nutrition | Evolving Consumer

Fitness Journal: My Diabetes Part II

Stuart Bates is one person who recently learned he has diabetes mellitus type 2, formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. At present there are approximately 285 million people with the disease worldwide, up from just 30 million in 1985. This shocking increase has seen a rise in parallel with obesity rates, which is thought to be the primary cause of type 2 diabetes in people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.

Stuart continues to share his very personal story, one that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. Continue reading Fitness Journal: My Diabetes Part II

LG Gels Up

Louis Garneau has made a bit of a name in cycle fashion and cycling solutions, and now the company looks to expand to a new market to help fuel riders with Garneau Nutrition, which will launch with six flavors of energy gels, as well as an electrolyte sports drink. Additional nutritional products to follow in the near future.

First up is the LG Gel, which is made with natural ingredients and an optimum blend of complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and antioxidants needed to meet the nutritional demands of athletes during racing and training. It will be available in six flavors, including Citrus, Concord Grape-Apple, Goji-Blueberry, Strawberry-Dragonfruit, Tropical Fruit, and Wildberry Pomegranate.

For those who want to experience the boost of energy without additives, it is worth noting that LG Energy Gel contains real fruit juice. This reportedly gives it a clean, simple, and natural taste with no chemical, bitter, or harsh after-taste. Continue reading LG Gels Up

Clean Bottle Races in With The Runner

A few years ago Clean Bottle hit the scene with a sports water bottle that unscrewed on both the top and bottom to make it easier to clean. Since then we’ve seen the bottle in water bottle cages on bikes, but not quite as often seen in runner’s hands.

Continue reading Clean Bottle Races in With The Runner

Camelbak Makes Water All Clear

UV light is a common method for purifying water, but there aren’t too many portable options. One is the SteriPen, a device you dip into a glass of water. But Camelbak has a new option, the All Clear bottle. All Clear is a 0.75 liter water bottle with a UV light built into the cap. Once filled, the light operates for 60-seconds to sterilize the water.

Continue reading Camelbak Makes Water All Clear

That Old ‘Apple-a-Day’ Adage Still Rings True

Fiber rich foods are heart healthy. There’s no debating that. However, the jury is still out on fiber-enriched foods, according to an NPR article. Fiber additives might not have the same health benefits as foods with fiber.

Food scientists believe added fiber sources such as sugarcane fiber, oat fiber and a resistant corn starch – which aren’t normally ingredients in foods such as breads – add fiber, but not always the benefits you’re looking for. The fact is that it’s not yet known whether the fiber in an apple, or other fruits, is what makes the food so healthy, or if it’s a combination of other ingredients in the fruit.

Continue reading That Old ‘Apple-a-Day’ Adage Still Rings True

Drink Up: Simple Hydration Bottle

There’s a slew of new water bottles hitting the market. Features and design make each bottle stand out. But which bottle wins? It’s personal preference. The Simple Hydration Water Bottle solves a problem experienced by many runners: how to hold the bottle while running. The solution is a 13-ounce BPA-free bottle that’s got an interesting shape.

Continue reading Drink Up: Simple Hydration Bottle

Hydrate with the Relaj Water Bottle

The water bottle is quickly becoming a statement of style and personal choice. Though we still like to see function trump fashion in this case with some technical elements, those elements are usually what determines those preferences. The Relaj water bottle brings its own look and technical details to the shelf.

Continue reading Hydrate with the Relaj Water Bottle

Sears Pushes Fitness Goals with Site, Merchandise

Sears has a new hardware goal, that’s hard bodies. The department store has spent time beefing up its fitness department, and it also supports the initiative with FitStudio, a website that provides fitness advice, exercises and a social media element to connect individuals with the same fitness goals.

