May 31, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC There are some things you know are going to make your anxiety worse: WebMDing your stomach ache, foregoing sleep to list all the ways your work presentation could go wrong, calling your friend who freaks out about everything…But treating yourself to a scoop of Rocky Road or a cupcake from your favorite bakery, that’s going to make you feel better right? Sometimes, 100 percent yes. But other times, that sweet treat can backfire, sneakily causing all sorts of changes that can lead to the opposite of feeling good: anxiety. Here, health experts break down the relationship between sugar and anxiety, and what you can do to combat it. How are sugar and anxiety related? The problem with sugar, says hormone health educator Candace Burch, is that it causes blood sugar spikes and drops, which directly affects mood. “The rush of sugar leads to sugar highs, giving a lot of energy, but then the lows lead to feeling sluggish and down.” “Sugar can exacerbate your feelings of anxiety because of the way our bodies respond to digesting them,” adds Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, owner of BZ Nutrition, a New York-based nutrition practice. “[Sugary foods] cause your blood sugar to spike and then drop faster than they would after eating non-high-sugar-foods. This quick spike and drop causes you to feel uneasy and can even at times mimic a panic attack.” Having low blood sugar levels can actually put the body into a stress response, which, as
Category: Vegetarians
5 foods rich in vitamin D that might help you sleep better
May 31, 2019 at 11:25AM by CWC Vitamin D is the multitasking nutrient that most of us aren’t getting enough of. Studies have shown that it holds the potential to improve performance in your workouts, reduce bloating, and lower the risk of certain cancers. Oh, and it might help you get better sleep. Vitamin D deficiency is linked with poor sleep, reports Psychology Today, especially in people who are older than 50. “There’s a growing body of research showing Vitamin D affects both how much sleep we get and how well we sleep,” writes Michael J. Breus, PhD, further detailing a 2018 study that also linked poor sleep to low vitamin D. Sleep expert and psychologist Shelby Harris, PsyD, notes that more research needs to be done with regard to sleep and that vitamin D is not yet part of any treatment to improve it. One of the best ways to get enough vitamin D is directly from the sun. “Getting enough light during the day is key in helping to set our circadian rhythms, aka sleep-wake timing,” she says. “If you’re not getting enough light during the day—and ideally natural light—then it can negatively impact your energy, ability to awaken and sleep at the same time naturally.” Fortunately now that the weather has warmed up, more people are spending time outside and getting a good amount of vitamin D from the sun. (Yes, you should still wear sunscreen every day.) Sleep expert Courtney Bancroft, PsyD, agrees with Dr. Harris
Why you won’t be eating Ben & Jerry’s CBD ice cream anytime soon
May 31, 2019 at 10:58AM by CWC Adding CBD to ice cream might just be the best idea since putting cookie dough chunks into plain old vanilla. At least, that’s the thinking behind Ben & Jerry’s newest (not-yet-named) flavor, which infuses the non-psychoactive, THC-free element of the cannabis plant into its legendary pints. The possibility of seeing the ingredient land in your local freezer aisle, however, is up for debate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now hearing the pleas of 120 cannabis companies vying for the ingredient to be legalized as both a dietary supplement and a food additive. The purpose of today’s FDA public hearing for cannabis-led businesses and advocates to “obtain scientific data and information about the safety, manufacturing, product quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds,” reads an official statement from the agency. As The New York Times points out, the FDA has a tendency to overlook the inclusion of CBD in some edible products (CBD chocolate and gummy bears are both on the market). View this post on Instagram Trend alert! CBD-infused ice cream is (maybe, hopefully) coming to a freezer near you! Learn more at the link in our bio. A post shared by Ben & Jerry’s (@benandjerrys) on May 30, 2019 at 8:22am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js Still, the FDA’s seal of approval means something to consumers searching for safe, government-endorsed products. The agency provides an air of legitimacy—one that members of the FDA aren’t yet willing to grant
Why you won’t be eating Ben & Jerry’s CBD ice cream anytime soon
