I took this information from the Vegan Dad. He is one of my favorite bloggers. Check out the information he posted in reply to the Nutrition Action Healthletter's reporting of "The real cost of red meat." This Healthletter was prompted by the U.S. National Cancer Institute's largest study ever done on consumption of red meat. The findings, those who ate 125 grams of red (beef and pork) and processed meat a day had a 30% greater chance of dying of heart disease and cancer than those that ate 20 grams or less a day. The study found that potentially carciongenic N-nitroso compounds are formed in the gut when heme iron from red meat and gut bacteria trigger meat protein to combine with nitrates.
This is Vegan Dad's response: I read about the study in the recent issue of Nutrition Action. The coverage was interesting. According to Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, "if you go from eating meat twice a day to once a week, you can eliminate most of the risk." Most of the risk? Why not eliminate all the risk? Isn't this like recommending smoking one cigarette a day to reduce the risk of cancer? Nutrition Action gets in on the game, too. Even though grilling meat increases your risk of cancer, the editors offer a list of tips for "good grilling" to minimize the risk. And, while they condemn red meat for its environmental impact (55% of the erosion, 37% of pesticides applied, 50% of antibiotics consumed, 32% of nitrogen and 33% of the phosphorous load into the water supply in the U.S.), they let fish and poultry off the hook.
It's time for health advocates to promote veganism and quit this ridiculous charade of minimizing the risk of meat.
As for organic, grass-feed, wheatver, beef: it does not matter. This is about heme iron in red meat (no matter how it was raised), meat protein (not veggie), and nitrites (from veggies, water, processed meat) mixing together to form carcinogenic compounds. Secondly, it is about mutagens (HCAs) in cooked meat that occur regardless of how the meat was raised.Also, all cows, regardless of how they are raised, release methane--a greenhouse gas.
On grilling meat:Grilling meat creates two classes of mutagens: 1. heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and 2. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Mutagens can cause changes in DNA which can lead to cancer). The body recognizes both of these mutagens as foreign substances that need to be expelled. Thus, the body tries to make them more soluable so they can be washed out in the urine. However, this process makes the mutagens more active and more able to damage DNA. On grilling veggies:According to the article, veggie burgers and cooked vegetables generate little or no HCAs. Grilling is not specifically mentioned. However, cruciferous veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts may help your liver detoxify HCAs.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese!!!!
A striking new study says almost 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese, and the rate is alarmingly higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese. Researchers were surprised to see differences by race at so early an age.
Overall, more than half a million 4-year-olds are obese, the study suggests. Obesity is more common in Hispanic and black youngsters, too, but the disparity is most startling in American Indians, whose rate is almost double that of whites.
The lead author said that rate is worrisome among children so young, even in a population at higher risk for obesity because of other health problems and economic disadvantages.
"The magnitude of these differences was larger than we expected, and it is surprising to see differences by racial groups present so early in childhood," said Sarah Anderson, an Ohio State University public health researcher. She conducted the research with Temple University's Dr. Robert Whitaker.
Dr. Glenn Flores, a pediatrics and public health professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, said the research is an important contribution to studies documenting racial and ethnic disparities in children's weight.
"The cumulative evidence is alarming because within just a few decades, America will become a 'minority majority' nation," he said. Without interventions, the next generation "will be at very high risk" for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancers, joint diseases and other problems connected with obesity, said Flores, who was not involved in the new research.
The study is an analysis of nationally representative height and weight data on 8,550 preschoolers born in 2001. Children were measured in their homes and were part of a study conducted by the government's National Center for Education Statistics. The results appear in Monday's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Almost 13 percent of Asian children were obese, along with 16 percent of whites, almost 21 percent of blacks, 22 percent of Hispanics, and 31 percent of American Indians.
Overall, more than half a million 4-year-olds are obese, the study suggests. Obesity is more common in Hispanic and black youngsters, too, but the disparity is most startling in American Indians, whose rate is almost double that of whites.
