight problems and need to lose more than 50 pounds, Mastbaum recommends calling on a support team of professionals like those with the OPTIFAST Program to help you take control of your eating behaviors and achieve your weight loss goals.

For more information on OPTIFAST or to find a clinic near you, log on to www.OPTIFAST.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Even if you never add salt to your food while cooking or eating it, you may still be getting too much sodium. If you have an ailment like heart disease or high blood pressure, following a low-sodium diet is advisable, but may be a challenge to achieve.

If you’ve recently suffered a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart failure, your doctor likely wants you to reduce your sodium intake because heart failure causes the body to retain sodium. Extra sodium can cause fluid to build up in your body, and extra fluid makes your heart work harder — not a good thing for a heart muscle already under strain.

A low-sodium diet means restricting your sodium intake to just 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) a day  – a little more than one teaspoon. Don’t confuse sodium and salt. Sodium is a component of table salt, making up about 40 percent of salt. While certain kinds of salt, like sea salt, may have a bit less sodium there’s no such thing as a truly low-sodium salt.

While reading product labels can help you be aware of how much sodium is present in the packaged foods you eat — thanks to the FDA’s mandate to disclose such information – it can still be difficult to achieve a low-sodium diet.

So how can you cut back on sodium? The Heart Failure Society of America, an organization aimed at improving the quality of life for people diagnosed with heart failure and helping prevent the condition in those at risk, offers a few helpful tips:

1. Lose the salt shaker.

If you’re still adding salt to your food when you cook or sit down at the table to eat, stop. You’ll cut your sodium intake by as much as 30 percent by parting company with your salt shaker. Replace salt with more healthy seasonings, like black, cayenne or lemon pepper; herbs like garlic, onion powder, dill, parsley and rosemary; lemon juice and flavored extracts like vanilla or almond.

2. Choose low-sodium versions of favorite foods.

You don’t have to abandon all your favorite foods in order to reduce sodium. Replace foods traditionally high in salt with fresh foods naturally lower in sodium. For example, instead of preparing a country ham, cook a fresh, lean pork roast. Substitute freshly cooked and sliced chicken, turkey, roast beef or pork for lunch meats that usually contain a lot of sodium. Instead of buying salty canned soups, chop up fresh veggies and cooked meats, toss them in the slow cooker and season with herbs and spices. If you must buy canned soups or vegetables, look for labels that say “sodium-free,” “no salt,” “low sodium,” “reduced sodium” or “unsalted.”

3. Pick foods naturally low in sodium.

Generally, you can eat as much fresh food as you want without counting the sodium content. Fresh fruits and vegetables, including freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, have very little sodium. (But remember, please don’t add salt to your fruits and vegetables.) The same is true for fresh meat, poultry and fish. If you are not eating fresh foods, choose other low-sodium foods as much as possible, such as canned fruits, plain frozen vegetables and dried beans, peas, rice and lentils.

4. Learn to read food labels.

By reading food labels, you can learn which foods are high and low in sodium. As a rule, most processed foods, whether they are frozen, canned or boxed, are high in sodium, but don’t rule them out entirely. Some packaged foods are available in low- or no-salt versions.

It can be difficult to change your eating habits, but try introducing changes slowly instead of all at once. It may take weeks before you enjoy the taste of low-sodium foods, but your taste buds will adjust. Be patient. Eventually you won’t even miss the salt.

To learn more about heart failure and how to manage your condition, log on to the Heart Failure Society of America’s Web site: www.abouthf.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Treatment and medical options

Since diabetes is a chronic disease, people who are suffering from it should be more vigilant about their health more than ever. It means that they should visit their doctors more often, maintain a healthy lifestyle and take the necessary medications or undergo needed treatments for them to stay healthy.

Before taking in any medication or undergoing a specific treatment, it is a must that person knows what type of diabetes he or she is suffering from. Basically, there are three types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes wherein the person’s body doesn’t have the capability to produce insulin, which is crucial for sugar to turn the food into energy; the type 2 diabetes-the most common type-restricts the person’s pancreas to produce enough supply insulin for the body to use well; and the gestational diabetes which occurs among pregnant women and can lead to type 2 diabetes eventually if not monitored immediately.

