An Egg Yolk a Day keeps the Doctor Away

Many experts agree that cholesterol in certain foods, or the so-called dietary cholesterol, is not really bad for your health. That’s why many people want to learn more about the health benefits of eating egg yolk and why they should avoid egg whites. 

As a matter of fact, egg whites are good only for obtaining more proteins, but other than that they are not very nutritious and they can lead to various autoimmune diseases and digestive problems in some people. 

The fact is that modern society has prejudice when it comes to saturated fat and cholesterol and this prejudice makes many people stay away from foods found in nature although these foods are packed with nutrients. Take egg yolks for example. They come with fat soluble vitamins like K, E, D and A and carotenoids like zeaxanthin and lutein. 

In addition, they also have more than 90% of the iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, folate, thiamin, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. 

When we make a comparison with egg white, the white lacks most of these nutrients. Whilst it is true that the egg white comes with more protein compared to the yolk, it is also true that the white is much bigger. 

In addition, we all know that protein should include between 15 and 30% of the caloric intake and the rest should come from animal fats (healthy fats). 

It is not advisable to look for sources of proteins that don’t have fat and if we consume only protein we actually use the stores of vitamin A in the system. However, fat can be found in almost all sources of animal protein found in nature. 

There is a good reason why there is a high amount of cholesterol found in the egg yolk. In addition to the nutrients found in egg yolk, the animal that should develop from the egg needs cholesterol for proper development. Cholesterol is very important for the future reptile or bird, but it is important for humans too. 

It is a predecessor to adult hormones and cholesterol helps many process in every cell found in the body. Many studies have confirmed that dietary cholesterol has positive effect on so called good HDL while sugar (especially fructose) and omega 3 and omega 6 imbalances lead to increased bad LDL and triglycerides. 

Arachidonic Acid (AA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 

Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is a form of omega-3 fatty acid that can be used by the body while AA is a form of omega-6 that can be used in a similar way. On the other hand, omega-6 linoleic acid and omega-3 that come from Alpha-linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid need to be modified before the body can use them. 

Egg yolks contain AA and DHA. Eating eggs rich in omega-3 is an excellent way to keep omega-3 and omega-6 balance in your body. 

What Makes Egg Whites a Bad Choice? 

Although modern medicine is making a lot of progress these days, the fact is that most people working in this field are still burdened by some prejudices especially for some foods like butter and eggs. Many nutritionists recommend using only the egg white for example. So, it is no surprise why so many modern children are dealing with ADD and similar problems – just look at their diet. 

They eat egg white omelets, cereals and low fat milk in the morning. They are suffering from cholesterol, nutrient and fat deficiency. Even if you take the recommended amount of vitamins, lack of dietary fat will make their absorption very difficult. 

In other words, people should become aware of the fact that egg whites can bring more harm than good. The vast majority of living creatures on our planet have defense mechanisms used for survival. For example, plants develop dangerous toxins, animals have legs and teeth. 

Legumes and grains often contain toxins and other similar substances which is quite natural. They are still developing and Mother Nature helped them create defense mechanism so they can develop in a proper way. This is the reason why many legumes and grains create health problems in humans and why they are avoided in the popular Paleo diet. 

Eggs, unlike most animals, can’t protect their integrity by running or biting and they have to use a similar mechanism like the plants and seeds we have mentioned before. This mechanism is located in the egg white while the yolk is there to support the development. 

The egg white comes with 14 proteins and 13 of them have antimicrobial properties. They keep the microbes and viruses away, but they can also affect human health especially in cases when they are taken on a regular basis and in large quantities. 

A protein that is harmless in its natural form – lysozyme – has the ability to bind with many proteins including ovomucoid and inhibit trypsin, an enzyme which is focused on digesting proteins. What is even worse, some of the substances found in egg whites can go through the intestinal wall and trigger autoimmune problems or harm the guts. 

People who are dealing with autoimmune diseases should definitely stay away from egg whites. 

There is another anti-nutrient that is part of the egg white – avidin. It binds to biotin, a form of vitamin B that is responsible for proper fatty acid synthesis and stabilization of blood sugar levels. Avidin inhibits its absorption. If biotin is not doing its job, we can expect problems in the gut and digestive problems. 

