Pumpkin Seeds

     Pumpkin seeds, or pepitas not only taste wonderful but they are very good for your body. It is believed that pumpkin seeds may have the following health benefits;

• lowers blood cholesterol
• reduces risks of some cancers
• helps the immune system
• very good source of magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus
• good source of zinc, protein, iron, and copper
• arthritic anti-inflammatory
• because of the zinc it protect mens' bones
• may promote prostate health

     A 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds have 186 calories. They should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.You can make your own at home by wiping them with a paper towel to remove any pulp from the pumpkin, lay them in a single layer on a brown paper bag for several hours to dry them and then roast them slightly in the oven at about 165 degrees for 17 minutes. After their done you can use them whole, chop them, grind them, and then add to recipes like ground meat, salads, casseroles, or anything you want.

Getting Started

The DASH eating plan requires no special foods and has no hard-to-follow recipes. One way to begin is by
seeing how DASH compares with your current food habits.

Remember that on some days the foods you eat may add up to more than the recommended servings from one food group and less from another. Similarly, you may have too much sodium on a particular day. But don't worry. Try your best to keep the average of several days close to the DASH eating plan and the sodium level recommended for you.

The Dietary Guidelines determined that the DASH eating plan is an example of a healthy eating plan and recommends it as a plan that not only meets your nutritional needs but can accommodate varied types of cuisines and special needs.

Remember that the DASH eating plan used along with other lifestyle changes can help you prevent and control your blood pressure. Important lifestyle recommendations for you include: achieve and maintain a healthy weight, participate in your favorite regular physical activity, and, if you drink, use moderation in alcohol
consumption (defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men).

One important note: If you take medication to control high blood pressure, you should not stop using it. Follow the DASH eating plan and talk with your doctor about your medication treatment. The tips in box 15 on page 27 can help you continue to follow the DASH eating plan and make other healthy lifestyle changes for a lifetime.

Change gradually
● If you now eat one or two vegetables a day, add a serving at lunch and another at dinner.
● If you don't eat fruit now or have juice only at breakfast, add a serving to your meals or have it as a snack.
● Gradually increase your use of fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products to three servings a day. For example, drink milk with lunch or dinner, instead of soda, sugar-sweetened tea, or alcohol. Choose fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent) milk and milk products to reduce your intake of saturated fat, total fat,
cholesterol, and calories and to increase your calcium.
● Read the Nutrition Facts label on margarines and salad dressings to choose those lowest in saturated fat and trans fat.

Treat meats as one part of the whole meal, instead of the focus
● Limit lean meats to 6 ounces a day—all that's needed. Have only 3 ounces at a meal, which is about the size of a deck of cards.
● If you now eat large portions of meats, cut them back gradually— by a half or a third at each meal.
● Include two or more vegetarian-style (meatless) meals each week.
● Increase servings of vegetables, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and cooked dry beans in meals. Try casseroles, whole wheat pasta, and stir-fry dishes, which have less meat and more vegetables, grains, and dry beans.

Use fruits or other foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar, and calories as desserts and snacks
● Fruits and other lower fat foods offer great taste and variety. Use fruits canned in their own juice or packed in water. Fresh fruits require little or no preparation. Dried fruits are a good choice to carry with you or to have ready in the car.
● Try these snacks ideas: unsalted rice cakes; nuts mixed with raisins; graham crackers; fat-free and low-fat yogurt and frozen yogurt; popcorn with no salt or butter added; raw vegetables.

Try these other tips
● Choose whole grain foods for most grain servings to get added nutrients, such as minerals and fiber. For example, choose whole wheat bread or whole grain cereals.
● If you have trouble digesting milk and milk products, try taking lactase enzyme pills (available at drugstores and groceries) with the milk products. Or, buy lactose-free milk, which has the lactase enzyme already added to it.
● If you are allergic to nuts, use seeds or legumes (cooked dried beans or peas).
● Use fresh, frozen, or low-sodium canned vegetables and fruits.

Potassium

Vegetables                                                              Potassium (mg)
Potato, 1 medium                                                    926
                                                   
Sweet Potato, 1 medium                                          540
Spinach, cooked, 1/2 cup                                         290
Zucchini, cooked, 1/2 cup                                        280
Tomato, fresh, 1/2 cup                                             210
Kale, cooked, 1/2 cup                                              150
Romaine lettuce, 1 cup                                             140
Mushrooms, 1/2 cup                                                 110
Cucumber, 1/2 cup                                                   80

Fruit
Banana, 1 medium                                                     420
Apricots, 1/4 cup                                                       380
Orange, 1 medium                                                      237
Cantaloupe chunks, 1/2 cup                                        214
Apple, 1 medium                                                        150

Nuts, seeds, and legumes
Cooked soybeans, 1/2 cup                                         440
Cooked lentils, 1/2 cup                                               370
Cooked kidney beans, 1/2 cup                                    360
Cooked split peas, 1/2 cup                                         360
Almonds, roasted, 1/3 cup                                          310
Walnuts, roasted, 1/3 cup                                            190
Sunflower seeds, roasted, 2 Tbsp                                124
Peanuts, roasted, 1/3 cup                                             120

Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products
Milk, 1 cup                                                                  380
Yogurt, 1 cup                                                               370

Lean meats, fish, and poultry
Fish (cod, halibut, rockfish, trout, tuna), 3 oz                 200 - 400
Pork tenderloin, 3 oz                                                    370
Beef tenderloin, chicken, turkey, 3 oz                            210

Salt

Because it is rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH eating plan makes it easier to consume less salt and sodium. Still, you may want to begin by adopting the DASH eating plan at the level of 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day and then further lower your sodium intake to
1,500 milligrams per day.

