Healthy food is less expensive than junk food, study finds

Though it's widely believed that healthy food is more expensive than junk food, a new government analysis shows that does not have to be the case.

"In fact, carrots, onions, pinto beans, lettuce, mashed potatoes, bananas and orange juice are all less expensive per portion than soft drinks, ice cream, chocolate candy, French fries, sweet rolls and deep-fat fried chicken patties," reports Nanci Hellmich for USA Today.

"We have all heard that eating a healthy diet is expensive, and people have used that as an excuse for not eating a healthy diet . . . but healthy foods do not necessarily cost more than less healthy foods," said Andrea Carlson, an economist and co-author of the report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service. "The price of potato chips is nearly twice as expensive as the price of carrots by portion size."

Carlson and colleague Elizabeth Frazão analyzed national pricing data on more than 4,000 foods and ranked them according to price based on calories, weight and portion size. The foods were placed in five food groups: grains, dairy, protein, fruit and vegetables. Another category was added for unhealthy items, which did not fall into any of the other calories or were high in sugar, sodium and/or saturated fat such as cookies, desserts, granola bars and many cereals. They found:

• Given portion size, the ranking from least expensive to most expensive is: grains, dairy, vegetables, fruit, protein and less healthy foods. Protein and less healthy foods cost nearly the same.

• Meat, chicken and fish are the most expensive sources of protein but there are low-cost options like eggs and beans.

• Fruit and vegetables are lower in cost overall than unhealthy foods.

• Grains, such as bread, oatmeal, pasta and rice, are the cheapest foods no matter how the portion is measured. (Read more)

For first time, annual health costs for families exceed $20,000

For the first time, the average annual costs of workplace-provided health insurance and other costs for a family of four has exceeded $20,000, a new study has found. Costs are $20,728 this year, an increase of $1,335 over 2011.

An average family will pay $5,114 in premiums for a preferred provider organization plan, plus $3,470 in out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and prescriptions,  Jeffrey Young reports on The Huffington Post. The rest of the costs are paid by employers, according to the report released by Milliman, a firm that consults with companies on employee benefits.

"The rate of increase is not as high as in the past but total dollar increase was still a record," the report states. "The dollar amount of the increase overshadows any relief consumers might derive from the slowing percentage increase."

The report also found health-care costs vary among 14 metropolitan areas Milliman analyzed. Miami and New York City are most expensive where costs are 20 percent higher than the national average. Louisville and Lexington were not among the areas studied. (Read more)

National effort to combat Alzheimer's disease begins; as research continues, there are preventive steps you can take

Country singer Glen Campbell, who has Alzheimer's disease,
stands with wife Kim during a national conference Tuesday.
Associated Press photo by Charles Dharapak.

With numbers expected to jump to 16 million Americans by 2050, research is being conducted in earnest to find a way to ward off Alzheimer's disease.

One plan of attack is testing therapies before people show symptoms of memory loss, since the disease starts attacking the brain at least 10 years before memory problems appear. An international study will see if an experimental drug can halt the disease in "people who appear healthy but are genetically destined to get a type of Alzheimer's that runs in the family," reports Lauran Neergaard for The Associated Press. In another study, researchers will see if a nasal spray that shoots insulin to the brain can help patients with early memory problems.

Part of the challenge in combatting the disease is researchers are still not sure what causes it. "The chief suspects are a sticky gunk called bata-amyloid, which makes up the disease's hallmark brain plaques, and tangles of a protein named tau that clogs up dying brain cells. One theory: "Amyloid may kick off the disease while tau speeds up the brain destruction," Neergaard reports.

Given the expected increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's, the Obama administration has adopted a national strategy to fight the disease, part of which is a website that is a "one-stop shop for families" to offer information about dementia and links to community resources. Today, there are 5.4 Americans with Alzheimer's or related dementias.

There are steps people can take to protect their brains from the disease, including intellectual and social stimulation to help build "cognitive reserve." Doing crossword puzzles, for example, can help. So can physical activity. "Any time your heart is healthier, your brain is healthier," said Dr. Elizabeth head of the University of Kentucky. Diet is another consideration, since foods that are heart healthy are brain healthy, including omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. (Read more)

Tips on Makeover for Women

Shape Up!
No matter how unique your dress and make-up is, if your body is not in shape, if your love handles and tummy are bulging out of your clothes, nothing in this world can ever make you look appealing. So, the first of the makeover tips is that you should lose some weight. Join a gym or a yoga class, go cycling or swimming, find an activity of your interest and make a routine of it. If you are really out of shape, hire a personal trainer. Exercising will keep you fit, energetic and bring a gorgeous glow back to your skin!

Re-do your Wardrobe!
I have seen many housewives who are in their fifties and sixties, who still wear the clothes that were considered fashionable when they were young. Also, many women, when they hit 50s start dressing up like grannies! So, another tip on makeover for women over 50 is to re-do your wardrobe. Check out some fashion clothing magazines and see what women your age are wearing. Or, you may go through various websites on the Internet which suggest clothes suited to a particular body shape. Most experts suggest that fashion over 50 or 40, should include clothes like shirt-dresses, pleated sun-dresses, wrap dresses, pants paired with a feminine blouse and blue jeans. The colors should be solid like black, gray, red and white, and the prints bold and classic such as stripes and checks.

Apply Makeup!
If you have not cared much for your skin, as you age, your skin can become very dull and sallow. This is where makeup comes handy. So, another tip on makeover for women over 40 is to apply subtle makeup which gives your face a lift, but at the same time looks very natural. Go in for muted lipsticks, light or neutral colored eye shadows, brown or gray eye liner instead of black and a foundation to even out your skin tone.

Change your Hairstyle!
Your hairstyle can actually make or mar the look of your entire face. Although, many fashion experts recommend that women over 40 should stick to short, layered hairstyles, still if you are someone who wants to look different and is game for a bit of experimentation, you can opt for some classy looking long hairstyles too. If you are not sure what kind of haircut and hair color will suit you, make use of the virtual makeover facilities available on many websites on the Internet. All you have to do is to register with them, upload your photo and thereafter you can put any kind of hairstyle or make-up on your photo and actually see how it looks on your face!

Accessorize!
If you read any makeover for girls and women in their twenties, the fashion experts recommend lots of accessories. Makeover tips for girls are simple. However, when it comes to women in their 40s or 50s, flashy or too much of accessories may actually look cheap. So, stick to just one fashion accessory at a time, such as either chandelier earrings or a necklace, when you are dressing up casually. With formal wear, opt for diamond or pearl sets.

In the end, whether it is makeover for women or men, more than the outer appearance, it is your inner being, your personality, which should shine through. So, keep yourself updated on the things and happenings around you. Be kind, sensitive and gentle to people. At the same time, carry yourself with a lot of confidence and class. Most of all, have a life of your own, apart from your spouse and kids!
By Aastha Dogra