March 05, 2019 at 07:53AM by CWC As debate rages about vaccination requirements and who to blame for a spate of measles outbreaks throughout the United States, a new study provides more statistical certainty that there is no relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. For the study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at Copenhagen’s Statens Serum Institut used a population registry to assess the risk of autism among 657,461 children born in Denmark between 1999 and 2010. Scientists studied the participants through 2013, of whom 6,517 were diagnosed with autism during this timeframe. They concluded that that these diagnoses were not correlated with vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella. “The study strongly supports that MMR vaccination does not increase the risk for autism, does not trigger autism in susceptible children, and is not associated with clustering of autism cases after vaccination.” “No increased risk for autism after MMR vaccination was consistently observed in subgroups of children defined according to sibling history of autism, autism risk factors (based on a disease risk score) or other childhood vaccinations, or during specified time periods after vaccination,” the study authors write. “The study strongly supports that MMR vaccination does not increase the risk for autism, does not trigger autism in susceptible children, and is not associated with clustering of autism cases after vaccination,” the paper concludes. “It adds to previous studies through significant additional statistical power and by addressing hypotheses of susceptible subgroups and clustering of cases.” This isn’t the first large-scale study
Category: Vegetarians
A nutritionist’s ode to the OG nut spread—peanut butter
March 05, 2019 at 03:08AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsASWf_1AG0] We love a good nut butter. And while almond and cashew butter have taken center stage (even sunflower seeds have joined the game) it’s sometimes nice to get back to our roots: peanut butter. Since making appearances in our childhood PB&Js, the protein-packed spread has become a healthy-eating staple. It tastes so good, you might begin to question whether or not it’s actually good for you. Worry not—in the newest episode of You Versus Food, Well+Good’s YouTube series breaking down the buzziest food and drink trends, top dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, confirms that the yummy spread has tons of nutritional benefits. “Peanut butter is made of peanuts and peanuts are pretty healthy,” says Beckerman. “So just like that perfect match you found on Tinder, peanuts have an optimal profile— a nutritional profile, that is.” Peanuts are full of fiber, monounsaturated fats (aka the good kind), antioxidants and protein. They also contain folate, which keeps your energy levels up, and resveratrol, which fights inflammation. And while almonds ultimately have more fiber, and cashews have more healthy fats, Beckerman says peanuts take the cake when it comes to protein—seven grams per 1-ounce serving. As for peanut butter itself, the ooey gooey spread is made from roasted peanuts, which release oil when ground. Natural peanut butters, Beckerman says, have a short ingredient list: salt, oil, and peanuts. However, she warns that some peanut butters contain unnecessary additives that make your spread less healthy (like sugars and
10 vegan shoe brands with the best cruelty-free kicks
March 04, 2019 at 08:34AM by CWC Whether you live a cruelty-free lifestyle or want to make a few small changes with the planet in mind, vegan shoe brands are a great place to start in the wardrobe department. Going beyond cool sneakers and slip-on sandals (brands like Birkenstock and Vans have been making vegan styles for years), myriad labels are popping up and delivering on non-granola styles. “It’s so wonderful that consumers are demanding stylish, ethical, and sustainable shoe options because there are so many great choices now,” says Rachael Wang, a stylist and brand consultant who recently transitioned to a cruelty-free wardrobe. “The vegan Birkenstock Arizona is one of the first shoes I leaned heavily on when I first transitioned to a cruelty-free wardrobe,” she shares. Over a year later, the fashion insider has discovered a few new favorites: “I love Rafa for their sassy-heeled sandals in fun colors, which are equally great with worn out Levi’s or a sweet sundress. Sydney Brown makes great ‘work’ shoes [that are] stylish but polished and comfortable—I especially love their mules. Matt & Nat makes my favorite vegan boots.” A life-long fan of Dr. Martens (the brand has a super solid vegan selection), Wang forecasts the label as an ethical front-runner for 2019. “I rotate between the six-eyelet matte black low top, the 16-eyelet combat boot and the pull tab Chelsea boot (which will be big for fall if Celine-alum Daniel Lee’s first runway collection at Bottega Veneta is any indication).”
