Are Eggs Really So Bad?

Borrowed from Orlando Sentinel Health & Fitness article by Chris Woolston:
	"Eggs are a lot healthier than many people realize", says Maria Luz Fernandez, professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. She says egg yolks contain highly absorbable lutein & zeaxanthin, antioxidants that are, also, anti-inflammatory in nature, and the egg white is loaded with high-quality protein! Besides the often-maligned cholesterol in eggs seems to have little effect on a person's levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, she adds. Fernandez says, "the average person can have 1-2 eggs a day with no worries." And eggs can be a smart way to start your day, Dr. David Heber, chief of clinical nutrition at UCLA, says. "There's a great deal of evidence that eating protein at breakfast is good for you," he says. "It will satisfy your hunger better than a cup of "joe" & a bagel."
I love eggs, and frequently have them for breakfast!  I usually make an omelet with healthy ingredients such as, kale pesto, bitter melon(small amount), onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, & cheese(small amount); whatever I have handy.-Omni Girl

Diet 101: How to Stay on Track When You Are on Vacation

Borrowed from:  Kate Chaney, Certified Nutritionist & Co-Creator of Jump Nutrition, LLC
This is an article written by a nutritionist for the general public, not Omni droppers. But it's good advice. Take the part that can help you... If you are anything like me and 90% of people, we all have one thing in common: we are always on the go! I know myself, my busy lifestyle and my traveling schedule sometimes requires me to surrender to a whole lot of restaurant eating and finding healthy options outside my own refrigerator. But sometimes this is easier said than done. I know you can relate. Before I travel anywhere I always do a little bit of research and see if there is going to be some heatlhy food nearby. But what is this healthy girl supposed to do when there is no Whole Foods nearby and no kitchen in the hotel? This means I will have to surrender to restaurant eating the whole time. (Houston, we have a problem.)
	I love vacations just as much as you do, but when I end up coming home feeling bloated and fat instead of relaxed and refreshed, I don't love it as much anymore.
Here is my plan of attack... 1. I do what I call "damage control": Do the best I can, with what I've got and have an awesome time on my trip! 2. Prepare my "emergency kit". I will pack and take with me: walnuts, almonds, almond butter, organic turkey and beef jerky, apples and pears. None of these need refrigeration, so they will keep well all weekend. If I'm in a situation where there is no protein handy (like when it's time for a snack), I've got my nuts and jerky to tie me over. If you don't have something handy, you just may find yourself grabbing pretzels and potato chips (or whatever other horrid food people eat while away). 3. Breakfast- There is always a protein on the menu, no matter what. Omelets, or smoked salmon are my favorite choices, but I've even gone to places that now carry turkey bacon and turkey sausage on the menu. Stay away from the heavy and deadly pancakes and waffles. This is a blood sugar disaster waiting to happen. Eating a sugar loaded breakfast like this will only set you up for hunger and cravings the rest of the day. And, just may ruin an otherwise great day. 4. Lunch and Dinner - I have said this before. Most of us know what is healthy on the menu, but we still continue to order the crappy stuff. Yes, I do believe in a treat and a cheat meal once or twice a week, but definitely not every night of your vacation. Some people eat and choose items off the menu like they are being sent to starvation camp when they get home. This is not an "all or nothing" deal. You've committed to eating healthy for a lifetime. Don't worry. The food will always be there whether you eat it all at once or space it out over a lifetime. 5. Ok, back to my point. First, items on the menu that you know are drenched in heavy sauces are an instant No-No. Fettuccine Alfredo? Come on now. Are you serious? Can you get the steak, veggies and salad instead and be just as happy? Or, the Chicken Cacciatore with a side of broccoli rabe? (Yes, we're at an Italian restaurant). Often times, our taste buds are really just as happy with a healthier choice. No, this is not deprivation. This is choosing to feel good, be healthy and eat good food at the same time. Comprende? 6. Desserts - I love desserts too and I will definitely get myself a yummy piece of apple pie or chocolaty treat while I am away. If the piece of dessert is bigger than the size of my head, I will not eat the whole thing. There is no need. My taste buds are just as happy with a few bites (and my body is happier too). Remember, we're not going to starvation camp after this. Trust me, there is enough apple pie, chocolate or (insert your favorite dessert here) to have a small amount at a time for the rest of your life. Now about the Trolls - The who? Yes, you know who the trolls are. Those people who tell you to "just eat what you want", or "don't torture yourself". These people always seem to come out of hiding when dining with you at a restaurant. (They are also present at parties and family functions. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid). Don't let anybody else tell you that taking care of yourself and feeling great is a bad thing. I don't mean to talk bad about your family and friends, but chances are they are not too thrilled with their current weight and health and really just upset that you actually started to eat healthy and take control of your life. *Remember, there is no need to avoid restaurants and vacations (but please do avoid fast food joints). You just need to focus on the healthier options and have a great time!

What Do You Know About Trans Fats?