The lead author said that rate is worrisome among children so young, even in a population at higher risk for obesity because of other health problems and economic disadvantages.
"The magnitude of these differences was larger than we expected, and it is surprising to see differences by racial groups present so early in childhood," said Sarah Anderson, an Ohio State University public health researcher. She conducted the research with Temple University's Dr. Robert Whitaker.
Dr. Glenn Flores, a pediatrics and public health professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, said the research is an important contribution to studies documenting racial and ethnic disparities in children's weight.
"The cumulative evidence is alarming because within just a few decades, America will become a 'minority majority' nation," he said. Without interventions, the next generation "will be at very high risk" for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancers, joint diseases and other problems connected with obesity, said Flores, who was not involved in the new research.
The study is an analysis of nationally representative height and weight data on 8,550 preschoolers born in 2001. Children were measured in their homes and were part of a study conducted by the government's National Center for Education Statistics. The results appear in Monday's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Almost 13 percent of Asian children were obese, along with 16 percent of whites, almost 21 percent of blacks, 22 percent of Hispanics, and 31 percent of American Indians.
New Evidence: Vinegar May Be Fat Fighter!
New Evidence: Vinegar May Be Fat Fighter
Researchers in Japan are reporting new evidence that the ordinary vinegar — a staple in oil-and-vinegar salad dressings, pickles, and other foods — may live up to its age-old reputation in folk medicine as a health promoter.
They are reporting new evidence that vinegar can help prevent accumulation of body fat and weight gain. Their study is scheduled for the July 8 issue of the bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Tomoo Kondo and colleagues note that vinegar has been used as a folk medicine since ancient times. People have used it for a range of ills. Modern scientific research suggests that acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, may help control blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and fat accumulation.
Their study showed that laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet and given acetic acid developed significantly less body fat (up to 10 percent less) than other mice. The research adds evidence to the belief that acetic acid fights fat by turning on genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes. The genes churn out proteins involved in breaking down fats, thus suppressing body fat accumulation in the body.
Researchers in Japan are reporting new evidence that the ordinary vinegar — a staple in oil-and-vinegar salad dressings, pickles, and other foods — may live up to its age-old reputation in folk medicine as a health promoter.
They are reporting new evidence that vinegar can help prevent accumulation of body fat and weight gain. Their study is scheduled for the July 8 issue of the bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Tomoo Kondo and colleagues note that vinegar has been used as a folk medicine since ancient times. People have used it for a range of ills. Modern scientific research suggests that acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, may help control blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and fat accumulation.
Their study showed that laboratory mice fed a high-fat diet and given acetic acid developed significantly less body fat (up to 10 percent less) than other mice. The research adds evidence to the belief that acetic acid fights fat by turning on genes for fatty acid oxidation enzymes. The genes churn out proteins involved in breaking down fats, thus suppressing body fat accumulation in the body.
Better Sex Makes Better Workers!
Better Sex Makes Better Workers
Good sex and emotional support at home can ease stress and improve life in the workplace, according to a new Swedish study.
“Either you come home to something that gives you a possibility to rewind and recover, or you have a relationship that makes you more troubled,” study author Ann-Christine Andersson Arntén told The Local, an English language publication in Sweden.
“If that’s the case then you cannot recover, and your whole system physically and mentally will become unbalanced,” said Arntén, who is a psychology doctoral student from the University of Gothenburg. “It will start to become more and more unhealthy and could end up in depression, anxiety, or sleeping problems.”
Some of the results of the five-year study involving about 900 men and women were obvious, such as the finding that men usually are more interested in the frequency of sex than women, and that women in good relationships had less stress at work than women in bad ones.
But other findings were not so obvious: In the case of men, those in either really good or really bad relationships were less stressed than men in so-called “average” relationships.
Why? Upon questioning, these men said “in-between” relationships require more effort. The relationships eventually went uphill or downhill, and either way ended the stress, they said.
Good sex and emotional support at home can ease stress and improve life in the workplace, according to a new Swedish study.
