Health's Food Awards: The Best New Eats of 2011

Good-for-you grub

Who says you have to shop the perimeter of the grocery store to be healthy? We put 500 new convenience foods to the test and found great picks in every aisle. Shop smarter with our list!

Granola

Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola Cereal in Pumpkin Fig

The judges cheered for this great-tasting standout in a sea of too-bland or too-sweet granolas, thanks to its dried figs and organic cinnamon. This low-sugar (only 6 grams) pick also scores for its fiber-rich puffed amaranth and quinoa flakes and fiber-and-omega-3-loaded chia seeds.

$7.99 for 12.5 oz; select whole foods markets and purelyelizabeth.com

Cereal

Post Selects Great Grains Crunchy Pecans

We tried lots of cereals with the word "almond" or "pecan" in the name, but a search failed to turn up enough nuts to fill a thimble. This one had a surprisingly generous amount of pecans, plus whole-wheat flakes and rolled oat clusters, which serve up 35 grams of whole grains plus 5 grams of fiber (and just 8 grams of sugar) per serving.

$4 for 16-oz box; grocery stores

Grab-and-go breakfast

Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs

It’s not rocket scienceto boil an egg, but if you’re like us, you rarely have the time in the a.m. to do it. This winner lets you get a protein hit in a hurry. And because Eggland’s hens are fed a vegetarian diet, these eggs are 25% lower in saturated fat and twice as high in omega-3 fats as regular ones.

$2.79–$2.99 for 1/2 dozen; grocery stores

Grab-and-go runner up

Cookiehead Snacks Grainy Brainy Banana Flaxseed Wakey Cakes

While they’re not available nationwide just yet, the yummy banana bread flavor and soft, chewy texture of these cakes landed them a spot on our list (and the cute name didn’t hurt).

$5.99 for 12 mini muffins; Whole Foods Market and select grocery stores

Frozen waffle

Kellogg’s Eggo FiberPlus Buttermilk Waffles

Waffles aren’t just for kids: We adore the light, fluffy texture of this toaster-ready breakfast, which indulges a morning sweet tooth while slipping in 9 grams of fiber and 35% of your calcium needs. And judge Jackie Newgent, RD, liked that these waist-friendly waffles are low in saturated fat and sugar (only 1.5 and 3 grams respectively).

$3.19 for 8 waffles; grocery stores
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12 Mouthwatering Meatless Meals

Posted by Human health on 8:28 AM

Meat-free, but flavor-packed

Looking for a way to save money? Meatless meals are less expensive, and plant-based diets may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. These 12 vegetarian recipes will wow your taste buds without hurting your wallet.

Ravioli With Tomatoes, White Beans, and Escarole

This recipe combines Mediterranean spices and white beans to get a protein-packed pasta.

Ingredients: Four-cheese ravioli, great Northern beans, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper, fresh escarole or spinach, grated Asiago cheese

Calories: 329

Smoked Cheddar and Lentil Burgers

Not only does this recipe contain 6 grams less fat than a Burger King hamburger, but it also contains 2 grams more protein. Talk about filling and flavorful!

Ingredients: Dried lentils, bay leaves, olive oil, onions, carrots, smoked cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, thyme, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper, eggs, stone-ground mustard, whole-wheat buns, tomato, arugula

Calories: 354

Linguine Frittata With Greens

Linguine adds a hearty texture (and fiber) to this quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients: Butter, leeks, eggs, low-fat milk, Parmesan cheese, oregano, linguine, frozen collard greens, part-skin mozzarella cheese

Calories: 330

Creamy Polenta With Artichoke, Caramelized Onion, and Olive Ragoût

You'll never miss meat in this sophisticated dish full of Italian herbs and spices. Plus, polenta, an Italian version of grits, is a good source of iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Ingredients: Butter, cornmeal, frozen corn, fresh Parmesan, fat-free sour cream, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, onions, red bell pepper, garlic, Hungarian sweet paprika, white wine, artichoke hearts, ripe olives

Calories: 366

Black-Bean-and-Corn-Topped Potatoes

Take your favorite vegetarian ingredients on a vacation to the Southwest. Chili powder, salsa, and cilantro add flavor to hearty potatoes, beans, and corn. Plus you'll get 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber.

