Answer Fitness®: Practical Fitness Advice for Everyone

Espresso Royale Organic Dark Sipping Chocolate | Healthy Snack of the Day

Get The Health Benefits of Organic Dark Chocolate without the Fat and Calories with this Fantastic Premium Dark Hot Chocolate

Chocolate and fat-loss are not two things you normally associate with each other. But with evidence mounting that chocolate, especially the dark variety, has a number of health benefits it’s suddenly become okay to include a little dark chocolate in your diet, even if your goal is fat loss.

The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Because chocolate is made from plants, it contains many of the same types of phytochemicals and polyphenols – including powerful flavanoids (specifically epicatechin and gallic acid) with antioxidant properties — that you find in other antioxidant powerhouses like blueberries, pomegranates, tea and red wine. 

Antioxidants are believed to help the body’s cells resist damage caused by free radicals, which are formed by normal bodily processes such as breathing or environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke or environmental pollution. 

In fact, in terms of total antioxidants, chocolate ranks at the top of the list.

It also contains arginine, an amino acid that helps the body produce nitric oxide (NOS), which aids in cell division, wound healing, and removal of ammonia from the body. Arginine also is a vasodialator — which means it causes blood vessel relaxation, which can decrease blood pressure. There is also some indication that arginine may improve sexual function as well, which may explain why chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac.

The health benefits of chocolate may include:

• Lower blood pressure, especially among people with hypertension
• Increased HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind of cholesterol)
• Increase glucose metabolism
• Improvements in mood
• Possible anti-cancer properties due to the high antioxidant content of dark chocolate

Over the past decade, a number of studies have provided clinical research to back up some of these health claims.

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Fish Oil | Benefits and Side Effects from Answer Fitness

Hooked on The Idea of Taking Fish Oil Supplements? Before You Start, Learn About the Benefits and Potential Side Effects.

Fish oil is on a roll.

It’s difficult to open up a health or fitness magazine, browse the Internet or turn on the TV without seeing yet another piece on this “wonder” supplement. The health claims made in the media and online are often as amazing as the idea that we can distill down the oil of hundreds of fish into a single capsule: Reduce heart disease! Prevent cancer! Stave off depression! Stop arthritis! Improve your mood!

Not since Linus Pauling published his work on the benefits of Vitamin C (which has come under increased scrutiny by scientists in the past few decades), has there been so much buzz around a single supplement.

So before we dig into some of the possible benefits (and the potential side effects) of fish oil, let’s take a look at how we got here in the first place.

A Brief History of Fish Oil

The whole fish oil story started with a simple observation: People who had diets high in certain types of fatty, cold-water fish appeared to have lower rates of heart disease than other populations who ate less fish. The traditional Japanese diet, for example, contains large amounts of fish, as do certain Norwegian and arctic populations (like the Inuit.)

Scientists were intrigued enough with this correlation that they started to conduct studies to see if whether including more cold-water fish in the diets of people who don’t normally eat fish, could produce a similar benefit. Their results, while not conclusive, did find a strong correlation between the consumption of certain fats contained in fish, and decreased risk for certain form of heart disease. 

So what’s so great about fish?

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Steamed Asparagus with Dijon Mustard Sauce | Healthy Recipes

Let The Flavor of Springtime Asparagus Shine Through With This Simple and Healthy Dijon Mustard Sauce Recipe

Note from Matt: Today’s post is dedicated to the memory of my Grandmother, Doris Williams, who had her own asparagus patch and taught me everything I know about preparing and eating this amazing vegetable. Grandma, I just ate my first asparagus of the spring … seven beautiful stalks I plucked out from the among the weeds in the side yard at your old house.  Yes … they still come up each year. You are missed.

Nothing says “spring is here” like a bowl of fresh steamed asparagus.  We’re not talking about the bland stuff that’s shipped in from California during the winter — this is the real deal, in season, in all of it’s sublime glory.

Crisp, slightly sweet and never tough or chewy, asparagus is one of the first vegetables to make it’s way onto the table in the spring, and if you’re lucky enough to have a u-pick farm nearby, or even your own asparagus patch, once you’ve had asparagus in-season, it’s hard to ever get used to the store-bought stuff again.

The Health Benefits of Asparagus

And asparagus is wicked good for you.

It’s an extremely nutrient dense food. It’s high in folic acid and is a great source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin. It also has no cholesterol or fat, and is low in sodium and calories. 

A single 5.2 oz serving of asparagus provides 60% of your daily requirement of folicin (folic acid), which is critical for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease.

Folic acid is critical during period of rapid cell growth and division, such as infancy and pregnancy, and research indicates a link between insufficient folic acid and birth defects, like neural tube defects. Folic acid also may decrease circulating homocysteine levels. There is evidence that elevated homocysteine levels are an independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke.  A recent study from the University of California - Berkeley also found that men who eat folate rich foods may also lower the risk of birth defects in offspring, since folate seems to prevent certain chromosome abnormalities in sperm.