More than 3% of the world’s population is allergic to egg whites, but only small number of them is allergic to egg yolk too. 

Some people say that the process of cooking will remove the effects of most inhibitors and anti-nutrients found in egg whites. However, there are also many people who claim the opposite. 

A recent study has shown that avidin keeps its activity (although reduced) after the white is cooked. It is true that cooking can reduce the effects, but this doesn’t make egg whites completely safe. On the other hand, egg yolks can be consumed even raw. 

Final Thoughts 

The vast majority of people today lack fat soluble vitamins like K2, A, D and E in their system and they would feel much better if they have one or two egg yolks a day. As a matter of fact, egg yolks can be much healthier than apples (who are rich in fructose). 

The good cholesterol found in yolks can be very helpful for women experiencing menopause, children, the elderly and people with adrenal issues. It is worth mentioning that egg whites are not very useful and they can even lead to problems in some people.

The 8 Most Nutrient Dense Foods on Earth

We all know which foods we do best to avoid (right?). Despite the alluring appeal of Oreos, Mountain Dew or McAnything, processed foods provide little nutrition and a whole lot of risks. But when it comes to the good stuff—what are the best foods to put into our bodies? While experts all agree we need a variety of foods for a healthy diet, do you know which are the healthiest of the bunch? The answers may surprise and delight you.

1. Spirulina: While the thought of eating lake algae might gross you out, spirulina is actually pretty tasty, especially blended into a smoothie or hidden in a chocolate bar. It has more antioxidants than any other food on earth and is loaded with protein and minerals making it the most nutrient dense food.

2. Kale: According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, kale is the most nutritious food, loaded with minerals, vitamins, fiber and amino acids, as well as important antioxidants that reduce inflammation and can prevent cancer. It’s also delicious and an easy to prepare, versatile food.

3. Hemp Seeds: What do you get when you combine protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals? Hemp, of course. This easily digestible seed is versatile, easy to use and extremely tasty, too.

4. Chocolate: Yes, you read right. Cacao beans are so nutrient-dense that scientists haven’t even begun to identify all the benefits in the little bean yet. Don’t grab a Snickers though—the good stuff is found only in raw cacao beans or nibs (or really, really dark chocolate). Minerals, vitamins and tons of antioxidants are great for your heart, skin, and release chemicals in the brain that make you feel like you’re in love.

5. Broccoli: Mom was right, you should eat your broccoli if you want a healthy digestive system and to decrease your risk of cancer. Broccoli has a wide range of yumminess too, from soups and stews to stir fry.

6. Spinach: Popeye was onto something with that spinach fixation. But skip the canned stuff and stick with fresh or frozen for an antioxidant, protein and fiber-rich burst of healthy goodness. Fresh or cooked, spinach’s sweet and hardy flavor brightens any meal.

7. Chia: The Aztec warriors may have died out, but their legacy is alive and strong in the chia seed. This yummy, unassuming ancient favorite is loaded with omega fats, protein and fiber. Dr. Weil says it’s a better choice than flax because “chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don’t deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid.”

8. Berries: Unlike other fruit, berries tend to be less sugary and full of vital vitamins, minerals and those free-radical avenging antioxidants. Wild berries are always a great choice, especially black raspberries.

The 48 Worst Frozen Foods in America

Familiar with this scenario? You head to the frozen food section of your local grocery store, weight loss in mind. You plan to grab some frozen kale for a dinner side and frozen berries for your post-workout shake. You emerge ten minutes later with frozen low-cal pizzas and low-fat ice cream.

Those tantalizing options are marketed as nutritious and convenient, so we can't say we blame you. But many of them are healthy-eating enemies in disguise. Before your next trip down the aisle, see what nutritionists consider the worst "healthy" frozen foods, and what to swap them for instead. 

