Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - According to a new study released this week, women who drink are less likely than women who do not drink to gain weight and be overweight or obese.

The study was carried out by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA as they focused in on roughly 20,000 women from around the U.S. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - According to a new study, vitamin D is key to building up your immune system to help fight away viruses and other infections.

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, and has found yet another major health benefit to vitamin D. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - According to a new study, a Mediterranean diet that is low in both fat and carbohydrates may be the key to a healthy heart.

The new study was carried out by researchers from countries including the U.S., Canada, as well as Germany, and focused on a very large sample of people. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - A new study carried out by researchers has proven that childhood obesity is being caused by too much snacking on junk food.

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and focused on the types of foods that kids are eating, and how much snacking they are doing during the day. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - According to a new study, cutting out on salt can help prevent heart attacks, and also save a lot of cash in the process.

We have known for years now that salt is one of the most harmful foods you can put into your body, but a new study has shown that cutting out salt helps prevent heart attacks and save some serious money. Continue Reading

Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - New York City is leading the charge when in comes to healthy eating as they are pushing a new movement to cut the amount of salt that is used in the foods prepared for citizens.

New York City has always been at the forefront in regards to helping make a push for healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. Continue Reading

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - Chain restaurants operating across the United States may soon be adding calory counts to their menu items so that people who order off of them know how bad they are eating.

When people choose to go out to eat, the last thing on their minds are the amount of calories they are consuming, so we wonder if making this information available will really do anything? Continue Reading

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has announced their 2009 Xtreme Eating Awards. These are dishes from restaurants that the public health group believes everybody should stay away from because they are loaded with calories, sodium and saturated fats.

Some of the award winners are:
• Red Lobster’s Ultimate Fondue: Shrimp and crab meat in a lobster cheese sauce served in a sourdough bowl. It contains 1,490 calories, 40 grams of saturated fat and 3,580 mg of sodium.
• Uno Chicago Grill’s Mega-Sized Deep Dish Sundae: A monster chocolate chip cookie topped with a large portion of ice cream and covered with whipped cream and chocolate sauce drizzle. It has 2,800 calories and 72 grams of saturated fat.
• Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger: A mini-bacon cheeseburger inside a quesadilla. Two flour tortillas, two kinds of meat, two kinds of cheese, pico de gallo salsa, lettuce and a ranch-dressing sauce, served with fries. This meal contains 1,820 calories, 46 grams of saturated fat and 4,410 mg of sodium
• The Cheesecake Factory’s Chicken and Biscuits: A chicken breast served over mashed potatoes with shortcake biscuits, mushrooms, peas and carrots and covered with country gravy. Total: 2,500 calories.

Jayne Hurley, a CSPI nutritionist said, “It’s as if restaurants are on a mission to make bad food even worse. Fifteen years ago, restaurants entrees or appetizers might top out at 1,000 calories, and now we are finding in them in the 2,000 calories range.”

The public health group developed these awards to help bring about laws that make it mandatory for restaurants with more than 20 locations to post calories on menu boards and list calories, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium on menus.

Trying to lose those last few pounds but having difficulty? You’re eating salads and juices but the pounds just won’t come off? Well, here a few things that may help you or at least give you some food for thought.

1. Smoothies: Fruit smoothies are quite often loaded with sugar and people often order smoothies that are larger than they should order. This means that you are loading up on calories and sugars.

2. Granola bars: While they used to be known for being a healthy alternative to cereals, if you take a closer look, they are loaded with sugars (sugar, high fructose corn syrup, high maltose corn syrup, fructose, etc). They also provide little nutrients.

3. Prepared salads: Store bought salads (pasta, potato, etc) are quite often loaded with mayo, fat and calories. If you want a salad, it’s best to go green or prepare your own. This way you can use light or low fat dressings, whole wheat pastas and add some more vegetables.

4. Salad dressing: oils and vinaigrettes are low-calorie, light and tasty alternative to creamy dressings that are high in fats.

5. Fruit juice: Fruit is good for you but fruit juices generally have sugar and some (like grape juices) have as much as 40g per serving. Also, they generally provide little nutrition.

6. Bagels: One bagel with cream cheese is loaded with calories and fat. If you do enjoy bagels, look for whole wheat bagels and only eat half.

7. Chocolate: If you want to eat chocolate, then buy dark chocolate (not milk or white chocolate). It can have some health benefits. For example, if you eat a small portion each day can help lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

Boston (SmartAboutHealth) - A new study finds that restaurant chains such as Red Lobster and Arby’s are serving meals packed with a lot of salt.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Continue Reading