FDA takes first step toward banning trans fats from U.S. Foods
(CNN) — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday took a step toward potentially eliminating trans fats from the food supply with a preliminary determination they are no longer “generally recognized as safe.”
Trans fats are found in a variety of frozen, canned and baked processed foods. Partially hydrogenated oils are the major dietary source of trans fats in processed food. Trans fats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
If the preliminary determination is finalized, according to the FDA, then partially hydrogenated oils will become food additives subject to premarket FDA approval. Foods with unapproved additives cannot legally be sold.
Joanelle asks… Jenny: You have a wonderful site and personality…however, I am confused….Please forgive this question, but may I ask how often you eat sweets….I don’t dare eat sugar …….more than twice a week…I don’t have sugar, but they say that it causes cancer…Tumors feed on sugar…so they say on the vegan site…You said you bake a lot , so concerned and how do you stay so thin ..when you bake all the time….SMILE and thank you…
My Response…
I eat sweets every day but always in moderation. Plus I bake all my own with less sugar and calories than store-bought. As for staying healthy, it may be the way I eat them that keeps me in good health. I’ll get to that in a moment. But first, the idea that sugar causes cancer would be terrifying if it were true. I will tell you what my research has shown: Our bodies need glucose, or simple sugar, for energy. The cells in our body grow, divide, die, and are replaced as part of a natural process. Sugar feeds every cell in our body — even cancer cells. If you were to cut every bit of sugar out of your diet, your body would make sugar from other sources, such as protein and fat, for survival. Starving all of your cells of sugar won’t kill or prevent cancer, but it will deprive your healthy cells of a necessary source of energy. I think part of the confusion is about sugar and obesity. Research shows that eating sugar doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer but it can lead to obesity and that is a risk factor for several cancers.
The other issue with sugar is insulin. While sugar does not “feed” cancer cells, a lot of sugar can cause our bodies to produce too much insulin, and insulin can rev up cell growth including cancer cells. Too much insulin also causes inflammation, which can lead to other health problems. Knowing all that, it’s smart not to over indulge in sweets and to know when and how to eat them. When you eat sugar and carbs, there are three things that can help reduce the amount of insulin produced by the body – they are protein, fat, and fiber.
I primarily eat sweets right after a meal, which will always contain protein, fat, and fiber. I never eat sweets by themselves, not even an apple between meals, without also having fat, protein, or fiber with it (usually a few nuts – they contain all three!). Besides having sweets in moderation, here are the other ways I manage having sugar:
No sweets on an empty stomach.
No fruit juice first thing in the morning. In fact, I rarely drink fruit juice and when I do, I dilute it with water. In the morning, I opt for green tea followed by a breakfast with protein, fiber, and healthy fat.
No commercial soft drinks. I occasionally get China Cola (no HFCS) and always dilute it with Perrier. A four-pak of China Cola lasts me one or two months.
Sweets only after a meal or with added fat & protein.
I never eat store-bought sweets or pastries.
I always bake my own with less sugar, often adding whole grains and nuts so there’s already some fat, fiber, and protein there.
When presented with a decadent dessert, I either share or have 2-3 bites to savor and leave the rest.
Cookies and milk is my favorite dessert… my own healthy cookies with 1% milk! (fat & protein)
Back to the sugar/cancer issue… I’m not a medical expert but I do a lot of research and I cannot find any qualified authority that says sugar causes cancer. Dr. Timothy Moynihan, a cancer specialist at Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, debunked this popular misconception in a recent article, saying, “Sugar doesn’t make cancer grow faster. All cells, including cancer cells, depend on blood sugar (glucose) for energy. But giving more sugar to cancer cells doesn’t speed their growth. Likewise, depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn’t slow their growth.”
If I had to choose one vegetable side dish with the most health benefits, it would be balsamic peppers and onions. The vegetables with the deepest colors have the most antioxidants so you can imagine what this stunning combination can do for your health. It looks fancy but this is a simple, easy recipe that cooks in just ten minutes and oh, the fabulous taste. The first time I made it, I wanted to eat only these delicious peppers for my whole meal.
In this quick and healthy recipe, I add just a pinch of sugar to enhance the sweetness of the peppers and if I could have found a sweet Vidalia onion, I would have used that, so if you can find a sweet onion, it would make this dish even better. You can even add a jalapeno if you like things hot. This easy recipe is the perfect side dish for chicken or fish, added to a pita sandwich, on top of a steak, or even part of a healthy breakfast.
Here are just some of the reasons why you should try these green, red, orange, and yellow quick balsamic peppers: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, which keep the immune system strong. Green vegetables are high in vitamin C (good for bones, teeth, muscles, and skin), red vegetables are high in vitamin A (for eye health) and lycopene (supports prostate health), while yellow & orange ones are high in carotenoids (protect the heart, lungs, and eyes).