FROZEN SMOOTHIE PACKS

You might think you're being waistline-friendly by picking up pre-made smoothie packs, but you could be sabotaging your weight-loss efforts. “Many prepared smoothie packs utilize yogurt made with added sugars and colorings," says nutritionist Kayleen St. John, RD, at New York City's Natural Gourmet Institute. "Sometimes the fruit itself is even sweetened with added sugar.”

Eat This! Tip

St. John suggests buying unsweetened frozen fruit chunks and blending them into smoothies with plain yogurt, green tea or almond milk. For added convenience, freeze unsweetened coconut milk in ice cube trays the night before, so you can just toss them into your blender for an icy, refreshing drink.  

LOW-CALORIE FROZEN PREPARED ENTREES

Just because they're touted as portion controlled and low calorie, doesn't mean you should stock up on these. “Many frozen prepared entrees pack a surprising amount of sugar," says St. John. "Be especially cautious of the meals with sweet sauces — think teriyaki or sweet-and-sour."

Eat This! Tip

Instead of opting for pre-made, purchase frozen meal ingredients separately. “Buy frozen plain quinoa, frozen edamame and frozen broccoli, and add you own sauces and flavorings so you know all the ingredients,” suggests St. John. 

FROZEN MACARONI AND CHEESE

“Macaroni and cheese can potentially be healthy, but the frozen varieties tend to be laden with calories and fat, plus loads of preservatives to help keep it fresh,” says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, nutrition partner of The American Macular Degeneration Foundation at macular.org.

Eat This! Tip

“If you're craving macaroni and cheese, make a fresh batch using real cheese, and you can even mix in some fresh cauliflower or butternut squash,” suggests Amidor. This will give your meal an added nutrient boost from the veggies, and the fiber will leave you feeling fuller. Brands like Annie's now offer organic vegan shells and creamy sauce, free of artificial flavors and preservatives. 

FROZEN BURGERS

Thinking you'll nestle a lean frozen burger patty in a lettuce wrap and top it with spinach and a scoop of guacamole? Sounds healthy in theory, but in practice, “One hamburger patty can enable you to ingest more than half of the daily recommended maximum for saturated fat and cholesterol," says Julieanna Hever, MS, RD, CPT, a plant-based dietitian and author of The Vegiterranean Diet and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition. "As well as chronic-disease-enhancing steroids and carcinogens created upon cooking.”

Eat This! Tip

"There are myriad options in the freezer section for all sorts of nutritious veggie burgers, some made with beans, grains, nuts, soy foods, and/or vegetables,” says Hever. Just make sure that your veggie burger alternatives aren't loaded with sodium, fillers and unfamiliar ingredients. Still want to stick with meat? Buy grass fed. 

CHICKEN NUGGETS

They bring back They bring back McDonald’s Happy Meal memories, and while you know they're not kale smoothies, just how bad could they be? Pretty bad. Though often presented as “all natural” and “gluten free,” don't be fooled. “Many varieties of this breaded and fried food not only contain fat, but specifically trans fat," says Amidor. "They tend to be high in calories, filled with preservatives and artificial fillers."

Eat This! Tip

“You can make your own baked nuggets using a touch of honey and whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, which keeps those nuggets nice and crunchy,” offers Amidor.  

FROZEN MUFFIN TOPS

With the enticing prospect of slashing calories via portion control, it's easy to think these treats are a healthy splurge. “Although you may think you're getting fewer calories and less of a muffin, popular brands are made with a laundry list of ingredients, preservatives and additives,” says Amidor.

Eat This! Tip

Be wary, bran fans. "Some brands tout that they are high in fiber, but if you read the ingredient list, the fiber is added as an ingredient and not naturally found in such high amounts in the food ingredients used,” says Amidor.  

FROZEN FRENCH FRIES

Hoping these are better than fast food? Probably not. “Potatoes are a healthy vegetable, but the way they're processed they end up being high in calories, salt, and fat,” says Amidor. And sweet potato fries don't get a free pass: “Many people think since they will cook at home without a fryer, they won't be “fried.” However, these products are already pre-fried, drenched in oil, then frozen to preserve them,” says nutritionist Lisa Hayim, MS, RD.

