Travel Fitness for Business Travelers

Watch this before you stay at another hotel.

2007-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

We came across this report, The Hidden Truth Behind Hotel Drinking Glasses. Certainly, not every hotel employs these practices, but it's pretty disturbing and is definitely worth a look. Our advice... It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Exercise Tip of the Week

2007-10-01T22:05:00.000-07:00

There are some people who, through traveling constantly or by way of the sheer amount of time they have spent exercising or in the fitness industry; can create a fitness routine with no real equipment at all. Now some of you reading this may have no idea what all can be done to turn your hotel room into a provisional workout room if there are no other options.

Remember that working the largest muscle groups by way of compound movements is the most effective means of burning calories and building lean muscles. Some examples of these are: squats, push-ups, chin-ups. In a basic hotel room there is of course plenty of area for push-ups, and if you want to go a bit deeper in order to use more of the chest, shoulders and triceps you can use a couple of the hotel phone books and place one under each hand when doing push-ups. As long as your hotel room has walls (let us know if you find one that doesn't) you can find a place to do a wall squat. Simply place your back against the wall, keep your feet pointed straight ahead shoulder width apart, and with your heels about 18" from the wall. Take your body down until your thighs are almost parallel with the floor, and with your back, hips and head against the wall, hold the squat there. Performing chin-ups can be difficult here for a number of reasons. One reason being that most people cannot perform a chin-up with their own body weight, and the other reason being that neither the coat and hat rack that is bolted to the wall, nor the shower curtain rod are going to hold up for this (don't try this just to try and prove me wrong). So, for the back you can perform the superman (or superwoman) by lying down on your stomach as if skydiving with your arms straight out to the side and then lift your legs and upper body off of the floor but while looking down at the carpet (don't arch the back).

Turning a Family Vacation into an Exercise Opportunity

2006-10-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes with the hustle and bustle of business travel we often overlook that a family vacation can be an excellent opportunity reconnect with your family and teach your children the importance of exercise. For families who are up to the challenge, outdoor or nature oriented vacations provide the perfect opportunity.

For the brave and truly outdoorsy types going camping and building a tent is the best choice, however if you're not quite ready to give up all of your creature comforts like electricity and indoor plumbing a cabin is a more logical choice. If you really want to get the most out of your vacation select a destination with just the basics, that means no TV, no internet and no cell phone reception. Remember a vacation is about giving your mind some downtime to recharge as well as your body. While none of us wants to torture our children or spouses if you can get them to agree to a “gadget free” vacation go for it, otherwise give them a one gadget limit to keep the peace.

If you are looking for a wide variety of activities to keep your fellow campers happy and entertained choose a family campground, lodge or dude ranch. They usually have a variety of options like horseback riding, archery, swimming, and trial or mountain biking. These facilities usually include arts, crafts, parties and dinner shows as well, and are very family friendly even for small children.

If you're looking for more of an adventurous nomadic like vacation, try a canoe or river rafting trip. These trips are usually multi family venues with several guides to keep the show running. You'll travel down streams and rivers by day getting lots of exercise paddling and steering. At night you set up camp by the fire and get some great stories and some education on the way. Take your level of experience into account when selecting your tour package.

If your want a more land based vacation, try someplace with hills or mountains that that allow hiking or biking. This type of vacation allows you to go at your own time table without feeling like you are holding up the group. If you and your family enjoy it you can make it a yearly or semi-yearly event. You can even set multi state goals such as hiking up the highest mountain in every state.

If you're ready to plan an outdoor vacation that will have a lot of exercise here are some tips to keep in mind:

Don't over exert the group. Not everyone may be in perfect shape and may need more frequent breaks. It's always easier to make things more difficult, but not as simple to make things easier.

Don't push to hard. Kids who are in school or day or your spouse who sits behind a desk may not be used to continuous physical exertion. Realize everyone has limits and don't go beyond them.

Stay hydrated. Make sure everyone has enough water for the trip. Some people prefer sports or energy drinks but are careful of the carbs and sugar.

Safety first. If you're going off without a guide into the woods bring a basic first aid kit. If your cell phone works it's ok to bring it just don't use it to call the office and close that one last sale.

Remember that by showing kids exercise is not just something you do but something that can be fun you are teaching them an important life lesson.