Experts say that people with diabetes should aim for healthy diet and getting regular exercise to control the illness. At times, there will be the need to take in some medications or undergo treatments. The following are just some of the common medications advised for people with diabetes:

1. Insulin shots. Since insufficient insulin levels in the body cause diabetes, insulin itself can solve the problem. For diabetics, insulin is very important because it lowers the blood sugar in the body by moving the sugar from the person’s blood into the cells. Insulin should be taken at least two times daily to ensure that there will be stable blood sugar control. It should be taken at least 30 minutes before each meal or should be taken before one eats especially if she or he takes a fast effecting type.

2. Oral medications. People with type 1 diabetes are not advised to use oral medications since insulin shots are injected in their bodies 24/7 in order to survive. Oral medications work best to people with type 2 diabetes-especially those who have high blood sugar-because these can serve as a supplement for them. The most common oral medications include sulfonylureas which forces the pancreas to produce more insulin to lower the blood sugar levels; siguanides which helps achieve lower blood sugar by stopping the liver in producing too much sugar; metformin which helps the person lose weight which is the common cause of diabetes; thiazolidinediones which helps the cells develop higher sensitivity to insulin which moves the glucose from the blood; and meglitinides which is responsible for helping the pancreas produce more insulin immediately after each meal to effectively lower blood sugar levels.

By: Jules Sims

“You can easily improve overall heart health with a few, simple lifestyle choices,” says dietician Keri Glassman. “One in four Americans does not get enough exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With obesity on the rise, especially among children, routine daily exercise is a great place to start.  When combined with a healthier diet, particularly one with reduced sodium, you’ll lower the risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and hypertension.”

True, there are factors that you don’t have control over when it comes to heart health, including age, race, gender and family history. However, by monitoring controllable risk factors such as weight, diet and exercise, you can proactively take the necessary steps to limit the threats and improve your overall well-being.

Here are five easy tips to get your ticker in tip-top shape:

Heart smart staples
Stock up on whole grains, lean proteins rich in omega-3s, and a colorful array of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are not only low in fat and calories, they are also a great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Also, omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna, walnuts, soybeans, brussel sprouts and flax seeds, can help lower blood fats called triglycerides, which are harmful to your heart. A diet high in soluble fiber and low in saturated fats along with increased fruits and vegetables may help decrease cholesterol and blood pressure.

Shake the salt habit
Sodium is one of the biggest contributors to heart disease and hypertension; and, as a general rule, you should not exceed 2,400 milligrams of sodium per day. Buyer beware: high amounts of sodium lurk in many of the everyday foods you love, including soups, breads and even beverages. Help stay within your daily sodium recommendation and opt for the low salt or reduced sodium options of your favorite foods, when available.

Many choices, such as Del Monte’s 50 percent Less Salt Vegetables, are a convenient way to reduce salt while maintaining delicious flavor. Look for heart smart options in the grocery store.  Products such as Del Monte’s 50 percent Less Salt Whole Kernel Corn and Sweet Peas display the American Heart Association heart-check mark on the label as they meet the Association’s food criteria for saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people older than age 2.

Other low-sodium options readily available at the supermarket include Pepperidge Farms reduced-sodium breads, lower sodium soups from Campbell’s and Progresso, and Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop popcorn. For great ways on switching out those high sodium foods with lower salt versions, visit delmonte.com/solutions/recipeTools.aspx for delicious recipes.

Your heart will gleam with lycopene
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a leading ingredient in reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies indicate that canned tomato products may be even better than their fresh counterparts,  so go ahead and use that can of spaghetti sauce. In fact, research finds that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body once processed into juice, sauce, paste and ketchup.

Get moving
Statistics show that 1.3 million people will have a new or recurrent heart attack in 2009 according to the American Heart Association, and one major contributor is a lack of daily exercise. Tired of your old routine or going to the gym? Sign up for a fun salsa, ballroom or meringue dance class at a local community center. You’ll get your blood moving, heart pumping and have fun with friends and others while you’re doing it.

Snuff out the smoke
Quitting smoking is an important and necessary life change to dramatically lowering your risk of a heart attack. Smokers have more than twice the risk of suffering a heart attack as non-smokers and are more likely to die from a heart-related illness.

For more heart-healthy tips visit http://delmonte.com/solutions or the American Heart Association at www.heartcheckmark.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

One way to help improve a problematic digestive system to function more effectively is to slowly increase your intake of nutrients. An organically rich diet is the preferred way to improve your digestion process, but you may need supplements as well. Presently, one of the big benefits of supplements is that you don’t need prescription, let’s hope this doesn’t change. They are very attainable either online or a nearby nutrition store.