The DASH eating plan also emphasizes potassium from food, especially fruits and vegetables, to help keep blood pressure levels healthy. A potassium-rich diet may help to reduce elevated or high blood pressure, but be sure to get your potassium from food sources, not from supplements. Many fruits and vegetables, some
milk products, and fish are rich sources of potassium.  However, fruits and vegetables are rich in the form of
potassium (potassium with bicarbonate precursors) that favorably affects acid-base metabolism. This form of potassium may help to reduce risk of kidney stones and bone loss. While salt substitutes containing potassium are sometimes needed by persons on drug therapy for high blood pressure, these supplements can be harmful
to people with certain medical conditions. Ask your doctor before trying salt substitutes or supplements.

Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods. Most sodium is added during processing. The table below gives examples of sodium in some foods.
Whole and other grains and grain products*                                         Sodium (mg)
Cooked cereal, rice, pasta, unsalted, 1/2 cup                                         0 - 5
Ready-to-eat cereal, 1 cup                                                                    0 - 360
Bread, 1 slice                                                                                        110 - 175

Vegetables
Fresh or frozen, cooked without salt, 1/2 cup                                         1 - 70
Canned or frozen with sauce, 1/2 cup                                                     140 -460
Tomato juice, canned, 1/2 cup                                                                330

Fruit
Fresh, frozen, canned, 1/2 cup                                                                0 - 5

Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products
Milk, 1 cup                                                                                            107
Yogurt, 1 cup                                                                                         175
Natural cheeses, 11/2 oz                                                                         110 - 450
Process cheeses, 2 oz                                                                              600

Nuts, seeds, and legumes
Peanuts, salted, 1/3 cup                                                                           120
Peanuts, unsalted, 1/3 cup                                                                        0 - 5
Beans, cooked from dried or frozen, without                                      
salt, 1/2 cup                                                                                             0 - 5
Beans, canned, 1/2 cup                                                                            400

Lean meats, fish, and poultry
Fresh meat, fish, poultry, 3 oz                                                                   30 - 90
Tuna canned, water pack, no salt added, 3 oz                                           35 - 45
Tuna canned, water pack, 3 oz                                                                  230 - 350
Ham, lean, roasted, 3 oz                                                                            1,020

* Whole grains are recommended for most grain servings.

● Choose low- or reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added versions of foods and condiments when available.
● Choose fresh, frozen, or canned (low-sodium or no-salt-added) vegetables.
● Use fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat, rather than canned, smoked, or processed types.
● Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium.
● Limit cured foods (such as bacon and ham); foods packed in brine (such as pickles, pickled vegetables, olives, and sauerkraut); and condiments (such as mustard, horseradish, ketchup, and barbecue sauce). Limit even lower sodium versions of soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Treat these condiments sparingly as you do table salt.
● Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt. Cut back on instant or flavored rice, pasta, and cereal mixes, which usually have added salt.
● Choose “convenience” foods that are lower in sodium. Cut back on frozen dinners, mixed dishes such as pizza, packaged mixes, canned soups or broths, and salad dressings—these often have a lot of sodium.
● Rinse canned foods, such as tuna and canned beans, to remove some of the sodium.
● Use spices instead of salt. In cooking and at the table, flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends. Start by cutting salt in half.

Reducing Salt and Sodium When Eating Out
● Ask how foods are prepared. Ask that they be prepared without added salt, MSG, or salt-containing ingredients. Most restaurants are willing to accommodate requests.
● Know the terms that indicate high sodium content: pickled, cured, smoked, soy sauce, broth.
● Move the salt shaker away.
● Limit condiments, such as mustard, ketchup, pickles, and sauces with salt-containing ingredients.
● Choose fruit or vegetables, instead of salty snack foods.

Compare Nutrition Facts Labels on Foods Read the Nutrition Facts labels on foods to compare the amount of sodium in products. Look for the sodium content in milligrams and the Percent Daily Value. Aim for foods that are less than 5 percent of the Daily Value of sodium. Foods with 20 percent or more Daily Value of
sodium are considered high. You can also check out the amounts of the other DASH goal nutrients.
Compare the food labels of these two versions of canned tomatoes. The regular canned tomatoes (right) have 15 times as much sodium as the low-sodium canned tomatoes.

Low-Sodium Canned Diced Tomatoes

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (130g)
Servings Per Container 31/2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 25 Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 1%
Potassium 270mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 30%
Calcium 4% Iron 4%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie

Canned Diced Tomatoes

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (130g)
Servings Per Container 31/2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 25 Calories from Fat 0
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 150mg 6%
Potassium 230mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 20%
Calcium 4% Iron 6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Food labels can help you choose items lower in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and calories and higher in potassium and calcium. Look for the following label information on cans, boxes, bottles, bags, and other packaging:

Sodium free or salt free                              Less than 5 mg per serving
Very low sodium                                        35 mg or less of sodium per serving
Low sodium                                              140 mg or less of sodium per serving
Low-sodium meal                                      140 mg or less of sodium per 31/2 oz (100 g)
Reduced or less sodium                              At least 25 percent less sodium than the regular version

Light in sodium                                           50 percent less sodium than the regular version
                                 
Unsalted or no salt added                            No salt added to the product during 
                                                                        processing (this is not a sodium-free food)
                     
Fat
Fat-free                                                       Less than 0.5 g per serving                                                  
Low saturated fat                                        1 g or less per serving and 15% or less of calories from sat. fat
Low-fat                                                      3 g or less per serving

Reduced fat                                                At least 25 percent less fat than the regular version

Light in fat                                                  Half the fat compared to the regular version

Weight Loss On DASH

If you need to lose weight, even a small weight loss will help to lower your risks of developing high blood pressure and other serious health conditions. At the very least, you should not gain weight. A recent study showed that people can lose weight while following the DASH eating plan and lowering their sodium intake. In a study of 810 participants, one-third were taught how to lower their sodium intake and follow the DASH eating plan on their own. Most of them needed to lose weight as well. They followed the DASH eating plan at lower calorie levels and they increased their physical activity. Over the course of 18 months, participants lost weight and improved their blood pressure control.

