Let's Do It Healthy

[Guest guest]

Smart bakers have a bunch of tricks for cutting fat using this versatile fruit. Mash very ripe bananas into a puree, and you can use it to replace half to 3/4 of the fat in your favorite muffin or quick bread recipe. As if that alone wasn't enough of a heart-healthy improvement, bananas are chock full of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Just be aware they're a little high in calories and sugar compared to most other fruits -- a medium-sized banana has about 110 calories, a "super-sized" one may have twice that.

 

Do you lose energy by the middle of the afternoon each day? Your blood sugar levels drop about 4 hours after lunch, hence the lack of energy. Skip the candy bar or coffee. Instead have a healthy snack containing protein, carbohydrate and fat. Try yogurt topped with your favorite crunchy cereal, crackers topped with low-fat cheese or a slice of whole grain bread with peanut butter.

What you eat can go a long way toward protecting your vision as you get older. Focus on foods with natural yellow pigments and those rich in vitamins C and E to keep your vision in top shape. Some of the foods that can make a difference: Leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, kiwi, zucchini, pumpkin, yellow squash, red grapes, peas, green peppers, oranges, peaches, butternut squash, green beans, almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, fortified cereals and avocados.

 

The gym isn't the only place to burn calories; you can find lots of ways to get in shape at the mall, if you know where to look. Start by parking an extra 100 yards away and walking to the mall entrance. Take a few laps around the shopping center when you go window shopping. Bring some friends; you'll have so much fun, you may not even realize how much of a workout you're all getting.

 

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