Blog Posts by Vitamin G, Glamour Magazine

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by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

Ginger doesn't just make cookies especially tasty (I swear that triple-ginger cookies are basically impossible not to eat)--the potent root is filled with health-boosting benefits.

Ginger can help settle your stomach when you're feeling pukey; it has anti-inflammatory properties (research has shown that it brings down pain levels in people suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis); and studies have indicated it may provide relief from migraines. And, amazingly, preliminary research has shown that ginger may even help slow the growth of cancerous tumors.

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So how do we get more ginger into our lives (besides eating batches upon batches of those aforementioned cookies)? What about sprinkling it over your morning yogurt, stirring it into some tea, adding some to your stir fry, putting it into tomato sauce, or using it to zest up your soup? In some recipes, you can even use it instead of salt or

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

There's no cure for the flu--once you have it, you have it, which is why it's always good not to get it in the first place.

But if you've been felled by the flu and have no choice but to deal with it, there just may be some good-for-you foods that can help ease your symptoms and make you feel better while you wait it out. Like...this sorbet, for example?

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Influenza Sorbet by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is made with cayenne pepper, ginger, citrus juice, Maker's Mark bourbon, and honey, and is meant to clear nasal passages and ease sore throats.

The sorbet may be onto something: experts say that the iciness in popsicles can indeed help dry throats, while also keeping you hydrated. Be sure to choose a chilly treat that has real fruit juice in it so that you get some nutrients instead of just sugar:

Chicken soup isn't just an old wives' tale--the broth is hydrating, and studies have shown that the

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by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

Let's say you eat lunch at noon--how long do you wait to work out? Experts say it's best to exercise about three hours after eating in order to avoid cramping. But the American College of Sports Medicine released research saying that exercising a bit sooner after eating may be good for you, too.

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In the study, people who had in low-intensity workout--walking, light resistance exercise--about two hours after eating a high-fat meal had fewer triglycerides in their blood. (Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood; when they're at a high level, it contributes to high cholesterol.)

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A nice possible benefit, right? And the key is probably that "low-intensity" bit when working out after eating--jumping around too much in high-intensity exercises could lead to stomach cramping and possibly even stuff like diarrhea. Which obviously no one wants.

What's your

CN Digital Studioby Lexi Patronis, Glamour

And here's an excuse to load up on berries today (um, not that you ever need an excuse to load up on berries!): a study in the journal Circulation has found that young and middle-age women whose diets include anthocyanins--the flavonoids in red and blue fruits, like strawberries and blueberries--have a reduced risk for myocardial infarction (otherwise known as: heart attacks).

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In fact, women who ate more than three servings of strawberries or blueberries each week had a 34 percent decrease in heart attack (compared with women who seldom eat the berries), probably because they help keep endothelial function and blood pressure in check.

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You know what's awesome? When you find out that something you liked doing anyway just might have fantastic health benefits.

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by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

If you made New Year's goals to exercise more (lots of us! Me too!) and get healthier in general, then be sure to include a super-important body part in your workout regimen: your brain.

Ha. But seriously--how often do you exercise your brain? The experts behind Lumosity--a brain-training site--say it's important to give your brain regular workouts. Not just because it helps keep your brain healthy and happy, but also because it will help the rest of you get in shape! Take a look at their tips for keeping your brain shipshape (I love these):

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Eat right. You do it for your body--why not your brain? Fruits and vegetables with antioxidants help prevent cell damage, and omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks in the brain.



Go to the gym. Regular exercise can help keep your brain fit with increased levels of brain chemicals and more efficient blood circulation. Studies have even shown that

Clean Platesby Lexi Patronis, Glamour

"Clean" eating has always intrigued me. Have you ever tried it? Here's what it is: some experts say that the average American's diet includes unwanted servings of pesticides, chemicals, and colorings. In fact, one study (by the Environmental Working Group) found a single bell pepper was contaminated with 15 different pesticides. Ick.

There aren't really any guidelines on how many pesticides are safe to ingest, but research shows that the stuff can be really hard on your body, causing everything from breakouts to weight gain. And the foods that come in boxes and packages aren't always healthy, either--processed foods can have lots of added salts, sugars, and junk.



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So that's where a "clean diet" comes in. According to Jared Koch, nutritionist and founder of Clean Plates, it's easy to clean up your diet. Here are his tips!

1. Eat more veggies. Before cutting back on anything, Koch says, start by adding in vegetables. Err on

by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

According to Erin Palinski, R.D., a dietitian in New Jersey and the author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies, studies have found that nutrient retention of vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium was highest in foods like brocoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and frozen corn and peas that were steamed in the microwave. The same foods that were boiled in the microwave, or steamed or boiled on the stovetop had fewer of those nutrients.

So in the interest of saving some time (and maybe boosting the vitamin levels in your foods), take a look at some of the things you might not have known you can microwave.

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by Lexi Petronis, Glamour

With so many (so, so many!) diet options out there, have you ever wondered which actually works? Join the club! About 45 million Americans go on a diet every year, spending $33 billion on weight-loss products.

U.S. News and World Report put together a panel of experts to scrutinize 29 popular diet plans, ranking them by how easy they are to follow, how nutritious, safe, and effective for weight loss they are, and how well they work to decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Here are the top five, as chosen by the experts:

1. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH): The diet is meant to lower blood pressure, emphasizing fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy, and keeping sugary treats, red meat, and salt to a minimum. The lack of salt might be hard to get used to at first, but experts say that the diet is convenient and easy to stick to because it's not too restrictive.

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2. Therapeutic