Taking supplements with meals is recommended, and even spread them out through your day. At meal time, your body can absorb the nutrients better due to the food stimulating the digestive process. Time released supplements should definitely be taken with food to ensure that the proper amount of nutrients and vitamins are released to reap the benefits.

Water soluble vitamins are the easiest, as they will pass through the body easily and quickly, and should be taken three times a day. On the other hand, vitamins that are fat soluble are best absorbed if they are taken with food that contains fat. You should always take vitamins with meals, as the minerals and nutrients found in food will work with the vitamin supplements and less will be lost through urination.

Some supplements can interfere with others when you absorb them, so it’s important to make sure what you are taking is compatible with other forms of vitamin supplements.

1. Vitamins A, D, and E – Take with meals that contain fat or oil. 2. Vitamin B – Take as soon as you wake up, to get the maximum benefit. Can also be taken with whole grain meal. 3. Vitamin C – Take with with meals and don’t take take too much. 4. Iron – Always take with food, this is essential for absorption. 5. Multi-vitamins – It is best to take with small meal.

Even though you may eat healthy, incorporating supplements helps secure the nutrition your body needs as well. Remember, the digestive process causes your body to work hard, so no matter the level of healthy diet, use some common sense and don’t overdue the quantities. For instance, bananas are good for you, but if you eat a huge number of them at one time, your not going to feel to good. Life can have its surprises which takes our time, which is where supplements can benefit.

There are many different supplements available that you can take, so it’s important to determine what you want to accomplish before purchasing. Do some research, and make sure a particular supplement fits your needs before you decide to purchase it.

There are a lot of people who suffer from a deficiency of one or more vitamins, and being able to purchase vitamin supplements to help overcome many deficiencies is helpful and convenient. The preferable way in obtaining the daily requirement is still the old fashion way, through a healthy diet. Natural vitamin sources should be our mindset, supplemented by supplements. The intake needs of natural vitamin sources may fluctuate during certain periods in our life and may need to be increased and a supplement is our best option. It is important to be aware of the best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet. * Natural vitamin B1 sources are brewers yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

* Natural vitamin B2 sources are brewers yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

* Natural vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewers yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

* Natural vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewers yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

* Natural vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewers yeast

* Natural vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewers yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

* Natural vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewers yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

* Natural vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewers yeast

* Natural vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

* Natural vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

* Natural vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

* Natural vitamin B15 sources are brewers yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

* Natural vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

* Natural vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chili peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

About the Author

Joni Bell has many years of extensive study in the area of natural cancer prevention and treatment. He has numerous success stories of people being diagnosed living cancer free with use of alternative methods. Ask Joni Bell!

Here are three basic steps to saying goodbye to troublesome bulges:

Lose weight if necessary: Find out from your doctor how close you are to your ideal weight and whether you’re carrying excess fat. Using the body mass index (BMI) provides a reliable indication of both. If you do find that you need to lose fat, a recent two-year study suggests focusing on a low-carb diet where you derive the bulk of your fat from healthy vegetable and fish sources (as opposed to the Atkins-style bacon-on-lettuce routine) will put you squarely on the road to reduction. And, as an added benefit, as you lose fat throughout your body, including from your stomach and around your organs, you reduce your risk for all sorts of nasties ranging from heart disease to diabetes. You know you can’t go wrong improving your diet, and you’ll lay the groundwork for fixing those problem areas.

Get fit: You can do a thousand or even a million sit-ups and it’s not likely to reduce the amount of fat in your belly. The reason? Your abdominal muscles and the belly fat sitting above them have nothing to do with each other. That being said, if you focus on an overall fitness and toning program with your doctor’s blessing of course you’re likely to tone up problem areas along with the rest of your body. Make sure your routine includes plenty of aerobic exercise, at the very least three times per week at 20 minutes per session (preferably more). Since getting in shape is great for your skin, mood and health, you can’t help but come out a winner… even if you still need help with the fatty bulges.

