Photo courtesy of Tommy Dyer.

Splenda, Equal and Sweet’N Low are household names nowadays.  Many people rely on a packet or two to sweeten their coffee or tea in the morning and perhaps even another to sprinkle over their oatmeal.  But despite their popularity, they are still considered by many others to cause some serious health problems.  In fact, their safety has been a topic of debate ever since they were first introduced.

The basics

Artificial sweeteners contain chemicals or natural compounds that provide the same taste as table sugar, but with a fraction of the calorie content.  They are found in many foods at the grocery store, most often found with labels boasting “diet” or “sugar free.”  These products are usually sitting right next to their traditionally sweetened counterparts, and if you didn’t know any better, you may not even be able to tell the difference between the pair’s taste.

Cancer claims

Some individuals swear that artificial sweeteners cause cancer.  This controversy began in the 1970s when studies found that saccharin (the chemical in Sweet’N Low) caused bladder, uterine and other cancers in laboratory rats.  The FDA then tried to remove the sweetener from the market, but the suggested ban was eventually overridden by pressure from the diet food industry.

Adding more fuel to this cancer debate is a more recent study done on aspartame (the chemical in Equal).  Scientists again found usually higher rates of cancer with laboratory rats that had been given large doses of the sweetener.  This time, the chemical was linked to lymphoma and leukemia, among other cancers.

However, as of now, the FDA, American Heart Association and the National Cancer Institute say that there is no clear evidence that has shown these effects to be true for humans.

The verdict

By and large, there still seems to be a lot of differing expert opinions regarding the safety of artificial sweeteners.  Some nutritionists believe that they are completely safe as long as they are used appropriately and in moderation.  They even say that these sugar substitutes can be useful for those trying to control diabetes or lose weight.  However, many doctors and scientists disagree.  In fact, one seven-year study found that people who were using artificial sweeteners put on 50 percent more weight than those that did not.

And other doctors label these products as toxic.  They believe that many of the chemicals found in them can potentially cause liver damage or cell mutations within the body.  So until there’s more of a consensus on the health risks and benefits of artificial sweeteners, perhaps we should all just stick with good ole natural table sugar.

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Prescott.

Let face it—as we enter our twenties, our metabolisms aren’t what they once were.  The calories from those bags of chips we carelessly ate throughout our teenage years are no longer burned from pressing buttons on the television remote.  But thankfully, we do have quite a bit of wiggle room when it comes to controlling our metabolism.  If you find your jeans getting a bit snugger than they were in high school, follow these guidelines.

Exercise.

One of the best ways to speed up your metabolism is through exercise.  Muscle burns more calories than fat does, so incorporating light weight-lifting into your daily routine will make a considerable difference on your metabolic rate.  In fact, your metabolism is based largely on your proportion of lean body mass.

Aerobic exercise (like running or swimming) also increases the amount of calories you burn, though this effect only lasts a few hours after the workout.  While it’s not as long-lasting as weight-lifting exercises, it will still make a difference nonetheless.

Eat smaller and more frequent meals.

Try spacing your meals out to every three to four hours, instead of having three large meals throughout the day.  When you go from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. without any food, you send a message to your body to burn calories more slowly and to conserve fat.  This is because your body enters “starvation mode” and begins to panic.  Plus, eating smaller portions throughout the day will prevent you from overeating when mealtime comes.

It’s also important to listen to your body and eat when you are feeling hungry.  Just remember to make smart and healthy choices when it comes to snacking in between meals.

Pick the right foods.

Many foods, especially those containing protein, have been shown to help increase your metabolism.   Your body takes a longer time to digest protein, so your body burns more calories while doing so.  Calcium and fiber also help speed up your metabolic rate, so make sure you are getting the recommended daily amounts of these nutrients.

Drink lots of water.

Water is essential for your metabolism to function properly.  And it even helps speed up your metabolic rate for 30 minutes after your drink it.  A lot of nutrition experts suggest drinking a full glass of water before eating snacks or meals to help you feel fuller once you dig in.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Cowden.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is also referred to as “hot yoga” and is different from the traditional form that you probably already know about it.  This type of yoga is done in a room that is 105 degrees Fahrenheit and contains a 40 percent humidity content (hello sweat!).  The session combines 26 complementary poses (called asanas) and breathing exercises (called pranayama), which are believed to be more easily done in the high temperature.  The warmth of the room enables your body to become more flexible.  This helps strengthen muscles, joints and ligaments and even prevents the risk of injuries.

One of the reasons why Bikram Yoga is so beneficial to your health is actually because of the heat.  It allows fresh blood and oxygen to circulate through the body and stimulates functioning in the digestion, immune and cardiovascular system.  Plus, the sweating allows toxins to be released from your glands during the class.

Each class usually lasts around 90 minutes, so it’s important to remember to drink plenty of water before and after the session so your body doesn’t get dehydrated.

Pilates

Photo courtesy of Danielle Ferreira.

Pilates is another exercise that that will help you break out of your workout routine.  It includes a series of smooth and steady movements to strengthen the body, focusing on the torso as the “powerhouse.”  The movements are designed to enable you to use your own body for resistance and can either be done on an exercise mat or equipment.

This type of exercise also gets your mind in sync with your body by helping you concentrate on balance techniques and proper breathing during the session.  Learning these breathing exercises are especially beneficial to students because they are said to help reduce stress and tension.