Continue reading Sears Pushes Fitness Goals with Site, Merchandise

A Nutty Quick Fix

Have you ever been on the slopes with a group of people and the consensus is to do one more run before taking a break to eat? But what if you are absolutely starving? We’ve all heard the story, usually after the fact, where going for that one last run would be fine, but the ending is usually the same – some sort of crash and/or injury. Skiing and riding ‘well’ requires focus and if your mind is on food, you may end up being one of those stories of ‘just one last run.’ Experienced snow sport enthusiasts usually have something in their pocket to quite the calling from their stomachs – a granola bar, a shot, an energy bar or even a waffle. All of them are excellent choices, but for those who do not like the taste or consistency of those products, there is another choice. Justin’s Nut Butter of Boulder, Colorado is producing their nut butters in 1.15-ounce or 32-gram packs. These packs are big enough to provide a quick 160-calories or more in a convenient single serving packet that can be easily kept in your pocket. Continue reading A Nutty Quick Fix

Mini UV Magic Wand Makes Water Safe

Water that looks good enough to drink can still present a problem. As we noted back in October, there is a way to help make the water a little safer to think while on the go. The SteriPEN Freedom is a handy gadget that can be used to “zap” water and make it safe by killing bacteria or viruses. The battery-powered wand-like device emits UV light that will destroy bacteria, viruses and protozoa, and is actually just a scaled down version of what is used to treat mass quantities of water already.

A dedicated outdoors enthusiast Miles Maiden, had been studying the uses for solar power, and noted that UV technology had been used for more than 100 years. In 1997 he founded Hydro Photon Inc. and created the first SteriPEN. At $120 it isn’t cheap, until you realize how many bottles of water you might buy while traveling, and more importantly can be used when there is no convenience store in sight. We also bring it up again as it has been garnering lots of media attention this holiday season.

SteriPEN Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Tiny UV Light ‘Wand’ Destroys Microbes in Bad Water]

Fitness Journal: Tips and Tricks for a Fit Thanksgiving (and Other Holidays)

Staying fit during Thanksgiving is a challenge for many of us, but attending these food-heavy family feasts doesn’t mean you have to gorge until you explode nor do you have to give up having fun in the name of fitness. Here are some simple things you can do to have a healthy Thanksgiving or any holiday celebration.

Prepare a Wholesome Dinner
If you are hosting a holiday dinner, you have the advantage of deciding what healthy foods to cook for you and your guests. Unless you have informed them of the menu ahead of time, keep in mind that your diners may be expecting traditional fixings, so you may not want to plan a meal completely around tofu or seitan.

You can serve a traditional meal but apply some adjustments. For example, you can cook lean turkey breasts instead of the whole bird, eliminating the dark meat. You can use a grain such as quinoa for the stuffing instead of bread, and amp up the sweet potato while cutting out white potato. The Mayo Clinic has a list of healthy recipes you can try, and you can find other recipes at sites such as Epicurious and the Food Network. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Tips and Tricks for a Fit Thanksgiving (and Other Holidays)

Think Fitness This Black Friday

You may normally get up before the sun to go for a run or head to the gym, but the Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, has many people getting out of bed early to hit the stores. This year we want to point out some deals to be had on fitness-related items.

Callet cases for a number of smartphones including the iPhone and several BlackBerry models. These rubberized cases have a slot in the back to hold ID, credit card and a few dollars.
Use the code “Callet 30″ for 30 percent off the case, which costs $19.99.

Griffin Technology has its products marked down as much as 80 percent during Black Friday. Save on rugged cell phone cases to fit any smartphone or tablet, plus loads of accessories.

Get 30 percent off products from Grace Digital through November 29 by entering the code “bFriday30″ at checkout.Choices include a rugged, all-terrain speaker case and other waterproof audio accessories.

Life Time Fitness plans to host a Black Friday event with “over 30 incredible deals.” You don’t have to wait until January to join a gym. Get yourself and everyone on your list enrolled in one of many programs including a weight loss program, LifeSpa gift card, a program with a trainer and other activities.

Hands On: SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins for Grownups

It’s after breakfast. I just opened a pack of gummy candies and ate five. Would you believe it if I told you I just had my daily recommendation for vitamins and minerals? It’s not what I had for breakfast. The gummy candies are SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins for Grownups.

SmartyPants is known for the gummy vitamins they make for kids. Now they’re available in grownup portions. The multivitamin includes Omega 3 and Vitamin D. Among the other vitamins are 100 percent daily-recommended values for vitamin C, vitamin D (150 percent), vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B-12 (1667 percent), and iodine. Clocking in under 100 percent are daily sources of vitamin A, thiamin and zinc. The supplements also include Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, though these are not rated for daily consumption despite studies that show their benefits. Continue reading Hands On: SmartyPants Gummy Vitamins for Grownups