By Wyatt Myers
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
CELERY
This veggie is not the richest in vitamins and minerals, but it still has value as a low-calorie, high-water content snack that fills you up without bulking you up. Carla Fynan, RD, a nutritionist at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., recommends adding peanut butter for a bit of protein and healthy monounsaturated fat. Rinsing and scrubbing celery may help somewhat, but celery’s thin skin lets pesticides penetrate all the way through, so you’re really better off choosing celery from the organic fruits and vegetables section of your grocer. Non-organic alternatives include broccoli, radishes, and onions.
PEACHES
This sweet, delicious fruit is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. It also has a laxative and cleansing effect on the bowels and is easy for the elderly to digest, says Marvin Kunikiyo, DC, author of the natural health book, Revolutionizing Your Health. You can peel peaches to rid them of some pesticides, but that does away with valuable nutrients, and the skin is so thin that many pesticides penetrate the fruit anyway. Therefore, organic food is really the best choice for this member of the dirty dozen. Non-organic alternatives: watermelon, oranges, grapefruit.
STRAWBERRIES
With their rich color and delicious flavor, strawberries are positively teeming with antioxidants, including vitamins A and C. Fynan says they are also low in calories and great with any number of dishes (salads and cereals) or on their own. You can’t peel a strawberry and rinsing doesn’t do much, so spending a few dollars for the organic food version is a good idea. Non-organic alternatives: kiwi, pineapples.
APPLES
You might think that peeling an apple would be the best way to rid it of pesticides, but that peel is a treasure trove of valuable nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and an antioxidant called quercetin. Instead, rinse and scrub the apple thoroughly or buy organic food to ensure avoiding contaminants from this member of the dirty dozen. Non-organic alternatives: bananas, tangerines.
BLUEBERRIES
These tiny berries are antioxidant powerhouses, with a higher antioxidant level than any other fruit or vegetable according to studies. Unfortunately, up to 13 different pesticides have been detected on a single sample of non-organic blueberries, says Amy Hess-Fischl, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator on staff at the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center. Choose organic blueberries even if you’re on a limited budget when you buy organic food. Non-organic alternative: raspberries.
NECTARINES
These fruits look and taste a lot like peaches, so it’s not surprising they have some of the same health benefits — low in calories and high in vitamins A and C. Nectarines also have some of the same pesticide problems — 95.1 percent of samples tested positive for pesticides. Rinse or scrub them as much as possible or buy organic food when you can. Non-organic alternatives: papaya, mango.
BELL PEPPERS
The bright, bold colors of these vegetables, particularly the red ones, are a sure sign that they are brimming with antioxidants, most notably vitamin C. Since you wouldn’t normally peel a pepper, rinse or scrub it as much as possible if you can’t buy the organic version. Cooking also can sometimes reduce pesticide levels, though it also reduces the nutrients you derive from it. Non-organic alternatives: green peas, cabbage.
SPINACH
Spinach is a low-calorie, delicious choice in salads, and that bold green color is an indicator of its rich content of nutrients such as vitamins A and C, calcium, folate, and fiber. Rinsing and drying the spinach before use helps some, but here again, organic food is the best way to ensure low pesticide exposure when it comes to this member of the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables. Non-organic alternatives: cabbage, broccoli.
CHERRIES
Cherries have a whole laundry list of helpful nutrients, says Fynan, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, magnesium, and fiber. They also have roughly 42 pesticides on them, according to government testing. A safer bet may be imported cherries, as they have three times less pesticide residue than cherries grown in the United States. Non-organic alternatives: cranberries, raspberries.
KALE AND COLLARD GREENS
Most of what was said about spinach, both in terms of nutrients and pesticide levels, also holds true for the dynamic duo of kale and collard greens. But unlike spinach, kale and collard greens are most often cooked, and that does help with some of the pesticide levels — of course cooking also reduces the nutrient levels of these leafy greens. Your best bet is to buy organic food to get the most nutrients without pesticides. Non-organic alternatives: asparagus, cabbage.