Pilates has many of the same health benefits as Bikram Yoga.  It too improves muscle flexibility and circulation and can also help you better your posture.  Plus, the emphasis on the torso as the core of body may even help you get those abs you’ve always dreamed of.

Click on the picture above for a data visualization of calorie counts for popular McDonald's items.

Photo courtesy of Frederic Poirot.

I’m sure you all remember the days of Flintstone vitamins.  And perhaps the years of your parents force-feeding them to you after breakfast have even led you to continue taking them religiously (in the form of more mature and adult-standard brands like Centrum or One a Day, of course).   Still, you might be wondering whether your habitual supplement is really benefiting your health.  Well, to answer that question—yes and no.  It does provide health benefits as long as it is taken properly and serves as a complement to a healthy diet.  But if you are already getting the recommended daily amount of a nutrient through the foods you eat, you may not be reaping any extra benefits from it.

The basics

Your body needs vitamins and minerals for normal functioning, growth and health.  It gets them from a healthy diet or in other cases, from vitamin supplements.  However, vitamins do not offer the same level of nutritional benefits that you would find in foods like fruits and vegetables.  So, in other words, popping a multivitamin after a cheeseburger and fries won’t substitute for a healthy and well-balanced meal.

Choosing a supplement

One thing to remember when choosing a supplement is to steer clear of any that are in “mega-dose” forms.  Instead, pick those that offer 100 percent of the suggested daily intake for specific vitamins.  A few of the ones that are essential to both men and women are vitamins A, B2, B12, C, D and K.

It’s also important to look for products that are high-quality.  There is a large degree of variation between different brands and surprisingly, dietary supplements are not regulated.  The FDA doesn’t review them before they are put on shelves, so it is up to the manufacturers to ensure that the product is safe and true to its claims.  This also means that the amount of nutrients that it is listed to provide could actually be a load of bologna.  If you’re unsure of a brand’s quality level, it’s a good idea to check with an independent testing company, like Consumer Lab. 

And as a rule of thumb, always talk to your doctor before you start taking supplements.  Some medications can interact with them and leave with you some bad side effects.  But once you get the green light to start, happy supplementing.

1. Don’t hit the snooze button.

The temptation to hit snooze and drift back to sleep is tempting, but rushing through your morning routine will only make you stressed out.  You should allow yourself a few extra minutes in case you’re moving slower than usual (or if you have the dreaded bad hair day).

2. Turn on the lights and open blinds.

Photo courtesy of WordPress user MaryT.

Light sends a message to your brain to reduce its production of melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone) and increase its production of serotonin (an energy-elevating chemical).  Serotonin also boosts your mood and relaxes nerves, helping you feel less on edge as you get ready for the day.

3. Drink a glass of water.

Since your body becomes dehydrated while you are sleeping, drinking a full glass of water at the beginning of your day is important to stimulate activity in your organs.  It helps loosen joints and muscles, and your body needs it for essential functions.   Remember that coffee, soda and milk don’t work as substitutes for water.

4. Stretch out your body.

Stretching also helps arouse your joints and muscles after all those hours of inactivity.  And if you have time, try to fit in a quick walk or jog.  It’ll leave you feeling more alert and focused as you head to your first class.

5. Eat breakfast.

Just as your parents told you, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.  Your body uses food as fuel to keep your energy levels up.  Avoid sugary cereals and instead, opt for breakfasts that are rich in protein, like eggs or yogurt.  Plus, those sugar-laden cereals will only leave you feeling sluggish after your “sugar high” ends.  And if you are a caffeine junkie, try antioxidant-packed teas instead of coffee.  They contain a smaller amount of caffeine than coffee, but still give you the energy you need to start the day.

Photo courtesy of eDiets.

The good guys

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered the “good” fats.  You find monounsaturated fat in olives, avocados, almonds and vegetable oils.  It provides many nutrients and is usually very high in the antioxidant vitamin E.  It even helps lower “bad” cholesterol levels in your body, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.  In fact, Mediterranean countries—which typically consume high levels of these fats (mostly through olive oil)—are actually found to have lower instances of heart disease.

These health benefits are also found in polyunsaturated fat, the second group of healthy fats.  Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids fall into this category and are shown to be vital to your brain health and your body’s growth and development.  Fishes such as salmon, trout and herring are some foods that are high in polyunsaturated fat.

Both of these “good fats,” however, need to be eaten in moderation and should be consumed in lieu of trans and saturated fats—the unhealthy fats.

Photo courtesy of Sam Gugino.

The bad guys

Trans and saturated fats have the opposite effect on your health than the ones above.  They typically raise your levels of “bad” cholesterol, upping your risk of heart disease and stroke.  Saturated fat is in red meat, pork, butter, cheese and other dairy products that are produced with whole or reduced-fat milk.

Trans fat is even worse for you than saturated fat.  Many food manufactures have limited the use of it in their products, so it is less common nowadays.  It is still found in some foods, however, so make sure you check nutritional information labels to avoiding consuming it.  As I mentioned in my blog about smart snacking, it is often found in the form of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and is in foods like cookies, doughnuts and cakes.

Now that you have the lowdown on the “good” and “bad” fats, remember that your total fat intake should be no higher than 25 to 35 percent of your total calories for the day, according to the American Heart Association.  And unsaturated fats should be making up the majority of this amount.  Your daily saturated fat shouldn’t go above 7 percent of these calories, and trans fats should add up to less than 1 percent.