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Your health: Pick a pomegranate

Pomegranate power

“Pomegranates are a good produce choice for December,” says Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian in Atlanta and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “They're in peak season, and you can store them in the fridge for up to two months.”

The Washington Post says the fruit's vibrant red seed sacs, which hold a hard kernel surrounded by juice, offer a bit of vitamin C and potassium, Moore says, and a half-cup serving provides a healthy 3.5 grams of fiber. Thanks to the antioxidants they contain, pomegranates may help fight some cancers and possibly slow the growth of prostate cancer, Moore notes.

Pomegranate juice is tasty, but not as good a choice as the seeds, Moore says. “Half a cup of juice has (about) 70 calories, just like half a cup of seeds,” she says. “But most people drink more than half a cup, and 8 ounces adds up to (about) 135 calories.”

Watch the drinking

Gary Rogg, assistant professor of internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, has an interesting take on alcohol, according to The Washington Post.

“Alcohol is calories,” he says. “Fuel for the engine, if you will.” Accompanying your drinks with food and “drinking adequate amounts of water will naturally cut your desire to drink” by curbing your need for the carbs that drinking supplies. Hydrating ahead of time also can set you up for imbibing less through the evening, Rogg suggests.

He also reminds us that “the American Heart Association says up to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is OK,” he says. And he warns that this doesn't mean it's OK to quaff eight drinks at a time on the weekend.

Enter Fittest Loser

Are you looking for a health and fitness makeover? We'd like to give you a shot at making it happen. The Daily Herald and Niche Publications are offering the Fittest Loser Challenge along with sponsors including Push Fitness in Schaumburg.

We are seeking five motivated people to see who can lose the most weight in a 12-week period beginning Jan. 30. Each participant will receive free instruction from a personal trainer and nutritionist to train three to four days a week in Schaumburg.

Contestants will be featured in before- and after-photos and in stories highlighting their progress. Results will be measured each week. The Fittest Loser will be chosen based on percentage of weight lost.

To apply, go to www.pushfitnesstraining.com/signup.php. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 6.

Watch how much you are drinking at parties and outings this holiday season.
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