This article was written by Allison Preston who runs the fitness website Fitness-Web.com. Allison writes about a variety of health, fitness, and diet, nutrition and exercise subjects in her fitness blog, and reviews popular consumer fitness and diet products on her website www.fitness-web.com.

Healthier Fast Food Found in Europe

2006-04-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

Three Danish doctor's surveyed McDonald's and KFC food in the US and in several European countries and found widely varying nutrition content, especially trans fats. In one McDonald's meal, the Dane's only consume one gram of trans fats, while New York city diners will consume 10 grams in the same sitting! Read the entire article on fast food trans fats before your next business trip.

PUSH.tv

2006-04-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

PUSH.tv is the world's first, truly revolutionary, 100% customized and progressive at home personal training workout system led by some of the world's most experienced, knowledgeable, and sought after trainers on the planet--delivered straight to your door each month on DVD.

You tell PUSH.tv about yourself, your fitness goals, what body part you want to focus on, what exercise equipment you have at home, the trainer you want, your cardio selection, your music preference, your workout intensity and PUSH.tv customizes a one of a kind progressive monthly workout system designed specifically for you.

PUSH.tv personal training sessions are progressive. PUSH.tv tailors every single workout to build on what you've already done in previous month's sessions so that you're always PUSHed forward and are constantly being challenged. Gone are the days of the same old exercise videos that get stale after just a few viewings and don't get you the optimal results. With PUSH.tv's one-on-one progressive and customized approach to fitness, your workouts are always changing and get progressively harder as you get stronger so you get the results you deserve.

Your monthly customized DVD will include two 40 minute personalized training sessions--led by the personal trainer you selected--along with a 30 minute cutting edge PUSH.tv cardio session taught by an elite roster of cardio rock stars.

You can modify your workouts at any time by going to your profile page on line at www.PUSH.tv.

Eat Smart!

2006-03-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for healthy dining options in Ontario, Canada (e.g., Toronto), be sure to check out the Eat Smart web site. Developed by a coalition of various Canadian non-profits, the web site contains a searchable directory of restaurants that:

Provide healthy menu options
Maintain excellence in sanitation and food safety
Are 100% smoke free

The directory contains 170 restaurants in Toronto alone. Check it out the next time you are traveling in Ontario!

Lose Weight... Save Money

2006-03-21T05:20:00.000-08:00

In a new marketing twist, a hotel in Germany is charging guests based on their weight in an effort to encourage weight loss. Heavier guests aren't penalized for their weight (no one pays more than the standard room rate), but slimmer guests are rewarded with a reduced rate.

Read the full article on this hotel's weight loss program.

Travel Fit Tip: Packing Healthy Snacks

2006-03-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Travel Fit Tip: Always pack healthy snacks, regardless of the duration of your trip.

The easiest way to avoid the fast food binge is to avoid the situation that causes it. Personally, if I'm hungry and surrounded by junk food, I am powerless to avoid it. So, when I pack my business suit, I also pack healthy snacks and meal alternatives that travel well.

I've successfully used all of these on trips of up to five days, even when a refrigerator isn't available:

Raisins, apples, oranges, pears
Bananas
Dried fruit—Avoid brands loaded with extra sugar.
Meal replacement bars—Avoid "candy bar" styles and opt for something with more substance; this may be your only dinner!
Dry cereal—Look for whole grain options, with no added sugar
Carrots, celery—A good choice if you know you'll need a snack or meal substitute on your first day traveling.

Look through your pantry to see if some of your favorite foods might be candidates. Double-check the label before you make your selections, and avoid high calorie, high sugar items like breakfast bars. You can use these as a last resort, but chances are you will be only helping your wallet, not your waistline.

Be sure to pack your items in carry-on so that you will have them when you need them. Plan the amount of food to match your trip duration, and be prepared for day trips as well.

Travel Fit Exercise of the Week: Mountain Climbers

2006-03-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mountain climbers are a great combination strength exercise and cardiovascular exercise. They simultaneously target glutes, hamstrings, quads, chest, and abdominals, and will get your heart pumping!

Begin in a push-up position. Jump one leg forward into a low lunge position. Alternate to the other leg. The trick is to do these continually, back and forth, back and forth. John demonstrates at the start position at left, and finish at right.

Try three sets of 20 reps with your next workout. (Both legs make up one rep. For example, John is showing only half a rep above.)

