Even on the best of days, heading to the grocery store can be a chore. Now, with most of the country in lockdown due to the global pandemic, heading to the local market for your groceries is even less appealing than usual. This is why a meal kit service just may be the solution for people looking for healthy home-cooked mealsduring thecoronavirus crisispandemic.

We've been on the meal delivery service bandwagon for a while now, and what follows is a list of our favorite picks for delicious meal options. Even better, many of them -- including Freshly, Blue Apron, Sun Basket, Every Plate and Gobble -- are currently offering deals for new customers.

If you live anywhere where it's even a little bit possible to glimpse the stoops of your neighbors, you've probably noticed cheerful meal kit company boxes from the likes of Blue Apron,Freshly,Home Chef,Sakara Life, Purple Carrot andGobble making ever-more-frequent appearances on their stoops over the last several years. The age of the meal kit food delivery service is upon us. Each meal delivery company provides a type of convenience service that combines the efforts of chefs, nutritionists and personal grocery shoppers, and delivers them into the hands of enthusiastic eaters or willing home kitchen cooks, with weekly menus and delicious, preportioned fresh ingredients including vegetables and meat for you to easily prepare. The variety of options available today is just staggering, with everything from gluten-free healthy meals to vegetarian options available and ready to ship. That means that people with special diets such as a diet for healthy weight loss don't have to exclude themselves from reading further. It's time to find the best meal kit delivery service for your needs whether you are a picky eater, vegan or on a special diet.

I once met one of the founders of Blue Apron, whose meal delivery kit box I'd become familiar with, thanks to the denizens of my apartment building. I mentioned that I thought the Blue Apron service sounded like a cool idea, but inundated him with a litany of reasons why such a thing didn't apply to me: I work in an industry where tasty meals are often provided, I'm rarely home, I'm culinary school-trained and so on. His counterargument was flawless: "Can I send you a free box?" I mean, duh.

Despite my protestations, the reasons I enjoyed the Blue Apron meal plan were plenty, and inspired me to continue my subscription with an occasional box of ingredients. Even with culinary school cred, I liked having ingredients I didn't know of or would rarely seek out when grocery shopping put directly into my hands. I was especially moved by the concept of getting provided the single rib of celery that a recipe demanded, sparing me the heartache of watching an entire head of celery languish in my produce drawer when left to my own devices.

There are now dozens of meal kit delivery programs to choose from, like Sun Basket,Martha & Marley Spoon andPurple Carrot, with a variety of healthy meal and niche meal selection customizations.These meal kit delivery service options have ingredients and menus available to fit special diets like vegan gluten-free, vegetarian gluten-free, plain old gluten-free, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian pescatarian, keto, plant-based, health conscious diet and just about anything else when it comes to dietary preference. You'll also often find promotional offers for new customers and convenient features like being able to skip weeks and cancel anytime. With limited or no commitment, if you're a calendar master and an account-management ninja, you can dabble in any or all of these services and choose, week-by-week, which best suits your circumstances.

Read more:Best air fryers of 2020: Philips, Cuisinart, Black and Decker and more

Home Chef boasts over 38 meal kits to choose from in any given week, including the all-new grill packs and one-pan dinners. Meal kit examples include Chipotle Chimichurri Mini Pork Meatloaves with Roasted Sweet Potato and Garlic Peppercorn Salmon Scampi with Garlic Cream Gemelli and Broccolini. Plus, you can customize the protein in your meal choices, which makes Home Chef dishes stand out from the pack. For example, with some Home Chef recipes, you can order double the protein such as chicken or meat without doubling the overall portions. With other Home Chef options, you can choose to order antibiotic-free protein instead of the standard version. Meal kits and ingredients are usually pretty standard in their offering (which is what keeps Home Chef efficient to the masses).

One new and unique offering from Home Chef is their oven-ready meals, which come with everything you'll need to make the meal including the cooking tray (no messy kitchen and no dishes). See an example of anoven-ready meal here.

Subscription: Starting at $7.99 per serving with additional premium Home Chef recipes offered at market price.