Overall, these combined colored peppers may help protect against heart disease, cancer, memory loss, macular degeneration, and by boosting your immune system, might even help prevents colds and flu. Wait, there’s more. Onions have antibacterial properties, help the liver eliminate toxins, and may be better for your heart than red wine!
Whew! There’s your proof that a simple recipe like this can help you live longer! Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones
Studies have offered evidence that clams, which bear a resemblance to testicles, are actually good for the male sex organs. Research from the Netherlands has suggested that supplementing your diet with folic acid and zinc—both of which are abundant in clams ––can have a significant effect on improving semen quality in men. Clams are high in many other minerals including phosphorus, potassium, copper, magnesium, selenium, and they are especially high in iron. Minerals are important for preserving bone mass, immune system function, and tissue maintenance & repair. So now you know the health benefits of clams… but how do they know that clams are happy?
Hey Jenny, I’m fascinated over the fact you haven’t been sick in decades. Besides eating the right foods..I was wondering if you think using items like hand sanitizers/Clorox wipes are necessary? Also do you take any special precautions if someone around you is ill to avoid catching it? Thanks!
My Response: I can’t remember the last time I had a cold – maybe 25 or 30 years ago, and I’ve never missed a day of work in my life. So yes, I really never get sick. I don’t use any sanitizers or take any special routine precautions. I don’t run from sick people as I know some people do and I sometimes wonder if exposing myself to a variety of germs is what keeps my immune system so strong. However, if I’m around someone who is sick, I probably wouldn’t shake their hand or share a glass but that’s about it. I also believe that a positive attitude helps a lot. If I ever feel like something is coming on, I simply deny it. I decide that I don’t have the time or desire to be sick and I don’t get sick. Some people feel a cold coming on and simply accept they’ll be sick and they are. I hope I’m making sense. But there’s more…
Many years ago my back went out and I was lying on the couch in severe pain on an ice pack. I could barely walk and couldn’t even stand up straight. The phone rang and it was Hollywood Squares asking if I could fill in for someone at the last minute. I jumped off the couch, put my clothing together and headed for studio. We taped five shows that day which involved climbing up and down into the squares and the whole time, my back pain was gone. I couldn’t have taped these shows with a bad back so it had to go away… and it did. Ever since then, I’ve been convinced that it’s possible to deny some illnesses and pain.
Besides eating fairly well (I still have pizza or a gelato once in a while) it may be what I do NOT eat: No fast food at all, no soft drinks at all, no diet drinks at all, and no store-bought cookies or sweets – I make all my own. And I drink a lot of green tea. I hope I didn’t preach here too much but I appreciate your asking and hope this gives you something to think about. Take care.
Long, lean stalks of celery look just like bones—and they’re good for them, too. Celery is a great source of silicon, which is part of the molecular structure that gives bones their strength. Bones are 23 percent sodium, and so is celery. Celery also has blood pressure reducing properties. It contains active phthalides, which relax the muscles of the arteries that regulate blood pressure so the vessels dilate, causing blood pressure to drop. Since it’s low in calories and high in fiber, it’s good to include celery in your diet. I cook with the outer stalks and keep the small, tender, centers in a baggie in the fridge for snacking.
Here’s why I always keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge:
1) easy to make
2) there’s always something to eat
3) a great source of protein
4) lutein for your eyes and choline for the brain
5) an egg a day does not raise cholesterol
6) portable snack
7) only 70 calories
8) egg salad is only minutes away!
Did you know that adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water makes hard boiled eggs easier to peel? I tried it and it works. Here’s how I make mine: Cover cold eggs with cold water in a saucepan without crowding the eggs too much. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda. Bring to a full boil. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 17 minutes, depending on the size of your eggs. Rinse under cold water for a minute or better still, place eggs into ice water for about 2 minutes. They’re perfect every time with no green ring. – Jenny Jones
For the latest research on eggs from Prevention Magazine, click here.
When I first saw this on Pinterest, I was skeptical but it works. Boy, does it work! All you do it cut the white fuzzy ends off of your green onions and put them in a glass of water, placed in a sunny window (keep the green parts for eating). The onions will grow almost immediately and can be harvested almost indefinitely. Just cut off what you need and it grows back!. There are lots of internet articles about it but this is the first I’ve heard and had to share. – Jenny Jones
Here’s what my onions looked like 10 days ago…
and here they are today…
Eating onions can help prevent blood clots, improve memory, and boost your immune system.
We already know that avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated heart-healthy fats. But the lightbulb shape of an avocado looks like a uterus, and it supports reproductive health as well. Avocados are a good source of folic acid, which has been found to reduce the risk for cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition.
The similarity between round citrus fruits––like lemons and grapefruit––and breasts may be more than coincidental. Grapefruit contains substances called limonoids, which have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer in lab animals and in human breast cells. For anyone concerned about eating grapefruit, limonoids are found in all citrus fruits, which have many known health benefits so some citrus should be part of any healthy diet.
