TK Health and Wellness

The New Nutritionist: Your Grocer

Tom — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:58:40 +0000

This article is about a food rating system being used by some grocery chains that is provided by a company called NuVal LLC that basically measures nutritional value. My first reaction was this could be good information for the average consumer but reading further into it, it seems some of the criteria used to establish the rating is pretty subjective. I am glad I don’t have a food product being negatively rated by these people. In my opinion, what is intended to help the consumer and simplify things is just confusing the issue even further. What’s yours?

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704229004575371010407610760.html?mod=ITP_personaljournal_0#printMode

Exercise may reduce chronic pain

Tom — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:19:14 +0000

Here is some interesting anecdotal evidence of how many are using exercise/movement to treat pain, including chronic pain that many had struggled with for years. This certainly seems like something to be at least investigated further if not just tried.

www.chicagotribune.com/health/sc-health-0721-pain-20100721,0,6621419,print.story

Insurers Push Plans That Limit Choice of Doctor

Tom — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:59:50 +0000

This stuff is not fun to read but it is probably good if we have an idea of what we are facing in the health insurance market, whether it be immediate changes or those to come in later years as health care reform is phased in. As it appears health care costs are going to continue to rise, these limited plans described in this article are going to be more common. We will try to keep you as updated as possible on this subject that is so important to all of us. Some of the comments here are interesting and feel free to add yours in our comments section.

www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/business/18choice.html?_r=1&ref=health

Eating to Live or Living to Eat?

Tom — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:43:38 +0000

There is a lot here but some very interesting information describing how different areas of the brain affect our eating habits. This might help to explain some of the cravings we have, especially, in my case with sweets after eating a meal. Basically a concise, easy to understand account of what can be a very complicated subject for some of us non-medical “civilians”.

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704288204575363072381955744.html?mod=ITP_personaljournal_0

Health watch: Are you label literate?

Tom — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:33:01 +0000

Here is valuable information that we can all use regarding the importance of being able to really understand what we are reading on a food label and know exactly what we are putting in our bodies.

www.chicagotribune.com/health/sc-foods-0702-health-labels-20100702,0,4610566,print.story

How nutritious is Vitaminwater?

Tom — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:37:49 +0000

I’ve gone through stages where I drank a lot of this stuff or similar drinks. It might not be a bad idea to do a little research, beginning with this article, and see if drinking these vitamin “fortified” drinks are worth it, both in nutritional value and expense. With more of these type drinks, high energy drinks, etc. coming out all the time and after they are tried and tested for a while, it seems that now, more than ever, good old water is the way to go.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/28/AR2010062804257_pf.html

F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010

Tom — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:57:56 +0000

It’s hard to believe with all of the media attention over the last couple years, but it appears the obesity issue in the US is getting worse instead of better. Obesity rates increased in 28 states year to year and decreased only in the District of Columbia. Most of us know intellectually that we need to monitor what we take in and increase our level of movement and exercise and yet reports like this one keep on coming. When and what will be the tipping point?

healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2010/

In Summer’s Heat, Watch What You Drink

Tom — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:05:08 +0000

This New York Times article supplies some good information about really focusing on what we drink in the summer, not just for hydration purposes, as important as that is, but caloric also, as we need to be careful with what we choose to satisfy our thirst this time of year. As the article states, sugar-sweetened sodas are the single largest source of calories in the American diet, 7.1% so this is an important issue we can all learn more about.

www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/health/29brod.html?pagewanted=print

4 Ways to Reach Your Ideal Racing Weight

Tom — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:54:43 +0000

Like the title, the first paragraph of this article refers to running performance and achieving optimum racing weight, but even if you are not a high level runner/athlete these four suggestions regarding our eating habits can be helpful to any of us. Try them out for thirty days and see the results for yourself.

www.active.com/running/Articles/4_Ways_to_Reach_Your_Ideal_Racing_Weight.htm?cmp=11-815&utm_source=sendible&utm_medium=feed&PageMode=Print

Hummus Catches On in America

Tom — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:26:08 +0000

Whether as a healthy snack or a source of energy and nutrition during long races, etc., hummus, especially flavored, is becoming more popular in the US. More and more varieties are available in mainstream groceries all the time.

Scott Jurek, world renowned ultra runner ( www.scottjurek.com ), says that after trying gels and other commercial products and many other home made solutions, hummus in pita bread is his favorite and most effective source of energy during the 100 mile races that he excels at. Give it a try and let us know what you think.