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Friday, June 25, 2010
This Week's Topics
Recipe: Sesame-Crusted Tofu with Spicy Pineapple Noodles
Buyer Beware
What's Up With Coconut Water?
Is Your Metabolism Keeping You From Reaching Your Weight Goal?
SN Healthy Recipe
 
Sesame-Crusted Tofu with Spicy Pineapple Noodles
 
Ingredients

4 ounces udon noodles, or whole-wheat spaghetti
1/3 cup sesame seeds, preferably a mixture of white and black
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 14-ounce package extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 small dried red chiles, such as Thai, cayenne or chile de arbol
8 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed and cut in half
1 6-ounce can pineapple juice, (3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 cups diced fresh pineapple
2 teaspoons hot sesame oil
 
Directions
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse well under cold water.
2. Mix sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon cornstarch and salt in a shallow dish. Cut the block of tofu lengthwise into 8 thin "steaks." Pat dry with a paper towel, and press both sides into the sesame-seed mixture.
3. Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cover and keep warm.
4. Wipe out the pan. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons canola oil. Add ginger, garlic and chiles and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add snap peas and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes more. Add pineapple juice, bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Whisk the remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch and soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Add to the pan and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low, add pineapple, sesame oil and the noodles; toss to coat with the sauce and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Remove the chiles. Serve the noodles with the tofu
 
Nutrition:
Per serving: 444 calories; 19 g fat (2 g sat, 6 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 51 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 6 g fiber; 739 mg sodium; 258 mg potassium.
 
Source: www.eatingwell.com
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Hello !    
 
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Have a healthy week!
-Debra
Buyer Beware
kellogsWhen walking down the cereal aisle, it seems that every box has a banner declaring that it contains a bounty of healthful ingredients, and can cure you of all that ails you. Well the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has had enough. The FTC is one of the government organizations in charge of making sure that labels really reflect what is in the package, and they are not happy with Kellogg.
 
Last summer Kellogg started a new advertising campaign for its whole line of Krispies cereals including Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies that claimed the cereals may benefit children's immune systems. For example, Kellogg claimed that Rice Krispies cereal now helps support a child's immunity with "25 percent Daily Value of Antioxidants and Nutrients - Vitamins A, B, C, and E." The back of the cereal box stated that "Kellogg's Rice Krispies has been improved to include antioxidants and nutrients that your family needs to help them stay healthy."  While a healthful, well-rounded diet can indeed promote a healthy immune system in children and adults alike, this cereal claim was not based in science and the FTC didn't like it.
 
Perhaps what really irked the FTC was the fact that it was the second time in a year that Kellogg had made false health claims about a food. Last year Kellogg claimed that eating a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal was "clinically shown to improve kids' attentiveness by nearly 20%." The FTC found that this claim was not true and made Kellogg remove this expression from its cereal boxes.
 
Bottom Line: When it comes to cereals, it is important not to be distracted by the bells and whistles on the front of the box. Look at the nutrition facts panel. Choose cereals with at least 3g of fiber per serving (5g is even better), and as little sugar as possible (aim for 5 grams or less). Top with some fresh fruits for extra antioxidants and fiber and you're on your way to a great day!
 
Source: FTC
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0823145/100602kelloggstatement.pdf
What's Up With Coconut Water?
coconut waterCoconut water seems to have shown up all over supermarket shelves as the newest health beverage. With all the "health drinks" on the shelf, choosing the best one can be confusing, so what does coconut water have to offer?
 
First of all, it is important to note that coconut water is nothing like the high calorie, high saturated fat, coconut milk found in baked goods and cocktails. Coconut water is derived from a thin liquid found in an immature green coconut, while unhealthful coconut milk is extracted from the meat of a mature coconut. As it turns out, this watery liquid contains many nutrients and is a great choice for flavorful hydration.
 
Coconut water is low in calories and fat, and is a good source of nutrients. One, eight ounce cup has only 46 calories and 0.5 grams of fat. The drink also delivers fiber, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. Coconut water also contains 252 milligrams of sodium and nine grams of carbohydrate, which makes it an ideal choice for a sport drink replacement as it supplies electrolytes and energy.
 
When purchased in stores, coconut water is fully pasteurized and safe for everyone to drink. However, once the packaged has been opened coconut water lasts only one day in the refrigerator, so be sure to enjoy the drink quickly. The nutrients provided by coconut water make it a perfect alternative to water and sports drinks to quench your thirst.
 
Source: ADA Times, Spring 2010
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Ever wonder if your metabolism is what is keeping you from reaching your weight goals? 

Let a Sensible Nutrition RD measure YOUR metabolism and tell you the truth! Call 781-741-5483 or send an email to nutritionist@sensiblenutrition.com to schedule your appointment.

 
About Sensible Nutrition

Sensible Nutrition (SN-www.sensiblenutrition.com) is a consulting firm established in 1994 that provides nutrition and fitness services to individuals, universities, corporate wellness programs and nonprofit groups. SN's client list includes The United States Coast Guard, Blue Cross Blue Shield, EMC, Putnam Investments, Corcoran Jennison, Harvard Business School, Boston Ballet and Children's Hospital. For more information about our corporate wellness services, please check us out at www.wellnessworkdays.com 

SN services: One-to-one counseling, fitness counseling and training, group lectures, metabolism measures and more! Let the Sensible Nutrition staff develop a nutrition program to help you finally reach your health and weight goals!Gift Certificates are available!

Debra Wein, MS, RD, LDN, SN President and Co-Founder writes a regular nutrition column for the National Strength and Conditioning Association's  Performance Journal, has been quoted in Family Circle, Shape, Self, Men's Health, Allure and Prevention and has appeared on Fox 25, Channel 56 and Channel 5 news.

Contact us at www.sensiblenutrition.com  or 781-741-5483

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