Answer Fitness®: Practical Fitness Advice for Everyone

Is Instant Oatmeal Good For You? | Ask The Fitness Nerd

Is Instant Oatmeal a Good Stand-In for Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Quick Oats or Thick Rolled Oats? You Might Be Surprised At The Answer.

Dear Fitness Nerd,

I don’t mind oatmeal, but I’m kind of rushed in the morning and preparing the usual Quaker old fashioned oatmeal is kind of a pain.  I’d really prefer to use instant oatmeal. Is instant oatmeal good for you? I mean, how does it compare to  regular oatmeal in terms of healthiness and nutritional value?  Thanks! — Aaron (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Given the choice between eating no oatmeal, and eating instant oatmeal, I would say the instant oats are still a good breakfast choice (with some caveats.)  Maybe not ideal, but eating healthy is a matter of degrees.

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Salad Spinners: Spin Your Salad Healthy | Healthy Eating & Cooking Tips

Every Healthy Kitchen Should Have a Salad Spinner. Learn How This Ingenious Gadget Can Help You Spin Yourself Thin.

Most kitchen gadgets are purchased on impulse, used once for the novelty of them, and then quickly buried

in a cabinet or drawer. You know that drawer: The land of Misfit Kitchen Gadgets filled with everything from fancy garlic peelers, apple corers, electric can openers to the Miracle Chef veggie chopper.

But one addition to your kitchen which won’t be banished to the gadget cabinet is a good salad spinner.

And if you don’t own one, it’s time to change that. Prepping healthy salads economically and quickly is simple and easy with a good spinner on hand.

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How Can I Lose Weight In A Day Or Two? | Ask The Fitness Nerd

Is It Possible To Really Lose Weight In Just A Day Or Two? More Importantly, Is It Safe?

Hey Fitness Nerd,

I’m leaving on Monday morning for a vacation to the Bahamas. I’ve been working out like a fiend since the end of December, lots of cardio and I’ve really cut back how much I’m eating.  I’ve managed to lose a fair amount of weight so far. About 12 lbs. The problem is that I really need to lose another five to get into the shape I want for the beach.  I have less than four days left, how can I lose some more weight in just another day or two? I’m desperate and time is running out on me. — Jenna  (Dallas, Texas.)

Jenna, you’re probably not going to like my answer, but I’m going to shoot straight with you: You can lose some additional weight a day or two before your vacation, but more than likely, you’ll put it back on the first day in the Bahamas.

Why?

Because at this point, any scale weight you lose through additional exercise or restriction of food will probably be the result of lost water and less food in your digestive tract, and not real fat loss. Body fat percentage and not scale weight is always your best gauge of progress and body composition. Losing weight per se shouldn’t be your focus.

Remember, you lose fat over weeks — not days — regardless of what the fad and crash diet marketers say. And losing body fat is really what makes for a great looking physique at the beach — not what some numbers on a bathroom scale say.

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Definition of Casein | Fitness, Health & Exercise Glossary

What is Casein? Learn the Definition of Casein Protein, Its Characteristics and Uses.

Definition of Casein

Casein (also known as “casein protein”) is a phosphoprotein found in cows milk and cheese. Casein is one of two primary proteins in dairy, the other being whey. Casein protein comprises approximately 80% of the protein in dairy and is the main protein in cheeses.

Casein coagulates in the presence of certain proteases, such as rennet and acids. In cheese making, protease enzymes in the form of rennet are added to milk, causing the casein proteins to separate from the liquid whey. The casein is then processed into cheeses.

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Quinoa Salad with Corn and Black Beans | Healthy Recipes and Snacks

This Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe Uses Southwest Staples Like Corn and Black Beans to Make A High Protein, High Energy Meal in Under 30 Minutes.

Quinoa is one of those grains that seems to have endless possibilities, especially for people who are trying to eat healthy and stay in shape.

High in all nine essential amino acids, a great source of fiber and complex carbs, and much faster to cook then other grains like rice or wheat, after you start cooking with quinoa, it’s easy to understand why it’s earned a reputation as the “ancient super-grain.” 

While quinoa is a great alternative to brown rice for healthy side-dishes and pilafs, it really shines when you use it as an substitute for rice, couscous or Bulgar wheat in traditional grain-based salads.  

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What’s The Highest Protein Content Food? | Ask The Fitness Nerd

Which Food Has The Highest Protein Content? We Dig Into The Numbers and Settle a Bet. Sort Of …

Dear Fitness Nerd,

Can you tell me what is the highest protein content food? My buddy and I have a bet going on this one. He says eggs and I say whey protein isolate has the highest protein. Who’s right? I have $25 bucks riding on this. Thanks. — Josh (Dayton, OH) 

Josh, let me take a shot at this.

Unfortunately, this could actually come to a draw, because you both are kind of right but also both wrong. If I sound like a Zen Buddhist monk, my apologies. This will make more sense in a minute. The good news is by the time your done, you will have a pretty good understanding of how to accurately compare protein content in foods.

How To Determine Protein Content In Food

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Ancient Harvest Quinoa Flakes | Healthy Food of The Day

Tired of Oatmeal for Breakfast? Then You Have To Try Quinoa Flakes from Ancient Harvest.  The Best Part: You Can Prepare Them In Less Than 90 Seconds!

There’s a reason ”breakfast” has the word “fast” in it: Most people need something quick and nutritious to eat before they head off to the gym, office or dropping the kids at daycare.

Outside of weekends — when you have time for more elaborate breakfasts — the first meal of the day needs to be quick, nutritious and balanced. 

Oatmeal is always a good choice, but over time, even oat lovers can get bored with it. Plus, oatmeal isn’t a complete protein, so you typically have to combine it with another source of protein — like whey, eggs or skim milk — to get all of your aminos in the morning.

The good news is that you always have options.

And one of them is quinoa flakes from Ancient Harvest.

Not only do Ancient Harvest’s Quinoa Flakes cook up in the time it takes you to gather your company ID badge, wallet or purse and Blackberry, but they are one of the best tasting, quick sources of complete protein available in a grain.

What Is Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is an ancient “grain” that dates back over 5,000 years to the Incans.

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