Get Free Stuff for Staying Fit and Healthy

2006-03-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

It's My Bod is a cool new program that motivates you to exercise and eat right by giving away lots of free stuff! For a scant $5 per month, you can quickly rack up enough points to get gift cards for major stores, airlines, etc.

You accumulate points simply by tracking your fitness and calorie intake. For example, you get 2 points per day for staying below 2,000 calories. Even if you indulge, you can still get 1 point per day for eating up to 2,500 calories. Similarly, you get (typically) 1 point per 30 minutes of your favorite exercise. You can earn up to 16 exercise points per day.

Even if you aren't an exercise junkie, it's easy to accumulate points. You'll more than break even on the program just by eating right and exercising for one hour, three times per week. At that rate, you'll be able to get a $75 gift card, which more than covers the $5 per month membership fee.

Better still, if you join a health club or renew your membership, you immediately get a 250 point bonus! With the moderate exercise program described above, that immediately pushes your annual reward up to $100. Pretty cool, huh?

Lest you think the gift card will be worthless, you can redeem your It's My Bod gift card at any of:

Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Bloomingdales, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Circuit City, COMPUSA, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, Eddie Bauer, Foot Locker, The Home Depot, JC Penny, J. Crew, Kaufmann's, Linens-N-Things, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Sam Goody, Sears, Sharper Image, Target, Toys R Us, Waldenbooks, Wal-Mart, Applebee’s, Bahama Breeze, Bennigan’s, Chili’s, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Omaha Steaks, Outback, Red Lobster, Smokey Bones BBQ, Starbucks, Steak and Ale, TGI Fridays, Wegmans, Visa Gift Card, Amtrak, Air Tran Airways, ATA Airways, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Jet Blue Airways, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines Vacations, US Airways, Best Western, Hyatt, Marriott, Carnival Cruise Lines and Budget Rent A Car

There's no annual commitment, so give It's My Bod a try!

Water: The Natural Appetite Suppressant

2006-03-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

Water accounts for over half of your body weight and plays important roles in weight loss and maintenance. For instance your kidneys rely on water to eliminate waste from your body. When you don't drink enough water, the liver steps in to help your kidneys flush out that waste. As a consequence, your liver becomes less efficient at its role in converting stored fat for use as energy--a very important role indeed when you are cutting back on Calories. Drinking plenty of water ensures that your kidneys will be able to do their job and your liver its.

Water also acts as an appetite suppressant. The signals from your stomach that tell your brain that it is full don't include messages indicating the nature of the contents that have filled it. Drinking water throughout the day to keep your stomach full can trick your body into thinking it is satisfied.

The problem with water, though--especially when you are traveling--is that your body can't store it. You must constantly replenish it. Try to drink at least eight to ten, 8-ounce glasses of water or water-based beverages per day. (If you will be more active during your travels, increase that amount.) You can also get water through the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products because large portions of those foods are water.

The above was excerpted with permission from The Complete Travel Diet, by Terry Riley, PhD and owner of TraveLean, a corporate weight management program for business travelers.

Find an Exercise Friend on Your Next Trip

2006-02-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

I came across a great web site recently: exercisefriends.com. The site uses the concept of a dating site, but instead of finding your true love, you use the site to find like-minded healthy people who are looking for an exercise partner.

I live in a medium/small city, and I was skeptical that the site would have enough volume of participants to be useful. As it turned out, I was wrong. There are many people from even my small locale registered who are looking for fitness and exercise buddies.

The site is certainly a good reference for a good workout partner near home, but it also strikes me as a valuable tool when you are traveling. You can search the site for fitness friends in the city to which you are traveling and contact them in advance to set up a workout session. They know the locale and can help you find a great workout spot. Heck, they might even be able to take you to their gym on a free guest pass.

Give exercisefriends.com the next time you are looking for a new way to workout.

Exercise: The Stress and Fat Buster

2006-02-24T11:08:00.000-08:00

Travel today is, if anything, more stressful than in the past. If you allow stress to get the better of you, it can put the double whammy on your plans to lose or maintain your weight while you are traveling.

Stress increases levels of cortisol, which can act to stimulate a craving for carbohydrates often in the form of sweets. What's more, cortisol facilitates the storage of fat on your body. So no only does stress stimulate your appetite, it lures you to high-Calories foods and then makes it easier for your body to store the excess Calories as fat. Yikes!