Read more:The best toaster oven is the one you'll hate the least

Healthy and fresh are common favorite meal kit descriptors, but Sun Basket goes a step further. Sun Basket is committed to organic, non-GMO, sustainably and responsibly raised products and ingredients, which it packages in 100 percent recyclable materials to boot. Basically, the box took the trip to the farmer's market for you.Sun Basket's recipes are developed by Justine Kelly, a San Francisco chef known for her work at the James Beard Award-winning Slanted Door restaurant, and for her appearance on Top Chef. All of her easy and delicious meals with organic ingredients are nutritionist-approved (500 to 800 calories per serving), and most meals take only about 30 minutes to prepare, with online Sun Basket tutorials available if you need a little extra guidance. You've got options for these nutritious meals too -- you'll be able to choose from a selection of six to 18 different organic meal recipes each week, including paleo, vegan meal, vegetarian and gluten free meals, so you'll always get what you want. Sun Basket delivery is available in 36 states, and Sun Basket shipments arrive on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. For three Sun Basket meals each week, you'll pay $74.93 for the two-person plan (or $11.99 per serving) and $143.87 for the four-person plan ($10.99 per serving), with a $5.99 shipping fee either way.

Subscription: For three Sun Basket meals each week, you'll pay $74.93 for the two-person plan (or the $11.99 price per serving) and $143.87 for the four-person Sun Basket plan ($10.99 per serving), with a $5.99 shipping fee either way.

A few of these services provide fully cooked, ready to eat meals to your doorstep, and Freshly is a good one if you desire wholesome, tasty comfort foods such as peppercorn steak, penne bolognese or chicken and rice pilaf. Meals are prepared right before delivery and are never frozen. With minimal reheating required by you, it's like having Mom cook dinner for you in your kitchen, without having Mom live with you. (Sorry, Mom.)

Subscription: $8.99 to $12.50 per serving, with up to 12 servings per week. Shipping is free.

At just $4.99 per serving and with an emphasis on delicious, hearty meal options and generous portion sizes, EveryPlate is the best plan for those whose journey into meal kit delivery is based on affordability. It keeps its overhead low by offering eight easy recipes to choose from weekly, which does mostly exclude vegetarians and those on special diets, but the eight available meals are full of variety and flavor otherwise. Get 18 meals for only $3.33 each, free shipping on your first order, plus the ability to skip or cancel anytime.

Subscription:Each serving is only $4.99. Each weekly box includes three recipes with either two or four servings apiece.

Blue Apron is largely accepted to be the granddad of meal kit delivery programs in the US. The eight menu choices available weekly range from simple pastas to delicious international options, with a seafood and vegetarian option always available. Even the simplest recipes might include an unfamiliar component or two, and the website often highlights these ingredients as an educational opportunity. Recipes are tagged with helpful keywords such as "customer favorite," "quick and easy," "great for grilling" and so on. Occasional promotions include a menu from guest celebrity chefs, or recipes that highlight popular travel destinations. An optional wine pairing service is also offered.

Subscription: Price per serving ranges from $7.49 to $9.99, with options to prepare two to four recipes per week and two or four servings per recipe.

Dinnerly rolls out some pretty exciting-sounding and delicious meals such as summery chicken panzanella and risotto with asparagus and cannellini beans. But with no more than six ingredients per recipe, the damage done to your time and kitchen is minimized. Along with not overwhelming you with myriad ingredients and multiple steps, the price tag for Dinnerly puts it squarely in the budget-friendly category, clocking in with a cost per serving of around $5.

Subscription: The options include a Two-Person Box for $30, or a Family Box for $60, each with three recipes for the week.

Gobble takes the template from the old guard of meal delivery kits but speeds it up by prechopping and part-cooking many of the components so that all recipes have a prep time of 15 minutes or less. Despite the "fast food" angle, each menu has a sophisticated and worldly vibe. Weekly recipe choices are cleverly categorized into From the Range, From the Ranch, From the Sea and From the Earth options.

Subscription: Options range from $11.99 to $13.99 per serving, with options for two to four servings of two or three (or more!) recipes.

HelloFresh helpfully tags each recipe accordingly, whether you are allergic to (or avoiding) dairy, gluten, soy, nuts and so on. Familiarity of ingredients is key, even when applied to dishes from various world cuisines. A Hello Fresh's portion sizes are generous, going with its relatively high cost per serving (up to $10 a person). "dinner to lunch" element is a unique twist that provides the home cook a variation on tonight's dinner to serve as a tasty portable lunch tomorrow.

Subscription: Options range from $8.74 to $9.99 per serving, with options for two to four recipes per week and two or four servings per recipe, customizable along Classic, Veggie and Family plans.

