February 14, 2019 at 12:59PM by CWC It feels like you can’t throw a stone without running into someone who’s like, really, really into celery juice right now. Which, fine. The savory juice certainly offers lots of benefits, including reduced bloat, extra antioxidants, and potential anti-inflammatory effects. But honestly, there’s one drink that’s been doing this (and more) for years: tomato juice. Yes, tomato juice has largely been relegated to brunch-time Blood Marys or complimentary beverage service at 40,000 feet. But it turns out we shouldn’t be waiting for special occasions to go to town on this stuff, because tomato juice benefits are pretty substantial. Don’t believe me? Here’s what the experts have to say: 1. It’s high in vitamin C Yeah yeah, oranges have tons of the antioxidant vitamin C, but so does tomato juice, says nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, CN, author of Recipes for Your Perfectly Imperfect Life. One cup of tomato juice contains between 67 and 170 milligrams of vitamin C, depending on what type you buy. Given that she says the average adult should consume anywhere between 45 to 90 milligrams per day, you can easily knock down your daily intake in one glass. Vitamin C also helps with iron absorption, says Snyder (helping to prevent anemia), can help your body regenerate the antioxidant vitamin E, is good for your immune system, and has protective properties against health conditions like cataracts and cancer. 2. It helps protect the skin No, drinking tomato juice doesn’t mean you can
Category: Keto
Want to try keto but don’t eat meat? Introducing the Ketotarian diet
February 13, 2019 at 02:18PM by CWC When someone says the words “ketogenic diet,” the first things that come to mind are probably butter, bacon, and avocados. That’s because the trendy diet has a rep for being heavy on the animal-based fats. (Just look up “ketogenic recipes” and you’ll see what I mean.) This makes the eating plan appealing to carnivores…but what about those of us who might want to reap some of those much-touted keto benefits (less brain fog, balanced hormones, healthy weight management, etc etc) without loading up on meat? Enter the “Ketotarian” diet, outlined by Will Cole, D.C., functional medicine practitioner in his book Ketotarian: The (Mostly) Plant-Based Plan to Burn Fat, Boost Your Energy, Crush Your Cravings, and Calm Inflammation. He essentially argues that it is possible to go plant based (or mostly plant based) while still sticking to a ketogenic diet. Color me intrigued! Here’s what you need to know: What is the Ketotarian diet? Ketotarian takes the traditional ketogenic diet and adds a plant-based, pescatarian twist. “It allows those who prefer to be more plant-based or have sensitivities to these foods to still take advantage of the benefits of ketosis,” says Cole. A high-fat, moderate protein and very low-carb eating plan, the Ketotarian diet eliminates meat and dairy and focuses on plant-centric sources of fats. It also allows some animal sources of protein and fats, including eggs, ghee, and fish—although those foods aren’t required. If you’re vegan, you don’t eat them on this plan; if
Why Hannah Bronfman swears by dandelion root for an energizing kick in the a.m.
February 12, 2019 at 10:57AM by CWC When I finally got my hands on a copy of wellness maven Hannah Bronfman’s new book Do What Feels Good, one of the first things I noticed is that there are four whole pages dedicated to dandelion root. The DJ apparently mixes it with MCT oil in her morning coffee, guzzles it in tea form, and even supercharges it with a twist of lemon and ginger. So what gives? Why does the wildflower—which let’s be real here, normally only has value as an unreliable wish-granter—earn a spot in Bronfman’s morning routine? “It’s just one of these roots that gives you energy, has great fiber, and is overall just a great alternative for someone who wants to have some energy and some good flavor, but doesn’t necessarily drink coffee or who is looking to wean themselves off coffee,” says the HBFit founder. Sonya Angelone, RDN, agrees that dandelion root is pretty legit thanks to its digestive benefits (ahem, helps you poop). “Dandelion roots are rich in inulin, a carbohydrate which also acts as a prebiotic, a soluble fiber that feeds healthy gut bacteria. Because of the high fiber content, it can help relieve constipation—with adequate water, of course—by increasing the bulk of your stool and making it easier to pass.” And the fiber isn’t the only dandelion root benefit. The ingredient has been a staple of Eastern medicine for years, with proponents claiming it can help release toxins from the liver and reduce inflammation. The root
Grab a bowl: Noodles are healthy if you choose the right kind