Exercise can play a dual role here in helping to burn Calories and at the same time alleviate stress.

The above was excerpted with permission from The Complete Travel Diet, by Terry Riley, PhD and owner of TraveLean, a corporate weight management program for business travelers.

Reservations about Hotel Fitness Could Change

2006-02-20T05:17:00.000-08:00

Dec 1, 2005 12:00 PM
Copyright (c) 2005, Glenn Colarrossi,
Colarossi Spa & Health Club Consulting & Management

More hotel chains are making it easy for their guests to work out on the road. Marriott International Inc. recently announced that it is advancing its Renaissance Clubsport fitness resort concept, combining the boutique-style ambiance of the Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand with a sleek, 75,000-square-foot, upscale membership fitness club. The hotel plans to open 15 locations nationwide over the next five to seven years. Is this a sign of the times? After all, Marriott isn't the first to try this concept.

A few years ago, Starwood led the initiative with the introduction of the WestinWORKOUT(TM). Starwood continues to fine tune and build more offerings around the program (in-room fitness and various other products). The program provided a structured platform to ensure guest satisfaction, deliver a consistent experience for the guest and achieve brand recognition among the health travel set or those who wish to appear fit. Prior to the Westin program, most hotels had a fitness component, but it was based around the Forrest Gump principal (like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna' get).

The changes we're seeing in hotel fitness are welcome considering the fitness industry's poor track record in that area. Prior to the launch of its WestinWORKOUT program, Starwood hired an outside firm that surveyed 300 business travelers and found that 64 percent thought hotel fitness rooms "seem like an afterthought," 75 percent found centers inconsistent from hotel to hotel, and 55 percent decided not to use a fitness facility because it was in such bad condition.

Recently, the trend seems to have focused on the "in-room" component. Before opening any Renaissance Clubsports, Marriott is offering its Great Health -- Fit For You in-room fitness program, which offers guests specialized equipment that provides a variety of strength-training and aerobic exercises.

Wyndham International debuted its No Shoes? No Problem! in-room exercise DVD so its guests have a convenient, user-friendly way to work out.

Hilton Hotels' guests can reserve rooms with treadmills for $15.95 a day, but for no charge, Hilton's guests now are offered in-room mini-gyms, thanks to the company's new partnership with Bally Total Fitness. These Bally-designed kits include yoga mats, elastic bands and hand weights. As part of the partnership, some locations offer personal training sessions through Hilton's Personal Performance Leader.

Still, in-room fitness options aren't enough for some hotel guests. That's why Marriott International is branching out to its large club model -- and seeking a piece of the larger club market -- by offering memberships.

However, the market is so competitive right now that some people claim supply has outpaced demand. This is especially true in A markets, but some opportunities still exist in B markets. So will Marriott be able to make any inroads into this highly sought-after market? And will the club market match the characteristics that make a successful hotel?

Some sophisticated players in the fitness industry have good funding in place. The valuation of Life Time's stock is indicative of that, as well as Town Sports International looking to make a public offering. These larger groups have developed sophisticated proprietary site selection processes.

For its Renaissance Clubsport facilities, Marriott will have to do a SWOT analysis (strength, weakness, opportunity, threats). What happens when you develop a large club like this and a big box, low-price operator opens two blocks away? LA Fitness and Planet Fitness are two examples of companies that move into markets with a proven demand for fitness (i.e. a lot of clubs) to offer a nice product at a low price and then suck the members from the existing clubs' membership base (these clubs often hear a big whoosh going through their front doors as members leave).

Hotels are known for their hospitality and customer service, but large-scale fitness facilities can seem impersonal and intimidating to a hotel guest who just wants a quick, efficient workout (always offer a small workout facility within the hotel as a second option). When I recently worked out at one large club attached to a hotel, it was obvious to me that the staff cared more about the members than the "once-in-awhile hotel guest." Hotels entering this large club market must remember their roots, otherwise, it reflects poorly on the hotel's brand. Let's hope that Marriott and those who follow get it right.

Glenn Colarossi is the president of Colarossi Spa & Health Club Consulting & Management. He has worked on projects throughout the world for five-star clients. He can be reached at 203-357-7555 or at www.healthclubandspa.com.

Subway Dieticians Offer Great Nutrition Tips

2006-02-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Subway restaurants offer great information on how to cut calories through smart food substitutions. So eat, eat, eat, but make smarter choices and you can cut hundreds of calories per day. As Subway's nutritionists note, cutting 500 calories per day will enable you to lose a pound a week.