We like Green Chef for its versatility in the different specific diet plans available. Green Chef offers paleo, keto, pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian options as well as gluten-free meals. No matter which diet you're following (for health or personal reasons) you'll be able to find a Green Chef plan that works for you. Because it offers so many different diet plan choices, this also makes Green Chef one of the most versatile meal kit delivery services since you get a plethora of different tasty menu options per week.

Subscription: $12.99-$11.99 per serving for a two-person Green Chef subscription at three meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person Green Chef subscription at two meals/week.

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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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The best meal kit delivery services of 2020: Blue Apron, Freshly, Sun Basket, Hello Fresh and more - CNET

Body fat scales are devices that a person can use to measure their weight and body composition at home. The term body composition refers to the relative percentages of fat, muscle, and water inside the body.

Understanding how much fat and muscle make up the body can be an important tool for people looking to track their overall health.

In this article, we provide information on how body fat scales work and whether they give an accurate estimate of a persons body fat percentage (BFP). We also outline alternative methods for estimating BPF.

Body fat scales use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate the relative percentages of different tissues and substances within the body.

BIA sends a weak electrical impulse through the body. The impulse encounters varying levels of resistance or impedance from the different tissues and substances.

The scales then use a mathematical formula that incorporates the value for electrical resistance with information about a persons age, height, and gender. People typically supply this information via a smartphone or other electronic device.

The mathematical formula then estimates the relative percentages of the following:

Fat offers more resistance than either muscle or water. As such, higher resistance values tend to result in calculations of a greater percentage of body fat.

Body fat scales provide a rough estimate of a persons BFP. However, they are not very accurate.

A 2016 study found that the BIA method of measuring body composition is accurate when using standard, published mathematical formulas. However, the body fat scale that the researchers tested did not use accurate formulas to estimate BFP. Therefore, it produced inaccurate estimates.

Also in 2016, Consumer Reports conducted a test of six different body fat scales. First, the researchers used a lab-based machine called a Bod Pod to take accurate body fat measurements. They then compared these results with the data that they retrieved from the home-use BIA body fat scales.

In this study, the home-use body fat scales either overestimated or underestimated BFPs. The most accurate readings were off by about 21%, while the least accurate were off by about 34%.

The primary advantage of using body fat scales at home is convenience. The scales are easy and safe to use. Also, as long as the scales are consistent in their measurements even if these are inaccurate they can help the person roughly track the effectiveness of their exercise regimen or diet over time.

However, body fat scales are not an accurate method for estimating BFP. According to doctors, they typically overestimate or underestimate BFP by a large amount.

Home body fat scales also cannot show where a persons body fat is stored. The location of body fat is an important consideration when assessing a persons susceptibility to disease. For instance, a 2016 study found an association between increased abdominal fat and a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Body mass index (BMI) uses a persons height and weight to get a general idea of whether their weight is likely to affect their health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BMI is a good tool for screening whether a person is underweight or overweight. However, it does not measure body fat directly.

BMI also does not take into account a persons muscle mass. Exercise can help a person lose fat and gain muscle. As muscle is denser than fat, a persons body weight may actually increase as a result of exercise.

A person could use both BFP values and BMI values to help guide their dietary and exercise choices. If either value is higher than average, a person should see their doctor. Higher values could indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Having a BMI or BFP below the recommended range also has health risks.

A person can use several different methods to estimate their BFP. Some are suitable for use at home or in a doctors office, but others must take place under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. Typically, the most expensive options provide the most accurate estimates.

Some methods that people can use to estimate their body fat at home include:

Calipers are tools that measure the distance between two sides of an object. A person can use calipers to measure the thickness of skin folds on different parts of the body. The accuracy of caliper measurements depends on the experience of the person using them.

Handheld BIA devices use electrical impulses to estimate BFP. As with step-on body fat scales, they are not very accurate.

The following body fat measurement tools require special machinery and provide much more accurate results:

A Bod Pod is a machine that calculates a persons body density. It does this by combining two measures: a persons mass or weight and their volume.

A person sits inside the Bod Pod, which uses highly accurate scales to measure their weight. Meanwhile, special sensors detect the volume of air that the persons body displaces based on air pressure changes that occur in the Bod Pod. This value represents the persons body volume.