POTATOES
There are many varieties of potatoes to choose from and many ways to serve them up. People often peel potatoes, which does help reduce the pesticide levels of this root vegetable member of the dirty dozen. The only problem is, that the potato skins are where most of the nutrients of the potato come from. “Make sure you eat the skin for the greatest benefit,” says Fynan. “It’s high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.” Non-organic alternatives: eggplant, mushrooms.
IMPORTED GRAPES
In addition to vitamins A and C, red and Concord grapes have a compound in the skin called resveratrol, which seems to provide specific heart-healthy benefits. Since imported grapes were specifically singled out on the Environmental Working Group “dirty dozen” list, check on the origin of what you are buying and choose domestically grown grapes whenever possible. Non-organic alternatives: kiwi, raspberries.
10 High-Cholesterol Foods to Avoid
By Chris Iliades, MD
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
According to the American Heart Association, a diet that is high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats raises blood cholesterol levels and puts you at risk for heart disease. Saturated fats are found in foods like meat and dairy products that come from animals, while trans fats lurk in baked goods and fast foods. Here are some obvious and not-so-obvious high-cholesterol food choices — most of which are also high in unhealthy fats.
EGGS
The first thing you need to know about high cholesterol food is the numbers. The American Heart Association recommends a maximum daily cholesterol intake of 300 mg per day. If you already have high cholesterol, you need to stay below 200 mg. When you think of a high-cholesterol food, the first thing that comes to mind might be eggs. If you have an egg for breakfast you are already up to 213 mg of cholesterol. How about some whole grain cereal with fruit as an alternative?
CHEESEBURGERS
If you are like many Americans, you sometimes have lunch at a fast food restaurant. Before you order that double cheeseburger, consider this: A McDonald’s Big Mac has 85 mg of cholesterol and a Wendy's Classic Double With Everything has a whopping 175 mg of cholesterol. You might want to hold the fries and the shake, or better yet, order a plain burger instead.
MACARONI AND CHEESE
The typical mac-and-cheese ingredients — whole milk, butter, and cheese — are loaded with saturated fats and cholesterol. But this all-American comfort recipe does not have to be a high-cholesterol food. By substituting 1 percent milk and evaporated milk for butter and whole milk, and using low-fat cheese, you can decrease your calories and have your macaroni and cheese with less than half the fat and cholesterol of the traditional recipe.
ICE CREAM
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, America produced 1.55 billion gallons of ice cream in 2007, and the cold, sweet stuff is a staple in 90 percent of American households. Ice cream beats cookies and brownies as our most popular frozen dessert, but did you know that a single cup of ice cream has more fat than a hamburger and more cholesterol than 10 glazed doughnuts? Skip the scoop and try a cup of fresh fruit for dessert instead. Fruit is low in calories and high in the fiber, vitamins, and nutrients you really need — making it one of the best things you can eat for lower cholesterol.
RIB-EYE STEAK
Even under the best of circumstances (with the fat well-trimmed, and cooked in olive oil), a 4-ounce rib-eye steak takes up a big chunk of your recommended daily allowance for saturated fat and cholesterol. With nothing else on your plate, you will be eating 20 percent of your allowable saturated fat and 22 percent of your cholesterol, which doesn't leave much room for the rest of the day. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to beef, consider leaner cuts of meat — such as tenderloin, flank, round, rump, or tip steak — for lower cholesterol.
MUFFINS
Not all muffins are created equal. Sure, you can get an English muffin with no saturated fat and no cholesterol, but many muffins — especially those tempting treats loaded with extra ingredients that you can buy or bake at home — could have up to 8 grams of fat in a single serving. A low-fat bran muffin made with whole-wheat flour that gives you some fiber, a lot less fat, and lower cholesterol is a much better choice.