Just a few of their recommended substitutions are:

Whole grain toast in place of a bagel (saving 100 calories)
Steamed rice in place of fried rice (saving 120 calories)
Light vanilla ice cream in place of regular (saving 110 calories)
Regular mayo instead of light mayo (saving 60 calories)

Visit http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/MenuNutrition/healthliving/health.aspx for more food substitutions that can save you calories.

FISH, OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS & YOUR HEALTH

2006-02-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

Helpful information on Omega-3 Acids, as well as a delicious recipe for at-home cooking
Copyright (C) 2006 Red Lobster

Not all fats are created equal...especially since research consistently suggests that Omego-3 fatty acids from fish and shellfish boost heart health. According to the American Heart Association, Omega-3s benefit people with healthy hearts as well as those with heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.

Essential to your health
There’s a reason why Omega-3s are called Essential Fatty Acids. They have important roles in maintaining a healthy heart and are necessary for cell development and growth. Since the human body cannot manufacture Omega-3s, they must be supplied through the diet. For optimum heart health, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish, and particularly fish high in Omega-3s, such as salmon, lake trout, herring, sardines, mackerel and albacore tuna, at least two times a week. Fish is a good source of protein and does not have the high saturated fat that meat products contain.

Omega-3s from fish and seafood seem to protect against heart disease in several ways, including:
• Making the blood less likely to form clots
• Preventing heart beat abnormalities
• Lowering high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood that can increase the risk of heart attacks when its levels are too high)

Baking, broiling, grilling, poaching, steaming, microwaving and sautéing in little or no fat are the preferred cooking methods.

African Americans and Hispanics
Heart disease continues to strike a disproportionate number of African Americans and Hispanics. About 40 percent of African American men and women suffer from some form of the disease, compared to 30 percent of white men and 24 percent of white women. For a variety of reasons, African Americans also are more likely to die from the disease than whites. And while Hispanics die from heart disease at a lower rate than whites, Mexican American women are diagnosed with heart disease more frequently than white females.

For people of all races and ethnic backgrounds who want to stay in good shape, eating plenty of fish and shellfish is part of a healthy diet that includes other wholesome foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Seafood Recipe for at-home cooking:

Grilled Salmon with Vinaigrette and Asparagus
(Courtesy of Red Lobster)

Ingredients (makes 4 servings):

4 8-10 oz. pieces of fresh salmon fillets, skinless
1/2 cup canola oil
McCormick’s Season All
1 lb. fresh asparagus spears, medium size
Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Vinaigrette (see recipe below)
4 portions of your favorite rice recipe (Red Lobster suggests a wild/white rice blend)

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Vinaigrette Recipe:
6 oz. canola oil
2 oz. red wine vinegar
2 oz. sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tbsp. red onion, diced
1 tsp. fresh garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Grilled Salmon:
1. Lightly brush both sides of fillets with oil and season with McCormick’s Season All.
2. Pre-heat your grill to medium-high heat. When hot, grill the fish for 4-5 minutes until well markets.
3. Turn the salmon fillets over and continue grilling another 5-6 minutes or until your fresh fish preference is reached.

Grilled Asparagus:
1. Measuring from the tip, cut the stems off the asparagus about 5” down. Discard the stems.
2. Coat the asparagus in 3 tbsp. oil, adding salt and pepper to taste.
3. Grill the asparagus for about 1 minute, then roll and grill for another minute (or until tender).

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Vinaigrette (makes 8 ounces):
1. In a large bowl, mix together using a wire whip the canola oil, red wine vinegar, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, red onions and minced garlic. The ingredients should be mixed until incorporated.
2. Whip in salt and pepper to taste.
3. Warm the vinaigrette slightly.

For a stunning presentation:
1. Place a portion of rice in the center of a plate, followed by the grilled salmon.
2. Then layer the asparagus next to the fish and rice.
3. Pick two pieces of asparagus and criss-cross them over the fish.
4. Spoon approximately two ounces of the warm vinaigrette over the salmon.
5. Serve with a lemon wedge.

Wine Pairing Recommendation:
A Chardonnay is a great accompaniment to this preparation.

For more great tips, visit Red Lobster at www.redlobster.com.