Ingredients: Baking potatoes, chopped onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, black beans, frozen corn, salsa, cheddar-jack cheese, cilantro

Calories: 332

Orecchiette With Chickpeas and Broccoli Rabe

Ready in a little more than 20 minutes, this recipe is an excellent Friday night dinner option. Best served with a glass of Pinot, you'll enjoy a low-fat pasta dish that packs almost one-third of your DRI (dietary reference intake) of iron.

Ingredients: Extra-virgin olive oil, chickpeas, garlic, crushed red pepper, broccoli rabe, vegetable broth (substitute for chicken broth), orecchiette, Parmesan cheese

Calories: 456
 

Tempeh Fajitas

Tempeh, a soybean-based food, is an excellent source of protein (this dish contains 14 grams!). And because of its mild, slightly nutty taste, tempeh absorbs the flavors of the dish without overpowering it.

Ingredients: Tempeh, pineapple juice, low-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, cumin, canola oil, garlic, onion, green bell pepper, whole-wheat tortillas, chipotle salsa

Calories: 259

Edamame Wontons

These bite-size appetizers can double as a meal. They contain plenty of filling protein, plus a dash of lemon and an extra zing from the ginger.

Ingredients: Shelled frozen edamame, ginger, lemon juice, chives, vegetable oil, wonton wrappers, cilantro, soy sauce

Calories: 50 calories per wonton (approximate)

Miso-Marinated Tofu and Eggplant Over Soba Noodles

Traditional Asian meals are rich in vegetable protein sources, just like this sweet-and-sour noodle recipe. Tofu provides 11 grams of protein, and the eggplant has plenty of fiber.

Ingredients: Extra-firm tofu, eggplant, miso paste, garlic, peanut oil, lime juice, cabbage, soba noodles, scallions

Calories: 202

Fragrant Red Lentils With Rice

Lentils are a rich source of protein and fiber, and the variety of Indian spices keeps this dish low-cal yet filling.

Ingredients: Vegetable oil, onion, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, garlic, bay leaves, dried small red lentils, butter, green onions, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, cilantro, garam masala (Indian spice blend), brown rice, low-fat plain yogurt

Calories: 409

Warm Eggplant and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

This simple sandwich takes basic, healthy ingredients and turns them into a tangy meal in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients: Olive oil, eggplant, goat cheese, sandwich rolls, tomato, arugula

Calories: 299

Grilled Salad Pizza

Your classic pizza taste, loaded with antioxidant-rich veggies, balsamic vinegar, and low-fat cheese.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, olive oil, flour, sugar, oregano, thyme, part-skim mozzarella cheese, arugula, tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, artichoke hearts

Calories: 357
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Depression in the Elderly: 7 Ways to Help

Depression in older adults

Older people are at risk for depression, are underserved by the mental health profession, and have the highest rates of suicide in the country. But many seniors are resistant to treatment because they don't want to burden their families, or equate depression with weakness or even death.

"One of the hardest questions I get from families is, 'How can I get my elderly loved one mental health help when they don't want it?' " says Joel E. Streim, MD, professor of geriatric psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.

Don't dismiss symptoms

Depression is not normal bereavement or stress.

"If your parent is not eating for more than a few days, or loses interest in activities that used to give her pleasure for more than two weeks, it could be depression," says Dr. Streim.

Talk about how they feel

If your father can no longer drive, offering to drive him around or pay for a taxi service won't necessarily soften the blow.

"The elderly are less likely to cope with loss as well as young people because of the added years of meaning behind it," says Kathleen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, professor of gerontological nursing at the University of Iowa.

Caregivers can help by recognizing its significance: "Ask your elderly parent what they feel about the loss. It's really important to hear them out and honor their emotions. Listening offers direct comfort and support."