The Bod Pod uses the weight and volume values to calculate the persons body density. A technician can then use a mathematical formula to estimate the persons BFP.

A Bod Pod requires specially trained operators, who tend only to use it in research laboratories.

Hydrostatic underwater weighing (HUW) calculates a persons body density and body volume to estimate their body composition.

HUW works by comparing a persons weight on dry land with their weight underwater. It also measures the volume of water that a persons body displaces when they sit inside a tank of water.

The above values make it possible to determine the persons body composition, including their BFP, based on the principle that fat is less dense than muscle.

As with the Bod Pod, HUW is typically only available in research laboratories and university settings.

Body fat scales are not very accurate at estimating a persons body fat percentage. However, they may provide a rough idea of how much fat a person has in their body.

Together, body fat scales and BMI can give a general indication of a persons health. If either value is high, a person should see their doctor for a health check. The doctor can also provide advice on diet and exercise.

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Body fat scale accuracy: How they work and alternative methods - Medical News Today

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: May 21, 2020 11:20:42 pm With little scope for jubilation, people often turn towards delicious food to soothe their frustrations. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Saturated fat has become a common feature in meals during the coronavirus crisis. With little scope for jubilation during self-isolation during work from home, people often turn towards delicious food to soothe their frustrations. However, a higher dose of saturated fat could impact a persons concentration levels, according to a new study. For this, 51 women underwent a test after consuming two sorts of meals: one that was high on saturated fat and the other was a similar meal but made in sunflower oil.

Annelise Madison, the lead author remarked, Most prior work, looking at the causative effect of the diet, has looked over a period of time. And this was just one meal its pretty remarkable that we saw a difference. However, it should be noted that the food prepared with sunflower oil comprised of a sizable amount of dietary fat though it was low on the saturated variety.

Madison stated, Because both meals were high-fat and potentially problematic, the high-saturated fat meals cognitive effect could be even greater if it were compared to a lower-fat meal.

The women were put through a stringent experiment, where they were served high-fat foods and called upon to make accurate observations. It was noted that the women who consumed meals with saturated fat were 11 per cent less able to detect target stimuli. Those who had signs of leaky gut displayed certain lapses in concentration too, which overall goes on to display that their instant reaction abilities take a hit during this time period. Their ability to sustain attention during the mere 10-minute-long test dipped as well. Madison reasserted that the women were performing poorly no matter what they ate. If the women had high levels of endotoxemia, it also wiped out the between-meal differences, she mentioned.

Studies in the past have proven that a meal that has high content of saturated fat shoots up the inflammation all over the body and also the brain. The same is the case with fatty acids too. It could be that fatty acids are interacting with the brain directly. What it does show is the power of gut-related dysregulation, the lead author commented.

The women involved in this process ate three normalised meals and even went through a fast of half a day ahead of every lab visit. This was to ensure that the diet variations were reduced and did not affect the psychological response to high-fat food. It was concluded that individuals who are troubled by the whole COVID-19 situation and resort to binge-eating or high-fat meals could have their concentration levels hampered due to this.

Kiecolt-Glaser proclaimed, What we know is that when people are more anxious, a good subset of us will find high-saturated fat food more enticing than broccoli. She continued, We know from other research that depression and anxiety can interfere with concentration and attention as well. When we add that on top of the high-fat meal, we could expect the real-world effects to be even larger. The research and study are published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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Originally posted here:
Higher amounts of saturated fat can affect your concentration levels: Study - The Indian Express

In 2015, it all came together. Tim Betar, aka TimTheTatman, was able quit his day job and transition to playing video games for a living.

To be fair, he wasnt just playing the gameshe was streaming them, usually for tens of thousands of fans, providing a running commentary of his exploits. His streams began in earnest in 2012, but those first years werent as lucrative, and they required some expert-level time management. (He estimates he was working 70-plus hour weeks between his normal job and his streaming.) After making the switch to gaming full-time, TimTheTatman amassed more and more and more followers across platforms; his meteoric rise timed out perfectly with the meteoric rise of Twitch, the go-to streaming service for gamers and, really, anyone doing anything. He now has millions of followers across platforms.

Theres no guide on how to stream video games for a living, nor is it easy to work from home every day, as many are learning during the COVID-19 crisis. Over the last handful of years, Tim has experienced his own ups and downs as hes establishedand then attempted to maintaina healthy lifestyle while also staring at a screen all day. Mostly, he makes sure to always leave the house in the morning for a Starbucks coffee run.