Applebee's Continues its Successful Weight Watcher's Menu

2006-02-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

Applebee's Weight Watcher's menu, launched in Spring 2004, has proven successful enough to continue and even expand the menu items. A total of 10 menu items are available, with seven entrees, one soup, and two desserts. Entrees include:

Tortilla chicken melt -- 10 points / 480 calories / 13g fat / 6g fiber
Mesquite chicken salad -- 5 points / 250 calories / 4g fat / 7g fiber
Terriyaki steak and shrimp skewers -- 7 points / 370 calories / 7g fat / 7g fiber
Grilled talapia with mango salsa -- 6 points / 320 calories / 6g fat / 9g fiber
Grilled shrimp skewer salad -- 4 points / 210 calories / 2g fat / 7g fiber
Tango chicken sandwich -- 7 points / 370 calories / 9g fat / 8g fiber
Confetti chicken -- 7 points / 370 calories / 7g fat / 9g fiber

With all of these healthy, delicious selections, you may want to consider Applebee's on your next trip!

Resolved to Lose Weight in 2006?

2006-01-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Doctors Suggest a Low-Fat Vegan Diet for Healthy Slimming in the New Year

Recent Study Shows Plant-Based Diet is Effective Way to
Shed Unwanted Pounds

WASHINGTON--With 2006 quickly approaching, losing weight is on the minds of many people considering a New Year's resolution. Doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) suggest a new approach to weight loss based on a recent study showing that a low-fat vegan diet is an effective way to shed unwanted pounds.

PCRM's weight-loss study, published in September in The American Journal of Medicine, showed that a low-fat, plant-based diet is more effective at helping women lose weight and improve insulin sensitivity than an omnivorous diet.

"The study participants following the vegan diet enjoyed unlimited servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthful foods that enabled them to lose weight without feeling hungry," says Dr. Neal Barnard, the study’s lead author. "Anyone who wants to make healthy changes in the New Year will do well to try a plant-based diet."

Other scientific studies support the obesity-fighting power of plant-based diets. In a recent study of more than 55,000 Swedish women, Tufts University researcher P. Kirstin Newby and her colleagues found that 40 percent of meat-eaters were overweight or obese while only 25 to 29 percent of vegetarians and vegans were. Worldwide, vegetarian populations experience lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The simplicity of a vegan diet appeals to people busy with work and family, and many familiar recipes are easy to adapt. At least four studies published in peer-reviewed journals show that patients give the low-fat vegetarian diet a high rating in terms of acceptability, and that the transition only takes about three weeks or less.

PCRM offers a free Vegetarian Starter Kit, which includes recipes, nutrition information, and a three-step plan for moving to a healthier diet. The kit is available online at www.GoVegetarian.org.

For a copy of The American Journal of Medicine study or an interview with Dr. Neal Barnard, please contact Susanne Forte at 202-686-2210, ext. 339, or sforte@pcrm.org.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animal research.

###

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-686-2210 | E-mail: pcrm@pcrm.org

Airport Food Nutrition Has Improved

2006-01-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

Airport Food Has Improved,
Survey Shows

Most Major Hubs Offer More Low-Fat, Cholesterol-Free Vegetarian Choices, with Chicago in First Place
and Phoenix Most Improved

WASHINGTON--In time for holiday travel, nutritionists with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) surveyed 14 of the nation's busiest airports for the availability of healthy entrees. The report shows that in 2005, airport food has improved from previous years, with 12 percent more airport eateries providing at least one vegetarian entree that is low in fat, high in fiber, and cholesterol free.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport flies high in first place this year with a score of 92 percent, rising from fourth place last year and the bottom of the list in 2002. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is this year's most improved airport with a score that rose from 44 percent last year to 75 percent in the current survey. Las Vegas McCarren International, while improving nine points from last year, still sits on the tarmac with the lowest score, 42 percent.

"Holiday travelers facing flight delays or long layovers will at least be able to find healthy vegetarian meals in most major airports," says Tim Radak, Dr.P.H., R.D., associate nutrition director at PCRM. "As a nutritionist, I know that grabbing a veggie burger can help travelers stay trim and improve their health."

PCRM nutritionists evaluated the restaurants in 14 of the nation's busiest airports, giving each restaurant a point if its menu included at least one low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free vegetarian entree. The final percentage score was derived by dividing the airport's number of health-conscious restaurants by the total number of restaurants.