Eat This! Tip

You can reap the benefits of potatoes by roasting slices in the oven with a touch of olive oil and salt and pepper. "You can also make your own baked sweet potato fries, which taste darn delicious,” says Amidor.  

 

FROZEN FISH FILETS

Throw these back. “Buying fish frozen is a great way to always have a good source of protein in the house. They last long, and can be flavored the way you want them,” says Hayim. But avoid anything breaded, or with labels like “beer battered”, or “crispy,” which pack on extra calories, fat and sodium.

Eat This! Tip

“Opt for either the fresh fish section or grilled filets,” suggests Hayim. Frozen shrimp without any additives is also a good bet.

FROZEN CHICKEN POT PIE

With labels boasting of “white meat” and “veggies from the garden,” coupled with pre-portioned sizes, it's easy to be tricked into thinking frozen chicken pot pies are a healthy freezer-aisle find. “These frozen fat bombs are loaded with almost half their calories from fat and half a day's worth of sodium," says Hever. "Not to mention the steroids, hormones, and cholesterol naturally found in chicken."

Eat This! Tip

“Instead, try a non-dairy, vegetable-filled pie from companies like Amy's. They also have a Shepherd's Pie and Tamale Pie,” says Hever.

AMERICA'S WORST FROZEN FOODS:

FROZEN BREAKFASTS

EVOL EGG&POTATO BURRITO 

(1 burrito, 170 g) 330 calories, 13 g fat (5 g saturated), 340 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 11 g protein
Evol makes some decent burritos, but this isn't one of them. It features more potatoes than eggs.

LEAN POCKETS SAUSAGE, EGG&CHEESE 

(1 piece, 127 g) 270 calories, 9 g fat (4 g saturated), 380 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 11 g protein
More than 150 of these calories are carbohydrates, which is not how you want to start your day.

PILLSBURY APPLE TOASTER STRUDEL 

(1 pastry, 54 g) 180 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated), 180 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrates, <1 g fiber, 2 g protein
This has half the protein and fiber of a version by Amy's.

KELLOGG'S EGGO NUTRI-GRAIN WHOLE WHEAT WAFFLES 

(2 waffles, 70 g) 170 calories, 6 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 400 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein
There are better fiber-rich waffles to be had.

KELLOGG'S SPECIAL K FLATBREAD BREAKFAST SANDWICH SAUSAGE EGG&CHEESE 

(1 sandwich, 116 g) 240 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated), 820 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 14 g protein
The ingredients list is a novel.

KELLOGG'S EGGO BLUEBERRY WAFFLES 

(2 waffles, 70 g), 180 calories, 6 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 370 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrates, <1 g fiber, 4 g protein
Blueberries are the 11th ingredient on the list.

FROZEN PIZZA

MICHELINA'S LEAN GOURMET PEPPERONI PIZZA SNACKERS 

(11 pieces, 85 g) 200 calories, 8 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 290 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein
Nitrites and soybean oil, but not much good stuff.

AMY'S WHOLE WHEAT CRUST CHEESE&PESTO 

(1⁄3 pie, 132 g) 360 calories, 18 g fat (4 g saturated), 680 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 13 g protein
The crust is the least nutritious part of any pie, and unfortunately, Amy's is just a little bit too thick.

STOUFFER'S FRENCH BREAD SAUSAGE&PEPPERONI 

(2 pieces, 177 g) 460 calories, 24 g fat (8 g saturated), 880 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 17 g protein
One contains the saturated fat of 16 Burger King Chicken Tenders.

AMY'S ROASTED VEGETABLE NO CHEESE 

(1⁄3 pie, 113 g) 280 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 540 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 7 g protein
For the lactose intolerant, there are options closer to the real thing.

DIGIORNO TRADITIONAL CRUST FOUR CHEESE 

(1⁄2 pie, 130 g) 350 calories, 15 g fat (6 g saturated), 590 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 13 g protein
Swamped with sodium and sugars.

RED BARON THIN&CRISPY PEPPERONI PIZZA 

(1⁄3 pie, 149 g) 400 calories, 19 g fat (9 g saturated), 1,020 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 15 g protein
Even the Baron's thin-crust pies pack too much of the bad stuff.

