Do carbs really make you fat? 6 diet myths - MSNBC

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Do carbs really make you fat? 6 diet myths MSNBC - 9 hours ago By Samantha Heller MS RD, Health Do carbs really make you fat? Diet and nutrition myths have an odd way of sounding like the truth and sticking in peoples minds. Video: Low-Carb Beats Low-Fat CBS YOU ASKED WE ANSWERED: Dr. Shai Answers Your Diet Questions ABC News USA Today - U.S. News & World Report - Los Angeles Times - Newsweek all 560 news articles

While many of our favorite fresh fruits and vegetables are out of season during late fall and winter, there is no need to despair! A plentiful cornucopia of nutritious and delicious alternative choices are available to enjoy during the chillier months, such as pears, apples, navel oranges, sweet potatoes, sweet bell peppers, grapefruit and winter squash. What about winter squash? What are the various varieties and how can one easily prepare this nutritional gold star?

Although available from August through March; they are at their best from October to November during peak season. Winter squash, member of the Cucurbitaceae family and relative of both melons and cucumbers, comes in many different varieties, including hubbard, turban, banana, acorn, butternut, spaghetti, kabocha, sweet dumpling, gold nugget, carnival, delicata, butternut and pumpkin. Not all varieties are easy to find and use in bulk choline bitartrate Hubbard squash is the least sweet type while the famous pumpkin squash is the sweetest (also known as sugar or pie pumpkin squash). Although they vary in size, shape, flavor and texture, any of them can be used in recipes calling for winter squash. They are tasty and filling and can be used in casseroles, pies, soups, or mixed with grains and beans.

Did you know that winter squash is actually more nutritious than most summer squashes? How does the amazing array of nutrients found in squash support our health? Butternut and acorn squashes are members of the yellow-orange family of fruits and vegetables which means that they are abundant in the antioxidant beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A and has been shown to aid in the prevention of many types of cancer as well as macular degeneration. It is also a very good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber (6 grams per serving or 1 cub cubed squash). It is beyond the scope of this article to list all of the numerous health benefits of winter squash!

A couple of quick ideas for including winter squash in your meals:

* Add cubes of winter squash to your favorite vegetable soup recipe (butternut works nicely).

* Top pured cooked winter squash with cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and maple syrup.

OR try out this sample recipe:

Sweet Buttered Squash

1 pounds yellow squash, sliced thin (peeling optional)
1 small sweet onion, halved and sliced thin
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced in slender strips
1 TB brown sugar
1 - -oz packet of butter sprinkles
tsp fresh cracked black pepper

Place onion, green pepper and squash in pan and cover. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. When squash begins to get tender, add brown sugar, butter flakes, and black pepper. Cook until tender. Serve immediately. Note: Only add salt if necessary after tasting. Serves 6.

Nutritional facts per serving:

44 calories
1 g fat
10 g carbohydrate
3 g dietary fiber
0 mg cholesterol
349 mg sodium

http://aperfectplate.com/

http://www.321recipes.com/winter_squash.html

http://whatscookingamerica.net/squash.htm

U.S. Obesity Epidemic Continues to Grow (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Despite wide-rangingefforts to encourage Americans to lose weight, the number of U.S. adultswho are obese increased almost 2 percent between 2005 and 2007, a newreport found.

When most people decide to get into a fitness regimen, they are happy enough with themselves just because they got themselves to the gym or motivated themselves enough to workout at home. While that's a start, it's good to eventually focus on what they are wearing. Fitness apparel is a pivotal part of your workout. It's not about vanity or fashion! It's about performance.

You would wear a ball gown to a ball, you would wear nice clothes to a fine dining restaurant. You wear casual clothes to a movie. So, why dress like we don't care we we are working out. If our health is a priority, then you should take it more seriously than any social outing.

When you wear baggy (ill fitting) clothes, cotton, or something that has seen it's better days you will not perform as well because A) You can't move well and B) Believe it or not, you are psychologically affected by what you wear. Have you ever noticed how what you wear affects your mood? If you are uncomfortable it will show and negatively affect you. Your focus will keep going back to your clothes and why should you be focusing on your clothes when you are supposed to be exercising?

When you are comfortable and have on the right workout clothes, your mind is where it should be-on your workout. You aren't soaking with sweat, your clothes aren't in your way and you aren't having to worry about something riding up.

Some tips for women: 1) Stay away from baggy clothes. They aren't flattering and can make you look fat where you aren't fat. They also can be difficult to move in. 2) Steer clear of cotton. It's just a bad material. Cotton shrinks, stretches and is not 'dry-wicking', meaning that when you sweat, your will just be soaked. 3) Feel comfortable in sports bras, but be classy. We know that you have breasts, but it's not the time to show them off.

Ladies, when you have a bigger rear end, it does purchase wholesale n acetyl l cysteine powder good to tie a t-shirt around your waist and cover it up. You aren't fooling anyone. If anything, you are just making it more obvious. There is a psychological thing that happens-if you can see the problem, you will be more conscious of it and you will have to do something about it. IE-Got a big butt? Do some lower body sculpting and cardio. You need to lose fat and sculpt the area. How can you do that, if you just pretend the problem is not there? If you will wear something that's not baggy, but also not tight, it will help.

Men and women are different but men should also wear the right workout clothing. I know guys-you aren't going to put on the tight spandex, but you still need to be comfortable. Here are some tips: 1)I seem to notice that some men think that because they have their cool workout clothes on, they are getting a good workout. I can put on a soccer uniform, but that doesn't make me a soccer pro. 2) Most of the guys that I know who have been working out for a while (and have the results to prove it) wear something like Nike or Puma shorts (some kind of athletic wear) and either a 'dri-fit' shirt or just a comfy cotton shirt. Some guys just feel not too manly in Under Armor and that is their right.

Men and women should stick to workout apparel that is comfortable and lasts. Cheap clothes are cheap clothes. Don't get your workout clothing at Target. This is not an issue of taste. Nike, Adidas and Puma clothes last longer and fit better. There is a reason that athletes promote them and they are more expensive. Focus on fit, functionality, material and looks.

Always go with 'Dri-fit'. It literally wicks moisture form your body. Instead of being a sweaty mess, you will be dry because your clothes will pull the moisture away from your body.

Workout apparel is all over the Net and you may have some stores in your city. But, if you don't, do not fear-Anyone who knows anything about shopping, knows to shop Online. Even though you have to pay shipping, you will have thousands of choices. Try for 'free shipping' deals.

Learn why Nike Clothing Rocks and why Puma Shoes Perform.

Julie Russell is a fitness & nutrition enthusiast, who is constantly expanding her knowledge regarding strength training and maintaining a healthy diet. Visit her website at http://MyBestHealthandFitness.com/. You'll find lots of free fitness and nutrition tips as well as reviews of the best fitness and nutrition products Online.