Health Tips | Live Young - Lou Ann Donovan

Is All Sugar Created Equal?

January 21, 2013 by Lou Ann Donovan Leave a Comment

Sugars…are they all created equal nutritionally? There are so many different types of sugars; refined, brown, powered, high-fructose, natural fructose plus many more. Eating too much sugar causes fat buildup in the liver which leads to chronic diseases. With the rising obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemic it’s time to take a look at sugar and help Americans reduce their risk of these chronic diseases.

[box type=”tick” style=”rounded”]Tip: Did you know…16 grams of sugar listed on a product label is equal to about 4 teaspoons of sugar. To compare a product to this stat: 12oz can of soda contain 10 teaspoons of sugar.[/box]

Different Kinds of Sugar

There are many different types of sugar used in households and by professional bakers. Common sugars used in the home are refined white sugar, confectioners or powdered sugar and brown sugar (light and dark) all mostly used for cookbook recipes.
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5 Energy Zappers and How to Bounce Back

April 7, 2012 by Lou Ann Donovan

We all have a tired moment every now and then. Maybe; you didn’t get enough sleep, it’s gloomy and rainy out or you may just need more nutrients in your body! Here are five surprising energy zappers and how you can bounce back and get more done each day!

5 Energy Zappers

Skipping Breakfast not only zaps your energy it’s also not healthy for your blood sugar levels. After sleeping for 7-9 hours a night your body is craving healthy nutrients.

Dehydration is a new twist on fatigue! If you are tired all the time, one of the reasons may be you are not getting enough water in your body. [Read more…]

8 Healthiest New Year’s Resolutions

December 31, 2011 by Lou Ann Donovan

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? They are a great way to kick start a new year. Some of the most common ones are; weight loss, eat healthier, exercise more, get out of debt and save more money. Check out my list of the 8 healthiest New Year’s Resolutions that I plan to tackle!

Want 2012 to be different than the previous years where you actually stick to a resolution? The key to success with any resolution is to have an action plan! So decide on at least one resolution that is a burning desire for you to tackle! Then make a plan, add it to your calendar, get started and stay committed until you reach your goal! [Read more…]

‘Tis the Season for Pumpkin

December 13, 2011 by Lou Ann Donovan

‘Tis the season for pumpkin! I love everything pumpkin…especially during the winter holidays! Let’s see there’s pumpkin pie, bread, muffins, shake, seeds, soup, etc. So enjoy some pumpkin as a meal or dessert. Just be sure to eat your sweets after a main meal like lunch or dinner rather than on an empty stomach.

These days it seems everyone is in a hurry. So why not start your day with a protein shake. It’s a great way to keep your blood sugar levels balanced plus burn stored fat as fuel. I just found out about the 90 day challenge shake that tastes like cake. There is just one flavor and endless possibilities of recipes for your daily shake.
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6 Simple Health Tips for Busy People

December 6, 2011 by Lou Ann Donovan

Are you always on the run grabbing whatever you can to eat like the people in the photo? Are you ready to take a proactive step towards better health? Most people want to get healthy and fit yet they don’t seem to find the time for it. Living a healthier life isn’t hard but does require a commitment to make simple changes in that direction.

6 Simple Health Tips

Moves you can take towards a healthier life every day:

1. Kick start your day. Enjoy two 8-ounce glasses of water each morning before eating breakfast. Water is the best way to rejuvenate the cells after sleeping all night. Squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice in the water to flavor it up.
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Back to School: Staying Healthy Tips for Your Children

October 30, 2011 by Lou Ann Donovan

We all know that healthy kids are happier and more productive at school. So now that school is in full swing all parents know that the germ exposure increases around large group of children. Let us take a look at the some of the key health tips to keeping our children well this school year and for years beyond.

Healthy balanced diet will keep your children’s mental alertness in balance. When getting nutrients from each of the food groups daily your children will have longer attention spans and retain more information. Be sure to check out the resources below for the top 10 brain foods which can help with their memory and concentration.

Nutritional supplements are more important than ever before to protect your child’s immune system for prevention and boost their overall health. Current research is finding that our modern day diet and lifestyle is not meeting the dietary needs of our children. Experts now agree that everyone should be supplementing for optimal health and longevity. As our children excel through their school years these are also the critical growing years for keeping their body and mind healthy.

Plenty of sleep is an important piece for your child’s overall health. For peak performance both physically and mentally make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep each night. Ask your physician how many hours a night your child should be getting based on their age.

Routines also play an important role in staying healthy. Teach your children at an early age to be consistent with their bedtime, washing their hands, brushing their teeth and eating healthy meals. Forming these habits early teaches them a lifetime of healthy habits.

So help shape the future of our next generation by developing healthier habits for your children today. Follow the above health tips to super-charge their immune protection and provide nutritional support for their brain development and growing bodies.