15 upcycled clothing ideas you’ll actually want to wear
March 04, 2019 at 07:10AM by CWC Viewed from the outside, the fast-paced fashion industry appears to be all glitz and glam. There’s a new trend to jump on every day, and that means store shelves are constantly being restocked with plenty of tantalizing new looks. Unfortunately, it’s not so shiny behind the scenes. By keeping an eye on what you wear and the environment, learning how to upcycle clothes allows you to showcase your style and keep up with the latest trends without hurting the planet. Upcycling creatively transforms the products you already own in order to cut down on waste. It’s nothing new, but with global warming threatening the future, there’s no better time to start doing it yourself. Creating a more sustainable closet requires little more than a few pieces of clothing you already own. A cozy old sweater can quickly be updated with a little imagination. Those jeans you haven’t worn in years are just begging to be transformed into a cute pair of shorts or a denim skirt. A smattering of creativity can revive your tired wardrobe. Plastic and material waste is a problem that plagues a variety of industries—and retail is no exception. More than 75 percent of the plastic produced in 2015 ended up in a landfills and more than 270 million tons pollute the world’s oceans. In the same year, the fashion industry was responsible for 92 million tons of waste sent to landfills. That’s just the beginning of the negative impact it has on the environment, though. Past studies
Meet the woman who was a “wellness influencer” way before it was cool
March 04, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Before grocery stores carried plant-based everything, before probiotics were popular, before there was a Lululemon in every mall, Diana Stobo educated people on gut health and inflammatory foods. In the 15 years since Stobo released her first book, Get Naked Fast, she’s written 14 (!) others, launched a probiotic nutrition bar, and started hosting wellness retreats in Costa Rica. Impressive, right? Now, she’s adding “Well+Good Guest Editor” to her long resume. This month, Stobo will be sharing her wisdom on the site and taking over our Instagram. Get to know more about our new guest editor (including the diet that changed her life!) from our interview with her below: Well+Good: I’d love to learn more about your wellness journey. What started it all? Diana Stobo: It started 15 years ago because I was really sick. I had a bleeding ulcer and the doctor gave me morphine and other pills to treat it. I remember looking at my nightstand and there were four different pill bottles. I was only in my 30s and thought that was crazy! I started doing research into how I could heal my body with food. The first thing I did was look into gut health, and that led me to the Body Ecology Diet, which focused on the importance of probiotics. Then, I started looking into The China Study [a 2004 book detailing decades of comprehensive nutrition research] and the effects of eating meat and dairy. But really what I
This Vegan Shiitake Ramen Supports Your Brain Health
March 04, 2019 at 02:40AM Plus, it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-aging! Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
The 6 healthiest items on Jessica Biel’s wellness résumé
March 03, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Jessica Biel has long been the epitome of the cool girl next door. Like, the one you’d to run to for advice on everything from boys to makeup. She leaves no question as to which member of *NYSNC is the cutest. And when it comes to getting her insight on the star’s healthy habits, let’s just say we’re here for it. Biel developed a love for fitness at an early age. As a kid, she participated in gymnastics, which in turn led her to channel that energy into yoga practice. (She has a multi-year collaboration with Gaiam!) In addition to her admirable workout preferences, you can always find something wholesome on her plate (and she’s never afraid to talk about digestion). In short, Jessica Biel is the very definition of inspirational. These are the 6 healthiest items on Jessica Biel’s wellness résumé. 1. She’s a yogi Biel enjoys a variety of workouts, but nothing outshines her love for yoga. She practices three to five times a week for at least 20 minutes, if not more. Her favorite poses are hip-openers, which are great at combating tightness. “I love lizard, and I like all of the standing poses that are really hip-activated, like warrior two, reverse warrior, and runner’s lunge,” she says. 2. She’s all about healthy digestion Technique for keeping one’s digestion on track can be deeply personal. (For Drew Barrymore, it’s her handy-dandy digestive enzymes.) “Honestly, I just feel better when I don’t