SEAFOOD
Some types of seafood are good for you, but others are loaded with cholesterol. Lobster, for example, is not a good choice if you have heart disease or high cholesterol. Three ounces of lobster has 61 mg of cholesterol — and that’s before you dip it in melted butter. If you go out for seafood, stay away from the butter and remember that broiled is much better than fried. You also need to keep in mind the amount you eat, as a double portion will also double the cholesterol.
CHICKEN
Although chicken is usually considered to be a good low-fat meat choice, how you cook it can make a big difference. For example, one chicken leg with the skin still on it has more fat and cholesterol than a cup of ice cream or a hamburger. Keeping the skin on poultry or frying it can turn it into a high-cholesterol food. Also, remember that dark poultry meat has more fat than white meat. When making chicken choices, opt for skinless and skip the dark meat.
LIVER
Liver is loaded with iron — which could be good for you — but it is also high in cholesterol. Cholesterol is made and stored in the liver, and the most concentrated levels of cholesterol in animal meats are found in organ meats like the liver. Remember, the American Heart Association says no more than 300 mg of cholesterol for a healthy adult. Three ounces of cooked beef liver will give you 331 mg of cholesterol. Skip this high-cholesterol food if your cholesterol is high and stick with lean cuts of meat instead.
SNACK FOODS
Trans fats can turn a healthy food into a high-cholesterol food. These fats result from adding hydrogen to vegetable oils, which are then used in many commercial baked goods or fried foods such as cookies, cakes, French fries, onion rings, and crackers. Whether it's fried, au gratin, crispy, or stuffed, many of the things we love to eat are bad for our cholesterol levels. Know the allowable numbers for fat and cholesterol. Read the labels, cook smart, order wisely, and remember smaller portions are another way to cut back on high-cholesterol foods.
11 Foods That Can Worsen Indigestion
By Christine BahlsMedically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
Some people treat their bodies like a Ferrari, others, like a clunker. A Ferrari-fed body is given a healthy diet with the right mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water, salts, vitamins, and soluble and insoluble fiber — all requirements for avoiding indigestion. “If you’re missing any of those, it’s a problem,” says Benjamin Krevsky, MD, associate chief of gastroenterology at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Good fuel enables the body to work more efficiently. When you’re having indigestion, which includes symptoms like nausea and bloating, what not to eat becomes equally important. Here are foods to avoid when you’re having tummy troubles.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
SPICY FOODS
If you’re experiencing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, you’ll want to avoid food choices that stimulate the digestive system, and these include spicy foods, says Jung Kim, a registered dietitian and specialist with Clinical Nutritional Support Services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Spicy foods are “incredibly variable,” says Dr. Krevsky — they have no effect on some people, but cause indigestion for others. In general, you should choose bland foods when you’re having digestive problems, and be sure to avoid spices if you’re sensitive to them.
ACIDIC FOODS
Tomato sauce and citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits, are acidic and can cause digestive problems. Many people don’t realize that carbonated beverages are also acidic — Krevsky says that if you leave a pearl in a glass of soda pop overnight, it will dissolve. When you have an upset stomach, avoid acidic foods, he says.
FATTY FOODS
Fatty foods stimulate contractions in the digestive tract, which, surprisingly, can either slow down the emptying of the stomach and worsen constipation or speed up movement and worsen or lead to diarrhea. The effect can depend on the type of fat and your tendency toward constipation or diarrhea. When you’re experiencing a bout of indigestion, put low-fat foods on the menu and eat small meals spaced throughout the day, which can put less pressure on your stomach. Avoid high-fat culprits, like butter, ice cream, red meat, and cheese, at least for a while.
FATTY FOODS
The problem with fried foods is the same as with fatty foods — they can move, undigested, through the body too quickly, leading to diarrhea, or stay in your digestive tract too long, causing you to feel full and bloated. Many fried foods are low in fiber and take longer to digest. So if you’re dealing with either diarrhea or constipation, you’ll want to avoid fried foods for a while. The conventional wisdom, says Krevsky, is that when you have indigestion, you should avoid fried foods because they tend to slow down the emptying of the stomach.