AIRPORT	SCORE
1. Chicago O'Hare	92%
2. Detroit Metropolitan	89%
3. San Francisco	88%
4. New York	83%
5. Dallas/Fort Worth	81%
6. Denver	78%
7. Atlanta	77%
8. Orlando	76%
9. Newark	75%
10. Phoenix	75%
11. Los Angeles	69%
12. Minneapolis-St. Paul	68%
13. Houston	46%
14. Las Vegas	42%

But even the top-rated airports have significant room for improvement. Some airports have no more than a single healthy choice, and more variety would be good. The best choices are low fat and vegetarian.

For a copy of the full report or an interview with a nutrition scientist, please contact Jeanne S. McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem@pcrm.org.

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Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-686-2210 | E-mail: pcrm@pcrm.org

Best Calorie Database on the Web

2006-01-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

After surveying a number of calorie databases, I've decided that CalorieKing is by far the most complete database on the web. (And, no, I'm not getting a kick-back.) I faithfully track my calories, and foods not in CalorieKing are few and far between.

Many studies have shown that dieters are more successful if they count calories, so check out CalorieKing to begin your food log.

King Kong Sized Meals... and Calories

2006-01-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Don't you love the Kong-sized Burger King serving up the Kong-sized sandwich to the Fay Wray look-alike in Burger King's new commercials? Wondering how that thin little blondie is going to ingest that burger? Me too!

Burger King Triple Whopper with Cheese:
1230 calories
82 grams fat
32 grams saturated fat
(Are you feeling sick yet?)
275 mg cholesterol
1590 mg sodium
52 g carbohydrates
3 g fiber
11 g sugars
71 g protein (thank heavens for something positive)

McDonald's to Provide Nutrition Labels on Packaging

2006-01-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

McDonald's is rolling out an initiative to provide nutritional values and content on all food packaging during 2006. The new labels will debut at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

"There is nothing more important to McDonald's than building customer trust and loyalty around the world. We listen closely to our customers so we know how important transparency is, which is what this initiative is all about," said Mike Roberts, McDonald’s President and Chief Operating Officer. "Adding nutrition information to our packaging will help our customers meet their individual taste preferences and nutrition requirements, as well as choose from our menu of quality food and portion sizes."

Wondering about nutrition content in the meantime? The McDonald's web site has a reall cool "Bag a McMeal" tool that let's you pick menu items and sum up their various nutritional values.

Read the full press release.

Fit Fuel: Coming Soon to a Hotel Near You

2006-01-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

The latest concept in healthy foods is healthy vending machines. The Fuel Zone, by Fit Fuel, hopes to provide travelers like you with the latest in healthy snacks and foods. Currently installed in schools and offices, they are expanding into the traveler's world through partnerships with leading hotel chains.

Just think, as you arrive at the hotel exhausted by your day's travels and too late to get a real meal, you'll now have an opportunity to eat healthy right from the vending machine. Say goodbye to chocolate candy and trans-fat ladden snacks, and hello to soy protein bars, nuitritious cookies, dried fruits and nuts, and other yummy treats that will leave you both satisfied and happy with your selection.

Watch for Fit Fuel's Fuel Zones on your next trip.

Dining Fit Tip #8: Treat Yourself

2005-12-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

Dining out doesn't have to mean skipping dessert; just make wise choices. Split a dessert with another diner, and ask to see the dessert tray so that you can assess portion sizes. Skip the whip cream and ice cream, and choose lighter desserts such as angel food cake. Here's a sampling of options:

Pecan pie (half slice)--270 calories
Cheesecake (half slice)--210 calories
Angel Food cake (half slice)--200 calories
Creme Brule (half serving)--200 calories
Fruit with whipped cream (one serving)--200 calories

Dining Fit Tip #7: Planning Makes it Perfect

2005-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

The beauty of chain restaurants is that their lack of creativity is surpassed by their consistency. The advantage to you of being able to order the same meal in Dallas or Duluth is that you can plan ahead for a healthy eating strategy.

Most chains now offer their menus with nutritional content on their web sites, so you can steal a couple of minutes to make your selection before leaving for dinner. Making your selection ahead of time allows you to review the nutrition content and make an informed choice, rather than a snap selection based on your growling stomach. When you arrive at the restaurant, keep your menu shut to avoid temptation.