Sweet potatoes really are a true power food. They are low in fat and relatively low in calories but pack in a ton of complex carbs, fiber, and nutrients. If you are looking for a healthy, sweet potatoes are not generally the first thing a person would think to eat. But now is the time to start! Give them a chance and you wont be disappointed. Time to head to the store and load up on some sweet potatoes. Simply throw them in the oven and back them as you would a normal potato. So delicious.

I am back. My internet failed me for 5 days or so and I am finally back and ready to post!

I figured I would resume with a topic of importance to everyone. Water is one of the most important nutrients and something many of us do not get enough of. There is no substitute for water and considering our bodies re composed of nearly 70% water, it is probably something that deserves a bit more attention than it is given.

Water is crucial to our bodies because it rinses our bodies of waste which could otherwise poison us. An insufficient intake of water could lead to kidney stones. A few other important jobs water has in our bodies include: lubricating joints, digestion, movement of nutrients, and cooling.

Water, as it turns out is also a very important part of weight loss. Water helps break down and metabolize fat.

So how much do we need? A typical person should consume about 64-80 ounces throughout the day. This number can vary greatly, however, depending on body weight and muscle mass. Exercise and heat can also increase your need.

Increasing your water intake to meet the recommended amount may also increase your need to use the restroom, however over time your body should adjust and your need to use the restroom should decrease.

Some signs of dehydration include: headache, heartburn, back pain, and depression or irritability. Water is often the best long term solution to dry skin as well.

Remember, there is no replacement for water. Many other beverages, soda in particular, can actually dehydrate you further so get out there and DRINK THAT WATER!

Quote: “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.” – Benjamin Franklin

The University of Chicago Press published an article on August 29 about the simultaneous rise in obesity and the growing popularity of “health food” here in America.

It turns out that when a consumer is told the restaurant is “healthy,” say Subway, for example, they are then more likely to order a high calorie drink, dessert, or side dish to go with it. Not only is this a problem, but many of those healthy claims made by restaurants are not actually true. The article points out that many Subway sandwiches contain more calories than a Big Mac and then to top that off the consumer will likely order a high calories side dish to go with because they feel they can “afford” the calories since they made a “healthier” choice.

Along the same lines, I have been in stores like Whole Foods, which many might consider a “health food store” and seen people loading up on all sorts of desserts and greasy foods. It seems the perception of Whole Foods for many people is that nothing you buy there can make you fat. Hmmm….I’m pretty sure that whipped cream, cheesecake, and chocolate mousse can make you fat no matter where you buy it, whether its organic or not.

Tip: Investigate healthy claims for yourself. Don’t let yourself be tricked and be perfectly honest with yourself about what you are eating. Rather than trying to estimate the calories content of an entire sandwich, break it down and add up the meat, cheese, bread, and veggies separately. You will be much more accurate this way. Remember, eating at a place that calls itself or appears healthy, doesn’t actually mean that what you are eating is healthy.

If you’d like to read that article for yourself, here it is: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070829143638.htm

Quote:

I went into a McDonald’s yesterday and said, ‘I’d like some fries.’ The girl at the counter said, ‘Would you like some fries with that?’

- Jay Leno, TV Host of the Tonight Show

While I think it is important that people eat healthy, I also know that eating is something that most of us take a great deal of pleasure from and finding a perfect balance between health and pleasure is often a challenge that can leave us feeling bloated, guilty, hungry, or dissatisfied. In our pursuit to find pleasure in food it is important to remember that we are all human.

My goal here is to simply allow myself and others a place to discuss food, exercise, and health topics as well as share news and personal stories. While I am no expert on the subject, I do hold a bit of personal experience, as do we all, with my own struggles and triumphs. I am planning to study nutrition and hope to some day become a dietician.

My approach to food is multifaceted. I am not a fan of fast food, corporate food processing companies, and the governmental policy that regulates our food industry. I think these things have a lot to do with the growing obesity rate in America. No diet is going to fix this problem. Diets like Atkins, South Beach, Jenny Craig, and all the others will simply add to our problems by spreading false information. We need a bottom up approach.

Quote of the Day:

When Wal-Mart and McDonald’s start selling organic food, it will drive down the price to farmers and risk growing a new monoculture.

- Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivores Dilemma