TORONTO – Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream? Are crunches the fastest route to a flat belly? Global News’ The Morning Show spoke to registered dietitian Jane Dummer to help bust some health myths circulating this summer.
Is frozen yogurt really healthier than ice cream?
Many people watching their waistlines tend to opt for frozen yogurt over ice cream, believing that it is the healthier choice, and touting healthy claims like probiotics (bacteria found in yogurt with live cultures that promote a healthy digestive system).
Dummer said that we don’t know for sure if probiotics in yogurt survive the freezing process.
She said it’s important to remember that frozen yogurt and ice cream are both dessert items. “Low-fat ice cream has the same amount of calories and fat as yogurt,” said Dummer.
She recommends that if you are craving ice cream, go for the real thing, but don’t over-indulge.
The bottom line is to keep your portion sizes in control, a children’s-sized portion is all you need to satisfy your craving.
WATCH: Minna Rhee tries to bust some summer health myths.
Are crunches the best way to get a beach-ready belly?
Dummer said that doing crunches will help strengthen your core muscles, but crunches alone aren’t enough.
She recommends making a variety of core exercises, like push-ups, planks and hoola-hooping, part of your exercise routine.
A healthy diet is also key to achieving a flat stomach, said Dummer. You can exercise all you want, but if you’re not practicing healthy nutrition, then you’re no further ahead, she said.
Will foregoing the bun make my BBQ meal healthier?
It depends on the bun, said Dummer. Whole grains are part of a healthy diet, she said. But “whole grain” is different from foods labelled “whole wheat” or “multigrain,” which may actually consist of very little or no whole grains.
The Canadian Food Guide recommends that adults get six to seven servings of whole grains every day, adding that they are a great source of fibre and are typically low in fat.
Look for the words “whole grain” on the ingredient list of the foods you choose.
And let’s be honest: Bun or no bun, a pound of beef smothered in cheese and bacon isn’t doing your heart and waistline any favours.
Is it healthy to have some sugar in your diet?
Sugar has been getting a bad reputation lately, said Dummer.
But naturally-occurring sugars, found in fruits and vegetables, dairy and whole grain products, are part of a healthy diet. Dummer recommends adults eat seven to ten servings per day.
However, if you are eating more than that, you might be consuming too much naturally-occurring sugar.
When grilling foods, what’s the best oil to use?
Olive oil? Grape seed oil? Canola oil? Dummer said the type of cooking you do should help determine the type of oil you use.
When grilling or cooking over heat, use oil that has a high smoke point, like canola oil.
The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which the oil will start to break down and smoke. Oils with a high smoke point are better for frying and grilling than oils with a low smoke point.
Dummer said canola oil is available at most grocery stores, unlike grape seed oil, which may be harder to find.
Canola oil contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and is low in trans and saturated fats.
When preparing cold recipes like salads, opt for olive oil, which has a lower smoke point and contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, which may lower your risk of heart disease.
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