May 31, 2019 at 10:58AM by CWC Adding CBD to ice cream might just be the best idea since putting cookie dough chunks into plain old vanilla. At least, that’s the thinking behind Ben & Jerry’s newest (not-yet-named) flavor, which infuses the non-psychoactive, THC-free element of the cannabis plant into its legendary pints. The possibility of seeing the ingredient land in your local freezer aisle, however, is up for debate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now hearing the pleas of 120 cannabis companies vying for the ingredient to be legalized as both a dietary supplement and a food additive. The purpose of today’s FDA public hearing for cannabis-led businesses and advocates to “obtain scientific data and information about the safety, manufacturing, product quality, marketing, labeling, and sale of products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds,” reads an official statement from the agency. As The New York Times points out, the FDA has a tendency to overlook the inclusion of CBD in some edible products (CBD chocolate and gummy bears are both on the market). View this post on Instagram Trend alert! CBD-infused ice cream is (maybe, hopefully) coming to a freezer near you! Learn more at the link in our bio. A post shared by Ben & Jerry’s (@benandjerrys) on May 30, 2019 at 8:22am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js Still, the FDA’s seal of approval means something to consumers searching for safe, government-endorsed products. The agency provides an air of legitimacy—one that members of the FDA aren’t yet willing to grant
8 easy sauces that instantly upgrade Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi
May 31, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is nothing short of a godsend. And that’s exactly why I’m not ashamed to admit that my freezer is overflowing with bags of it. How can I resist when a healthy and affordable dinner is ready in minutes when you’re in need of some comfort food? But if you don’t already have a stockpile of gnocchi sauce recipes, you’ve been seriously missing out. Adding the right sauce to cauliflower gnocchi takes the easy-to-make dish from good to “wow, that’s amazing!” Whether you’re in the mood for something cheesy, tomato-y, or simply want an option that helps you get in your greens for the day, these are the best choices to start with. And get excited: You’ll only need eight ingredients at most. The best sauce recipes for Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi Photo: The Vegan 8 1. Vegan garlic Alfredo sauce This creamy, flavorful sauce is meant for noodles, but trust me: It’s just as delicious with gnocchi. Photo: The Well Necessities 2. Gnocchi with creamy rosemary sauce Rosemary is the star of the show in this five-ingredient sauce. With the help of some cashews, water, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder, you’ll be on your way to gnocchi heaven. Photo: Contentedness Cooking 3. Gnocchi with garlic cream tomato sauce This tomato-based sauce always hits the spot. All you need is marinara, garlic, nutritional yeast, and tahini to make it. Photo: Minimalist Baker 4. Easy vegan pesto This simple pesto recipe
8 easy sauces that instantly upgrade Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi
May 31, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is nothing short of a godsend. And that’s exactly why I’m not ashamed to admit that my freezer is overflowing with bags of it. How can I resist when a healthy and affordable dinner is ready in minutes when you’re in need of some comfort food? But if you don’t already have a stockpile of gnocchi sauce recipes, you’ve been seriously missing out. Adding the right sauce to cauliflower gnocchi takes the easy-to-make dish from good to “wow, that’s amazing!” Whether you’re in the mood for something cheesy, tomato-y, or simply want an option that helps you get in your greens for the day, these are the best choices to start with. And get excited: You’ll only need eight ingredients at most. The best sauce recipes for Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi Photo: The Vegan 8 1. Vegan garlic Alfredo sauce This creamy, flavorful sauce is meant for noodles, but trust me: It’s just as delicious with gnocchi. Photo: The Well Necessities 2. Gnocchi with creamy rosemary sauce Rosemary is the star of the show in this five-ingredient sauce. With the help of some cashews, water, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder, you’ll be on your way to gnocchi heaven. Photo: Contentedness Cooking 3. Gnocchi with garlic cream tomato sauce This tomato-based sauce always hits the spot. All you need is marinara, garlic, nutritional yeast, and tahini to make it. Photo: Minimalist Baker 4. Easy vegan pesto This simple pesto recipe
This healthy banana bread won’t mess with your blood sugar thanks to two smart tweaks
May 31, 2019 at 06:59AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzRLZdwygNQ] There are few things in life better than a slice of banana bread. Just one bite can make you feel all warm and fuzzy, whether it’s paired with your morning coffee or with some nut butter for an afternoon snack. But that good feeling may not last long if it’s also packed with refined sugar and flour. (Hello, late-afternoon slump!) That’s why chefs Jenny Dorsey and Mia Rigden teamed up to show you how to make a gluten-, grain-, and refined sugar-free version of the classic treat in the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp, Well+Good’s new YouTube series. In order to keep the banana bread from taking your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride (while still preserving taste!), Dorsey and Rigden made two key tweaks to the classic recipe. First, the chefs swap white flour for a mix of coconut and almond flour. “Not using white gluten or grain-containing flours will make it have a lower glycemic load,” Rigden says. “Which means it will spike your blood sugar levels less and make it less likely that you’ll be craving sweet foods all day long.” They also incorporate cinnamon into this dessert, but not just because it tastes good. “Cinnamon actually helps regulate our blood sugar levels,” Rigden says, “so be sure to put a lot of cinnamon on your sweet foods.” The more you know! To get the full recipe, be sure to watch the video above. And if you’re