A safe alternative: Once you’re in shape and within 15 pounds of your ideal weight, if you still have an annoying pair of saddle bags or a poochy belly, you might be feeling pretty frustrated. Sadly, where we store our fat is genetically determined, and what our genetics think is a good idea doesn’t always correspond to how we want to look in swimwear. In short, some of us get lucky and for the rest of us, there’s SmartLipo laser assisted liposuction. This treatment works to reduce local fat stores and is a minimally invasive procedure with little or no recovery time. SmartLipo uses a laser that zaps fat and tightens the overlying skin. This procedure is extremely effective removing the trouble spots that weight loss and fitness routines haven’t managed to touch.

Having problem spots can actually work as a call to action. Those areas carry with them the opportunity to improve your appearance and your overall health. You’ll get healthy and, with a little help from cosmetic dermatology procedures, you can achieve the smooth, svelte look you’ve been wanting. With that in mind, as you move from milepost bulge to milepost bikini, make sure you have some fun!

By: Dr. James C. Fairfield

(ARA) – Staying on track with your weight is difficult. You might be tempted to skip breakfast as a way to save calories, but this plan usually backfires. Bypass breakfast and you’ll end up being ravenous and unable to make smart eating decisions at lunch.

“Skipping breakfast only delays hunger, and often leads to overeating later in the day,” explains Bob Greene, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer to Oprah Winfrey and author of ‘The Best Life Diet Cookbook.” “But not just any breakfast will do. Some standard options like Danishes or doughnuts are simply empty calories. Instead, choose a balanced, nutritious dish.”

That means your breakfast should include all three “macronutrients”: carbohydrates, such as whole-grain toast; healthy fats like nuts or nut butters; and lean protein (such as egg whites and nonfat or 1 percent dairy). This combination offers a wealth of nutritious ingredients, but is also the most satisfying for the calories and will keep your hunger in check until lunch, Greene explains.

Protein — especially high-quality protein, such as eggs — helps quell appetite. Greene recommends Crystal Farms AllWhites and Better’n Eggs as a convenient way to add lean, high-quality protein to your morning meal. Made from real eggs — but with no fat, no cholesterol and half the calories — AllWhites and Better’n Eggs are optimal sources of protein. Both products come in easy-to-pour cartons and can be found in the dairy case of your local grocery store.

“We all have busy lives, but it couldn’t be easier to add lean protein to your breakfast,” Greene says. “From traditional scrambled eggs to increasing the protein in a smoothie recipe, egg alternatives bring healthy convenience right into your fridge.”

For an on-the-go breakfast option packed with protein, Greene recommends this makeover of the traditional greasy breakfast sandwich. Prepared in just 10 minutes, the Spicy Bacon and Cheese Eggwich combines high-protein egg substitutes with cheddar cheese and lean turkey bacon in a whole-wheat English muffin. With 17 grams of protein, this sandwich also includes good sources of fiber and calcium — two other essential nutrients that are often lacking from morning meals.

Spicy Bacon and Cheese Eggwich
Time to Table: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup (8 ounces) Better’n Eggs
1/4 teaspoon cayenne hot pepper sauce
1/8 cup (1/2 ounce) shredded Cheddar cheese
2 slices turkey bacon, cut in half crosswise
2 whole-wheat English muffins, split

Directions:
Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add Better’n Eggs and stir in hot pepper sauce. As egg substitute starts to set use spatula to lift edge of eggs, letting uncooked eggs flow to bottom of skillet. Cook until egg substitute is set but still moist. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and then fold over the egg substitute so the cheese melts in the middle.

Place turkey bacon on microwave safe plate. Cover with paper towel. Microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds or until warmed.

Toast each half English muffin in toaster. Spoon about 1/2 cup mixture on top of two toasted muffins. Top each with one piece cooked bacon. Top with remaining toasted muffins.

Makes two servings. Nutrition per serving: 226 calories, 54 from fat; 6 grams total fat; 2.5 grams saturated fat; 15 mg cholesterol; 534 mg sodium; 27 grams total carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 17 grams protein.

For more healthy on-the-go recipes, visit www.betterneggs.com and Bob Greene’s Web site, www.TheBestLife.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Want to lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease? Managing your cholesterol can help.

But cholesterol, a type of fat in your blood, can be confusing. For example, one kind of cholesterol clogs your arteries. Another kind helps remove the bad cholesterol from your body. What do you really need to know to protect your health?

