Jerry the Blogger

Mission: Nutrition

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

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March 08, 2010

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Fish Oil Supplements: Are They Safe?

posted by: Jerry

It happened again last week. I heard another news story calling into question a habit I thought was healthy -- and making me wonder if I've actually been poisoning myself instead of helping my heart.

I'm talking about the news story of a new lawsuit claiming that fish oil supplements are contaminated with cancer-causing PCBs. Not one brand or type of fish oil supplement, either. All of them. At least, according to the people behind the lawsuit, who tested samples from 10 popular brands and manufacturers.

I'm concerned because I take fish oil supplements daily to help promote heart health. My doctor recommended them after learning I had high cholesterol with a family history of heart disease. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

And while I do enjoy eating fish regularly, my wife isn't so crazy about it. We don't have it for meals as much as I'd like. The supplements seemed like the perfect solution -- but not if they contain dangerous compounds that could cause cancer!

After I watched the Good Morning America story about this, I felt a little better about taking the supplements. GMA's health expert said more testing and oversight needs to be done of dietary supplements in general, but the pros outweigh the cons of fish oil for people like me. I think I will try to get a little more fish into my diet, though, even if I keep taking the capsules.

Topic: Healthy Foods and Nutrients

October 13, 2009

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Eat to Keep Cold and Flu at Bay

posted by: Jerry

Colds and flu, particularly H1N1 or "swine flu," are all the buzz right now, aren't they? Our family has been fortunate, because so far we've only had to deal with minor colds. Colds are no fun, but at least they're not as serious as flu.

Other than the obvious ways to help reduce our chances of catching a cold or the flu -- getting flu shots and washing our hands frequently -- I wondered if we could do anything else to improve our odds. It turns out that the foods you choose to eat may help stave off sickness.

I did some research, and a number of trustworthy sites recommended different nutritional solutions to prevent cold and flu. But one in particular gave some good, specific tips for how to eat to stay healthy.

According to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, here are some foods (and drinks) to seek out this cold and flu season:

Water: Drink lots to keep hydrated, which helps mucous membranes stay soft and moist, preventing tiny cracks that allow viruses and bacteria to enter. Who knew?
Yogurt: The probiotics found in yogurt's live active cultures ("good" bacteria) can help keep the gut and intestinal tract low in disease-causing germs.
Whole Grains, Fruits and Vegetables: Plant-based foods are high in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which may boost your immunity. Shop for broccoli, red onion, blueberries, grapes, oats, barley and tea. And don't forget Orville Redenbacher's SmartPop! popcorn contains lots of antioxidants.

We're definitely going to heed this advice and eat right. Colds and flu, stay out of my way!

Topic: Healthy Foods and Nutrients

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