GQ called up TimTheTatman, whos currently streaming lots of Call of Duty: Warzone, to talk about working from home without losing your mind (relatable!), and how he feels healthier than ever after an on-again, off-again weight-loss journey.

For Real-Life Diet, GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and everyone in-between about their diet, exercise routines, and pursuit of wellness. Keep in mind that what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.

GQ: How did you figure out a healthy structure as you progressed to streaming for hours and hours every day?

TimTheTatman: When I was working a full-time job and doing this on the side, I was basically working like 70 hours a week. I was younger and didnt have a ton of obligations, so it was doable. Once I started streaming full-time, I had to change that. Ive always been a big advocate of streamers taking a couple days off. I always make sure I can take like, two days a week to relax and reset. Not many streamers do that, surprisingly. A lot of them are younger, and play and play and playI get it to an extent, because I used to do that too.

Do you have any sort of working-at-home rituals based around your streaming schedule? I think lots of people are trying to figure out their working-at-home rituals right now.

I have a daily regimen, especially for when I wake up. Before the pandemic happened, I would go to Starbucks and grab my coffee, almost like my own little work commute, even though Im just going to get coffee and then going back home [laughs]. It is pretty easy to sit in your bed all day, but Im a new father, so thats basically impossible for me, since my son wakes me up every day. Ill get up and have my routine with him now.

So you have to force yourself into a routine a bit?

Yeah, totally. When I first started doing this, it was really easy to be like, Im just going to sleep in. Whos gonna tell me otherwise? I was and am my own boss. I really had to force myself into forming habits around my day, which made things a lot better.

Do you have anything that you do to separate your job from your daily life when youre working from home? Theres got to be some sort of mental switch that you flip when you go from streaming for lots of people to relaxing, right?

Before I had this job, I would go to work and come home to play games to relax. So sometimes Ill play games on streams for the majority of the day, and then to wind down, Ill sit back and play some more games at night [laughs]. My audience really loves first-person shooters and battle royales, games that are more fast-paced. They dont like World of Warcraft or similar games as much since theyre more low-key. Sometimes at night, Ill finish streaming for eight hours, and be like, Alright, see ya guys later! Ill put my son to bed, and then play some World of Warcraft. Its kind of hard to explain to my wife and difficult to justify in general.

You were working on the computer all day, and now youre getting back on it at night to blow off some steam. Im sure part of streaming is that you really have to dial everything up and perform for your audience.

Oh yeah, totally, that's a huge part of it. I mean, more than playing, the biggest part of my job is talking. Im talking and talking, reading the chat, responding to viewers, playing the game, looking back over at the chatits a lot.

I saw you were posting on Twitter about some weight loss progress you made recently.

Yeah! I tend to go through phasesin college, I was lifting a ton, trying to lift as heavy as I could, and then stopped. Then I had this running phase. I dont know why, but I did that for awhile. Then I progressed to CrossFit for a bit, and lost some weight while doing that.

Right after I got married, I guess you could say I got really... comfortable. Ive always been a bigger guy; I was like 225 pounds in high school. At the beginning of last year though, after I got married, I was up to 325 pounds. I just kind of took some time off from working out and was eating anything I wanted. The wake-up call came when I went to the doctor and he told me I had high blood pressure at the age of 28, which is not great.

What did you start doing to address that?

The biggest thing was my diet. At first I tried a bunch of different kinds of diets. I tried Keto and it didnt really work for me; I would eat a piece of bread and feel like I gained five pounds from that. So I went simple and tried to incorporate more proteins, more veggies, and less carbohydrates. If I was eating carbs at all, I tried to make sure it was complex carbs like brown rice. Just doing that, I dropped 20 pounds in the first month.

After plateauing a bit, I tried different diets again, including programs like Optavia. I felt way lighter from that, but it was just so unsustainable for me. I was down to about 260. I know my body, and I know what I like, so I knew that wasnt going to last. But over the last year Ive gotten down to 270ish from about 325.

And recently, I started working out again, though thats been thrown for a loop because of the pandemic. We do have a Peloton that I got for Christmas, though.

If the other diets you were on didnt feel sustainable, what's the diet like now?