• Lower your bad cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the bad cholesterol that blocks your blood vessels. Try to keep your LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dl.
• Raise your good cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the good cholesterol that helps remove deposits from your blood vessels. Aim to raise your HDL above 60 mg/dl.
• Triglycerides raise your chances for a heart attack or stroke if your levels are too high. Aim for triglycerides lower than 150 mg/dl. Your doctor may also give you a “total” cholesterol number. A good total cholesterol goal is less than 200 mg/dl.

Why is managing cholesterol important? “Dyslipidemia, or abnormal cholesterol levels, is a key risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” says Dr. Michael Davidson, Director, Preventive Cardiology at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. “Keeping your cholesterol levels in check can lower your risk for both of these deadly diseases and help you live a longer, healthier life.”

Your doctor can do a simple blood test to measure all your cholesterol numbers. If your levels are off, you’re not alone: about one in four American adults face the same challenge. But many others have learned to achieve a healthy cholesterol balance—and you can, too. Their secret?

“The key is simple,” Davidson says. “Healthy lifestyle changes lower LDL and raise HDL at the same time. Combining lifestyle changes with medicines, if necessary, is your best bet to manage cholesterol so you can live a longer, healthier life.”

Here are five tips to help you manage your cholesterol:

1. Eat Smart. One simple way to lower your bad cholesterol is to eat fewer trans fats and high-cholesterol foods like egg yolks, fatty meats, butter and whole milk. You can also help your body absorb less bad cholesterol by eating foods that contain soluble fiber, such as oatmeal, kidney beans, yams and apples.

Other cholesterol-smart foods are salmon, walnuts and olive oil. Eating as many vegetables, whole grains and fruits as you can will help you feel fuller longer and cut your cravings for less healthy snacks. Always check the “Nutrition Facts” labels on foods before you buy to see how they might help or hurt your cholesterol-lowering efforts.

2. Stay Active. You can raise your good cholesterol and lower the bad at the same time with exercise. To get this powerful benefit, exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. And don’t worry about going to the gym—walking briskly is just as effective. And you can head to the mall and walk there when the weather is bad. Or do house work or work in the yard. The key is to get your heart pumping.

This week, why not start with just 10 minutes? Take a 10-minute walk around the block every day during your lunch break or after dinner. Or choose another time that works for you. Then continue to add one lap each week until you’re walking briskly for 30 minutes.

3. Drop a Few Pounds. Being overweight raises your bad cholesterol. At the same time, it lowers your good cholesterol. But eating smart and staying active will help you lose weight—and dropping just a few pounds can raise your HDL. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you keep your cholesterol in balance.

4. Quit Smoking. It’s no surprise that smoking lowers your good cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting can help your HDL jump as much as 10 percent. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help. Options include the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler or nasal spray. Prescription medicines are another option. Talk with your health care provider about which options are best for you. And visit SmokeFree.gov to learn more about how to quit.

5. Consider Cholesterol Medicines. Ask your doctor if medicines such as statins, fibrates and niacin can help you lower LDL while raising HDL levels.

To learn more about how managing cholesterol can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, call the American Diabetes Association at (800)-DIABETES (800-342-2383), e-mail AskADA@diabetes.org or visit www.CheckUpAmerica.org. Be sure to ask for your copy of “What You Need to Know: Cholesterol.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – What do you think of when you think of raisins? Sure, you know they are tasty and nutritious, but does anything else come to mind? Perhaps you remember the groovy, sunglass-wearing raisins that danced on the TV screens and into the hearts of families across the country years ago.

In fact, the word through the grapevine is that the California Dancing Raisins are turning 25 in 2009. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the 1980’s phenomenon. In addition to their status as pop-culture icons, California raisins have long been a family-favorite snack, as well as a tasty addition to recipes.

A perfect reason to celebrate is all of the nutrition that is packed into tiny California raisins. They are fat- and cholesterol-free, high in antioxidants and raisins also deliver valuable potassium and dietary fiber. Just 1/4 cup is a serving of fruit, which makes raisins a wise choice for snacking and ideal for adding naturally sweet flavor to recipes.

To kick-off the birthday festivities, try this delicious Happy Birthday Chocolate Cupcake recipe. Pureed California raisins are the secret ingredient that makes these moist and chocolaty cupcakes a wholesome treat. For more California raisin recipes to keep the celebration going all year long, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.

