Jif recently added Omega 3 fish oil into their peanut butter and proudly splashes it on their packaging so choosy mom’s choose Jif to get in the all important Omegs 3’s. First, it’s a mere dusting of fish oils, 32mg to be exact. This number is what food companies proposed to the FDA to be the number required in order to be labeled as ‘High in Omega-3’ or ‘Good source of Omega-3.’ But the FDA didn’t approve it because it wasn’t enough. So, they can add it their foods but just can’t make fancy claims about it. Okay, so it’s not enough Omega 3’s to claim anything, but it still is in there so that good, right? No. If this isn’t enough to convince you not to choose Jif, take a look at the ingredients. Sugar and the hydrogenated oils are listed first so you know they trump the fish oils that are added. Manufactures are known to use the cheapest oils which are already rancid and full of free-radicals. Then, in order to take the smell out of fish oils which are used, you need to cook them in hydrogen gas at a high temperature as most oils are processed.  Since the peanut butter doesn’t smell fishy, you know this type of processing has taken place which causes more harm than good.

JIF Omega 3 Peanut Butter Ingredients:
MADE FROM PEANUT BUTTER [ROASTED PEANUTS, SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: MOLASSES, FULLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OILS (RAPESEED AND SOYBEAN), MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, SALT], ANCHOVY* AND SARDINE OIL*,TILAPIA GELATIN, TOCOPHEROLS AND CITRIC ACID (ANTIOXIDANTS). *A TASTELESS, ODORLESS SOURCE OF OMEGA-3 DHA AND EPA.

Most peanut butters on the market are going to have harmful ingredients. You should always check the ingredient panel before you buy any peanut butter.

Choose This:

Peanut butter should have one ingredient: Peanuts. May be a hint of salt. That’s it. There are a few good ones on the market but my personal favorites are Costco & Whole Foods 365 brand. They are very good & don’t need a lot of stirring. The saturated fats in peanuts are healthy fats because it is from a plant source. According to the latest research, a diet rich in peanut products helps reduce cholesterol, as well as lower your risk for heart disease. I have peanut butter daily, either mixed in my chocolate, or added to protein shakes and I also dip my apples and celery in it.

Don’t fall into the marketing hype! Smart Balance is NOT smart and choosy mom’s should not choose Jif

Laura Scudder’s All Natural Peanut Butter Ingredients:

PEANUTS, CONTAINS 1% OR LESS OF SALT.

The post Choose Wisely: Peanut Butter appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

The Dr. Oz Vitamin List

If you’ve ever stood paralyzed in the vitamin aisle, facing the alphabet soup of supplements, fear no more. This is Dr. Oz’s list of critical vitamins that every woman should be taking. And if you know your ABC’s, this list should be easy to remember!

Helpful Hint: When purchasing your vitamins, check for bottles labeled 100% daily allowance on label.

A Multivitamin:

Multivitamins fulfill your nutritional needs for the day. Take half in the morning and half at night. Multivitamins contain:

Vitamin A – critical for healthy vision and skin
Vitamin B – a metabolism booster
Vitamin C – keeps your immune system strong, especially important during cold and flu season.
Vitamin D – promotes healthy bones (and your immune system)
Vitamin E – for healthy development of muscles and brain function

Additional Vitamin D:

Dr. Oz recommends taking additional vitamin D. To learn more about the benefits of this supplement click here.

Omega 3’s:

To keep your brain, heart and eyes healthy, take Omega 3’s every day. For women, the daily dose of Omega 3s is 1000 mg; for men, the dosage is 600 mg.

The post The Vitamins you need to Take! appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Women and men may discover that they are having hair loss while losing weight.  Here are a few facts about hair loss and hormones.  While this does not happen with everyone, below are some tips to keep this to a minimum.  Your hair texture should return to normal in Phase 4.

Here are some tips to reduce the side effects while on the diet.  Remember that your hormones and thyroid are going through many changes.  Nurture your hair during your weight loss journey.

1.  Take biotin

2.  Eat more fish, check out the Phase 2 fish recipes.

3.  Add flax seed, especially in Phase 3 as your hypothalamus is resetting.

4.  Try using Nioxin which helps restore the vitamins needed to the scalp to prevent hair loss or stop it.

5.  Make sure you are getting your B vitamins.

6.  Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica.

7.  Avoid over-consumption of salt.

8.  Apple-cider vinegar, applied as a rinse.

9.  One great technique many people use to help their hair grow faster is a scalp massage.

10. Regularly trimming your hair.  Also keeping your hair pulled up causes strain on the hair follicles.

The post Hair Loss on Protocol appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

The post Omega-3 Sources appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.