PROCESSED FOODS
If you’re constipated, avoid processed foods because they lack fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements, Krevsky says. Processed foods also often contain preservatives and artificial coloring, Kim says, and people with allergies or sensitivities to these additives will feel their effects during digestive problems. Note that some packaged foods contain lactose, which can give you gas and worsen any discomfort you’re already going through.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER
The artificial sweetener perhaps most associated with digestive problems is sorbitol. It is a hard-to-digest sugar found naturally in some fruits, including prunes, apples, and peaches, and is also used to sweeten gum and diet foods. Once sorbitol reaches the large intestine, it often creates gas, bloating, and diarrhea. If you have diarrhea, read food labels so that you can avoid sorbitol, Krevsky says.
ALCOHOL
If you’re feeling nauseated, the last thing you should have is an alcoholic drink. “It will probably make you sicker,” Kim says. Nutritionally speaking, alcohol itself is a big zero. It has no protein, vitamins, other nutrients, or “good” carbs. As Krevsky explains, alcohol is toxic to the stomach lining and changes liver metabolism. Drinking too much can cause indigestion, among other health problems. Moderation is key.
CAFFEINE
Caffeine stimulates gastrointestinal tract motility, making contents move more quickly through your system, and excessive amounts can give anyone diarrhea, Krevsky says. So if you already have diarrhea, caffeine will only worsen your digestive problem. He also warns against simply switching to decaf coffee because it still has some caffeine. Remember that tea, soda, and chocolate are other sources of caffeine, and should be put on hold until tummy troubles go away.
SWEET OR SALTY
The body doesn’t like trying to digest foods that are super sweet or salty — it likes moderation. When you’re sick, “You want something that’s easily digested,” Kim says. “Some people are affected by sugar levels when they are nauseous.” Chocolate, a sweet-tooth favorite, is a culprit in many digestive problems, including heartburn and the more-serious GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
SPOILED FOODS
Many refrigerated foods can go bad, such as dated items like eggs, dairy products, and meat. Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli can also pass from raw meat to veggies and fruits. Eating tainted foods can cause digestive problems or worsen existing ones, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Be aware of the symptoms of food poisoning — muscle pain, fatigue, and abdominal cramps — because food poisoning can be life threatening, Krevsky says.
7 Top Gas-Producing Foods
By Diana Rodriguez
Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH
Excessive gas can strike for many reasons, including swallowing too much air, changes in your diet — such as suddenly boosting your fiber intake with gas-producing foods — and food intolerance or difficulty digesting certain foods. Many good-for-you foods can cause gas, but eating them slowly and limiting or avoiding those that give you severe intestinal gas can help ensure you get good nutrition without all the bloating and discomfort.
VEGETABLES
The sugars in some vegetables can lead to intestinal gas as they’re digested. Onions and artichokes contain fructose, a type of sugar, while another sugar, raffinose, is found in asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage, among others. Vegetables that have soluble fiber, like peas, can cause gas as they’re digested in the large intestine. Those with insoluble fiber should pass through without discomfort or excessive gas.
FRUITS
Some fruits contain another sugar, called sorbitol, which causes excessive gas. The biggest culprits include prunes, apples, peaches, and pears. Sugar-free gum and candy are sweetened with sorbitol, which is why they can lead to excessive gas, too. Fruits also contain soluble fiber, which when digested in the large intestine produces gas as a byproduct.
STARCHY FOODS
Starches, which are very high in carbohydrates, can cause gas when your digestive tract goes through the process of breaking them down. At the top of the list are foods made with wheat, including breads, cereals, and pastas, all of which can lead to intestinal gas. Other common gas-producing foods in this category are corn and potatoes. Unlike all the other starches, the one that doesn’t seem to create intestinal gas is rice.
MILK AND DAIRY
Milk and other dairy products contain a sugar called lactose, which can be difficult for your digestive tract to process if your body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme lactase. Cheese, ice cream, and milk all contain lactose, and may cause excessive gas in people. Those with lactose intolerance may need to skip these foods to avoid intestinal gas and belly pain.