“Either you come home to something that gives you a possibility to rewind and recover, or you have a relationship that makes you more troubled,” study author Ann-Christine Andersson Arntén told The Local, an English language publication in Sweden.
“If that’s the case then you cannot recover, and your whole system physically and mentally will become unbalanced,” said Arntén, who is a psychology doctoral student from the University of Gothenburg. “It will start to become more and more unhealthy and could end up in depression, anxiety, or sleeping problems.”
Some of the results of the five-year study involving about 900 men and women were obvious, such as the finding that men usually are more interested in the frequency of sex than women, and that women in good relationships had less stress at work than women in bad ones.
But other findings were not so obvious: In the case of men, those in either really good or really bad relationships were less stressed than men in so-called “average” relationships.
Why? Upon questioning, these men said “in-between” relationships require more effort. The relationships eventually went uphill or downhill, and either way ended the stress, they said.
Join Farm Sanctuary for Annual Country Hoe Down!
To view as a Web page, please use this link: http://action.farmsanctuary.org/site/MessageViewerIf you'd like to share this message, please click here: http://action.farmsanctuary.org/site/TellAFriend
The days are longer and living is easy. That means it’s time for the New York Country Hoe Down! Farm Sanctuary cordially invites you to a knee slappin’ weekend filled with animal-friendly activities that are guaranteed to make you say “Yeehaaw!” If you are interested in learning more about current farm animal issues, wish to dine on delicious vegan eats, or want to spend time with the animal ambassadors themselves, you won’t want to miss this year’s Hoe Down. Join us! Activities include:
Inspiring lectures and presentations from leaders in the animal protection movement
Mouth-watering catered vegan meals and cooking demonstrations
Saturday night barn dance and bonfire
Guided tours of the sanctuary, hayrides and time with the animals
And more!
Registration for this event is $100 per person. Along with access to all lectures, tours and entertainment options, registration includes all meals (beginning with breakfast on Saturday and ending with lunch on Sunday). With all of these activities and opportunities for fun on the farm, it’s no wonder this is one of our most popular events of the year!
The days are longer and living is easy. That means it’s time for the New York Country Hoe Down! Farm Sanctuary cordially invites you to a knee slappin’ weekend filled with animal-friendly activities that are guaranteed to make you say “Yeehaaw!” If you are interested in learning more about current farm animal issues, wish to dine on delicious vegan eats, or want to spend time with the animal ambassadors themselves, you won’t want to miss this year’s Hoe Down. Join us! Activities include:
Inspiring lectures and presentations from leaders in the animal protection movement
Mouth-watering catered vegan meals and cooking demonstrations
Saturday night barn dance and bonfire
Guided tours of the sanctuary, hayrides and time with the animals
And more!
Registration for this event is $100 per person. Along with access to all lectures, tours and entertainment options, registration includes all meals (beginning with breakfast on Saturday and ending with lunch on Sunday). With all of these activities and opportunities for fun on the farm, it’s no wonder this is one of our most popular events of the year!
35% Tech Grade H202
I recently ordered 35% Tech Grade Hydrogen Peroxide for cleaning and therapeutic purposes, and I am thrilled to say this is a fantastic product. It whitens your whites, cleans and disinfects perfectly without the nasty smell of bleach and is safe for a 12 year old child to use. I purchased the hydrogen peroxide from Rebekah's Pure Living. When I found her website, I assumed I would never have any interaction with her, but to my surprise, 3 minutes after I emailed her one evening, she called me to discuss the concerns I had with the product. I was questioning whether or not I made mistake buying the Tech grade over Food Grade and the safety of the tech grade product. She was full of information and eased my concerns within a few minutes. I highly recommend this product. Her website is http://www.rebekahspureliving.com/, but you can find the product in many other places as well.
My husband has been using this product in his bath for the pain in his ankles and reports some improvement.
For those of you who have not read my earlier post regarding H202 and its benefits, it is a must read. H202 is an inexpensive alternative therapy as well as a safe and natural household disinfectant.
My husband has been using this product in his bath for the pain in his ankles and reports some improvement.