February 05, 2019 at 05:31AM by CWC Whether you’re braving the polar vortex, battling a winter cold, or deep into a post-breakup Netflix binge, there’s one food that’s guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot warmer and fuzzier: noodles. Clearly, the ultimate comfort dish is good for our emotional health, as anyone who’s inhaled a steamy bowl of ramen on a sub-zero day can attest. But is it just as beneficial from a nutritional perspective? With fingers firmly crossed, I checked in with dietician Brooke Alpert, RD, to find out. Lucky for all of us, she had good news. “Noodles and pasta can be a healthy choice, depending on what they are made out of,” the dietician told me. (Phew!) Here are the healthy noodles she loves the most: 1. Kelp noodles Kelp noodles received top marks from Alpert, as they’re rich in key minerals. “Kelp noodles have calcium and magnesium and, unlike traditional white flour pasta, will not cause a huge spike in your blood sugar,” she explains. This gluten-free seaweed noodle (made from the powdered flesh of kelp) is often served raw, but it’s just as delish as a base for pad Thai and pho. 2. Shirataki noodles Alpert’s also a fan of high-fiber, gluten-free shirataki noodles—another A+ option for homemade pad Thai—which are made from yam flour. (Tituss Burgess is another shirataki lover, although his go-to option is made with tofu and yam.) 3. Mung bean pasta If you’re more into Italian-style noodles, Alpert recommends trying mung
3 Mediterranean diet desserts that prove the eating plan isn’t just olive oil, nuts, and fish
January 30, 2019 at 06:42AM by CWC Photo: America’s Test Kitchen Don’t call it a comeback (because, really, did it ever really go anywhere?), but the Mediterranean diet is trending in a serious way. (Well keto, we had fun, but I’m just looking for something a bit more long-term…) Here’s the thing though: When you look for Mediterranean diet recipes—whether it’s on Google or the cookbook aisle at the bookstore—you’ll see amazing savory ideas, likely starring fish, legumes, nuts, and of course olive oil. But what about Mediterranean diet desserts? Is that even a thing? America’s Test Kitchen executive editor Dan Zuccarello is here to tell you that you can absolutely have dessert while sticking to the Mediterranean diet. (Phew!) You just have to change the way you think about it a little bit. “Dessert is viewed much differently in the Mediterranean than it is here,” says Zuccarello, the creative force behind the newly released The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook. “While we think of dessert as a regular occurrence and the final course to our meals, it is not uncommon for ‘dessert’ in the Mediterranean to simply be a piece of fresh fruit. That’s not to say cakes and cookies are not eaten; rather they are often saved for special family gatherings and celebrations.” Don’t find fruit on its own all that exciting? There are some easy ways to upgrade it. Here, Zuccarello shares three dessert ideas from his new book (which of course also includes loads of breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes,
Your guide to complete proteins when you don’t eat meat
January 28, 2019 at 08:39AM by CWC Here’s the question every vegetarian and vegan dreads the most: “How do you get enough protein?” (The runner-up: “Don’t you miss bacon?”) It’s an annoying, but well-meaning question. After all, the most common forms of protein—you know, the macronutrient responsible for building muscle, repairing tissue, and assisting in vital bodily functions like blood clotting and the immune response—come from animal foods like chicken, fish, beef, and eggs. What do you do if you don’t eat those foods? Well, you can tell your mom/co-worker/random IG follower to calm down with that concern. It’s completely possible—nay, easy—to get enough protein (about 46 grams a day for the average woman) on a plant-based diet. Meat is not the protein end-all, be-all, people! However, there’s a slight catch that plant-based eaters need to know (so please don’t shoot the messenger). Beyond the whole “did it come from an animal or not” distinction, not all protein is the same from a nutritional standpoint. There are complete proteins, incomplete proteins, essential amino acids…it’s kind of complicated. And not knowing the difference is a big deal when you don’t eat animal-based foods. The protein “problem” for plant-based eaters First, an AP Bio refresher. Dietary protein is made up of different combos of 20 different amino acids, says Scarlett Full, RD and nutrition scientist at Growing Naturals. “The human body is able to produce 11 out of the 20 amino acids on its own. But the other nine must be obtained
Asking for a friend: Is it bad to eat basically the same thing every day?
