Women around the world would forever rejoice if chocolate could be seen to be a health food rather than a decadent treat.  Could that be the truth?

A review of 8 studies investigating the possible health benefits of chocolate have found eating chocolate could bring down cholesterol, but only in small amounts and only in people who had risk factors for heart disease.   Researchers state that further, more indepth research would be needed to see the real benefits of chocolate.

Chocolate does contain polyphenols - an antioxidant compound, which is thought to produce the health effects seen.  Unfortunately, chocolate is still high in fat and sugar which contribute to other health issues, so it isn't going to move into the eat lots category any time soon!

Source: stuff.co.nz
 

You may have heard that the thickness of a chip partly determines it's fat content.  The fatter the chip, the less fat it has.  But who knew a ring shaped fry would be healthier than a straight one?  Not me anyway.

But according to a new study in the USA, frying rings of potato rather than a straight fry produces fries with less oil, less salt and lower levels of the carcinogen acrylamine.  Not only this, but apparently they taste better too!

The potato fry rings absorbed 22% less oil, contained 26% less salt, and in sensory testing were judged superior to the straight fry.

While deep fried chips will always be an occasional food; if they can make them healthier, all the better!

Source: Food Navigator

Hauling yourself of the couch to exercise when it's dark and the air is like ice isn't the easiest thing to do.  Keeping motivated during late autumn/winter definitely takes extra work.   Here's three of the latest or greatest inventions to help keep you fit this winter.

  1. Body Media Fit System

Ever wondered how active you really are and how many calories you are burning a day?  Thanks to Body Media Fit, you can now tell.  More advanced than a heart rate monitor, the Body Media Fit System is comprised of three parts:

• BodyMedia multi-sensor Armband
This measures a number of body characteristics to see how active you are and how many calories you are burning, including heart rate, heat flux, motion and skin temperature. 

All up, it measures calorie burn, physical activity, steps taken, sleep duration and even sleep efficiency!

• BodyMedia FIT Activity Manager 
  
Your arm band needs to hook up to the activity manager which is like your own webpage.  Here you can view and track daily calorie expenditure, calorie intake (enter your daily food intake into the activity manager), physical activity and your sleep duration and efficiency.


• BodyMedia minute-to-minute Display

2.  Hire an Exercise Machine

Gym memberships can be costly and lock you into long contracts.  If you prefer to exercise outdoors in the warmer months of the year but aren't brave enough to battle the elements, hiring an exercise machine could be the answer.  Elite Fitness hires out treadmills, exercycles, cross trainers, rowers, total gyms and more!  Best of all, no long contracts and reasonable prices.  Minimum hire period is one month and hire starts from just $50 a month.  For more details, view the Elite Fitness website here

3. Pedometer

Ok, compared to the Body Fit System a pedometer may seem a little boring, but this wee device provides great motivational value for it's price. Pedometers count your steps with the goal being to reach 10,000 steps every day. One of the best things about a pedometer is it accounts for the activity you don't even think about, like walking from the car to work, or the walk to your local cafe for your morning coffee; so it doesn't feel too much like hard work.  Track your steps on a chart over four weeks to try and beat your weekly tally. 

Pedometers vary in price but an average pedometer will only set you back around $15.  Check out Walking New Zealand's website here for a range of pedometers.  

Eat Well NZ has a new feature!  Check out our blog for up-to-date nutrition news, diet tips and other fun and interesting things related to health and well being.