Ive been focusing on intermittent fasting. Ive still been eating clean, but not being super hard on myself. What my routine now is when I wake up, Ill bike for about 30 minutes, doing interval and HIIT rides. Thats at around 8 or 9 in the morning during my fasting window, and I dont break my fast until 2 p.m. During that time, Im basically just drinking a ton of water. It was a tough adjustment for me, but I realized that I didnt really need to be eating all day. Sometimes I would think that I was super hungry, but it was just because my body was on a set schedule.

When I first started working out again, I had to be careful, because I didnt want to overdo it while also fasting. Its been interesting to see how my body gives me different cues now. You can tell that around 2:00 p.m., Im starting to get hungry and more irritable; if Im losing in a game, I get double-mad.

Thankfully my wife has been an incredible help with this new diet. Im always live during the time period in the morning where Im fasting, and then at 2:00 p.m. is when I break my fast with either a small meal or a snack. I love pistachios. Ive been eating a ton of them. At first I wasnt too big on them, but now Im in love with them. I have no clue why, but breaking my fast with pistachios is like, amazing. That will usually take me to the end of my stream at about 5 or 6 p.m., and then Ill have my big meal, and a little snack before bed.

Seems like its been quite a journey.

It has. I get a good amount of questions from my Twitch chat about this, and, like, Im no health expert by any means. This is all just stuff that I did myself trying to get my health under control. Its not necessarily about trying to look better or anything. My blood pressure is better and Im feeling healthy again.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Real-Life Diet is a series in which GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and everyone in-between about their diets and exercise routines: what's worked, what hasn't, and where they're still improving. Keep in mind, what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.

The Real-Life Diet of Insecure's Alexander Hodge, Who Worked Hard for His Shirtless Moment

The Australian actor prepped for his glowed-up role by hiring a trainer, going all-organic, and sleeping as much as possible.

Originally Appeared on GQ

See the original post:
The Real-Life Diet of Gamer TimTheTatman, Who's Giving Intermittent Fasting a Shot - Yahoo Lifestyle

Bombarded by messages related to the optimal course for healthy eating, consumers are always looking for the latest and greatest. With more than three-quarters of adults trying to manage their weight, they are searching for healthy, yet tasty, options, and increasingly, these informed consumers are embracing a low-sugar diet as one of the top eating trends.

Manufacturers now have a new tool to meet these evolving preferences.

Whereas fat was once a diet villain, consumers are recognizing that it improves the taste of food and keeps them fuller longer. "Consumers are realizing that fat doesn't make you fat,"said Dr. Cedrina Calder, who practices preventive medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. "In actuality, it's a diet that's too high in calories, combined with a lifestyle that's too low in activity."

That's why consumers who scrutinize labels have a new top concern: Today, 52% scour labels for total sugar, making it the No. 1 consideration over fat and calories. That's because consumers increasingly believe that added sugars in food, rather than fat, lead to weight gain as well as health problems.

And that is a health win, Calder said. "What scientists and medical professionals now know is that a high-sugar diet increases your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other medical conditions."

But this new awareness can leave manufacturers scrambling to meet consumers'changing preferences. "Much of the added sugar in food is an unintended consequence of earlier efforts to maintain the flavor and texture of foods while slashing fat,"said Tom Burrows, CEO of Epogee LLC, the company that manufactures EPG, an alternative-fat ingredient designed to allow consumers to enjoy favorite foods with fewer calories.

"The result is a plethora of mediocre food offerings with inferior sensory qualities and unhealthy levels of added sugar and excess calories,"Burrows said.

The great news for manufacturers is that they no longer have to shun fat, because consumers have become more knowledgeable about its benefits. As Calder works with her patients, she urges them to pay attention to the type of fat in the foods they eat. "I educate them to read labels and focus on limiting saturated fat and completely avoiding trans fat."

But this fat renaissance doesn't mean that consumers aren't still focused on how their diet contributes to weight gain. Instead, they're looking to cut calories, while not sacrificing flavor.

Today, the "low calorie"descriptor on foods appeals to nearly half of consumers, compared with only 43% looking for "fat free."

Studies show that while they may consider the overall makeup of foods in their diet, one factor remains constant: Taste is still the top consideration for consumers in the treats they choose.

"I urge patients to focus on quality of food and not calorie counts,"Calder said. "A common concern of theirs is that healthier foods may not be as tasteful."

