June 06, 2019 at 11:35AM by CWC For as long as I can remember, I’ve been guzzling protein-spiked smoothies or eating some form of protein like a robot post-workout. Because that’s what I—along with everyone else—have been conditioned to think is the healthiest thing to refuel with. But then, I found out that chowing down on antioxidants is actually a smarter idea in terms of recovery. The key thing about antioxidants is that they’re the antidote to free radicals—and free radicals are flying around in your body like crazy after a grueling sweat sesh. “When you exercise, it triggers more free radical activity—and free radicals cause oxidative stress and inflammation,” says Carla Oates, founder of The Beauty Chef and expert on inner beauty health. “Antioxidants help mop up these troublesome molecules, so it’s important to consume antioxidants post exercise.” Antioxidants are always healthy, of course, because of their benefits to your digestion, immunity, and, well, overall health (considering a lot are found in fruits and veggies). But they’re smart to load onto your plate post-workout because of the free radical-fighting aspect, which give it a one-up on protein. “Many people take antioxidants before and after exercise in the hope that it’ll combat oxidative stress and reduce muscle soreness,” says Lisa Richards, certified nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet. Though she says that antioxidants don’t work that fast in regards to the muscle recovery aspect, one study has shown that they do reduce the oxidative stress from your workout. “Taking antioxidants can reduce
Category: Vegetarians
The best thing to fuel up on post-workout isn’t what you think it is
June 06, 2019 at 11:35AM by CWC For as long as I can remember, I’ve been guzzling protein-spiked smoothies or eating some form of protein like a robot post-workout. Because that’s what I—along with everyone else—have been conditioned to think is the healthiest thing to refuel with. But then, I found out that chowing down on antioxidants is actually a smarter idea in terms of recovery. The key thing about antioxidants is that they’re the antidote to free radicals—and free radicals are flying around in your body like crazy after a grueling sweat sesh. “When you exercise, it triggers more free radical activity—and free radicals cause oxidative stress and inflammation,” says Carla Oates, founder of The Beauty Chef and expert on inner beauty health. “Antioxidants help mop up these troublesome molecules, so it’s important to consume antioxidants post exercise.” Antioxidants are always healthy, of course, because of their benefits to your digestion, immunity, and, well, overall health (considering a lot are found in fruits and veggies). But they’re smart to load onto your plate post-workout because of the free radical-fighting aspect, which give it a one-up on protein. “Many people take antioxidants before and after exercise in the hope that it’ll combat oxidative stress and reduce muscle soreness,” says Lisa Richards, certified nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet. Though she says that antioxidants don’t work that fast in regards to the muscle recovery aspect, one study has shown that they do reduce the oxidative stress from your workout. “Taking antioxidants can reduce
This tattoo pain chart uses a scale of ‘0 to Pass Out’—is it really gonna hurt to get inked?
June 06, 2019 at 06:50AM by CWC If you’re looking to express yourself, you can do it through your activewear collection, your Instagram feed, or by rocking temporary tattoos that smell like essential oils. But if you’ve got the urge to do something a little more permanent, you’ll want to consult a tattoo pain chart before booking that appointment. Unfortunately, tattoos involve needles, and needles don’t exactly tickle. Certain parts of your body are much more sensitive to pain than others. But where does it hurt the most to get inked? The aptly named website Tattoos-Hurt.com uses a color-coded tattoo pain chart, ranging from “irritation” to “pass out,” to advise the tattoo-curious. According to the diagram, getting a tattoo on the upper arm, forearm, calf, or thigh is generally considered tolerable, but it’s going to hurt like hell if you choose a sick design for the back of the knee, underarm, nipples, rib cage, or groin. Photo: Tattoos-Hurt.com If you’re thinking about ink, you’ll definitely want to reference this tattoo pain chart first, but remember that it’s not just where you decide to get a tattoo but when. If you schedule an appointment during your period, prepare yourself. Your body is more sensitive to pain throughout your cycle, and that could leave you wishing you’d waited a week. No matter when you go, tattoo newbies might just want to stick to something small in the yellow regions. Then later, if you dare, you can make the move up the pain
This tattoo pain chart uses a scale of ‘0 to Pass Out’—is it really gonna hurt to get inked?