How to eat healthy at Dunkin’ Donuts, according to a nutritionist
May 31, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC If America runs on Dunkin’, we’re in danger of setting ourselves up for a collective afternoon sugar crash. I love flavored lattes, glazed donuts, and oversized muffins as much as the next person, but that energy drop a few hours after is steep, my friends. Thankfully, there are options for healthy eating at DD if you know where to look. The chain has a dedicated DDSmart menu, which highlights foods with at least 25 percent less saturated fat, sodium, or sugar than everything else on their menu. (Like, um, the donuts.) Dunkin’ even recently came out with two new high-protein power bowls, a sausage scramble and and egg white bowl, which they’re serving at select locations for a limited time. As for the regular menu, it’s actually *even* possible to stick to healthy vegetarian, keto, and Paleo eating plans while you’re there. Surprised? Here, registered dietitian Kim Melton, RD gives her top picks for the aforementioned diet types—fancy latte options included. Vegetarian diet Menu picks: Oatmeal; veggie egg white sandwich What an RD says: The DDSmart menu is where you’ll find both the oatmeal and the veggie egg-white sandwich—Melton’s healthy picks for vegetarians. “The oatmeal is the healthiest option and has great fiber and protein,” she says, adding that the dried fruit on top is a great topping. “For vegetarians who eat eggs and cheese, the veggie egg white sandwich also gives good protein [14 grams],” Melton says. “It looks like you can get it
How to eat healthy at Dunkin’ Donuts, according to a nutritionist
May 31, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC If America runs on Dunkin’, we’re in danger of setting ourselves up for a collective afternoon sugar crash. I love flavored lattes, glazed donuts, and oversized muffins as much as the next person, but that energy drop a few hours after is steep, my friends. Thankfully, there are options for healthy eating at DD if you know where to look. The chain has a dedicated DDSmart menu, which highlights foods with at least 25 percent less saturated fat, sodium, or sugar than everything else on their menu. (Like, um, the donuts.) Dunkin’ even recently came out with two new high-protein power bowls, a sausage scramble and and egg white bowl, which they’re serving at select locations for a limited time. As for the regular menu, it’s actually *even* possible to stick to healthy vegetarian, keto, and Paleo eating plans while you’re there. Surprised? Here, registered dietitian Kim Melton, RD gives her top picks for the aforementioned diet types—fancy latte options included. Vegetarian diet Menu picks: Oatmeal; veggie egg white sandwich What an RD says: The DDSmart menu is where you’ll find both the oatmeal and the veggie egg-white sandwich—Melton’s healthy picks for vegetarians. “The oatmeal is the healthiest option and has great fiber and protein,” she says, adding that the dried fruit on top is a great topping. “For vegetarians who eat eggs and cheese, the veggie egg white sandwich also gives good protein [14 grams],” Melton says. “It looks like you can get it
Is your plate 70 percent vegetables? Here’s why it should be, according to an RD
May 29, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC https://content.jwplatform.com/players/I8NioZ8j-AjgxWzQ7.js Meet Wellness Collective, our immersive curriculum with Athleta that hooks you up with actionable advice from the smartest experts and brand founders in wellness right now. Get the goods at our monthly event series in New York City plus our online one-month wellness plans. There’s so much nutrition information floating around now, sometimes it can feel paralyzing simply trying to figure out what to eat for lunch. Been there? Next time you’re stumped, try RASA founder Mia Rigden, RD’s golden rule: “I like to recommend that 70 percent of your plate be vegetables,” she says. “The more variety and diversity of plant-based foods in your diet, the more nutrition you’re going to get from the food you’re eating.” The 70-percent trick is one of Rigden’s go-to pieces of advice for anyone looking to go plant forward (which translates to just eating more fruits and veggies, plain and simple). “Plant-forward eating is certainly less restrictive,” Rigden says. “You don’t have to give up any of the foods that you love—just add more vegetables to your plate.” Tune in above for all of Rigden’s top plant-powered tips. Watch the video above for three concrete tips to living a plant-forward lifestyle from a holistic nutritionist. Want more Wellness Collective? Hit up our monthly events at Athleta’s Flatiron flagship in New York City and click here for more wellness intel. In partnership with Athleta Continue Reading… Author Well+Good Editors | Well and Good Selected by iversue