In other words, if you’re not eating asparagus, it’s time to start.  

Why Does Eating Asparagus Make Your Pee Stink?
Asparagus contains sulfur compounds that give off the distinct “asparagus pee” odor when broken down by the body (usually within 15-30 minutes after ingestion.) Believe it or not, there is actually a raging scientific debate over what the actual compound is that’s responsible for this unique “scent.” One theory says it’s methanethiol. However, in 1975, a California chemist using gas chromatography claimed that the offending compounds are actually S-methyl thioesters.  One interesting point: while all people produce these stinky compounds, only but only about 40% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them. 

A Simple, Delicious Asparagus Recipe That’s Ready In Five Minutes

This particular recipe for preparing asparagus is so simple, that you’ll be surprised at how good it tastes based on the little time it takes to prepare and the limited ingredient list. Asparagus is almost always best served with a very simple sauce, since you want the flavor of the asparagus to take center stage — not the sauce that it’s swimming in.

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Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal | Healthy Food of the Day

Try This Tasty Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal The Next Time You’re Looking for a Healthy Breakfast Cereal

It’s becoming easier than ever to find healthy, organic whole-grain cold cereals at the grocery store. Just a few years ago, eating whole grain for breakfast generally meant some type of bran flakes. But today, there are dozens of options, from cereals made with exotic grains like kamut, spelt and quinoa, to low-sugar, low-fat versions of breakfast granola.

One of my favorite cold cereals is Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted whole grain cereal. Once you get past the goofy Biblical name and scripture references on the box, you’ll find an excellent whole grain cereal that is high in protein and fiber and low in fat.

Ezekiel 4:9 is made with sprouted grains and beans, specifically wheat, barley, soy and lentil beans, spelt and millet.  The recipe is an ancient one, going back to the Old Testament (it was actually a recipe for making bread, not cereal — Ezekiel 4:9 also offers a line of sprouted grain breads as well) and the company, Food for Life, modified the basic Biblical recipe to make a line of sprouted grain products.

But how can sprouted grains make a crunchy cereal? After all, aren’t sprouts green?

Apparently you can sprout grains and then dry them and make a cereal or bread from it.

According to Food for Life, sprouted grains are more nutritious and release more healthy enzymes.  I can’t vouch for this, but the cereal itself is nutritionally solid.


Because it’s made with beans and several whole grains, it’s a complete protein on its own, which is not common in many breakfast cereals. It also has an excellent vitamin and mineral profile, without having a single synthetic vitamin added to the cereal (unlike many mainstream, fortified cereals.)

Also, because the grains aren’t ground into flour, the Ezekiel 4:9 cereal doesn’t have the same effect on blood sugar that more refined, flour-based cold cereals suffer from. The high fiber and truly whole-grain ingredients in the cereal reduce it’s glycemic load and reduce it’s impact on blood sugar.

So how does it taste?

If you’re expecting something sugary, this won’t be the cereal for you.

Ezekiel 4:9 tastes remarkably similar to Grap-Nuts, and even has a similar texture.  Like Grap-Nuts, the flavor is slightly malty and very crunchy.

The cereal comes in three varieties, Golden Flax, Original and Cinnamon and Raisin. There is no added sugar, which means that you may need to sweeten the cereal up slightly with some fresh fruit like bananas, apples or blueberries or even some additional dried fruit like cherries or cranberries.

The cereal is also very easy to digest, and I find that I don’t have some of the same bloating issues with Ezekiel 4:9 that can come with higher-fiber bran cereals made from whole-grain flour.

I checked the Food for Life website, and there is actually an explanation for this. Apparently, when you sprout the grain, the carbohydrates in the grain are converted into maltose, which is ordinarily done by the body during digestion. This pre-digests the nutrients for you.  

If you’re not a big cold breakfast cereal person, try including some Ezekiel 4:9 into your homemade granola, or kick it up a bit with some dried fruit for a portable trail mix snack.

In terms of cost, a 16 oz box will run you between $5-$6 dollars — definitely not inexpensive. But like many organic whole grain cereals, you pay for what you get. The cereal itself is pretty satisfying, so a 57 gram serving usually does the trick when combined with some skim milk.

If you can’t Ezekiel 4:9 at your local grocer, try a health or organic food store.

Nutritional Information - Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Cereal (Golden Flax)

Serving Size: 1/2 cup (57 grams)

Calories: 180
Fat: 2.5 grams
Saturated Fat: 0 grams
Trans Fats: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 190 mg
Potassium: 190 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 37 grams
Dietary Fiber: 6 grams
Sugars: 0 grams
Protein: 8 grams

Vitamin and Minerals*

Vitamin A: 0%
Calcium: 0%
Thiamin: 15%
Niacin: 15%
Folic Acid: 6%
Phosphorus: 15%
Zinc: 8%
Vitamin C: 0%
Iron: 10%
Riboflavin: 6%
Vitamin B6: 10%
Panthothenic Acid: 15%
Magnesium: 15%
Copper: 10%

* Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calories diet. Your values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Low-Fat Oatmeal Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese | Healthy Recipes

Looking for a healthy start to your day? Try this recipe for low-fat oatmeal protein pancakes made extra-rich with an unexpected ingredient: low-fat cottage cheese!