For those of you who have not read my earlier post regarding H202 and its benefits, it is a must read. H202 is an inexpensive alternative therapy as well as a safe and natural household disinfectant.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Aspartame....Carcinogenic
http://www.mpwhi.com:80/main.htm
Welcome to the home page of Mission Possible World Health International. Mission Possible World Health International was founded by Dr. Betty Martini, D.Hum and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.
On our site you will find lots of information about the substance known as aspartame and the effects it has on you, others, and the environment. If you have any questions or concerns about these deadly substance please contact us and we'll be glad to help you.
WHAT'S NEW:
The Consumer Medical Journal - Are Aspartame-Induced Arrhythmias Associated With Sudden Death? [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
The Consumer Medical Journal - Doctor Sour On Artificial Sweetene [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
Drug And Chemical Toxicology, Vol. 27, No. 3. Pp. 257-268 - 2004 - Genotoxicity Of Aspartame [Note that in the summary it says that based on these results aspartame cannot be considered safe] [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
Aspartame in the News 06/08/2009
Aspartame News in Turkey 06/08/2009
Controlled By Ajinomoto? EFSA Blesses Aspartame 06/02/2009
Coke's Aspartame Campaign To Bring You Pain 06/01/2009
Despite Cancer Risk, Rumsfield Rammed NutraSweet Through FDA In 1980's: New Studies Appear To Confirm Cancer Connection [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/01/2009
Aspartame News in New Zealand 06/01/2009
OF SPECIAL INTEREST:
Welcome to the home page of Mission Possible World Health International. Mission Possible World Health International was founded by Dr. Betty Martini, D.Hum and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.
On our site you will find lots of information about the substance known as aspartame and the effects it has on you, others, and the environment. If you have any questions or concerns about these deadly substance please contact us and we'll be glad to help you.
WHAT'S NEW:
The Consumer Medical Journal - Are Aspartame-Induced Arrhythmias Associated With Sudden Death? [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
The Consumer Medical Journal - Doctor Sour On Artificial Sweetene [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
Drug And Chemical Toxicology, Vol. 27, No. 3. Pp. 257-268 - 2004 - Genotoxicity Of Aspartame [Note that in the summary it says that based on these results aspartame cannot be considered safe] [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/08/2009
Aspartame in the News 06/08/2009
Aspartame News in Turkey 06/08/2009
Controlled By Ajinomoto? EFSA Blesses Aspartame 06/02/2009
Coke's Aspartame Campaign To Bring You Pain 06/01/2009
Despite Cancer Risk, Rumsfield Rammed NutraSweet Through FDA In 1980's: New Studies Appear To Confirm Cancer Connection [PDF format] (It will open in a new window) 06/01/2009
Aspartame News in New Zealand 06/01/2009
OF SPECIAL INTEREST:
http://files.meetup.com/6388/blaylock_Autism_11.pdf
As this is a pdf file that was uploaded onto the internet, I cannot copy and paste it. If you have ever questioned vaccinations and their safety, this article will confirm your suspicions are correct, VACCINES ARE VERY DANGEROUS. I encourage everyone to take the time to copy and past this web address in your browser and read the pdf. It is well worth your time.
http://files.meetup.com/6388/blaylock_Autism_11.pdf
http://files.meetup.com/6388/blaylock_Autism_11.pdf
Dr. Gerson...The Beautiful Truth
My husband and I were recently visiting the library looking for a few dvds and I came across a dvd that shared life changing information. The title of the movie is "The Beautiful Truth". This documentary follows the journey of Garrett Kroschel, an animal-loving teenager raised in Alaska. His mother died at an early age from a tragic accident, leading Garrett to realize the importance of seizing every day on earth. After reading a book by Max Gerson, Garrett was inspired to travel across the country to investigate the premise that diet can cure cancer and other disease. Cancer survivors discussed the Gerson Therapy with Garrett -- and Gerson's claim that the medical industry has suppressed natural cancer cures for years. This is a wonderfully directed documentary. One entire part is devoted to the metal used in dentistry and how it is detrimental to your health.