January 25, 2019 at 09:29AM by CWC Ask a healthy celeb or a wellness influencer what they like to eat, and you’ll probably hear something like, “I eat the same thing every day!” Classic answers include: smoothies (or Greek yogurt with berries), grilled chicken and veggies, salmon and quinoa, lemon water. It’s basically the Mark Zuckerberg approach to nutrition. Instead of wearing jeans and a hoodie 24/7, you’re streamlining healthy eating by just eating the same foods every day. While their choices do seem quite healthy (who doesn’t love a routine?), it begs the question: Is eating the same thing every day good for you? While some registered dietitians might find themselves drinking their go-to smoothie for breakfast every morning, or having the same salad at lunch, most will argue on the side of variety. “If your goal is to get or stay healthy, then variety in your diet is definitely important,” says Christine Palumbo, RDN, a Chicago-based dietitian. Here’s why you should be switching up what you eat on the regular: 1. You’ll get tons more nutrients There just might be something to that old saying “mother knows best.” “Mother nature has provided all the nutrients you need, and by eating a varied diet, it helps to ensure you’re going to get an adequate amount of all of those nutrients,” says Palumbo. We’re not just talking macronutrients like fat, protein, and carbohydrates, but all of the micronutrients, such as the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help keep your immune
Whole30 has a *lot* of rules—this cheat sheet summarizes everything you need to know
January 25, 2019 at 06:55AM by CWC It’s a familiar scenario in 2019: You meet a friend for dinner, and suddenly she’s swiping left on the bread basket, ordering her steak without the cream sauce, and treating the dessert menu like it’s covered in Zika germs. (Still a thing, FYI.) But before you start searching for a new companion with whom you can split your chocolate lava cake, consider the fact that her condition could be temporary. Like tons of other people, she may just be doing Whole30—a crazy-popular nutrition challenge whereby people ditch a few food groups for 30 days to in order to improve their health and eating habits. You might say that the program, developed by sports nutritionist Melissa Hartwig, helped launch Paleo-style eating back into mainstream territory. (Like Paleo, refined sugar, grains, legumes, and dairy are just a few of Whole30’s no-go ingredients—meals revolve around veggies, fruit, and animal protein instead.) And your mom, your aunt, and your BFF aren’t the only ones on board. Stars like Busy Philipps and Emmy Rossum are also fans. So why, exactly, has Whole30 caught on like a flaming sage bundle since it launched in 2009? According to Diana Rodgers, RD, a Whole30 coach and owner of Sustainable Dish, the program is a great way to re-evaluate your eating habits if you feel like they’ve veered off course. “In our modern food landscape, where we have 24/7 access to hyperpalatable [processed] food, we’re wired to seek out as many calories as possible,” she explains. “But by focusing
Don’t flake on finding out the difference between dandruff and dry scalp
January 24, 2019 at 07:55AM by CWC It’s the winter time, which means you get to witness the gorgeous sight of snowflakes dusting the streets, trees, buildings, and your, er, scalp and shoulders. Wait, could that just be dandruff instead? ‘Tis the season for not only flakes to fall from the sky, but from your head as well. To alleviate the mystery of the head flakes, I spoke to a hair pro to find out everything you need to know about flakes, which as it turns out, aren’t always dandruff. Commonly, there are a few types of flakes: those that result because a yeast called malassezia that feeds off greasy hair, those that happen because of a dry scalp, and even those that are due to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Here’s how to get to the bottom of what kind of flakes are happening and, beyond that, how to get rid of them. What is dandruff? Basically, those flakes are dead skin cells that fall off of your scalp. “Dander or dead skin cells appear in the hair and flake off in large numbers,” says Dominic Burg, PhD, chief scientist and hair biologist at Evolis Professional. “It’s quite normal to shed skin, as it’s constantly replenishing itself—but when this happens excessively, it can lead to visible flakes on the hair and clothing.” Dandruff itself though is caused by a yeast on the scalp. “There’s an organism that lives ubiquitously on all of our scalps—it’s M. Furfur or P. ovale, and
Standard Dose navigates the confusing world of CBD products so you don’t have to
January 24, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC For many of us, making the decision to try cannabidol (CBD) is easy. A natural substance that can supposedly reduce anxiety, improve sleep, soothe sore muscles, and illuminate skin—with basically no known side effects? Cool, take my credit card. The challenge, traditionally, has been getting our hands on the stuff. Since the CBD industry is still largely unregulated, most well-known retailers have shied away from stocking it. (Although that is changing thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill; retail giant Neiman Marcus recently added CBD beauty products to its shelves.) Plus, it’s hard to know if the product you’re getting is legitimate since so many aren’t. Budding e-commerce startups, like Miss Grass, Svn Space, Fleur Marché, and Poplar, have paved the way toward solving these problems, creating platforms that combine CBD products with educational content. And now, there’s a new entrant to the market that seeks to do the same—both online and off. Launching Thursday, Standard Dose is primed to do for CBD what Carbon38 did for the activewear industry. In other words, it’s a 360-degree platform that encompasses a trifecta of digital retail, brick-and-mortar stores, and product development. Founder Anthony Saniger, who also heads up his own creative agency, conceived of Standard Dose while working on a branding project for a new line of cannabidol-infused tonic waters. “I started digging around and doing an analysis of the space, and I realized everything’s very fragmented,” he says. “Products are scattered around everywhere, and there’s a