What makes trans fats so unhealthy? Here are some facts: 1. Trans fats come in natural & artificial forms. Short for trans fatty acids, they are found naturally in some meat & dairy products, but in very small amounts. The artificial versions are industrially manufactured trans fats, which are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to make it more solid. These partially hydrogenated oils are inexpensive & often used by food companies to improve the texture, shelf life & flavor of foods. According to the FDA, they are a main source of trans fat in the U.S.A., & the FDA aims to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from the processed food supply. 2. Trans fats are bad for your heart. Trans fats raise your bad, or LDL, cholesterol & lower your good, or HDL; having high LDL cholesterol increases your risk of developing heart disease, the #1 killer in the U.S.A. It is, also, associated with a higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes. 3. You can find them in your favorite foods. French fries, doughnuts, and baked goods such as cookies, crackers, & cakes contain trans fats, as well as, frozen pizzas, pancakes & waffles, pies, ice cream, pudding, margarines & spreads, ready-to-use frosting & coffee creamers. Snacks like microwave popcorn can contain up to 7 grams of trans fats per serving. The American Heart Association recommends limiting trans fats you eat to less than 1% of your total daily calories. For example, if you eat 2,000 calories a day, you can have 2 grams of trans fats daily. When you consider naturally occurring trans fats, there's no room for the artificial kind according to the AHA.
4. Trans fats can hide in the ingredients list. Food manufacturers have to list any amount of trans fat above 0.5 grams per serving on the nutrition label, which means even if the label says 0 grams, there can be trace amounts. Check the ingredients list. If it contains partially hydrogenated oil, the product contains trans fats. Also, when eating out, ask what kind of oil is used in cooking. Choose oils that are monunsaturated & polyunsaturated, such as olive & canola oil.

What's the Scoop About Gluten?

Borrowed from Health & Fitness article in the Orlando Sentinel by Chris Woolston:
Gluten, a protein found in wheat & some other grains has a serious image problem. Many believe gluten can sap their energy, cloud their thinking, & mess with their digestive system. But for most people, those fears seem to be misplaced according to Dr. David Heber, chief of clinical nutrition at UCLA. By latest estimates, about 1% of Americans, or possibly less, have celiac disease, a condition that makes gluten a serious threat to health. Some unknown number of people are sensitive to gluten in other ways, but most people can eat & digest gluten without problems. Heber says, "Americans eat so poorly that they have a lot of GI problems." In addition, he says, "A lot of people think they have gluten sensitivity, but what they really have is irritable bowel syndrome."
	Melinda Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics & a nutritional lecturer at Arizona State University in Tempe, says, "Whole-wheat breads, pastas, & cereals are good sources of fiber & vitamins. And gluten-free options don't always pack the same nutritional punch." "It's certainly possible to eat a junky gluten-free diet," she says.
In addition to blocking fat calories, I take OmniTrim Chito® to help me with acid reflux.  And I like Phaso Trim® for blocking calories from carbohydrates.-Omni Girl

What Kind of Diet Should You Have for Your Gallbladder?

Borrowed from Stephanie Watson, a WebMD Feature. "The majority of people with gallstones never develop symptoms their whole lives," says John Martin, MD, associate professor of medicine and surgery, and director of endoscopy at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Once you start to develop symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea & vomiting, you're going to need your gallbladder taken out."
Diet & the Risk for Gallstones A number of risk factors contribute to the formation of gallstones, including a family history of gallstones & gender. Women are twice as likely as men to develop them. Body weight is, also, a factor; the risk of gallstones is higher in people who are overweight & obese. Diets that are high in fat & cholesterol & low in fiber appear to play a role. "There's a lot of things you can't change in that list, but you can certainly influence your diet," says F. Taylor Wootton III, MD, clinical counselor, associate professor of internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a member of the American Gastroenterological Association governing board. If you're overweight, try to lose the extra weight; but do it gradually. There is a link between quick weight loss & gallstone formation. Crash or "yo-yo" diets can cause the liver to release more cholesterol into the bile, disrupting the normal balance of cholesterol & bile salts. That extra cholesterol can form into crystals, leading to gallstones, Wootton says. Those who get a gastric bypass operation tend to develop gallbladder problems afterward.
What Healthy Foods Should You Eat for Your Gallbladder? Whether or not you are at risk for gallstones, it's always a good idea to keep your body at a healthy weight & eat a diet that is low in fat & cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high in fiber.
All of the following are healthy foods for your gallbladder, as well as the rest of your body:
Fresh fruits & vegetables Whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, bran cereal) Lean meat, poultry, & fish Low-fat dairy products

Best Foods for Your Belly

	1. Fiber Feast on the fiber in legumes, like edamame. Also, asparagus & bananas are favorites.
	2. Yogurt Whether you get regular or Greek-style yogurt, be sure it contains "liver" or "active" cultures.
	3. Fermented Foods Sauerkraut is good bacteria in cabbage. Or try miso, soy sauce, or fermented pickles.
These suggestions are borrowed from Dr. Oz "The Good Life".  In addition, to eating these healthy foods & more, I like to take FiberNMor® from Omnitrition® to help keep me regular..  Fiber N Mor® contains: 880mg Psyllium and 10mg Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Also, contains milk. Psyllium husk is a soluble dietary fiber. Fiber is important in lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar. Fiber improves & maintains regular gastrointestinal transit, which aids in weight loss. The probiotic, lactobacillus acidophilus, provides 4 million live organisms that improve intestinal microbial balance with good bacteria.

Tips for Healthy Living

Borrowed from Dean Ornish 1. There are no good foods or bad foods, but some foods are healhier than others. Having a plant-based diet low in sugar is best. 2. A little exercise goes a long way, like walking 30 minutes a day. Other little things can add up including taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 3. It's not all or nothing. "What matters most is your overall way of eating & living. If you indulge one day, try to be healthier the next day." 4. How you eat is as important as what you eat. "If you can eat with more awareness, you'll get more pleasure with fewer calories."