This is a must watch movie for all.
This is a must watch movie for all.
While Dining Out.....
I want to preface this article by saying that I do not believe eating meat in any amount is good for you. There are numerous health articles detailing research that has been done to show the detriment meat takes on our bodies, but if you chose to eat meat, the following information could be helpful in keeping you trim.
Watch Your Waistline While Dining Out By Margaret Furtado, M.S., R.D
According to a new report by the Nutrition Action Healthletter, the answer might be a resounding "no," especially if you dine at some of the casual, "slow-food" restaurant chains out there, with their hyper-caloric entrees, appetizers, and desserts.
One meal highlighted by the NAH report, for example, was The Cheesecake Factory's "Fried Macaroni and Cheese," which weighs in at a monstrous 1,570 calories and 69 grams of saturated fat.
Chili's "Big Mouth Bites"-also cited in the NAH article-boasts (if that's the word) 2,350 calories, 38 grams of fat (7 ½ pats of butter)-and 3,940 mgs of sodium. Excuse me? That's about twice the amount of sodium recommended for most adult Americans, over the course of a day. How many salt-sensitive people-some of whom have high blood pressure and don't know it-are innocently gorging on these indoor salt licks?
Okay, so the news about restaurant chains isn't so good, but there are healthier options out there that will still allow you to go out once in awhile and socialize. Here's a sampling of entrées from some of the big restaurant chains. I've included one "no-no" from each establishment's menu to help you spot the "heart-attacks-on-a-plate."
Applebee's®. The bad news: You order the "Grilled Steak Caesar Salad with toast," thinking you're eating light...after all, it's a salad, right? But guess what? If you eat the whole thing, you'll have wolfed down 1,296 calories, 83 grams of fat (16½ pats of you-know-what), and 2,200 mgs of sodium. Uh oh.The good news: Applebee's offers a Weight Watcher's® Menu for health- and weight-conscious diners, and it includes "Garlic Herb Chicken" for 370 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 7 grams of fiber.Applebee's even has a dessert, "Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake," that's only 230 calories and 3 grams of fat. Pass around 1 slice of this cake and you'll be cutting calories even further. Although their "Onion Soup au Gratin" (150 calories) has fewer calories than does regular onion soup, the 8 grams of fat in there might cause a problem if your entrée was also high in fat.
Cheesecake Factory®. The bad news: You ordered their "Stuffed Chicken Tortillas," thinking it a fairly good nutritional choice. Wrong. You just put away 1,097 calories, 43 grams of fat (8 ½ pats) and a whopping 2,647 mgs of sodium (the equivalent of more than a full teaspoon of salt)....thirsty, by any chance?The good news: I was surprised to find a new menu item at the Cheesecake Factory called "Weight Management Grilled ChickenTM," which was accompanied by arugula salad (my favorite!), steamed white rice, and asparagus. Per the online listing, this meal contained "less than 590 calories." The new "White Chicken Chili" also looks promising, although the nutrition information wasn't available when I looked. Their "Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo" could be healthy if you ask that the cream be left out of the Cajun-style broth.
Chili's®. The bad news: Chili's online info lists its appetizers under the heading "Start It Off Right," but you surely won't be doing that if you order their "Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack." This before-meal snack is lugging along 2,130 calories, 213 grams of fat (I kid you not--42 ½ pats of butter!), and 1,320 mgs of sodium. (You know how some menus put a little heart symbol next to the heart-healthy meals? "Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack" could just about be awarded tiny skull and crossbones.)The good news: Chili's "Guiltless Grill" offers many healthy options too, such as the "Guiltless Grilled Salmon" at 480 calories, 14 grams of fat (with most of the calories and fat coming from those pleasant omega-3-fatty acids), and a good amount of fiber (10 grams). Another item I was curious about is the "Black Bean Burger": Although its 650 calories seem fairly steep, it does contain a respectably low 12 grams of fat (only 2 of them saturated) and a generous 26 grams of fiber.