The best way to take off pounds is to do so gradually, get more physical activity, and eat a balanced diet that is lower in calories and fat. For some people at very high risk for heart disease or stroke, medication
will be necessary. To develop a weight-loss or weight-maintenance program that works well for you, consult with your doctor or registered dietitian.

Combining the DASH eating plan with a regular physical activity program, such as walking or swimming, will help you both shed pounds and stay trim for the long term. You can do an activity for 30 minutes at one time, or choose shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each.  The important thing is to total about 30 minutes of activity each day. (To avoid weight gain,try to total about 60 minutes per day.)

You should be aware that the DASH eating plan has more daily servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods than you may be used to eating. Because the plan is high in fiber, it can cause bloating and diarrhea in some persons. To avoid these problems, gradually increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole
grain foods.

This booklet gives menus and recipes from the DASH studies for both 2,300 and 1,500 milligrams of daily sodium intake. Twentythree hundred milligrams of sodium equals about 6 grams, or 1 teaspoon, of table salt (sodium chloride); 1,500 milligrams of sodium equals about 4 grams, or 2/3 teaspoon, of table salt.

The key to reducing salt intake is making wise food choices. Only a small amount of salt that we consume comes from the salt added at the table, and only small amounts of sodium occur naturally in food. Processed foods account for most of the salt and sodium Americans consume. So, be sure to read food labels to choose
products lower in sodium. You may be surprised to find which foods have sodium. They include baked goods, certain cereals, soy sauce, seasoned salts, monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda, and some antacids—the range is wide.

The DASH eating plan can be adopted to promote weight loss. It is rich in lower-calorie foods, such as fruits and vegetables. You can make it lower in calories by replacing higher calorie foods such as sweets with more fruits and vegetables—and that also will make it easier for you to reach your DASH goals. Here are some examples:
To increase fruits—
● Eat a medium apple instead of four shortbread cookies. You’ll save 80 calories.
● Eat 1/4 cup of dried apricots instead of a 2-ounce bag of pork rinds. You’ll save 230 calories.
To increase vegetables—
● Have a hamburger that’s 3 ounces of meat instead of 6 ounces. Add a 1/2-cup serving of carrots and a 1/2-cup serving of spinach. You’ll save more than 200 calories.
● Instead of 5 ounces of chicken, have a stir fry with 2 ounces of chicken and 11/2 cups of raw vegetables. Use a small amount of vegetable oil. You'll save 50 calories. To increase fat-free or low-fat milk products—
● Have a 1/2-cup serving of low-fat frozen yogurt instead of a 1/2-cup serving of full-fat ice cream. You’ll save about 70 calories. And don’t forget these calorie-saving tips:
● Use fat-free or low-fat condiments.
● Use half as much vegetable oil, soft or liquid margarine, mayonnaise, or salad dressing, or choose available low-fat or fat-free versions.
● Eat smaller portions—cut back gradually.
● Choose fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.
● Check the food labels to compare fat content in packaged foods—items marked fat-free or low-fat are not always lower in calories than their regular versions.
● Limit foods with lots of added sugar, such as pies, flavored yogurts, candy bars, ice cream, sherbet, regular soft drinks, and fruit drinks.
● Eat fruits canned in their own juice or in water.
● Add fruit to plain fat-free or low-fat yogurt.
● Snack on fruit, vegetable sticks, unbuttered and unsalted popcorn, or rice cakes.
● Drink water or club soda—zest it up with a wedge of lemon or lime.

Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each day can help.
● If your blood pressure is moderately elevated, 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days a week may be enough to keep you off medication.
● If you take medication for high blood pressure, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity can make your medication work more effectively and make you feel better.
● If you don’t have high blood pressure, being physically active can help keep it that way. If you have normal blood pressure—but are not active—your chances of developing high blood pressure increase, especially as you get older or if you become overweight or obese or develop diabetes. Getting started: Your physical activity program can be as simple as a 15-minute walk around the block each morning and evening. Gradually
build up your program and set new goals to stay motivated. The important thing is to find something you enjoy, and do it safely. And remember—trying too hard at first can lead to injury and cause you to give up. If you have a chronic health problem or a family history of heart disease at an early age, be sure to talk with your doctor before launching a new physical activity program.
1. Set a schedule and try to keep it.
2. Get a friend or family member to join you. Motivate each other to keep it up.
3. Cross-train. Alternate between different activities so you don’t strain one part of your body day after day.
4. Set goals.
5. Reward yourself. At the end of each month that you stay on your exercise program, reward yourself with something new—new clothes, a compact disc, a new book—something that will help keep you committed. But don't use food as a reward.

Following the DASH Plan

Grains   6 to 8 daily servings -   1 slice bread ,  1 oz dry cereal†  ,  1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta, or cereal.