Pancakes and waffles aren’t typically considered “health” foods. They are usually high in simple carbs (especially when you add syrup or powdered sugar), high-in-fat thanks to the oil and butter, and generally low in protein.

But with a few changes in ingredients, it is possible to have your Sunday morning pancakes without even knowing that that you are eating a low-fat, high-protein version of a food that is usually off-limits for people trying to eat healthy.

This recipe, courtesy of Liz Fitness,  uses low-fat cottage cheese to as a replacement for the usual oil and whole eggs in pancakes; replaces the highly-refined, high-glycemic pancake mix with whole grain oats, and uses fresh berries as a sweet and healthy alternative to the typical puddle of Log Cabin syrup.

Even better, the cottage cheese and egg whites in the recipe help boost the protein content of these pancakes, making this a perfect breakfast before heading to the gym.

The addition of an artificial sweetener like Splenda is optional. Try pureed fresh stawberries, mashed raspberries and even sliced bananas for a touch of sweetness. Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

Or splurge a little bit with a tablespoon of REAL maple syrup, which only adds an additional 50 calories to the recipe. Instead of butter, try a tablespoon of natural peanut butter which is rich in healthy fats. This tastes particularly well with the maple syrup.

Low-Fat Oatmeal Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese

Recipe makes two servings of three, 1/4 cup pancakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup egg whites
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup frozen, warmed berries with their juices as a topping or sugar free syrup
Splenda to taste

Directions

1. Blend first four ingredients until smooth (I use the magic bullet; if you use a blender be sure to put the wet ingredients in first)
2. Pour approximately 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto heated griddle or non-stick pan (check to see if its hot enough with a splash of water-if it sizzles, its hot enough)
3. When pancake bubbles, flip and cook the other side
4. Top with frozen, organic strawberries-warmed and sliced and poured over the top with their juices. Or substitute fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or bananas.  You can use Splenda to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Makes 2 Servings (Three ¼ cup pancakes with ¼ cup strawberries)

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 254.5
Total Fat: 3.3 g
Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.0 g
Cholesterol: 2.3 mg
Sodium: 280.0 mg
Potassium: 297.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 33.8 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.3 g
Sugars: 2.5 g
Protein: 21.3 g

Vitamin A 0.9 %
Vitamin B-12 5.9 %
Vitamin B-6 5.0 %
Vitamin C 37.9 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 2.4 %
Calcium 9.1 %
Copper 14.4 %
Folate 9.5 %
Iron 13.2 %
Magnesium 19.5 %
Manganese 104.0 %
Niacin 3.5 %
Pantothenic Acid 7.1 %
Phosphorus 29.7 %
Riboflavin 9.9 %
Selenium 7.8 %
Thiamin 21.4 %
Zinc 12.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

See the original recipe from Liz Fitness.

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Cottage Cheese | Healthy Food of the Day from Answer Fitness®

Build Lean Mass Without the Fat and Calories with One of the Dairy Group’s Super Foods

It’s 9 pm and you’re getting the those evening snack cravings. You feel like breaking out the nacho chips, but your fitness sense tell you to find something healthy that will carry you through the rest of the evening.

What do you do?

You reach for the cottage cheese.

There’s a good reason that the refrigerators of healthy, fitness conscious-people usually have at least one container of lowfat cottage cheese. It’s one of the most filling “diet” foods you can eat, and it’s loaded with protein and calcium. It’s also extremely versatile, and can serve as a healthy cheese substitute in all kinds of recipes, from dips to enchiladas to lasagna.

But before we talk about all of the uses of cottage cheese, let’s take a look at what it is, how cottage cheese is made, and it’s nutritional profile.

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Dietary Fat: Five Myths About Fat | Diet Tips

Think eating less fat will make you thinner? Not necessarily. Answer Fitness debunks the five most common myths people have around dietary fat.

Navigating the sometimes contradictory research and information around dietary fat can make a person’s head spin. Should I eat more fat? Less fat? A different kind of fat? Here are the five most common myths around dietary fat:

Myth #1: Eating more fat makes you fatter

Not true.

Eating more calories than you burn makes you gain fat.

Whether those excess calories come from protein, carbohydrates or dietary fat, any calories that you eat above your daily energy requirements will get stored away as body fat. 

The issue with dietary fat is that it’s extremely calorie dense, meaning that it contains more calories per gram than other macro-nutrients like protein or carbohydrates. This means that gram-for-gram, foods with a higher fat content contain more calories (9 calories per gram of fat versus 4 calories per gram for carbohydrates and protein.)

So if you aren’t careful, you can end up eating more calories in foods with higher fat content, even though you are eating the same amount of food.

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