Look for subtle signs

"Older adults often say, 'I am not sad,' or 'I am not lonely,' because they don't want to be a burden on the family," says Dr. Streim.

"Instead, they show signs of distress by wringing their hands excessively, getting agitated or irritable, or having difficulty sitting still."

Don't impose your terminology

"For the person who says, 'No, I am not depressed,' I listen closely to what has changed in their life," says Dr. Streim.

For example, if a patient says she can't sleep, he uses that as a hook to discuss ideas about how to sleep better or longer.

"I don't say the words 'depression,' 'drugs,' or 'therapy' if an older adult doesn't buy into the idea that they need help," he says.

Recognize that depression is an illness

Family members should be aware of the disability that depression can cause and should avoid making depressed parents or relatives feel guilty by telling them to get out more or pull themselves up by the bootstraps.

"I have seen people so sick with their depression that they can't get out of bed," says Dr. Streim.

Don't take over a person's life

Buckwalter urges caregivers not to try to do things for older people that they can do for themselves.

"Doing things for a depressed person is often not helpful at all, because it reinforces their perception that they are worthless and incapable," she says.

Instead, help your elderly relative break tasks into steps and praise them for any efforts.

Try to participate in medical care

Because of new confidentiality laws, geriatric psychiatrists can't disclose information to families without their patient's permission.

"Many older people do give us that permission," says Dr. Streim. "If they don't, family members can always call me and let me know what they are seeing, and it is helpful when they do."
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6 Delicious Bread Recipes

Baking made easy

Preparing homemade bread may seem like a huge undertaking, but these 6 simple and wholesome recipes are 100% worthwhile. And making them yourself means you'll be avoiding any excess preservatives and sodium.

Butter Crust Sandwich Bread

Bake this crusty bread over the weekend, and use it to make hearty sandwiches for the week. You'll love the fresh-baked taste, and even though it's white bread, you'll get a small amount of fiber in each slice.

Ingredients: Sugar, dry yeast, fat-free milk, butter, all-purpose flour, salt, cooking spray

Calories: 187

Zucchini Bread With Moroccan Spices

Sneak in a few extra veggies with this savory baked good. Zucchini and red pepper add a spot of color plus some vitamin C, while the cumin seeds and chili flakes complete the spicy finish.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, biga, grated zucchini, bread flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, parsley, red bell pepper, unsalted roasted pistachios, cumin seeds, hot chili flakes, cornmeal

Calories: 76

Banana Blueberry Bread

Mixing fruit into bread gives it an all-natural sweetness as well as plenty of extra moisture. Plus bananas and blueberries are both rich in figure-friendly fiber.

Ingredients: All-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, quick-cooking grits, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, canola oil, banana, blueberries, eggs, cooking spray

Calories: 145

Sunflower-Wheat Loaf

Give you regular wheat bread a kick by adding nutty sunflower seeds and dried blueberries. You'll still get all the health benefits—nearly 3 grams of fiber per slice—but with fresh new flavors.

Ingredients: Dry yeast, whole-wheat flour, honey, vegetable oil, dark molasses, salt, wheat germ, cornmeal, bread flour, sunflower seeds, dried blueberries, cooking spray

Calories: 157

Rich Tomato Bread

Go Mediterranean with this quick-baking bread. Though it may take a bit of prep work, the bread's delicious with hummus or it can be served as part of a Greek feast. And the best part is that you get plenty of savory flavor but none of the blood-pressure-boosting sodium.

Ingredients: Sun-dried tomatoes, dry yeast, bread flour, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, egg, cooking spray, butter

Calories: 145

Marbled-Chocolate Banana Bread

Serve this bread as a decadent dessert or sweet breakfast option. Chocolate and bananas blend together perfectly, but the low-fat dairy products and egg substitute keep this bread on the diet-friendly list. And if you want a really rich treat, top you slice with peanut butter.

Ingredients: All-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, butter, ripe bananas, egg substitute, low-fat yogurt, semisweet chocolate chips, cooking spray

Calories: 183
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