Vegetables  4 to 5 daily servings - 1 cup raw leafy vegetable, 1/2 cup cut-up raw or cooked vegetable,
1/2 cup vegetable juice

Fruits  4 to 5 daily servings - 1 medium fruit, 1/4 cup dried fruit, 1/2 cup fresh, frozen, or canned fruit,
1/2 cup fruit juice

Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products - 2 to 3 daily servings - 1 cup milk or yogurt, 11/2 oz cheese

Lean meats, poultry, and fish  6 or less daily servings - 1 oz cooked meats, poultry, or fish, 1 egg‡

Nuts, seeds, and legumes  4 to 5 servings per week - 1/3 cup or 11/2 oz nuts, 2 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp or 1/2 oz seeds, 1/2 cup cooked legumes (dry beans and peas)

Fats and oils§  2 to 3 daily servings - 1 tsp soft margarine, 1 tsp vegetable oil, 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp salad dressing

Sweets and added sugars 5 or less servings per week - 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp jelly or jam, 1/2 cup sorbet, gelatin, 1 cup lemonade

* Whole grains are recommended for most grain servings as a good source of fiber and nutrients.
† Serving sizes vary between 1/2 cup and 11/4 cups, depending on cereal type. Check the product's Nutrition Facts label.


Whole wheat bread and rolls, whole wheat                       Major sources of energy and fiber
pasta, English muffin, pita bread, bagel,
cereals, grits, oatmeal, brown rice, unsalted
pretzels and popcorn

Broccoli, carrots, collards, green beans, green                   Rich sources of potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
  peas, kale, lima beans, potatoes, spinach,
squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes                                                                                       

Apples, apricots, bananas, dates, grapes,                           Important sources of potassium, magnesium, and
oranges, grapefruit, grapefruit juice,                                    fiber.
mangoes, melons, peaches, pineapples,
raisins, strawberries, tangerines           

    Fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk or buttermilk,            Major sources of calcium and protein  
fat-free, low-fat, or reduced-fat cheese,
fat-free or low-fat regular or frozen yogurt          

  Select only lean; trim away visible fats; broil,
roast, or poach; remove skin from poultry                               Rich sources of protein and magnesium     

    Almonds, hazelnuts, mixed nuts, peanuts,                           
walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanut butter,
kidney beans, lentils, split peas                                                 Rich sources of energy, magnesium, protein,                                                                                                    and fiber.

  Soft margarine, vegetable oil (such as canola,
corn, olive, or safflower), low-fat mayonnaise,
light salad dressing                                                                  The DASH study had 27 percent of calories                                                                                            fat, including fat in or added to foods.
                  

Fruit-flavored gelatin, fruit punch, hard candy,
jelly, maple syrup, sorbet and ices, sugar                                  Sweets should be low in fat

‡ Since eggs are high in cholesterol, limit egg yolk intake to no more than four per week; two egg whites have the same protein content as 1 oz of meat. § Fat content changes serving amount for fats and oils. For example, 1 Tbsp of regular salad dressing equals one serving; 1 Tbsp of a low-fat dressing equals
one-half serving; 1 Tbsp of a fat-free dressing equals zero servings.
                                      Below are servings for other calorie diets
                                          1600 calories                2600 calories             3100 calories

Grains*                                  6                                   10 - 11                      12 - 13
Vegetables                             3 - 4                                5 - 6                            6
Fruits                                      4                                     5 - 6                            6
Fat-free or lowfat                   2 - 3                                3                                3 - 4
milk and milk
products
Lean meats,                         3 - 6                                   6                                6 - 9  
poultry, and fish
Nuts, seeds, and                  3/a week                             1                                   1
legumes
Fats and oils                         2                                         3                                   4
Sweets and                           0                                         2                                     2
added sugars

* Whole grains are recommended for most grain servings as a good source of fiber and nutrients.

The DASH Eating Plan

Blood pressure can be unhealthy even if it stays only slightly above the normal level of less than 120/80 mmHg. The more your blood pressure rises above normal, the greater the health risk. Scientists supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) conducted two key studies. Their findings showed that blood pressures were reduced with an eating plan that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and total fat and that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. This eating plan—known as the DASH eating plan—also includes whole grain products, fish, poultry, and nuts. It is reduced in lean red meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages compared to the typical American diet. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber.

For a 2100 calorie eating plan
Total fat 27% of calories                 Sodium 2,300 mg*
Saturated fat 6% of calories            Potassium 4,700 mg
Protein 18% of calories                  Calcium 1,250 mg
Carbohydrate 55% of calories        Magnesium 500 mg
Cholesterol 150 mg                        Fiber 30 g

* 1,500 mg sodium was a lower goal tested and found to be even better for lowering blood pressure. It was particularly effective for middle-aged and older individuals, African Americans, and those who already had high blood pressure.

The DASH eating plan follows heart healthy guidelines to limit saturated fat and cholesterol. It focuses on increasing intake of foods rich in nutrients that are expected to lower blood pressure, mainly minerals (like potassium, calcium, and magnesium), protein, and fiber. It includes nutrient-rich foods so that it meets other
nutrient requirements as recommended by the Institute of Medicine.

The first DASH study involved 459 adults with systolic blood pressures of less than 160 mmHg and diastolic pressures of 80–95 mmHg. About 27 percent of the participants had high blood pressure. About 50 percent were women and 60 percent were African Americans. It compared three eating plans: a plan that includes foods similar to what many Americans regularly eat; a plan that includes foods similar to what many Americans regularly eat plus more fruits and vegetables; and the DASH eating plan. All three plans included about 3,000 milligrams of sodium daily. None of the plans was vegetarian or used specialty foods.

