LiveWell Vermont

Some call it "soda, while other call it "pop" or a "soft drink." Universally it can be referred to as the worst beverage choice you can make. The fact is, you won't get any nutritional value from this fizzy drink, but what you will most definitely get are caffeine, carbonation, simple sugars, fructose or even worse, sugar substitutes along with food additives such as artificial coloring, flavoring and preservatives. So then, why is the soft drink industry booming? This once considered occasional treat is now being consumed by Americans as the staple beverage with lunch, dinner, snacks and as a pick-me-up in between. An overly abundant amount of research is attributing this increase in soft drink consumption to numerous health problems including obesity, nutritional depletion, heart disease, diabetes, the formation of kidney stones and many other health challenges. Thinking of switching to fruit juice? This is also not the healthiest of options. Fruit ...

For many of us, sleep is hardly ever long enough or good enough. According to the National Institutes of health, approximately 30 percent of adults complain of problems sleeping. The consequences of inadequate sleeping patterns go far beyond feeling tired the next day. Those of us who average less than six hours of sleep a night have been shown to have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases, as well as being more likely to eat more, which lead to excess weight gain. THE FINDINGS Getting a good night's sleep can be far from easy for many of us. Women tend to sleep longer and sounder than men, although women complain more than men about their sleeping difficulties. Researchers are unsure whether this is because women are more willing to speak up, or if they're not measuring what's making women feel as though their sleep is not as refreshing. Women also tend to get more slow-wave sleep, which is the deep phase of sleep that has been found t...

Do you struggle with eating fruits and vegetables on a regular basis? Are you sick of eating green salads and raw veggies just to get your vegetables in? Are you itching for more variety when it comes to your fruit and vegetable intake? If so, perhaps today's blog will help. The fact is, the average American consumes less than 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day, and just 1% of adults and 2% of kids meet both the fruit and vegetable recommendations each day.* Not only are fruits and vegetables a rich source of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber, but they are a major part of any healthy weight management regimen. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Plus, fruits and vegetables are quick, easy and delicious! While many fruits and vegetables are tasty on their own, consuming them with low-fat dairy sources is a great approach to obtaining a nutritionally complete, balanced mea...

It’s almost fall, which means the excitement of football season is in the air. For many of us, the upcoming weekends are bound to be filled with game watches, spirited barbecues, and all-day tailgates. These events can be tons of fun, but with them comes an abundance of tempting snacks, over-sized burgers, and rich desserts…not exactly ideal for someone who is trying to make healthier choices and watch their weight. Don’t let the traditionally fatty foods and alcoholic beverages consumed on game day take the fun out of your celebration. To help you out, we’re bringing you lots of tailgating tips so you can navigate the food and drink situation more easily this season.   Offer to Bring Something or Organize First off, always offer to contribute to the party! Bring something healthy that you know you can eat and others will enjoy. If you can, volunteer to organize the tailgate or host your fellow fans at your place to watch the game. That way, you’ll have more control over the...

  Serves 6   Ingredients 1 pound thin-skinned new potatoes, not peeled (about 4 cups cubed) 1 cup sliced celery ½ cup sliced green onion Dressing: 3 tablespoons fat-free Greek plain yogurt 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon chopped garlic ½ teaspoon dried basil ¼ teaspoon dried thyme ¼ teaspoon dried onion powder ¼ teaspoon salt (optional)   Directions Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place in medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain.  Mix dressing ingredients. Combine hot potatoes, celery, green onions, and dressing. Serve hot or refrigerate and serve cold. Nutritional Facts Serving Size: 1 cup Calories 74 Carbohydrates 14 g Protein 2 g Fat 1 g Saturated Fat 0 g Cholesterol 1 mg Sodium 78 mg Dietary Fiber 2 g

This is a favorite recipe of mine and is a HUGE hit at get togethers and tailgate parties. Not only is it yummy, but it's healthy too! It contains beans and vegetables, which we all know are high in antioxidants, soluble fiber, vitamins and minerals. This recipe has a bite, but feel free to limit or ommit the adobo chilies if you don't particulary like spicy foods. Enjoy! Ingredients: - 3 cups yellow and red sweet pepper (about 1 medium pepper each) - 2 cups black beans (about 1 can) - Drain and rinse - 1 can corn - no salt or sugar added (can use fresh corn as well!) - 1/2 cup minced red onion - 1/2 cup chopped scallions - 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro - 2 cups cherry tomatoes - quartered - 1/3 cup red wine vinegar or fresh lime (I like it better with lime) - 2 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (found in a can) - finely chopped - 1 Tbsp adobo sauce from can - 1/4 cup canola or olive oil - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper - 1 Tbsp ground cumin - 1 tsp sea salt...