Random Facts

Here are my 7 random facts of the week:

1. To burn off 250 calories from a 20-ounce bottle of coke, or a 250 calorie candy bar, a 135-pound woman would have to walk three miles in 45 minutes or play vigorous basketball for 40 minutes. Yikes ! Oh no, the same would go for those 2 glasses of wine !
   
2. Studies in older children have shown that eight to 15 repeat exposures to a new food are necessary to enhance acceptance of the food (Birch et al. 1995;Young Children;50:71-78; Skinner et al. 1998:30;17-22)
3. Eat a handful of almonds daily - they are an excellent source of vitamin E and magnesium, a good source of protein and fiber, and provide potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and monounsaturated fat.
4. Cheerios is one of the better breakfast cereals on the market for children with only 1 gram of sugar and a healthful 3 grams of fiber per serving.
   
5. Check out MyPyramid for Preschoolers Web site (http://mypyramid.gov/preschoolers/). This gives advise to parents on how to make mealtimes stress-free for children by talking about fun things, encouraging children to try new foods without forcing them, and cooking together. I'll let you know if I can fit this into my crazy schedule! Mealtimes fun ?? I'm not a believer.
   
6. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 3 million U.S. children and teenagers under age 18 – or nearly 4 percent of that age group – had food allergies, compared to just over 2.3 million (3.3 percent) in 1997. This is an 18% increase. The CDC also found that children with food allergies were more likely to have asthma, eczema, and respiratory problems. Although not part of the study, the most common foods (that account for over 90% of allergic reactions in affected individuals) include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. For more information go to www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.pdf
7. Afternoon cup of green tea anyone ? There are so many health benefits associated with drinking green tea that it will be its own posting on this blog in the near future. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is a powerful anti-oxidant (prevents or slow the oxidative damage to our body).