Manufacturers face the puzzle of addressing trade-offs between consumers'desire for a healthier food and one that is still delicious and fulfilling. Including fat in recipes has always been the key to delivering rich flavor, mouth feel, creamy texture and a satisfactory "finish"to food and yet high levels of fat carry the penalty of excess calories.

Fortunately, they no longer have to compromise, Burrows said. "EPG safely and effectively provides all the sensory advantages of fat, while cutting calories by 92% for each unit of fat replaced."

As manufacturers move forward with new formulations that meet consumer preferences, they will face a daunting task yet one Burrows feels this new food technology is uniquely qualified to handle. As he explained, just reducing sugar content alone isn't an option, because it yields a wide set of physical and functional changes that must be understood and effectively managed.

"Adding EPG allows the introduction of fat function without adding back fat calories,"he said. In product categories where sugar reduction and lower overall calories are the focus, he finds innovators using EPG are achieving richer and more complex flavor palates along with a satisfying mouthfeel.

"We see great opportunities ahead as EPG moves forward in combination with developments in sugar-reduction technology. It can play a key role in the trend toward reduced sugar by helping manufacturers reimagine the possibilities of offering consumers foods they love and simultaneously meeting their health and taste expectations."

Read more:
How the sugar showdown is sparking a food revolution - Food Dive

Margate, NJ (May 21, 2020) If youre looking to enjoy some fun, unique virtual programming and a chance to socialize while safely at home, then the Jewish Family Service Village by the Shore events are for you. In June, the Village will feature interactive programs for your mind, body and creative skills as well as a chance to showcase your musical talents.

Relaxation Workshop

Wednesday, June 3 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Decompress virtually in a positive, relaxing environment and join in conversation with JFS Wellness Coordinator Mary Jean Arreola and Village Care Supervisor Jamie Reichelt. This workshop includes guided meditation, a discussion on breathing techniques and positive affirmations as well as tips to relax and wind down. Those new to guided meditation are in for a treat!

The Positivity Project The Mind-Body Connection

Friday, June 5 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Join JFS Wellness Coordinator Mary Jean Arreola and Rothenberg Center Supervisor Sharon Simon as you discover ways to boost your wellness mind, body and soul. Youll explore how emotions, diet and physical activity impact your health, while discovering healthy habits that fit your lifestyle.

DIY Container Garden

Tuesday, June 9 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Embrace your green thumb and join us for an informative session on creating your own manageable container garden. Youll learn how to grow and care for herbs and vegetables for display on your porch, deck or balcony.

Karaoke Sing-Along with Alex

Thursday, June 11 from 4pm to 5pm

Are you feeling nostalgic for the annual Village Spring Social, sponsored by United Methodist Communities? If so, we can still come together virtually as local musician Alex Town leads friends and neighbors through a late afternoon of songs and live music. Dance along as Alex plays all of your favorites on the keyboard.

Coffee Klatch

Thursday, June 18 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Our world in 60 minutes! Insightful, animated and fast-paced conversation with friends spanning both sides of the aisle and the middle. Share your thoughts on politics, technology, world events, the arts and more. This program is moderated by JFS Village by the Shore Membership Director Tina Serota.

Memoir Workshop

Friday, June 19 from 10:30am to 12pm

Experience the thrill of capturing your lifes adventures, history, ancestry and more at our Memoir Workshop led by award-winning author and Drexel University Professor of Creative Writing, Harriet Levin Millan. You must have a laptop or pen and paper to enjoy the full experience of the workshop.

Get Physical with Fox Rehab

Tuesday, June 23 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Put on some sweats, grab your sneakers and kick those quarantine blues! Join a Fox Rehab Exercise Physiologist for a 45-minute session no special equipment required. Exercises include a warm-up, gentle stretches, yoga-like techniques and cool-down. Stick around afterward for a 15-minute Q&A with Fox Rehab Regional Director of Operations Lauren Hunt, OT, MS, OTR/L, and Fox Rehab Account Manager Tara Pietrowitz.

Comfort Cuisine

Thursday, June 25 from 10:30am to 11:30am

Join us as we share our favorite recipes and the memories they invoke. This month, well focus on desserts, so send a copy of your favorite confection, pastry or treat to Tina Serota at tserota@jfsatlantic.org by June 18. Dont forget to include your special memory and keep an eye out for special guest chefs.

