Jerry the Blogger

Now that the holidays draw close and we get ready to prepare our usual holiday feasts, it's worth taking a moment to think about the importance of eating right ... even when it's a special occasion. Over the years I've tried and failed to cut back on my favorite dishes during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the reality is that the traditional family meals I grew up eating are an important part of my holiday season.

Long story short, if you're anything like me then you're going to indulge during the holidays. The important thing to do is to indulge in a "smart" way. For example, if you love pumpkin pie and whipped cream then try using Fat Free Reddi-wip instead of regular whipped cream. Instead of using regular vegetable oil when cooking, try using PAM no-stick spray. Rather than using regular butter in your family recipes, try using Parkay Light Margarine Sticks.

Bottom line, there are many different healthy alternatives to some of the ingredients that are an essential part of your holiday memories. Indulging in your favorite foods doesn't have to mean that you forget about good nutrition. It is possible to eat right and enjoy yourself at the dinner table ... within reason.

So, the next time you ask for seconds at the dinner table just be sure you used some healthy ingredients in the kitchen. And don't forget to enjoy your holidays.

The Journal of the American Medical Association recently published the results of a massive long term study conducted over the last ten years that found that Vitamin E and Vitamin C were no different than placebo in protecting against cancer.

The findings come from the Physicians' Health Study II (PHS-II), a randomized clinical trial involving more than 14,500 male physicians who were aged 50 and over at the start of the trial in 1997. The study was led by doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

This study is particularly important because at least half of adult Americans take vitamin supplements in the belief that they help to prevent chronic diseases (including cancer), but the reality is there is often little or no adequate evidence from long term randomized studies to support that idea.

The PHS-II was set up to address the research gap between short term observational studies and log term clinical trials. The study as a whole examines four of the most popular supplements taken by adults in the US: vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and multivitamins, and tests their effect on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, total cancer, and prostate cancer. The trial also looked at the effect of these supplements on colon polyps and colon cancer, cataract, macular degeneration, and early cognitive decline.

Participants were randomly assigned to take 400 IU of vitamin E every other day (or its placebo), or to take 500 mg of vitamin C every day (or its placebo). The participants were followed for up to 10 years during which time they also completed annual questionnaires.

The researchers said the results showed that vitamin E did not have a significant effect on prostate cancer, and both vitamin E and vitamin C showed a similar lack of effect on cancer overall. Previous studies showed people on a diet rich in vitamins E and C had a lower risk of cancer, but this 10-year clinical trial showed that there is no reliable connection between vitamin C and E and reduced risk of cancer.

Honestly, I'm still a firm believer in the importance of balanced nutrition (including vitamin supplements) but it's important have as much information as possible when deciding whether you need to take large doses of specific vitamins. Vitamins C and E both have numerous health benefits, but I can't think of a single vitamin that can do everything.

As the weather starts to get colder my body usually starts craving one simple beverage from my youth: Hot Cocoa. Sure, good old-fashioned black coffee is a great way to wake up in the morning, but there simply isn't a better feeling than coming indoors after being outside in the cold and drinking a mug of hot chocolate.

As great as that feeling is, people who are watching their weight might be hesitant to drink extra calories. Thankfully, Swiss Miss offers a fantastic solution in the form of Swiss Miss Fat Free Hot Cocoa.and Diet Hot Cocoa. A typical cup of hot cocoa contains more than 100 calories, between 2g and 3g of fat and 17g or more of sugar. That means a single cup of hot cocoa could contain more than 40% of your daily recommended amount of sugar. Sure, if you practice moderation that isn't too bad, but if you're like me you usually end up drinking at least two or three cups of hot cocoa in a single cold afternoon.

On the other hand, Swiss Miss Fat Free Hot Cocoa contains zero fat and only 7g of sugar with just 50 calories! You can easily drink several cups without risking your waist line. Swiss Miss Diet Hot Cocoa takes nutrition even more seriously with only 25 calories, zero fat, and just 2g of sugar! Although these alternatives to regular hot cocoa cut the fat and empty calories, they certainly don't sacrifice any taste. If you're someone who enjoys the flavor of hot cocoa I'm sure you'll enjoy these healthier varieties from Swiss Miss.

So, the next time you come in from the cold, consider satisfying your sweet tooth without drinking extra calories or sugar.