Making those Tempting Office Treats Healthy

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June marks the 5th annual National Employee Wellness month, so this is the perfect time to start thinking about how you can make your workplace healthier. Have you found that there always seem to be tempting treats in the office? Maybe a cocanstockphoto2003820worker baked cookies to share, there’s that jar of chocolates at the front desk, or it’s hard to turn down the free pizza your boss ordered.

Whatever it may be, the workplace often seems to be filled with foods that are high in sugar, fat and calories – which can lead to weight gain and ultimately increase your risk for developing cancer. The good news is that there are things you can do to make your workplace healthier and limit the temptations.

1. Keep in mind the saying: out of sight, out of mind. You will be less tempted to grab that piece of candy if you keep it out of sight. Don’t keep sweets at your desk, and if your office keeps a candy jar out for everyone, suggest filling it with something you’ll be less tempted to overeat (such as breath mints).

2. If you usually get cake or other sweets for events such as staff birthdays, try suggesting a healthier “treat”. For example, the office could order a nice flower arrangement to add a little cheer on the birthday employee’s desk. Continue reading →

Savory Salmon Kebabs for Dad

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salmon-kebab croppedMake Dad a dish that’s hearty and heart-healthy for Father’s Day using firm-fleshed salmon, a top source of healthy omega-3 fats: our Health-e-Recipe for Salmon and Vegetable Oven Kebabs.

Deliciously paired with chunks of tomatoes, mushrooms, green pepper and yellow squash on skewers, these kebabs are both colorful and cancer-preventive. First, whip up the easy Mediterranean-style marinade of lemon juice, garlic and olive oil with a dash of Italian seasoning and freshly ground pepper. Coat the fish and veggies in it and marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 30 minutes.

Thread the food onto skewers, discard the marinade and broil in the oven just 5-8 minutes. This quick cooking method keeps the kitchen from getting too hot and results in delectably browned, tasty morsels of fish and vegetables. It’ll be a healthy hit that can satisfy Dad and the rest of your family with a traditional Mediterranean fisherman’s dish. Serve it with a tossed mixed salad with vinaigrette dressing and brown rice pilaf or crusty whole-wheat bread.

For more excellent healthy recipes, visit the AICR Test Kitchen. Subscribe to our weekly Health-e-Recipes.

 

Study: Men with Prostate Cancer May Survive Longer with Vegetable Fats

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canstockphoto13663884For the approximately 2.5 million men living with prostate cancer, a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that eating nuts and other foods high in vegetable oils may play a role in lengthening their lives.

Compared to men with prostate cancer who ate the least amount of vegetable fats, the men who ate the most had a lower risk of dying during the study from cancer or any other cause. Study analysis also concluded that men with the disease may lower their risk of dying by replacing calories from carbohydrates and animal fats with vegetable fats.

The study included 4,577 men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between 1986 and 2010. Every four years the men reported their typical diet during the previous year, answering questions on fried food consumption and what type of fat they used to cook. The study focused on mortality related to consumption of different types of fats: saturated, polyunsaturated, trans, animal, and vegetable fats.

After a median of almost 8 and a half years, 1,064 of the men had died. Most of the men – almost a third –died from heart disease. Another 21 percent died from prostate cancer specifically and another 20 percent from other cancers. Continue reading →