OATS
Though oatmeal makes a healthy and delicious breakfast, packed full of cholesterol-reducing fiber, it's also one of the foods that can cause intestinal gas. Oatmeal, oatmeal cookies, and other oat products — including oat bran — can all result in excessive gas because of their high soluble-fiber content. If you want to eat oats for their many health benefits, try slowly adding them to your diet in limited quantities to give your body time to adjust. If you’re a fan of oat bran, try switching to wheat bran, which is high in insoluble fiber that passes through the body, usually without a problem.
BEANS
Everyone knows the ditty: "Beans, beans, the musical fruit…" As nutritious as beans are, they’re notorious as a major gas-producing food. Beans create excessive gas for two reasons. First, they have a high raffinose content — the same gas-causing sugar found in certain vegetables. Second, beans also contain soluble fiber, whose digestion releases intestinal gas. Keep track not only of the amount of beans you eat, but also of other gas-producing foods you might be eating them with, like the cheese and onions you sprinkle on your three-bean chili. Or try an over-the-counter digestive aid like Beano.
SODAS AND SOFT DRINKS
A fizzy soda or sweet, fruity drink may taste delicious and refreshing, but your belly may have trouble digesting it — and uncomfortable stomach gas may be the result. The carbonation in sodas and soft drinks is just air, which can result in uncomfortable and excessive gas. Fructose, the sugar used to sweeten some of these beverages, can also be difficult to digest, resulting in intestinal gas.
Hidden Fats in Your Diet
By Diana Rodriguez
Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH
It's important to pay attention to how many fat grams you eat each day to make sure you're getting just the right amount of fat in your diet and no more.
The recommendation is that no more than 30 percent of your daily calories should come from fat, says Anne Wolf, RD, a researcher at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Based on the average daily total intake of 2,000 calories, this means we should eat less than 65 grams of fat each day. "Typically we're eating well over what we need," notes Wolf.
There are two kinds of fats, commonly considered "good" and "bad" fats. Saturated and trans fats are bad, as they are linked to a number of health problems, like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unsaturated fats — the good ones — can actually protect your body from some of these conditions. Still, that doesn't mean you can eat them without limit because too much of any fat, or of any food for that matter, can lead to weight gain.
When tracking the fat content of your meals, make sure that most of your fat intake is in the form of unsaturated fats, that less than 20 grams are coming from saturated fats, and that hardly any are from trans fat.
Think of the foods that frequently make up your daily meals. Have you ever considered their fat content? Here are some commonly eaten foods and where they weigh in on fat (typically the bad kinds):
- Average fast-food hamburger: 36 grams
- Average fast-food fish sandwich: 24 grams
- 10 French fries: 8 grams
- One ounce of potato chips: 10 grams
- One slice of cheese pizza: 8 grams
- Two ounces of bologna: 16 grams
- One hot dog: 14 grams
- Three slices of cooked bacon: 10 grams
- One ounce cheddar cheese: 8 grams
- One cup whole milk: 7 grams
- Two tablespoons of peanut butter: 14 grams
- One teaspoon of butter or margarine: 4 grams
- One serving of most breads, bagels, and cereals: about 1 gram
Fat Content in Your Diet: Surprisingly High-Fat Foods
While the high fat content of certain foods is no surprise, you may not realize that many other foods are loaded with hidden fat:
- Movie theater popcorn (because of the way it’s processed)
- Packaged meals with added sauces, butter, or oil
- Highly marbled red meats, including some cuts of beef and lamb — that white marbling is fat
- Chicken and other poultry if the skin is eaten
- Salad dressings
While you might know that olive and vegetable oils are high in fat, so are nuts, olives, avocados, and certain fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines. These foods contain the good, unsaturated fats — just monitor how much you eat to control your weight.
Given the high fat content of so many foods, if you're not careful, you could exceed your entire daily fat allowance by lunchtime! Keep an eye on your fat intake, and opt for unsaturated fats in place of saturated and trans fats. Your health, your heart, and your waistline will thank you.