FROZEN PASTA ENTREES

SMART ONES THREE CHEESE ZITI MARINARA 

(1 entrée, 255 g) 300 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated), 510 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrates, 7 g fiber, 13 g protein
Marinara is typically the safest of the pasta sauces, but that rule fails to hold as soon as Smart Ones buries the plate under a rubbery quilt of cheese.

ROMANO'S MACARONI GRILL CREAMY BASIL PARMESAN CHICKEN&PASTA 

(1⁄2 package, 340 g) 470 calories, 21 g fat (12 g saturated), 1,040 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrates, 4g fiber 29 g protein
Romano takes a heavy-handed approach with cream, as demonstrated by the exorbitant glut of saturated fat in this dish.

BERTOLLI RUSTICO BAKES RICOTTA&SPINACH CANNELLONI 

(1 meal, 314 g) 500 calories, 28 g fat (17 g saturated), 1,290 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 21 g protein
These noodles are stuffed with cheese and covered with cream, plus more than half a day's allotment of salt.

STOUFFER'S CHICKEN FETTUCCINI ALFREDO 

(1 package, 297 g) 570 calories, 27 g fat (7 g saturated), 850 mg sodium, 55 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 26g protein
Alfredo sauce contains any of the following: oil, butter, cheese, cream, and egg yolk. In other words, it's a full-fat assault.

AMY'S LIGHT IN SODIUM MACARONI&CHEESE 

(1 entrée, 255 g) 400 calories, 16 g fat (10 g saturated), 290 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 16g protein
We've seen worse mac out there, but Amy's packages its pasta as a healthy alternative to the normal stuff, and we're just not buying it.

FROZEN FISH ENTREES

VAN DE KAMP'S CRUNCHY FISH FILLETS 

(2 fillets, 99 g) 230 calories, 13g fat (4.5 g saturated), 440 mg sodium, 8 g protein
You know what makes the breading crunchy? The same thing that makes it 150 percent more caloric and 267 percent fattier: oil.

MRS. PAUL'S FRIED SCALLOPS 

(13 scallops) 260 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated), 700 mg sodium, 12g protein
Scallops are among the sea's greatest gifts to man. Spoiling them with the fryer treatment is an abomination. You end up with more calories from fat than protein.

P.F. CHANG'S HOME MENU SHRIMP LO MEIN 

(1/2 package, 312 g) 390 calories, 12 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 740 mg sodium, 16 g protein
Chang's sauce is polluted with three kinds of oil.

SEAPAK MARYLAND STYLE CRAB CAKES 

(1 crab cake with 1 oz sauce, 113 g) 240 calories, 13 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 830 mg sodium, 11 g protein
These crab cakes deliver more starchy filler than actual shellfish. Somewhere, a Marylander is shaking his head.

SEAPAK SHRIMP SCAMPI 

(6 shrimp, 113 g) 340 calories, 31 g fat (12 g saturated), 480 mg sodium, 12 g protein
Shrimp are essentially pure protein, so it's puzzling to find that protein accounts for just 13 percent of this entrée's calories.

SEAPAK JUMBO BUTTERFLY SHRIMP 

(4 shrimp, 84 g) 230 calories, 11 g fat (2 g saturated), 480 mg sodium, 10 g protein
Each shrimp delivers more than 50 calories, and nearly half of that comes from unnecessary fats.

FROZEN CHICKEN ENTREES

HEALTHY CHOICE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN 

(1 entrée, 280 g) 300 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 510 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 18 g protein
This bowl contains more sugar than protein—19 grams of sugar, in fact, more than you'd find in a scoop of Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream.

EVOL CHICKEN ENCHILADA BAKE

(1 bowl, 255 g) 380 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated), 630 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 21 g protein
Make this kind of simple mistake once a day, and that 100 calories adds up to 11 pounds a year.

HEALTHY CHOICE CAFÉ STEAMERS SWEET SESAME CHICKEN 

(1 meal, 276 g) 280 calories, 7 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 520 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 21 g protein
Packs as much sugar as a two-pack of Twix Peanut Butter.