T.G.I. Friday's®. The bad news: No matter how good Friday's "Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad" sounds to you, don't do it. It's hiding 750 calories and 10 pats of butter.The good news: With its "Right Portion, Right Price" menu offerings, Friday's became the first casual, sit-down dining chain in the U.S. to offer smaller portions at lower prices all through the day. Among the entrees are "Asian-Glazed Chicken with Field Greens," and "Cedar-Seared Salmon on Field Greens." Two other meals, the "Dragonfire Chicken" and "Shrimp Key West," are included in their "Better for You" section, which lists only those meals that contain no more than 500 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving. This saves you money as well.
Outback Steakhouse®. The bad news: Order Outback's "Aussie-tizers Kookaburra Wings with Sauce" and you just served yourself 1,160 calories and 75 grams of fat (15 pats).The good news: I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this restaurant now has "Healthy Weight Loss," "Heart-Healthy Diet," and "High-Protein Low-Carbohydrate" choices. On the "Healthy Weight Loss" link, they offer options for making their traditional items healthier (e.g., ordering their "Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie" without butter, or the "Shrimp and Veggie Griller" without butter or glaze during preparation. I feel these guidelines of Outback Steakhouse not only help diners cut calories and fat, but also provide information regarding the food's preparation. And perhaps most important, diners will most likely feel less intimidated to ask their server for these modifications since they're listed on the Web site.
Ruby Tuesdays®. The bad news: You just ordered "Ruby Minis," thinking, What harm could 2 miniburgers with fries possibly do? The answer: an injurious 1,122 calories and about 14 pats is what.The good news: I found a menu option online called "Smart Eating Choices," which looks to include some healthy options, such as "White Bean Chicken Chili" (228 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber) and "Grilled Chicken" at 295 calories and only 6 grams of fat. Other choices, however, were a bit higher in fat than I expected, such as the "Chicken Bella" (626 calories and 7 pats), "New Orleans Seafood" (31 grams of fat), and "Grilled Chicken Salad" (30 grams of fat). However, even these last options are most likely much lower in fat and calories than some of the traditional items on the menu, so overall they may be fairly good choices, in moderation.
Watch Your Waistline While Dining Out By Margaret Furtado, M.S., R.D
According to a new report by the Nutrition Action Healthletter, the answer might be a resounding "no," especially if you dine at some of the casual, "slow-food" restaurant chains out there, with their hyper-caloric entrees, appetizers, and desserts.
One meal highlighted by the NAH report, for example, was The Cheesecake Factory's "Fried Macaroni and Cheese," which weighs in at a monstrous 1,570 calories and 69 grams of saturated fat.
Chili's "Big Mouth Bites"-also cited in the NAH article-boasts (if that's the word) 2,350 calories, 38 grams of fat (7 ½ pats of butter)-and 3,940 mgs of sodium. Excuse me? That's about twice the amount of sodium recommended for most adult Americans, over the course of a day. How many salt-sensitive people-some of whom have high blood pressure and don't know it-are innocently gorging on these indoor salt licks?
Okay, so the news about restaurant chains isn't so good, but there are healthier options out there that will still allow you to go out once in awhile and socialize. Here's a sampling of entrées from some of the big restaurant chains. I've included one "no-no" from each establishment's menu to help you spot the "heart-attacks-on-a-plate."
Applebee's®. The bad news: You order the "Grilled Steak Caesar Salad with toast," thinking you're eating light...after all, it's a salad, right? But guess what? If you eat the whole thing, you'll have wolfed down 1,296 calories, 83 grams of fat (16½ pats of you-know-what), and 2,200 mgs of sodium. Uh oh.The good news: Applebee's offers a Weight Watcher's® Menu for health- and weight-conscious diners, and it includes "Garlic Herb Chicken" for 370 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 7 grams of fiber.Applebee's even has a dessert, "Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake," that's only 230 calories and 3 grams of fat. Pass around 1 slice of this cake and you'll be cutting calories even further. Although their "Onion Soup au Gratin" (150 calories) has fewer calories than does regular onion soup, the 8 grams of fat in there might cause a problem if your entrée was also high in fat.