All community members are welcome to participate in these programs, so please invite your friends, family or neighbors. To participate in any of the programs, please RSVP to Tina Serota at 609.287.8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org. A Zoom link or call-in number for each program will be e-mailed or provided to you.

Village by the Shore is a membership program for adults over the age of 50. The program provides Intergenerational Events and Programs, Transportation, Grocery Shopping and Delivery, Kosher Meals on Wheels and more. For information or to join the Village by the Shore, contact Tina Serota at 609.287-8872 or tserota@jfsatlantic.org or visit jfsvillagebytheshore.org.

About Jewish Family Service

Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) encourages strong families, thriving children, healthy adults, energized seniors and vital communities. With dozens of program areas, JFS specializes in counseling, mental health services, homeless programs, vocational services, adult and older adult services and also hosts an on-site food pantry.The agency impacts 8,000 lives throughout Atlantic and Cape May Counties each year.

JFS mission is to motivate and empower people to realize their potential and enhance their quality of life. In keeping with Jewish values and the spirit of tikkun olam (healing the world), JFS provides services with integrity, compassion, respect and professionalism regardless of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or background.

For more information or to keep up-to-date with JFS events and programs, visit http://www.jfsatlantic.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Related

Here is the original post:
JFS Village by the Shore Programs in June - South Jersey Observer

No matter how good they taste, an ice cream sundae or a big slice of watermelon might send some people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) running to the bathroom or clutching their stomach in pain.

Many people with IBS have trouble tolerating foods containing certain kinds of carbohydrates, or sugars. These carbohydrates are known as FODMAPs. FODMAP is an acronym that stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols.

FODMAP intolerance is when you have difficulty digesting high FODMAP foods, which can trigger uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and pain. FODMAP intolerance tends to coincide with other gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, and Crohn's disease.

FODMAPs are ubiquitous in all types of foods, so it can be difficult to know what exactly may be triggering your symptoms. Here's a break down of the different kinds of FODMAPS:

Most types of oligosaccharides are indigestible, so they move through your small intestine to your large intestine, where bacteria finally break them down. They can help prevent constipation, but they can also cause bloating and gas.

Common foods that contain oligosaccharides are onions, garlic, wheat, rye, artichokes, and legumes.

You may have heard of the three most common types of disaccharide: sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Lactose tends to be the culprit for most cases of intolerance. According to the American Chemical Society, as many as one in four adults is lactose intolerant.

Common foods that contain disaccharides include molasses, maple syrup, and ice cream.

These are your simple sugars, like glucose, fructose, and galactose. It tends to be easier for your body to digest glucose and galactose compared to fructose which can take longer.

Examples of foods that contain monosaccharides are fruit, honey, candy, and soft drinks.

Polyols are sugar alcohols often used to provide a sweet flavor to foods. They also don't get fully digested in the small intestine, so they move to the large intestine, where bacteria begin the fermentation process, which often results in gas. They can also have a laxative effect.

Common examples of foods that contain polyols include peaches, plums, cauliflower, and mushrooms.

People with gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, IBD, and Crohn's disease are often counseled to avoid foods high in FODMAPS.

As the body processes the foods containing FODMAPs, some of them may ferment. As a result, your gut may fill with some extra fluid and gas and get a little bloated or distended, which can be painful for people who already have a sensitive gut.

If you have FODMAP intolerance, one of the best ways to avoid symptoms is to cut out the foods that trigger them. Or limit the amount you eat at one time, to reduce the likelihood that your body will react. A low-FODMAP diet may be just the ticket for you.

But it's figuring out what kind of intolerance you have that's the challenge.

Finding out which FODMAPs you can't tolerate is basically a process of elimination. Jesse Houghton, a gastroenterologist in Portsmouth, Ohio, explains that he typically advises people to eliminate FODMAPs from their diet for a few weeks, until their symptoms of discomfort are gone.

"I tell my patients to reintroduce the FODMAPs that they previously enjoyed eating, one at a time, for one to two weeks per food item," he says. "If their symptoms do not return, great! That item can be safely eaten from now on. If they feel one or more of their symptoms returning, that food item should be avoided long term."

However, when trying a low-FODMAP diet, Pillepich says "I would highly recommend working with a registered dietitian to implement this diet. The FODMAP categories are pretty random and not categorized in an easy-to-remember way. It is very helpful to work through this process under the guidance of a professional."

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What is FODMAP intolerance and how to relieve the symptoms - Insider - INSIDER