MARIE CALLENDER'S FRESH FLAVOR STEAMER SESAME CHICKEN 

(1 meal, 291 g) 400 calories, 12 g fat (2 g saturated), 710 mg sodium, 54 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 18 g protein
A chicken dish should not be a festival of fat and carbohydrates.

BANQUET SELECT RECIPES CLASSIC FRIED CHICKEN MEAL 

(1 entrée, 228 g) 440 calories, 26 g fat (6 g saturated, 1.5 g trans), 1,140 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 22 g protein
Never settle for a frozen dinner with trans fats.

LEAN CUISINE SESAME CHICKEN 

(1 package, 255 g) 330 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 650 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 16 g protein
There's nothing lean about breaded chicken tossed with 14 grams of sugar.

FROZEN BEEF ENTREES

BANQUET BEEF POT PIE 

(1 pie, 198 g) 390 calories, 22 g fat (9 g saturated, 0.5 g trans), 1,010 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 12 g protein
A potpie crust is essentially an oversized pastry, which is to say lots of carbohydrates glued together with saturated and trans fat.

P.F. CHANG'S HOME MENU BEEF WITH BROCCOLI 

(1⁄2 package, 312 g) 360 calories, 17 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 1,020 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 22 g protein
Chang's bagged meals suffer from the same sodium saturation that plagues its restaurant fare.

HUNGRY-MAN HOME-STYLE MEATLOAF 

(1 package, 454 g) 660 calories, 35 g fat (12 g saturated), 1,660 mg sodium, 61 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 26 g protein
Word of advice to the calorie conscious: Purge Hungry-Man from your freezer for good. This is consistently the worst brand in the frozen-foods aisle.

SMART ONES SMART ANYTIME MINI CHEESEBURGERS 

(2 mini-burgers, 140 g) 380 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated), 720 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 18 g protein
There's a lot of bun around these burgers, with nearly twice the carbs as White Castle.

HEALTHY CHOICE CAFÉ STEAMERS BARBECUE SEASONED STEAK WITH RED POTATOES 

(1 meal, 269 g) 260 calories, 3.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 470 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 17 g protein
More fat, calories and sugar than the Smart Ones pot roast.

FROZEN SIDES, SNACKS AND APPETIZERS

ORE-IDA SWEET POTATO STRAIGHT FRIES 

(22 fries, 84 g) 160 calories, 8 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 160 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein
A raw sweet potato has more fiber and vitamin A than a raw russet potato, but once the food industry starts plowing fat into the produce, all bets are off.

HEBREW NATIONAL BEEF FRANKS IN A BLANKET 

(5 pieces, 81 g) 300 calories, 24 g fat (8 g saturated, 3 g trans), 680 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrates, 8 g protein
You shouldn't consume this much trans fat in an entire day, let alone from a snack.

T.G.I. FRIDAY'S CHICKEN QUESADILLA ROLLS 

(2 pieces, 83 g) 230 calories, 10g fat (3 g saturated, 1 g trans), 470 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrates, 9 g protein Frozen flour tortillas are little trans-fat delivery systems.

TYSON CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS 

(4 pieces, 80 g) 190 calories, 12 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 420 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrates, 9 g protein
There's a big difference between “organic,” a regulated term, and “natural,” which means nothing. In this case, that difference is worth an extra dose of fat and sodium.

ORE-IDA ONION RINGERS 

(3 pieces, 81 g) 180 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated), 160 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein
Each ring harbors more than 3 grams of fat. Fries are almost always the better choice.

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Liver

We devote plenty of time and energy into spring cleaning our homes, but what about our bodies? As you rid your home of clutter and dust this year, consider cleansing your body of toxins, too.

Every day we encounter high levels of chemicals—from the food we eat to the personal care products we use each morning. Our bodies remove some chemicals through its natural waste system, but because we live in such a toxin-laden world, this system can get bogged down.

