National Nutrition Month Series-How Are Singles Doing?

Balancing Your Blood Sugar Levels for Optimal Energy Trail Mix provides a variety of natural carbohydrates and proteins to target the mid-afternoon sugar/carb craving.

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The Highs

Eating simple sugars and refined flours that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream results in high blood-sugar levels.  Your pancreas then overcompensates with insulin - the body’s natural counterbalance to the sweets.  For some singles it secretes enough to drive your blood-sugar levels even lower than before.  What then? Well, you will often find that you crave glucose again, often in the form of simple sugars life a chocolate bar. It can really be a roller coaster ride of spikes and drops where your insulin-glucose is concerned.

The Lows

After you eat, your blood sugar remains level for approximately 3 - 4 hours.  If you don’t replenish your fuel by eating again, blood sugar levels can drop leaving you feeling sluggish.

Keeping the Balance

Singles are at greatest risk for the sugar slumps in the mid/late morning and mid-afternoon times of the day.  If you are amongst the many who reach for the candy bar, try something different.  Grab a fruit or some trail mix with dried fruits (combinations of lean proteins and high-fiber carbohydrates) instead. They are absorbed by the body more slowly and provide a sustained release of energy, keeping your blood sugar steady.  Small choices that can make a considerable difference in your day.

National Nutrition Month

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National Nutrition Month Series-How Are Singles Doing?

Dark Chocolate is said to have a blood-sugar regulating effect that helps control sebum production.

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The Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported in 2005 that dark chocolate has a blood-sugar regulating effect.  Regulating your blood-sugar can help singles control sebrum production, which is linked to acne.

So what’s the story? Well, apparently during manufacturing, dark chocolate retains up to 95% of its flavonoids in comparison to most of the other forms of chocolate.  Clinical trials have also shown an improvement in blood vessel function from consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily over an extended period of time.

While a little dark chocolate has some benefits, a lot is not better. Chocolate still has tons of calories. If you’re going to eat more chocolate, you’ll have to make some adjustments and reduce consumption in other areas.

Other Nutritional Acne Tips

Although the contribution of hormones and genetics may affect break out tendencies, here are some additional suggestions for singles to consider in their acne battles:

1.  Try to adhere to a healthy, natural diet that keeps blood-sugar levels stable and is high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

2.  Vitamins A, B6, C, and E; zinc and selenium are some of the nutrients believed to help.

3.  Foods recommended include ginger, kale, green tea, and pears

4. Natural health providers also assert that acne is often the body’s way of saying that there is a toxic build-up which the liver is unable to clean and the skin shows the imbalance.  Singles seeking to reduce systemic toxicity can turn to foods such as fibre, oats, oat bran, lentils, fresh fruits, vegetables in addition to regular water intake each day.

These days, singles experiencing acne seems to have extended beyond the primary teen years.  It can be frustrating and result in self-esteem difficulties. Regardless of your age, there is no reason that you should be ashamed to consult with an appropriate health care provider.

In my own experience, I find that rest, exercise and a healthy diet always contributes to the appearance of my skin (for the better or worse).  There are small nutritional changes that singles can make today that will gradually improve your skin’s appearance.  Name 1 and start now!

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National Nutrition Month Series-How Are Singles Doing?

Focus Less on the Weight and More on Health

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I overheard an interesting debate in the grocery store yesterday.  Two women were discussing the fact that they had both recently gained some weight.  One of the women said to the other, “well its no big deal to you, you’re already married”.  They argued about weight gain being more/less significant based on marital status. Both held on to their convictions rather tightly.

I disagreed with both of their positions.  I think that a person’s view about their weight is a direct result of how they view themselves overall - their body image.  I also believe that it benefits everyone to be attentive to all aspects of health and well-being regardless of marital status.  I would be interested in hearing from others about this topic.  Does extra weight mean more to singles?

Your Daily Nutrition Guide

Chances of weight gain amongst singles increase if you frequently indulge in calorie-dense foods like fries, soft drinks and so on more often than nutrient-dense foods in your diet. Calorie-dense foods provide more calories than the body needs and the excess accumulates in the form of fat.

If your current weight has you concerned, try increasing your physical activity, minimizing sedentary activities like excessive use of computers and watching television.  While we have seen an increase in the promotion of healthy foods, many people still head for the quick and convenient drive-thru options.  Perhaps your target could be to adopt a better balance rather than a restrictive diet.

Any or all of these changes could play a major role in overcoming what has sometimes been referred to as an epidemic of obesity. One of the easiest solutions is to eat food in small portions five times per day instead of larger portions three times.  You could enjoy benefits to your health (and weight) by making small changes for the next month.

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National Nutrition Month - How Are Singles Doing?

The Benefits of Salmon

Let Your Brain Jump for Joy with Salmon

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Your Daily Nutrition Guide

If you have been considering changing the elements of your daily diet for the better, you will often here repeated reference to eating more fish.  Research continues to show that regular consumption of foods rich in omega-3s is an excellent way to improve heart health in addition to the belief that omega-3s also play a key role in supporting mental health by supporting brain function.  A number of nutritional health sources state that singles who eat fish regulary tend to have lower triglyceride levels, which assists in the maintenance of healthy blood vessels by reducing blood clotting and inflammation.  The best natural fish source of omega-3s has been emphasized to be salmon and there has been lively discussions about wild vs farmed salmon sources.

Depending on which particular single you talk to, there will be a variety of responses to questions about how much fish is consumed.  This is based on preference, commitments to healthy lifestyles, solo status, and a host of other reasons.  What about you?  How are you doing?

What is Recommended?

The American Heart Association states that individuals should eat a variety of (preferably oily) fish at least twice per week. For additional support you can also Include oils and foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (flax seed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil; flax seed and walnuts).

Salmon Recipe Will Get You Started

Tandoori Salmon with Mango Salsa:

Makes 8 skewers

Ingredients:

• 4 medium Salmon fillets
• 1 and a half tbsp Tandoori paste
• 1 tbsp natural yogurt
• Juice of half lemon
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Salsa

• 1 ripe mango (diced)
• half red chili (seeded and chopped)
• Juice of half lemon
• 4 spring onions (chopped)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
• Splash of olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Preheat the grill/BBQ to hot. Cut salmon fillet into 1″”(2.25cm) cubes and place in a flat dish.

2. Combine the tandoori paste, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning and pour over the salmon. Leave to marinate for 10 minutes.

3. To make the salsa, mix together all the ingredients, add the seasoning and then chill.

4. Thread the salmon onto skewers. Place under the hot grill for 15 minutes turning once.

5. Serve with rice and the mango salsa.

Enjoy!

National Nutrition Month

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