Cheesecake Factory®. The bad news: You ordered their "Stuffed Chicken Tortillas," thinking it a fairly good nutritional choice. Wrong. You just put away 1,097 calories, 43 grams of fat (8 ½ pats) and a whopping 2,647 mgs of sodium (the equivalent of more than a full teaspoon of salt)....thirsty, by any chance?The good news: I was surprised to find a new menu item at the Cheesecake Factory called "Weight Management Grilled ChickenTM," which was accompanied by arugula salad (my favorite!), steamed white rice, and asparagus. Per the online listing, this meal contained "less than 590 calories." The new "White Chicken Chili" also looks promising, although the nutrition information wasn't available when I looked. Their "Shrimp and Chicken Gumbo" could be healthy if you ask that the cream be left out of the Cajun-style broth.
Chili's®. The bad news: Chili's online info lists its appetizers under the heading "Start It Off Right," but you surely won't be doing that if you order their "Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack." This before-meal snack is lugging along 2,130 calories, 213 grams of fat (I kid you not--42 ½ pats of butter!), and 1,320 mgs of sodium. (You know how some menus put a little heart symbol next to the heart-healthy meals? "Onion String & Crispy Jalapeno Stack" could just about be awarded tiny skull and crossbones.)The good news: Chili's "Guiltless Grill" offers many healthy options too, such as the "Guiltless Grilled Salmon" at 480 calories, 14 grams of fat (with most of the calories and fat coming from those pleasant omega-3-fatty acids), and a good amount of fiber (10 grams). Another item I was curious about is the "Black Bean Burger": Although its 650 calories seem fairly steep, it does contain a respectably low 12 grams of fat (only 2 of them saturated) and a generous 26 grams of fiber.
T.G.I. Friday's®. The bad news: No matter how good Friday's "Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad" sounds to you, don't do it. It's hiding 750 calories and 10 pats of butter.The good news: With its "Right Portion, Right Price" menu offerings, Friday's became the first casual, sit-down dining chain in the U.S. to offer smaller portions at lower prices all through the day. Among the entrees are "Asian-Glazed Chicken with Field Greens," and "Cedar-Seared Salmon on Field Greens." Two other meals, the "Dragonfire Chicken" and "Shrimp Key West," are included in their "Better for You" section, which lists only those meals that contain no more than 500 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving. This saves you money as well.
Outback Steakhouse®. The bad news: Order Outback's "Aussie-tizers Kookaburra Wings with Sauce" and you just served yourself 1,160 calories and 75 grams of fat (15 pats).The good news: I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this restaurant now has "Healthy Weight Loss," "Heart-Healthy Diet," and "High-Protein Low-Carbohydrate" choices. On the "Healthy Weight Loss" link, they offer options for making their traditional items healthier (e.g., ordering their "Grilled Shrimp on the Barbie" without butter, or the "Shrimp and Veggie Griller" without butter or glaze during preparation. I feel these guidelines of Outback Steakhouse not only help diners cut calories and fat, but also provide information regarding the food's preparation. And perhaps most important, diners will most likely feel less intimidated to ask their server for these modifications since they're listed on the Web site.
Ruby Tuesdays®. The bad news: You just ordered "Ruby Minis," thinking, What harm could 2 miniburgers with fries possibly do? The answer: an injurious 1,122 calories and about 14 pats is what.The good news: I found a menu option online called "Smart Eating Choices," which looks to include some healthy options, such as "White Bean Chicken Chili" (228 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of fiber) and "Grilled Chicken" at 295 calories and only 6 grams of fat. Other choices, however, were a bit higher in fat than I expected, such as the "Chicken Bella" (626 calories and 7 pats), "New Orleans Seafood" (31 grams of fat), and "Grilled Chicken Salad" (30 grams of fat). However, even these last options are most likely much lower in fat and calories than some of the traditional items on the menu, so overall they may be fairly good choices, in moderation.
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