Chocolate Not So Bad

Craving chocolate? Preliminary research funded mostly by a candy maker suggests a little bit might not be quite as sinful as its reputation.

The study suggests chocolate seems to contain some heart-healthy compounds. But that doesn't mean it's OK to become a chocoholic.

Tests were conducted on only a handful of people who made the sacrifice of munching chocolate for science - science funded mostly by candy maker Mars Inc.

Plus, chocolate is fat- and calorie-laden. So even if the strange-sounding finding that it has some heart-healthy micronutrients pans out, it still won't help the waistline, dietitians note.

However, early findings made public Friday suggest dark chocolate contains some micronutrients called ``flavonoids'' that seem to give red wine a health boost. And they appeared to temporarily stimulate antioxidant and blood clot-inhibiting effects in the chocolate munchers' blood.

``We're not saying eat a chocolate bar every day,'' lead researcher Carl Keen, nutrition chairman at the University of California, Davis, stressed in an interview.

Instead, he says the studies suggest people shouldn't feel so guilty when they indulge.

``I certainly enjoy chocolate. I don't have it every day. I don't feel guilt about it,'' Keen said at a news conference unveiling the studies at an American Association of the Advancement of Science meeting.

Ancient cultures in Mexico drank chocolate for medicinal purposes, such as to gain weight, calm agitation and improve digestion, said Louis Grivetti, a UC-Davis nutritionist who studies chocolate's history. (Chocolate was considered only a drink until about 1830, he said.)

Modern scientists have studied why chocolate causes cravings in some people, and why eating chocolate purportedly makes some people feel happy.

But the new research concerns flavonoids, substances that act as antioxidants, thought to offset some artery-damaging effects of oxygen. Fruits and vegetables are full of flavonoids, but the substances became trendy after scientists found them in red wine and concluded a glass a day could be heart-healthy.

Nutritionists at UC-Davis studied dark chocolate - just chocolate, not the nuts, caramel and other high-fat goop often added to it - because it contains some of red wine's flavonoids.

Keen gave 10 healthy adults a cup of hot chocolate made from special flavonoid-rich cocoa powder. After the drink, blood cells were temporarily less prone to clot, he said. The effect was similar to how aspirin affects blood, although aspirin is much stronger, he said.

In other studies, small groups of healthy adults ate a Dove bar or serving of M&M's Baking Bits. About two hours later, their blood contained elevated levels of flavonoids and antioxidants, Keen said.

The latest trend in food science is to hunt micronutrients that claim healthy effects, but that doesn't mean people should flock to those foods, said Cyndi Thomson of the University of Arizona, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

The chocolate research is too preliminary to tell if flavonoids do any good, she cautioned. But she says the best advice is moderation - there's room for treats in a well-balanced diet if people eat lots of healthy foods.

Remember ``chocolate is calorically dense,'' she said. ``You have to weigh that.''

(Indonesian Traditional Food) KLEPON

KLEPON
Ramadhan is a special month of the year for muslims throughout the world. During this month muslims fast from dawn to sunset everyday. It's time for inner reflection, self-control and devotion to God.

In the month of ramadhan, we usually eat sweet for breaking our fast. Maybe because I'm far far away from my home country, Indonesia, I got excited to make anykind of Indonesian traditional dessert nowadays.



In Indonesia when ramadhan comes, we could find traditional desserts everywhere, especially in the street vendor. They sell variation of sweet before iftar. These kind of desserts known as jajan pasar (jajan means buying some food from the street vendor, pasar means market) because usually they sell food in the market instead of the street.

In this special month, I'm going to make posts about some of Indonesian traditional food. Enjoy!!

Tips Eating

Tips on Eating Well

Remember that there are no "good" or "bad" foods. All foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle with a little planning.

Fresh Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits can actually help your body melt away fat. Fruits likes watermelons, berries, papayas are sweet and water dense, too, so you fill up fast and stay satisfied longer.

Eating actual fruit is better than drinking juice. You take in the fiber.

Use your microwave to cook vegetables. Microwaves can cook veggies quickly, with little or no water. This helps retain nutrients in the vegetables.

Skipping breakfast can cause you to eating more foods than you need later in the day, which contributes to weight gain.

Remember to eat a VARIETY of foods because no food is perfect. To get all the nutrients you need, mix and match as many different foods as possible.

Snacks are great for helping you meet your nutritional needs, filling in the gaps, and keeping your energy levels high. When choosing snacks, look for those that are low in fat, make a valuable contribution on the nutritional front and are a good source of fiber.

Having vegetables and fruit at each meal and snack will help you get more into your day.

Heavy meals late at night can make our digestive system work overtime even after we sleep. This may cause insomnia or dreams and we will not be well rested. Hence it is best to eat our last meal early in the evening.

Eat slowly, giving your brain time to catch up with your stomach and tell you when you have already had enough to eat.

When you feel hungry, chomp on something like a piece of carrot or celery. It soothes your hunger effectively, gives you valuable nutrients for almost no calories.

Some ideas for healthy eating when dining out… and eating on the run! Prepare food using following cooking methods: Grilled/ Blackened /Broiled /Baked /Poached/ Steamed.

A bit confused about what is and isn't good for your family? Here are some simple facts:

Eat a Nutritious Breakfast : After a long nights sleep it is important to refuel. Eat a balanced breakfast every morning. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Eating a balanced breakfast everyday gives you the energy and nutrients to take on your day and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

A balanced breakfast can be a bowl of ready to eat cereal with milk, a glass of juice .

5 Tips for Healthy Eating: *Go for whole grains * Go easy on added fats *Pick a lean protein *Make your day with milk products *Take a bite from more vegetables and fruit

Eat a variety of foods: Your body needs nutrients and many different vitamins and minerals from a variety of foods. Balancing food choices from the Food Guide Pyramid and checking nutrition labels will help you to get the nutrients you need.

Get moving....don’t be a couch potato: Walk, bike or jog when going somewhere. Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator. Try to do something active for a total of 30 minutes every day.

Participate in activities you enjoy: Always start with warm-ups to get the muscles going. Do 20 minutes of an aerobic activity followed by activities that will make you stronger like push-ups or sit-ups.

Choose healthy snacks: It is wise to choose snacks from different food groups. Include whole grains and fiber in your diet.

Drink plenty of water: Make sure you drink a total of 8 glasses of water each day. That can include the water from foods such as fruits.

Say no to the refreshing cold drinks, stick to plain water and have plenty of it. It not only replenishes lost liquids and fills you up, but also diminishes your hunger level and unlike sodas, nourishes your body.

Fat helps you gain shiny looking hair and smooth, glowing skin. Natural is better than artificial.....Fresh is better than shelf stable..... Digest Your Food Properly as An average adult needs 8 minutes to eat, 20 minutes to digest.