Results were dramatic. Participants who followed both the plan that included more fruits and vegetables and the DASH eating plan had reduced blood pressure. But the DASH eating plan had the greatest effect, especially for those with high blood pressure. Furthermore, the blood pressure reductions came fast—within
2 weeks of starting the plan.

The second DASH study looked at the effect on blood pressure of a reduced dietary sodium intake as participants followed either the DASH eating plan or an eating plan typical of what many Americans consume. This second study involved 412 participants. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two eating plans and then followed for a month at each of the three sodium levels. The three sodium levels were a higher intake of about 3,300 milligrams per day (the level consumed by many Americans), an intermediate intake of about 2,300 milligrams per day, and a lower intake of about 1,500 milligrams per day.

Results showed that reducing dietary sodium lowered blood pressure for both eating plans. At each sodium level, blood pressure was lower on the DASH eating plan than on the other eating plan. The greatest blood pressure reductions were for the DASH eating plan at the sodium intake of 1,500 milligrams per day. Those with high blood pressure saw the greatest reductions, but those with prehypertension also had large decreases.

Together these studies show the importance of lowering sodium intake—whatever your eating plan. For a true winning combination, follow the DASH eating plan and lower your intake of salt and sodium.

The DASH studies were sponsored by the NHLBI and conducted at four medical centers. There was also a central coordinating center at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, OR. The four medical centers were: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Duke Hypertension Center and the
Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Durham, NC; Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD; and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers—systolic pressure (when the heart beats) over diastolic pressure (when the heart relaxes between beats). Both numbers are important. Blood pressure rises and falls during the day. But when it stays elevated over time, then it's called high blood pressure. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard, and the high force of the blood flow can harm arteries and organs such
as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. High blood pressure often has no warning signs or symptoms. Once it occurs, it usually lasts a lifetime. If uncontrolled, it can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, and blindness.
High blood pressure affects more than 65 million—or 1 in 3—American adults. About 28 percent of American adults ages 18 and older, or about 59 million people, have prehypertension, a condition that also increases the chance of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure is especially common among African Americans, who tend to develop it at an earlier age and more often than Whites. It is also common among older Americans—individuals with normal blood pressure at age 55 have a 90 percent lifetime risk for developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be controlled if you take these steps:
■ Maintain a healthy weight.
■ Be moderately physically active on most days of the week.
■ Follow a healthy eating plan, which includes foods lower in sodium.
■ If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
■ If you have high blood pressure and are prescribed medication,
take it as directed.
All steps but the last also help to prevent high blood pressure.


Normal is less than 120/less than 80,    Prehypertension  120-139/80to89,     Hypertension 140 +/90+
Good for you!                                      Could be a problem.                          You have high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure and the DASH Diet

     What you choose to eat affects your chances of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension (the medical term). Recent studies show that blood pressure can be lowered by following the DietaryApproaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan—and by eating less salt, also called sodium.While each step alone lowers blood pressure, the combination of the eating plan and a reduced sodium intake gives the biggest benefit and may help prevent the development of high blood pressure. 

      This booklet, based on the DASH research findings, tells how to follow the DASH eating plan and reduce the amount of sodium you consume. It offers tips on how to start and stay on the eating plan, as well as a week of menus and some recipes. The menus and recipes are given for two levels of daily sodium consumption—2,300 and 1,500 milligrams per day. Twenty-three hundred milligrams is the highest level considered acceptable by the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. It is also the highest amount recommended for healthy Americans by the 2005 “U.S.Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” The 1,500 milligram level can lower blood pressure further and more recently is the amount recommended by the Institute of Medicine as an adequate intake level and one that most people should try to achieve. The lower your salt intake is, the lower your blood pressure. Studies have found that the DASH menus containing 2,300 milligrams of sodium can lower blood pressure and that an even
lower level of sodium, 1,500 milligrams, can further reduce blood pressure. All the menus are lower in sodium than what adults in the United States currently eat—about 4,200 milligrams per day in men and 3,300 milligrams per day in women. Those with high blood pressure and prehypertension may benefit especially from following the DASH eating plan and reducing their sodium intake.

Why Eat Whole Wheat ? by Suzanne M.

Wheat is very important to the food industry. Bread, pasta, bagels, crackers, cakes, and muffins are only a small portion of the list of foods that are made with wheat. However most of these items contain wheat that has been refined and that is not good for many reasons. The addition of whole wheat to your diet as opposed to the consumption of refined wheat is a wise idea.
When you eat whole wheat you are eating a whole grain. Whole grains are grains that still have the bran, germ, and endosperm intact along with nutrients like manganese and dietary fiber. When you consume wheat in its natural unrefined state you are definitely getting the best therefore it is important to choose wheat products made from whole wheat flour. Choosing any less will only deprive your body of a wealth of important nutrients.
Here are some benefits of whole wheat that may inspire you to make the switch; if you haven't already done so:

• The fiber in whole wheat bread reduces constipation. This condition is a major cause of "western diseases".
• Consumption of whole wheat actually helps in weight loss and maintenance. It is a misnomer that eating wheat products will make you fat. The truth is that the ingredients found in unrefined wheat products that actually the cause of weigh gain.
• Whole wheat helps keep the heart healthy.
• When you eat whole wheat you help prevent gallstones which can be very painful.
• Diabetics can benefit greatly from a diet that includes whole wheat.

There has been so much controversy of the consumption of wheat when it comes to gluten and many people have abandoned this wonderful ingredient. While there may be some who are gluten or wheat intolerant, it is important to know that this does not mean that everyone is in the danger zone. What is does mean is that we have to more careful about what we consume and where it comes from.
Take the time to learn how to create your own breads, pastas, and more with while wheat flour. If you are gluten intolerant then there are gluten free options available. The bottom line is that nature has so many healthy benefits but many of us have become slaves to convenience and our health pays for it in the end. Find what works for you but do make sure that whole wheat is a part of your diet.

Look for some delicious whole wheat recipes at the Hillbilly Housewife website. While you are there stay informed by joining The Hillbilly Housewife newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_M.

How to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup

 High fructose corn syrup is commonly used in place of sugar in processed foods in the USA. In fact, the average American eats an astounding 41.5 lbs of high fructose corn syrup per year.American subsidies and tariffs have resulted in corn being a much more economical sweetener than sugar--a trend that is not seen in other parts of the world. Now that high fructose corn syrup is being added to an increasing variety of foods (breads, cereals, soft drinks, and condiments); some people are looking for ways to avoid it.

 

1. Be clear about your reasons for avoiding high fructose corn syrup. There's significant controversy surrounding the safety of consuming high fructose corn syrup, but there is, as of yet, no conclusive evidence that it's more detrimental to one's health than table sugar. Despite its name ("high fructose"), it contains about the same amount of fructose as table sugar.Reasons cited for avoiding it are:
   
   
   • Beverages containing high fructose corn syrup have higher levels of reactive compounds (carbonyls) which are linked with cell and tissue damage that leads to diabetes although there is no evidence so far that high fructose corn syrup consumption directly leads to diabetes.
     
   • The corn from which high fructose corn syrup is derived may be genetically modified.
     
   • There are increasing concerns about the politics surrounding the economics of corn production (subsidies, tariffs, and regulations) as well as the effects of intensive corn agriculture on the environment.
     
   • Some people are allergic to products derived from corn.
     
   • Although the enzymatic process used to create high fructose corn syrup is a naturally occurring process, it is an additional processing step that sugar refined from beets does not undergo. Some people prefer to avoid additionally processed foods and ingredients as much as possible.
     
   • Some argue that sugar simply tastes better than high fructose corn syrup.
     
   
   
2. Avoid fast food. Fast food often contains high fructose corn syrup.
   
3. Read food labels. This is the easiest and most sure-fire way to know if there is high fructose corn syrup in your food.  High fructose corn syrup can be found even in products which aren't sweet, such as sliced bread and processed meats like sausage and ham.
   
4. Be wary of the words "natural" or "organic" on labels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate the use of the word "natural". Foods and beverages can be labeled as "natural" even though they contain high fructose corn syrup. The word "organic" is heavily regulated, but unless you are familiar with the following differences, check the ingredients list to make sure.
   
   
   • Products that say "made with organic (specified ingredients or food groups)" can contain non-organic HFCS. They cannot be labeled as "organic", and they cannot utilize the USDA seal.
     
   • Products labeled "organic" can carry the USDA seal and can include organic HFCS. These products must contain 95% organic ingredients by weight or volume excluding water and salt. The remaining 5% must be on the National List of allowed substances. Since HFCS is not on that list, HFCS can only be included if it is organic.
     
   • Only foods labeled as 100% organic can be assumed to be HFCS-free. Theoretically, a product labeled USDA 100% organic could contain HFCS if the HFCS itself was 100% organic, but no such product is currently available because the processing aids used in making HFCS are not organic. While there is organic HFCS available it is not 100% organic and therefore cannot be included in a product that is labeled 100% organic.
     
   
   
5. Be especially picky about beverages. Soft drinks, sports drinks, lemonade, iced tea, and almost every sweet drink you can think of contains high fructose corn syrup.
   
   
   • If you can't see the ingredients list, such as when you go out to eat, choose water (if it's flavored, make sure it's no-calorie) or diet drinks. Beverages with fewer calories typically avoid high fructose corn syrup, which is a high calorie additive.
     
   • Buy from small bottlers who use sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Some smaller brands, such as Jones Soda and Dublin Dr. Pepper, have switched to pure cane sugar.
     
   • Buy soft drinks from across the border. If you must have your fix of certain soda brands and you happen to live near Canada or Mexico, look into buying in bulk from those countries, which use sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.
     
   • Check the Passover section of your supermarket. Some soda companies produce a sugar/sucrose-based version of their products around Passover for Jews who are restricted by custom from eating corn during this time. Coca-Cola produces a version of Coke without corn syrup that can be identified by a yellow cap and is considered by some to taste better than Coke Zero, which is also free of corn syrup but contains artificial sweeteners, not sugar.
     
   
   
6. Lower your sweetener consumption altogether. It's been suggested that the supposed link between high fructose corn syrup and obesity is not due to the high fructose corn syrup itself, but to the increasing consumption of sweeteners in general, especially soft drinks. The USDA recommends that a person with a 2000 calorie, balanced diet should consume no more than 32 g (8 tsp) of added sugar per day. Here are some sweet foods and the percentage of the daily recommended amount of sweeteners they provide:
   
   
   • typical cup of fruit yogurt - 70%
     
   • cup of regular ice cream - 60%
     
   • 12-ounce Pepsi - 103%
     
   • Hostess Lemon Fruit Pie - 115%
     
   • serving of Kellogg's Marshmallow Blasted Froot Loops - 40%
     
   • quarter-cup of pancake syrup - 103%
     
   • Cinnabon - 123%
     
   • large McDonald's Shake - 120%
     
   • large Mr. Misty Slush at Dairy Queen - 280%
     
   • Burger King's Cini-minis with icing - 95%
     
   
   
7. Buy fresh produce and learn to cook it. By cooking from scratch, you can avoid any doubt about the ingredients that go into your meals.
   

  Tips

• One small chain of 8 stores in Seattle no longer carries products containing high fructose corn syrup.
  
• Adding more fruit to your diet can help you avoid high fructose corn syrup, but not fructose itself, as the sugars in fruit are mostly fructose.
  
• Try to avoid energy drinks as 90% of them have high fructose corn syrup.
  

  Warnings

• Replacing all the calories consumed in high fructose corn syrup with sugar may not have any noticeable impact on weight because they both contain the same amounts of calories. The switch may beneficially impact your health, as there is some evidence that corn fructose is processed differently in the body than cane sugar, leading to reduced feelings of satiation and a greater potential for overconsumption.
  

from wikiHow

 

 

Salmon

     Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids which is important because our bodies need this type of fat but cannot make it itself. Salmon is a cold water fish and the cold water fish have more omega-3 than the warm water varieties. It's also high in protein but low in saturated fats and calories. It also contains good amounts of vitamin B6, phosphorus, selenium, protein, magnesium, and niacin.



     Omega-3 is good for the heart because it prevents erratic heart rhythms, helps prevent clotting and improves good cholesterol over bad. That's important because it prevents cholesterol from being damaged so that it won't clog arteries salmon baked or broiled but not fried. Frying does not offer the same protection against arrhythmias because it damages fats and releases free radicals.



     Many studies have been done on the benefits of eating salmon or tuna, foods high in the omega-3. Here are some of their many conclusions on health benefits.

• Lowers triglycerides


• Controls and prevents high blood pressure


• Guards against strokes


• Helps to prevent heart attacks


• Maintains healthy weight


• Improves the way insulin acts


• Protects against colorectal and prostate cancers


• Helps to prevent macular degeneration


• Protects against sunburn


• Improves thought processes


• Improves temperments of hostile teens


• Helps maintain brain function against old age


• Improves moods


• Reduces depression


• Helps with other cancers such as kidney, and Non Hodgkins lymphoma


• Reduces risks of cancers such as leukemia

     There are several varieties of salmon. The pink and chum are less fatty and rich than the chinook and sockeye.

     Try to choose salmon that is wild and not farm raised, because farm raised can pose a cancer risk because of PCB's. PCB was banned in the United States but it's in the environment and it ends up in animal fat.If you eat farm raised salmon do not eat it more than 10 times per month, if it's farm raised in Northern Europe do not eat it more than 4 times per month. Wild salmon can be eaten every day because it's not filled with toxins like the farm raised.



Here is some nutritional information for a 4 ounce piece of salmon.

• Calories 262


• Calories from fat  137


• Calories from saturated fat 37


• Protein  29


• Carbs  0


• Sugars  0


• Fiber  0


• Cholesterol  96


• Saturated fat  3.64


• Mono fat  6.51


• Poly fat  3.02


• Trans fatty acids  0      
  
  

Making Healthy Food Even Healthier Part 2

Increase your calcium the tasty way by adding some lemon juice to home made chicken soup. Vinegar and tomato can be used instead of the lemon. By adding these acidic foods to bone in chicken soup you can increase the amount of calcium by over 60%. The same goes for ribs, use a vinegar barbecue sauce and your calcium intake will rise.

Also increase your vitamin C by not cutting those vegetables in too small of a piece. The surface of the vegetable that is exposed to air will lose the vitamin C, so if you cut into larger pieces you can retain more vitamins.

Making Healthy Food Even Healthier Part 1

Most of us are aware of which foods are healthy and the benefits they give us, but did you know the way we prepare these foods can drastically change the nutrients they offer? This mini series of posts will tell you the best ways to enjoy these healthy foods so that you can get the maximum amounts of nutrition from them.

To increase the amount and effectiveness of lycopene from tomatoes, heat them before eating. The heat creates a chemical change that makes the lycopene easier for us to absorb in our bodies.
Remember that canned tomato products like paste and sauce were heated during the canning process, so those would be better to use in recipes for the lycopene instead of fresh raw tomatoes. Please note that canned and processed foods do have a lot of sodium added in them, so if you are watching your sodium, canned would not be a good choice unless you purchase a low or no sodium version. More and more products are giving you the choice these days.

UNDERSTANDING FOOD LABELS

How To Understand Food Labels

THE SUPERFOODS RX DIET by Steven Pratt

Dr. Steven Pratt has written a book about the foods he considers to be superfoods. There are fourteen of them, they are :

• Beans - to control blood sugar and weight, they are low fat and low calorie and full of protein
• Blueberries - helps keep your brain functioning well
• Broccoli - a cancer preventer
• Oats - lowers your cholesterol
• Oranges - full of vitamin C which helps prevent cancers and heart disease
• Pumpkin - protects the skin from age and sun
• Wild Salmon - lowers risk of death from heart related deaths
• Soy - vegetarian source of protein
• Spinach - helps to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration
• Green or Black Tea - prevents cancers and heart disease
• Tomatoes - helps to prevent prostate cancer
• Turkey Breast, skinless - the leanest source of meat protein
• Walnuts - lowers risk of heart disease
• Yogurt - boosts your immune system
  

5 SUPERFOODS by THE TODAY SHOW

This video introduces five new superfoods that look very healthy and promising.

EGGS

Is the egg a superfood? Will it make my list of the top twenty? Let's take a look at the egg.

Nutrient Content of a Large Egg

Nutrient (unit)	Whole Egg	Egg White	Egg Yolk
Calories (kcal)	72	17	55
Protein (g)	6.29	3.60	2.70
Total lipid (g)	4.97	0	4.51
Total carbohydrate (g)	0.39	0.24	0.61
Fatty acids (g)	4.13	0	4.32
Saturated fat (g)	1.55	0	1.62
Monounsaturated fat (g)	1.91	0	1.99
Polyunsaturated fat (g)	0.68	0	0.71
Cholesterol (mg)	212	0	210
Thiamin (mg)	0.04	0.00	0.03
Riboflavin (mg)	0.24	0.15	0.09
Niacin (mg)	0.04	0.04	0.00
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0.07	0.00	0.06
Folate (mcg)	24	1.0	25
Vitamin B12 (mcg)	0.65	0.03	0.33
Vitamin A (IU)	244	0	245
Vitamin E (mg)	0.48	0	0.44
Vitamin D (IU)	18	0	18
Choline (mg)	125.6
Betaine (mg)	0.3
Calcium, Ca (mg)	27	2	22
Iron, Fe (mg)	0.92	0.03	0.46
Magnesium, Mg (mg)	6	4	1
Copper, Cu (mg)	0.05	0.01	0.01
Zinc, Zn (mg)	0.56	0.01	0.39
Sodium, Na (mg)	70	55	8
Manganese, Mn (mg)	0.02	0.00	0.01

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 19

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The main concern about the egg is the cholesterol. Here are the facts as I understand them from an expert in cholesterol from the Mayo clinic. An egg has about 212 mg. of cholesterol most of which is in the yolk. The recommended amount of daily cholesterol for an adult is about 300, unless the adult has high LDL or bad cholesterol and had to bring that down. For those people you would want to stay under or at 200mg per day. So even someone who needs to cut down can have one large egg per day as long as they avoid other sources of cholesterol all day.

What makes eggs a superfood is that the egg is the highest source of protein. It is even much higher than milk and beef. The cost is another consideration. I can still get a dozen eggs for 99 cents which breaks down to a little over 8 cents each. I would say one whole egg and an egg white would easily make a great scrambled egg meal with maybe a half cup of oatmeal and some juice and a piece of toast.

In addition the egg yolk also contains choline which keeps cholesterol from accumulating in the liver and contains all nine amino acids and many important nutrients.

Goji Berries - Super Food of the Century?

You might of heard of them already. You might not of. But soon these little berries are gonna be big business and everyone will have heard of them. Get these little miracle workers now and be the first to benefit from their supreme health benefits. And then go and tell all your friends about them and take the credit when they see what these berries can do for their health and wellness.

The Goji berry originates from the Tibetan regions in the Himalayas. The population in these areas often live past 100 years of age. Why? Because of the extraordinary healing properties of the goji berry.

So, what can this berry do for you?

Here's a list of just a FEW things that Goji berries can do for your health and wellness:

Enhances memory

Raises energy

Prevents aching back and joint pain

Promotes muscle growth

Lowers cholesterol

Maintains low blood pressure

Improves vision

Treats sexual inadequacies

Treats colds and coughs

The goji berry is reported to be the 'world's greatest anti-aging food'. It has the highest ranking on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale which measures the level of antioxidants in foods. Antioxidants are substances within our foods that slow down the oxidative damage to our cells. They are capable of reducing the chances of getting heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more.

Goji berries really do sky-rocket your health and you can pick them up in your local grocery store. Go out and get some now and watch as you notice your health soar.

For a limited time only, natural health expert, James Penn, has decided to freely share his secrets to naturally achieving supreme health on his natural health blog at Revitalise Your Health

James reveals hidden secrets to natural anti aging, how to do a natural detox for endless energy, natural beauty secrets for a better you, natural skin care remedies to make your skin glow, how to naturally lose weight, unknown super foods for super health and a whole lot more.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

GREEN TEA

Green tea is very rich in flavanoids. People who drink green tea seem to have lower risks of many diseases which include infections from viruses and bacterias, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis, and gum disease.

A study on green tea that took place in 2006, had followed over 40,500 people aged 40 to 79, for 11 years. More than half of those people drank more than 3 cups a day. They compared those who drank only 1 cup to those who drank at least 5 cups. They found that women lowered their risks more than men, but all lowered their risks of dying from any cause or disease. This was especially true with the risk of cardiovascular disease. There was even cause to believe that it lowered the risk of breast cancer.

Green tea also lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. It thins the blood and helps prevent clotting. It lowers the risk of atherosclerosis, speeds healing after a heart attack, minimizes brain damage after a stroke, and lowers blood pressure.

Green tea can also help prevent cancer. It has a property that causes cancer cells to kill themselves and leave regular cells intact. It inhibits cancer cells from growing and feeding themselves, and is helpful with fighting many types of cancer.

A new study has revealed that people with sleep apnea can also benefit from green tea. The tea seems to reverse the cognitive damage done by the lack of oxygen experienced with sleep apnea, and help performance in daily tasks.

It helps our bodies to become more insulin sensitive, protects the liver from the effects of alcohol, and protects against kidney disease.

For more detailed information go to WHFoods, and enjoy some green tea today!