Foods that Reduce Bone Density
By Susan L. Sullivan
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD
You probably know that calcium and vitamin D are needed to build strong bones. But what you may not know is that there are certain elements in your diet that can actually reduce bone density, increasing your risk for osteoporosis.
Too Much Protein May Lower Bone Density
You need protein to build strong bones, but when you eat too much protein, your body produces chemicals called sulfates that can cause calcium to leach out of the bones. This effect on bones is more likely to occur with animal protein than vegetable protein. In the recent Nurses Health Study II, conducted by Harvard Medical School, 116,686 women were followed for 10 years. The researchers found that women who ate red meat at least five times a week were more likely to have a bone fracture than women who ate red meat only once a week.
The Role of Caffeinated Drinks
In a recent study of 31,527 Swedish women ages 40 to 76, conducted by the Swedish Department of Toxicology’s National Food Administration, researchers found that women who drink 330 milligrams of caffeine or more a day — the equivalent of about four cups of coffee — have an increased risk of bone fractures. This risk was especially noted in women who had a lower consumption of calcium. The researchers did not find an association between tea consumption and an increased risk for bone fractures. One reason could be that the caffeine content of tea is typically half that of coffee.
The recent Framingham Osteoporosis Study measured the bone mineral density in the spines and hips of 1,413 women and 1,125 men against the frequency of their soft drink consumption. The researchers concluded that cola and diet cola beverages (though not other carbonated drinks) may cause bone loss in women and may involve not just the caffeine, but the phosphorus in colas, too. “It may be that the connection between colas and bone loss is due in part to the substitution of soda for milk, decreasing calcium intake,” says Kristine Cuthrell, RD, research nutritionist and project coordinator, Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii in Honolulu.
The Retinol Form of Vitamin A
In the Nurses Health Study II, researchers found that women taking vitamin A in doses exceeding 3,000 micrograms (mcg) a day were twice as likely to suffer a hip fracture than women who take 1,500 mcg or less a day of vitamin A. Although vitamin A is necessary for bone growth, too much of the retinol form of vitamin A interferes with vitamin D absorption, which, in turn, causes bone loss. The retinol form of vitamin A can be found in such animal-source foods as liver, egg yolks, and dairy products as well as dietary supplements. The beta carotene form of vitamin A, found in plant sources such as carrots and sweet potatoes, has not been linked with a negative impact on bone health.
Other Factors That May Raise Your Risk
Other dietary factors that can impact bone density include:
Sodium. Too much sodium in your diet can cause you to excrete calcium in your urine and perspiration. Sodium is found in table salt and many processed foods.
Oxalates, another form of salt found in some foods, can prevent you from absorbing calcium if the oxalates and calcium are contained in the same food product. Spinach, rhubarb, and sweet potatoes contain oxalates. Although these foods can play a role in a healthy diet, they should not be considered sources of calcium. Fortunately, oxalates do not interfere with the absorption of calcium from other foods eaten at the same time as the oxalate-containing foods.
Wheat bran. The only food known to reduce the absorption of calcium when eaten at the same time as calcium is 100 percent wheat bran. If you take calcium supplements, foods containing wheat bran should be eaten two or more hours before or after taking the supplement.
Alcohol. Excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages is also associated with lower bone density because alcohol interferes with the absorption of calcium and vitamin D. To lower your risk for osteoporosis, limit your intake of alcohol to one drink a day.
Rebalance With Fruits and Vegetables
“A diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in animal protein and carbohydrates, will tend to result in mild acidosis which, over time, can contribute to significant bone loss,” says Cuthrell. “Neutralizing an acid-producing diet, which can be done by eating fruits and vegetables, may be an important key to reducing bone loss while aging.”
Eating a well-balanced diet can be tricky when you are trying to keep your bones healthy. However, getting the recommended amount of calcium each day to offset any loss of calcium caused by any other foods you eat will go along way to preventing bone loss.
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