Happy Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 18 to 20 minutes

Cupcakes
3/4 cup California raisins
2 to 3 tablespoons hot water
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup softened heart healthy vegetable spread
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
4 egg whites
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
1/4 cup softened heart healthy vegetable spread
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F and line 12 muffin cups with cupcake papers. Set aside.

Combine raisins and hot water in food processor or blender; process until smooth. Beat raisin puree together with sour cream, spread and extract in a large bowl until light. Beat in sugar, then egg whites. Add dry ingredients and beat until well mixed. Spoon into lined cups and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool before frosting.

For frosting, beat together 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar with remaining ingredients until smooth; spread the top of each cupcake with a thin layer. Stir remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar together with a few drops of half-and-half until thick and smooth. Drizzle a swirl on top of each cupcake.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – When the munchies hit at 3 p.m. what do you do? Do you leave your desk and head to the vending machine? Does the thought of the approaching swimsuit season leave you caught between hunger and dread?

At some point during the day — and often, multiple points — most people crave a snack. It’s easy to grab a snack that’s gratifying but high in fat, calories, cholesterol or sodium — and low on nutritional value.

The desire for healthy snacks (or at least less unhealthy snacks) is not a new one. What is new, however, is the emerging mindset that packing more for the punch, or doing more with less, can allow people to have their snacks and eat them, too. With a few lifestyle adjustments, the 3 p.m. snack — or the mid-morning or late night snack, for that matter — can continue.

Get Dense

To gain more from your snacking experience, go for nutrient-dense snacks that are enhanced with a greater amount of better-for-you ingredients. If you have an extra apple or some celery stalks on hand, take advantage of built-in nutrients and pull them out of the refrigerator.

If you are in the mood for a bag of munchies to satisfy your cravings, remember that today’s bagged snacks come in a wide range of better-for-you varieties. Snyder’s of Hanover, for instance, offers products like multigrain pretzels, chips, and puffs, and recently developed a dedicated EatSmart line of better-for-you snacks that fall into the nutrient-dense category.

Indeed, beyond traditional salty snacks made with whole grains, many bagged snacks today are made with non-traditional snack food ingredients. You can actually increase your intake of vegetables with products like vegetable-based crisps. EatSmart Veggie Crisps and Soy Crisps, for example, are made from real potatoes, tomatoes, spinach and soy.

Make Bold Choices

Nutritionists and foodies alike can attest to the fact that eating more flavorful food lends a certain satisfaction to the eating experience. Those who eat boldly flavored snacks may be less likely to over-consume and can take their time to enjoy how the food tastes.

Recognizing that bold flavors enhance the eating experience, manufacturers are responding with more intense and gourmet flavor profiles for snacks, such as pesto, parmesan, chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes, among many others.

A quick glance at a supermarket shelf in the snacking section supports the notion that consumers are seeking more unique flavors for snacks. Even the most popular chips come in a broader range of flavors beyond traditional cheese, ranch or sour cream and onion, while crackers are also topped with everything from cracked black pepper to bits of rosemary. Snyder’s EatSmart All Natural CheddAirs and Veggie Crisps include a variety of bold flavors you’re sure to enjoy.

Go Natural

For those looking to maximize their snacking experience, all-natural snacks offer an added benefit of “clean” labels, namely, with fewer preservatives and artificial ingredients. Again, supermarkets and restaurants are offering more natural and organic products, in response to growing customer demand.

Looking for “all natural” or “organic” wording on packaged snacks and taking a few seconds to read the label is an assurance that what goes into snacks doesn’t have to be unpronounceable.

Realize that Size Matters

Mindless eating, particularly snacking with little thought of controlling intake, is where a lot of people get into trouble. It may not seem like it when we’re eating while working, texting or watching TV, but it’s very quick and easy to overdo it.

To make it easier on consumers, snack food providers continue to introduce portion-controlled packaging, through 100-calorie packs and snack size products. Those items, ranging from chips to pretzels to snack cakes, are specifically designed to help people keep track of their snacking and stick to a pre-planned intake.

Pretty soon there won’t be an excuse not to snack, given all of the available options. Better-for-you snacking fits into just about any lifestyle – and, in turn, can help ensure a better fit into that swimsuit.

For more information on Snyder’s of Hanover full line of “Better-for-you” snacks, call (800) 233-7125 or visit the company Web site, www.snydersofhanover.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent