Jerry the Blogger

Mission: Nutrition

Follow Jerry as he starts making healthier nutrition choices using the Balanced Life™ Plan.

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August 31, 2009

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Fit Foods for Fall

posted by: Jerry

Could it be that fall is already here? In my neck of the woods, autumn is definitely in the air: chilly, crisp and breezy.

When a new season arrives, I start thinking about how I can make the most of seasonal foods. (If the first thing that comes to mind for you right now is Halloween candy, think again!) As I head through my grocery store, I start with the produce section, finding fruits and vegetables that are freshest -- and sometimes even local -- this time of year.

Here are some fall fruits and veggies I enjoy:

Apples (not just dipped in caramel, either)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cranberries
Kiwi
Leeks
Pears
Pomegranates
Pumpkin
Squash
Sweet Potatoes

Need a little inspiration to get cooking with some of my fall favorites? Check out these delicious, healthy recipes from Start Making Choices. You'll be whipping up a fall feast in no time!

Apple-Sweet Potato Bake: Layers of apples, sweet potatoes and raisins are baked in a sweet lemon-cinnamon syrup.

Garlic-Ginger Stir-Fry Vegetables: A colorful and quick veggie stir-fry, big on flavor but easy on prep time.

Apricot Cranberry Chutney: An easy fruit chutney with a tangy sweet-tart taste perfect with poultry and pork.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding: Bread pudding made with cinnamon raisin bread and pumpkin.

Potato-Leek Soup: This warm creamy based soup blends in leeks, carrots, potatoes, and garlic.

Topic: Seasonal Advice

August 25, 2009

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The Doctor Is In (Your TV)

posted by: Jerry

It seems like every time I turn on my TV, there's some new health scare or medical study or miracle diet that's getting touted by pundits. Whether it's the news, talk shows, or reality programs, all that noise has made me more than a little suspect of the health "information" I get from television.

But a new TV show debuting in September gives me hope that perhaps I can trust what I see and hear -- and even get inspired to improve my own nutrition and health. The Dr. Oz Show premieres nationally on Sept. 14. (Check here to find out when and where the show will air in your area.)

If you haven't seen him on Oprah or read one of his best-selling books, you might not be aware of just how down-to-earth and practical Dr. Oz is. He may be a world-renowned heart surgeon with a list of professional accolades a mile long, but he's also very easy to relate to. Dr. Oz offers sensible advice, dispensed with just enough medical explanation to help put things in perspective for the average Joe.

What I really like about him is the lack of hype and fluff. Dr. Oz is all substance, no doomsday. He gives you actual tips you can use in your real life. And what he says is backed by proven scientific research, not some fly-by-night theory or half-baked study.

Visit his website to get a taste of what's to come on The Dr. Oz Show. He's got ideas for grab and go snacks, how to tell if you're dehydrated, a beginner yoga routine, and an anti-aging checklist. From what I've seen, I'm looking forward to what I'll learn from his daily show. Hopefully, it will be some healthy food for thought -- a nice change of pace from the usual TV fodder.

Topic: General

August 18, 2009

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Popcorn Gets Its Props

posted by: Jerry

When it comes to snacking, I definitely lean toward the salty, crunchy stuff. Sweets are fine as occasional desserts, but I'm always in the mood for chips, crackers or -- my personal favorite -- popcorn. So how happy was I to hear the news this week that popcorn was shown to contain lots of cancer-fighting antioxidants?

I knew popcorn is a whole-grain food and a source of fiber (4 grams in 100-calorie serving). But now I find out that popcorn, along with other whole-grain snacks and breakfast cereals, provides you with a healthy dose of polyphenols as well. Polyphenols are thought to play a role in fighting major diseases like cancer and heart disease. I've heard of other foods that contain polyphenols, among them chocolate, wine and coffee (also some of my faves). Now I can add popcorn to the list!

Of course, the kind of popcorn you choose makes a difference in how nutritious a snack it is. I go for Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop! It tastes like the gourmet popping corn the brand's known for, but it also is 94% fat-free, with 0 grams trans fat and no cholesterol per serving. They recently reduced the sodium content by 30% as well. I'm a big fan of the 100-calorie mini-bags because they're extremely satisfying and keep me from overeating.

Next time it's movie night at your house -- or just a long afternoon at the office -- you might consider reaching for a bag of popcorn to get your salty snack fix. Just think, you could be fighting cancer with each tasty popped kernel!

Topic: Healthy Foods and Nutrients

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Jerry
My name is Jerry, and I'm a father, editor, and photographer. I've gained too much weight recently, and in 2006, my wonderful daughter was born... Read More