5 healthy reasons to eat pumpkin in seasons that don’t rhyme with schmautumn
March 02, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC When PSL season rolls around, you know it’s going to be a great couple of months. However, there’s no reason why pumpkin should only be savored when it’s “trending.” Pumpkin has a ton of healthy benefits to add nutrition to your diet and boost the taste of pretty much anything you’re craving. Sweet or savory—it complements both and is pretty low in calories, making it an excellent diet food. As if you needed more excuse to dig into pumpkin-spiced goodies all year long, here are five awesome benefits of your favorite orange-colored food. 1. It’s high in vitamin A… Eating pumpkin is good for your peepers. “One cup of pumpkin contains over 200 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is an important vitamin for eye health and night vision,” says Maggie Michalczyk, RD. Pumpkin’s bright orange color comes from its high beta-carotene concentration, she explains, and beta-carotene is a carotenoid (an antioxidant) and a precursor of vitamin A. Beta-carotene also helps protect us from the sun’s harmful UV rays, so it’s great for keeping skin youthful and fresh. 2. …and it’s packed with vitamin C, too “Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system and boosting collagen production (one of the reasons why you see so many skin products with pumpkin in them!),” she says. What’s more, it also improves iron absorption and studies show it reduces oxidative stress, which can prevent premature aging.
Interested in health coaching? Here’s what it takes, according to someone who’s done it
March 01, 2019 at 10:54AM by CWC As a wellness journalist, one of the best parts of my job is getting to share my favorite healthy discoveries with people. Whether it’s a new eating plan, just-released food product, or buzzy workout, I love helping people live their best, healthiest lives ever. Are you the same way? Then you might make a pretty stellar health coach. I had never heard of health coaches before I worked at Well+Good and it became my job to interview wellness experts for a living. I had a vague idea of them meeting with clients, but wasn’t quite sure how they were different than dietitians or nutritionists—or even if they were legit. If, like I was, you’re vaguely aware of holistic health coaches, but aren’t quite sure what they do and what it takes to become one, keep reading. Now that I’m one myself—surprise!—I can tell you all about it. What does a holistic health coach do, exactly? After it seemed like everyone I was meeting in the wellness world was a holistic health coach, I decided to find out for myself first-hand what they’re about. I went to an open house hosted by the Integrative Institute of Nutrition (IIN), the world’s largest health coaching program. They broke it down to me this way: You know how there are trainers who help keep your fitness on point? Health coaches are trainers for other areas of your life, primarily diet and eating habits. And holistic health coaches
Here’s how to eat at Olive Garden on keto, Whole30, or the Mediterranean diet
March 01, 2019 at 08:15AM by CWC Even if you live in a city with endless restaurant options, chances are you still end up at Olive Garden from time to time. (Those breadsticks are everything.) But with “endless,” “bottomless,” and “never ending” options galore on the menu, sticking to a health-minded eating plan isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Fortunately, there are a decent amount of healthy options to choose from if you know what to look for, says executive chef and registered dietitian Jessica Swift, RD. Her general advice: Share your order or take half home for later, since Olive Garden’s serving sizes are pretty massive. “I would also suggest taking advantage of the vegetable side dishes, like asparagus with minced onions, instead of just focusing on the pasta,” Swift says. But if you’re craving pasta, opt for one that has a tomato-based sauce rather than a creamy sauce to save on calories and saturated fat. And unless you have a gluten allergy, you don’t need to sub their GF pasta for the sake of better health. “Nutritionally, the gluten-free pasta is right in line with the regular pasta,” she says. “It’s actually lower in protein because it’s made with potato starch and not wheat.” However, if you’re on an eating plan like Mediterranean diet, ketogenic, or Whole30, things can get a little more challenging when navigating the menu. Here, Swift gives tips on how to enjoy Olive Garden—in all its glory—while still sticking with your health goals. Mediterranean diet Menu picks: Herb-Grilled Salmon; Chicken Giardino What an