Giving Thanks to “Good” Nutrition
By your Fitness Trainers at Century Fitness
Sorting out all the food choices you encounter every day can be mind-boggling. Instead of pushing yourself to be perfect with some diet plan, try starting with “good” enough. What habits can you change to improve your nutrition as it relates to your health and fitness goals? Perhaps it is eating a better breakfast, or not skipping meals, or cutting out excessive late-night snacking. What food choices could be better? Changing to healthier fats, fewer sugary foods, more fiber, replacing juices with whole fruits, and adding some seeds and nuts all might be nice improvements. So, when you think about better nutrition, start with “good” – you’ll likely adhere to better habits and choices by not putting too much pressure on yourself.
What is a Fall/Winter Farmers’ Market or Share?
By your Fitness Trainers at Century Fitness
Snow cones… with veggies?? Does anything really grow in this cold? If you have ever been to a farmers’ market during the late spring and summer in New England, you probably have been impressed with the bounty of choices. Then heading into the colder months, the choices tend to be reduced. But it is still totally worth partaking in local produce. According to Western Massachusetts Pioneer Valley Locally Grown Guide, here is what you can look forward to when visiting a farmers’ market or joining a CSA.
| Produce | Apples | Beets | Brussels
Sprouts |
Cabbage | Carrots | Garlic | Kale |
| Onions | Parsnips | Pears | Potatoes | Radishes | Spinach | Squash | Turnip |
| Other | Cheese | Cordwood | Eggs | Honey | Maple Syrup | Milks | Wool |
OMGN! (Oh My Good Nutrition). There is a Winter Farmers’ Market in Forest Park, Springfield. The market features: lots of fresh produce, greens, root veggies, fruits, cheese, soups & sandwiches, meats and even some hard cider and wine!
On the Web: https://www.farmersmarketatforestpark.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/farmersmarketatforestpark/
Popular Food & Beverage Brands Committing to Less Sugar
By your Fitness Trainers at Century Fitness
Now here’s a sweet deal – popular food and beverage companies are committing to adding less sugar and not replacing the missing sugar with artificial sweeteners. More and more studies are indicating that reducing added sugar intake has preventative health benefits. Additionally, many artificial sweeteners are proving to be potentially harmful to vital physiological functions.
Congratulations to the popular brands that are making the effort as of recent. But let’s not forget the many smaller manufacturers that were already producing cleaner foods with less added sugar and fewer ingredients in general.
Here are some of the typical brands you run across:
- Starbucks is reducing the sugar in their Frappuccino
- Chobani’s “Hint of…” line has 12g Protein – 9g Sugar – 2% Milkfat
- Kellogg’s New Rice Krispies and Multigrain Shapes are cutting sugar by 20 and 30% respectively
- Smucker’s Low Sugar Fruit Spreads with No Artificial Sweeteners (if you’re into jams)
- Musselman’s Natural Applesauce (unsweetened)
Some smaller brands that already had low sugar compared to other brands:
- Autumn’s Gold Grain Free Granola or Granola Bars
- Siggis Icelandic Yogurt 4% Milkfat Vanilla with 8g sugar
- Caveman Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Nutrition Bar
- Seasnax Premium Roasted Seaweed Snack
- Know Better Pancake Mix
These articles are intended to be provide knowledge of general health and fitness principles and is not medical advice. Please consult with a physician if you have questions.
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