June 06, 2019 at 06:50AM by CWC If you’re looking to express yourself, you can do it through your activewear collection, your Instagram feed, or by rocking temporary tattoos that smell like essential oils. But if you’ve got the urge to do something a little more permanent, you’ll want to consult a tattoo pain chart before booking that appointment. Unfortunately, tattoos involve needles, and needles don’t exactly tickle. Certain parts of your body are much more sensitive to pain than others. But where does it hurt the most to get inked? The aptly named website Tattoos-Hurt.com uses a color-coded tattoo pain chart, ranging from “irritation” to “pass out,” to advise the tattoo-curious. According to the diagram, getting a tattoo on the upper arm, forearm, calf, or thigh is generally considered tolerable, but it’s going to hurt like hell if you choose a sick design for the back of the knee, underarm, nipples, rib cage, or groin. Photo: Tattoos-Hurt.com If you’re thinking about ink, you’ll definitely want to reference this tattoo pain chart first, but remember that it’s not just where you decide to get a tattoo but when. If you schedule an appointment during your period, prepare yourself. Your body is more sensitive to pain throughout your cycle, and that could leave you wishing you’d waited a week. No matter when you go, tattoo newbies might just want to stick to something small in the yellow regions. Then later, if you dare, you can make the move up the pain
Coconut milk pudding is the grown-up version of your favorite lunch box treat
June 06, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC As a kid, if you got a pudding cup in your lunch box, it was definitely a good day. Whether you favored tapioca or chocolate, the dessert was up there with DunkARoos and Fruit Gushers as the end-all, be-all of sweet treats. But pudding hasn’t always been considered an adult-friendly food—until coconut milk pudding, an off-shoot of the alternative yogurts trend. “Coconut milk is great for pudding as it is naturally thick and creamy,” says Simple Roots Wellness founder Alexa Schrim. “It holds flavor well, without being overpowering and can really be cooked to the consistency of your liking. Plus, coconut is a powerhouse of nutrition containing healthy fats plus immune-boosting vitamins and minerals.” It’s a great option for dairy-free eaters, or really anyone who wants to revisit a classic. Brands like Sun Tropics and Jell-O make ready-to-serve coconut pudding options, but going the DIY route ensures you get a higher-quality, less-processed outcome. Schrim has mastered making coconut milk pudding herself and happily shares her expert tips with anyone who wants to try it themselves. Here, she reveals four major tips to keep in mind. Keep reading for her intel: Expert tips for making next-level coconut milk pudding 1. It’s all in the wrist. According to Schrim, the key to ending with thick, stick-to-your spoon pudding is buying full-fat canned coconut milk—and being a master whisker. “The trick to getting the consistency just right is to whisk it long enough over low heat,” she
6 things health experts do when they’re bloated AF
June 05, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC There are some things you can always count on in life: your BFF’s support, Mean Girls references never getting old, and the occasional post-meal bloat. It can happen to anyone, whether you’ve just eaten a massive salad or housed your third can of sparkling water of the day. And regardless of the cause, who wants to feel like they’re bursting out of their pants for the rest of the day? That’s why we tapped seven health experts, from doctors and RDs to Ayurvedic experts, to share their tried-and-true at-home remedies for bloating. They deal with it sometimes too—but since they know how the body works a bit better than the average person, they have some covetable insider knowledge on how to get rid of it fast. You’ll be feeling back to normal in no time. 1. Blend a detox smoothie Whenever The Bloat Cure author Robynne Chutkan MD, feels that annoying ballooning feeling starting to creep up in her gut, she uses her blender to make a quick bloat-fighting beverage. “My go-to bloat cure is my Gutbliss green smoothie, made with coconut water, collards, kale, parsley, pineapple, lemon, fresh ginger, and lots of ice,” she says. She drinks it at breakfast and at lunch that day, followed by a light dinner of veggie soup or broth. “By the next morning, fantastic things are happening in the bathroom—stool nirvana!—and my bloat is banished.” dr. Chutkan says all the glorious fiber in the leafy greens
6 things health experts do when they’re bloated AF
June 05, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC There are some things you can always count on in life: your BFF’s support, Mean Girls references never getting old, and the occasional post-meal bloat. It can happen to anyone, whether you’ve just eaten a massive salad or housed your third can of sparkling water of the day. And regardless of the cause, who wants to feel like they’re bursting out of their pants for the rest of the day? That’s why we tapped seven health experts, from doctors and RDs to Ayurvedic experts, to share their tried-and-true at-home remedies for bloating. They deal with it sometimes too—but since they know how the body works a bit better than the average person, they have some covetable insider knowledge on how to get rid of it fast. You’ll be feeling back to normal in no time. 1. Blend a detox smoothie Whenever The Bloat Cure author Robynne Chutkan MD, feels that annoying ballooning feeling starting to creep up in her gut, she uses her blender to make a quick bloat-fighting beverage. “My go-to bloat cure is my Gutbliss green smoothie, made with coconut water, collards, kale, parsley, pineapple, lemon, fresh ginger, and lots of ice,” she says. She drinks it at breakfast and at lunch that day, followed by a light dinner of veggie soup or broth. “By the next morning, fantastic things are happening in the bathroom—stool nirvana!—and my bloat is banished.” dr. Chutkan says all the glorious fiber in the leafy greens