Your liver is arguably one of the most important organs in your body’s natural detoxification system. To prevent our fat tissues and cells from absorbing them, the liver turns fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins, from which point our bodies can easily flush them. This is just one small role the liver plays in our body, however; the liver has more than 500 functions, from metabolizing fat to regulating hormones, and if it spends too much time working to remove toxins, your health can falter. 

To support your liver and aid your body’s natural detoxification process, follow these tips:

DON’T OVERBURDEN YOUR LIVER

Your liver works hard enough without having to process things like alcohol and over-the-counter painkillers, which are unnecessarily hard on this vital organ. In fact, taking regular, small doses of painkillers is the leading cause of drug-induced liver disease and failure.

DRINK PLENTY OF LEMON WATER

Water is important to the natural detox system; it’s one of the methods by which our bodies remove toxins. The citric acid in lemon juice encourages the liver to produce bile, which is another vehicle that our bodies use to excrete toxins.

TAKE LIVER-SUPPORT SUPPLEMENTS

Turmeric, milk thistle and dandelion are all known to be helpful at cleansing and protecting the liver. Try 50 milligrams of turmeric, 500 milligrams of dandelion extract, or 500 milligrams of milk thistle daily. You can also steep fresh dandelion roots into a boiling water to make a tea. (Note: If foraging for wild dandelions, only pick them from areas that you know are free from toxic pesticides.)

EAT CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

Broccoli, cabbage, kale, arugula, collard greens and other cruciferous vegetables are recommended foods when doing a liver detox. Be sure to eat at least one serving a day.

GET ENOUGH MINERALS

Minerals are essential to the liver detoxification process, so make sure you’re eating plenty of mineral-rich foods or taking a good mineral supplement (look for a liquid-based supplement with both macro and trace minerals). Important minerals for liver detoxification include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese and others.

Keeping your liver in top shape is essential to good health. Read more about how to strengthen your liver.

Astronomers identify record-breaking brown dwarf located 750 light years away

A team of astronomers has identified record-breaking brown dwarf located some 750 light years away.

The object, known as SDSS J0104+1535, is a member of the so-called halo - the outermost reaches - of our galaxy, made up of the most ancient stars.

It is located 750 light years away in the constellation of Pisces and is made of gas that is around 250 times purer than the Sun and consists of more than 99.99 per cent hydrogen and helium, researchers said.

The dwarf is estimated to have formed about 10 billion years ago, measurements also suggest it has a mass equivalent to 90 times that of Jupiter, making it the most massive brown dwarf found to date.

"We really did not expect to see brown dwarfs that are this pure. Having found one though often suggests a much larger hitherto undiscovered population - I would be very surprised if there are not many more similar objects out there waiting to be found," said ZengHua Zhang of the Institute of Astrophysics in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa.

Brown dwarfs are intermediate between planets and fully-fledged stars. Their mass is too small for full nuclear fusion of hydrogen to helium (with a consequent release of energy) to take place, but they are usually significantly more massive than planets, researchers said.

NASA's Juno probe to make fifth flyby over Jupiter's cloud tops today

NASA's Juno probe is all set to make its fifth flyby over mysterious cloud tops of the gas giant on Monday, March 27, at 1:52 a.m. PDT (4:52 a.m. EDT, 8:52 UTC).

At the time of closest approach, also called perijove, and traveling at a speed of about 129,000 miles per hour, Juno spacecraft will be about 2,700 miles above the Jupiter's cloud tops.

During the flyby, all of Juno's eight science instruments will be switched on to collect data on the gas giant

"This will be our fourth science pass - the fifth close flyby of Jupiter of the mission - and we are excited to see what new discoveries Juno will reveal,” said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of Juno from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. "Every time we get near Jupiter’s cloud tops, we learn new insights that help us understand this amazing giant planet."

Juno has revealed that Jupiter's magnetic fields are more complicated than originally thought, and that the belts and zones that give the planet's cloud tops their distinctive look extend deep into the its interior.

Observations of the energetic particles that create the incandescent auroras suggest a complicated current system involving charged material lofted from volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io.

The Juno science team continues to analyze returns from previous flybys.

NASA says peer-reviewed papers with more in-depth science results from Juno's first flybys are expected to be published within the next few months.