Eco-keto makes a low-carb diet more environmentally friendly—but it’s not for everyone
June 05, 2019 at 11:46AM by CWC Ever since the ketogenic diet exploded into the mainstream last year, it’s spawned dozens of variations like keto cycling, targeted keto, dirty keto, and more. But as people are becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact of their favorite foods, another iteration of the eating plan aims to address some shortcomings of the red meat-heavy original: eco-keto. What’s that? Well, it’s like standard keto in terms of macronutrient breakdown of fat, protein, and carbs, but with a sustainable bent. “The exact definition of eco-keto is ever evolving and can be personalized. In essence, it’s an eco-friendly version of the ketogenic diet—a high fat, moderate protein, very low carb lifestyle, but one that emphasizes plants, limits or eliminates meat [and] animal products, and promotes sustainable choices and shopping locally,” explains Pam Nisevich Bede, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, a registered dietitian and keto expert with Abbott’s ZonePerfect. Unlike the more mainstream interpretation of the ketogenic diet (butter and bacon, anyone?), eco-keto involves zero (or very few) animal-based foods (hence the “eco” part of the name), while still putting a person into ketosis. The concept is very similar to the “Ketotarian” diet, which was started by Will Cole, DC. “The basic premise includes limiting animal products while still aiming to stay in ketosis. Dr. Cole started this trend, and eco-keto is merely an offshoot,” says Sam Presicci, MCN, RD, LD, CPT, and lead dietitian at Snap Kitchen. However, while Ketotarian followers can eat eggs, ghee,
Eco-keto makes a low-carb diet more environmentally friendly—but it’s not for everyone
June 05, 2019 at 11:46AM by CWC Ever since the ketogenic diet exploded into the mainstream last year, it’s spawned dozens of variations like keto cycling, targeted keto, dirty keto, and more. But as people are becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact of their favorite foods, another iteration of the eating plan aims to address some shortcomings of the red meat-heavy original: eco-keto. What’s that? Well, it’s like standard keto in terms of macronutrient breakdown of fat, protein, and carbs, but with a sustainable bent. “The exact definition of eco-keto is ever evolving and can be personalized. In essence, it’s an eco-friendly version of the ketogenic diet—a high fat, moderate protein, very low carb lifestyle, but one that emphasizes plants, limits or eliminates meat [and] animal products, and promotes sustainable choices and shopping locally,” explains Pam Nisevich Bede, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, a registered dietitian and keto expert with Abbott’s ZonePerfect. Unlike the more mainstream interpretation of the ketogenic diet (butter and bacon, anyone?), eco-keto involves zero (or very few) animal-based foods (hence the “eco” part of the name), while still putting a person into ketosis. The concept is very similar to the “Ketotarian” diet, which was started by Will Cole, DC. “The basic premise includes limiting animal products while still aiming to stay in ketosis. Dr. Cole started this trend, and eco-keto is merely an offshoot,” says Sam Presicci, MCN, RD, LD, CPT, and lead dietitian at Snap Kitchen. However, while Ketotarian followers can eat eggs, ghee,
Stressing about “anti-nutrients” might sabotage your healthy diet
June 04, 2019 at 12:22PM by CWC Sometimes when I’m scanning a food label, I feel like I need a dietitian on speed dial who can tell me exactly what I should eat and what to avoid. Lately, a certain compound commonly found in foods like spinach, apples, oat milk, and coffee is causing causing widespread confusion. “Anti-nutrients are found in foods that block the absorption of nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins,” says registered dietitian and You Versus Food host Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD. “This label assumes that these foods are harmful to the human body, when in fact many of our most nutritious foods—vegetables, fruits—are full of anti-nutrients. These foods are what you should be eating!” In other words, the prefix “anti-” carries a negative connotation, giving anti-nutrients an undeserved bad reputation. Under the umbrella of anti-nutrients are specific compounds found in everything from nuts to cucumbers to french fries and beyond. More specifically, anti-nutrients include lectins (which interfere with absorption of calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc), phytates (which block iron, zinc, magnesium and calcium), tannins (which halt the absorption of iron), and protease inhibitors (which break down protein), among others. “This label assumes that these foods are harmful to the human body, when in fact many of our most nutritious foods—vegetables, fruits—are full of anti-nutrients.” —Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD At face value, all that info kind of sounds like the side effects listed in a pharmaceutical commercial. There’s a problem with thinking about these foods in such