Is Tilapia Healthy? (Confused Day Tuesday!)

You've probably noticed a couple tilapia recipes on this blog in the past.  Perhaps you were surprised that a dietitian would choose to eat tilapia.  After all, there have been some not-so-great things in the news over the past couple years about tilapia, mainly concerning the amount of omega-3 fatty acids it contains (or lacks).  But are any of the cases against tilapia really justified?  Maybe, but in my opinion there isn't a enough evidence to compel me to stop buying it and feeding it to my family.  Here are some pros and cons so you can make your own decision.

Cons

• Many people don't like the idea that almost all of the tilapia found in the US is farm-raised. This article from the New York Times, for example, paints a slightly disturbing picture of farm-raised tilapia and it's effect on the environment.  However, I'd like to point out that best practices are taking place in the United States and Latin America.  Look for tilapia from these places, according to the article.  Or, get to know your fish department and learn where your fish is coming from so you can better trust it's origin.

• If you are watching out for best practices when it comes to raising fish, you'll want to read this article.  As with most species of fish, you may be getting previously frozen fish that claims to be "fresh".  This means whoever raised and shipped your fish may have added things for "freshness" about which you may not be happy to hear (or put in your body).  Make sure you are aware of where your fish is from, and read the sign to see if it was "previously frozen" (most seafood departments will have this on their point of sale signs).

• Tilapia is not a significant source of omega-3, with only 135 mg per serving.  Compare this to salmon, which contains closer to 1800-200 mg per serving.  That's quite a difference.

• Some people say that tilapia is a poor choice because of the "imbalance of omegas", meaning the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is too high.  If you believe this is a problem, avoid tilapia, but read the Pro section below to learn why this many not really be a "con" after all.

Pros

• Worried about the mercury in tilapia?  You shouldn't be, it's one of varieties of fish with the lowest amount of mercury.  Check out appendix 11 in the USDA Dietary Guidelines to see more about mercury and omega-3 in your favorite fish variety.

• "Why is it that when I was growing up I never heard of tilapia?"; this is what I hear from customers at work, quite often.  It's a good question, I mean, even I hadn't really heard about tilapia until probably ten years ago.  The truth is, it's been around for thousands and thousands of years, but it's only become popular lately because it's become a popular fish to farm.  It's become popular among consumers because many people will eat it because it's not very fishy tasting.  It's a mild tasting fish that many people enjoy, and that is very versatile.

• While tilapia may be low in omega-3s (compared to other fish), it's also very low in calories, fat, and saturated fat.  Four ounces of raw tilapia contains only 120 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 1 gram saturated fat.  Compare that to some of your other favorite animal proteins and all of a sudden tilapia is looking pretty good!

• Tilapia does have a higher omega-6 content, but why is that so bad?  There is really no conclusive evidence that omega-6 is harmful, and in fact there is much more evidence that it plays a positive role in our health.    This section of the American Heart Association website provides a link to an article from Circulation (The AHA's Journal).  The conclusions are posted below;

 

Want to choose a more sustainable tilapia?  Check out the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch guide online.  Here are the best types of tilapia to buy, according to them; 

Buy tilapia from the US, which is farmed in a more sustainable manor, with less pollution.  For a good alternative, tilapia from places like Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Honduras are good too.

The bottom line is that you need to get the facts before making a decision that is right for you, and your family.   Right now the evidence suggests that while it may not be the best choice for your "two servings of fish per week" (you'll need to go elsewhere to get your omega-3s), it still fits into a healthy and balanced diet.   And if you're like me and you live with someone who really despises the taste of "fishy-fish"such as salmon, tilapia can be a nice compromise at the dinner table.  You may still not want to eat tilapia, and that's fine too, but I hope I cleared up some questions either way.

QUESTION:  What's your favorite type of seafood? Do you eat tilapia?

Thanks for reading!

The Candid Rd

Grass-Fed Beef, Is It Really Superior?

A couple weeks ago, during a meeting at work, a co-worker told me he had been buying grass-fed beef lately because "it's more lean than the typical grain-fed beef".  He even brought in a clipping from a magazine to prove to me that it was more lean than grain-fed beef (in case I didn't believe him).  I shocked him when I told him that, while grass-fed beef is leaner, you can absolutely find grain-fed beef that is just as lean (and much cheaper of course).

Source: iStock Photo

To prove to him that yes, the in-store dietitian was actually correct, I went downstairs to our meat department to show him the labels of our grass-fed beef and those of our grain-fed beef.  Of course, when compared to similar cuts, the grass-fed beef was typically leaner, but I pointed out that the 85% lean ground beefs both had the same fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol (so in other words, it really depends on the brands of meat you are buying).  He was perplexed.  I also pointed out that we, as well as some other grocery stores, only carry 90% lean grass-fed beef, yet we carry up to 96% lean grain-fed beef.  So, in this case, the 96% lean grain-fed beef was much leaner.

So....why pay the premium price for grass-fed beef??

Last year after reading Michael Pollan's  "The Omnivore's Dilemma", and this article from the New York Time's Well Blog, I felt like I had a better understanding of grass-fed beef and why so many people love it.  I did some more research for this post and also found this research from Nutrition Journal.  Here are some pros and cons on grass-fed beef, based on what I've read. 

Pros

 Compared to similar cuts, grass-fed beef typically provides:

• Lower levels of cholesterol-elevating saturated and trans fats

• Higher levels of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
  

• More vitamins A, E and other important antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation

• Twice the levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which may have chemoprotective properties and may help prevent other chronic diseases.

• May be better for the environment, compared to grain-fed beef (grass produces much less carbon than grain, says Michael Pollan)

Cons

• Regarding the "lower levels of saturated fat and trans fat", well, you can buy lean grain-fed beef (90 percent lean, or greater), which also has incredibly low levels of unhealthy fat.  There are also some cuts of grain-fed beef, such as the ones listed here, that are very lean too, let's not forget that!  

• The levels of Omega-3 found in grass-fed beef are still far lower than that found in salmon and tuna.  No matter what, you'll still need to eat your fish to get the recommended amount of omega-3.

• If you really want a greater amount of CLA and omega-3, you can just buy the fattier cuts of grain-fed beef. They are comparable in CLA.

• Some grass-fed beef may have a "grassy taste", and some find it not very palatable.

• Grass-fed almost three times as expensive as regular, grain-fed beef.

Keep in mind, when the label says "grass-fed" it may not mean the cattle were fed grass their entire life. It could mean they were fed grass just at the beginning of their life.  Look for the label from the American Grassfed Association for assurance that your beef was fed a 100% grass diet, throughout their life.

The idea of a leaner meat is always thrilling to me, but I prefer to save my money and stick to the leaner cuts of grain-fed meats, personally.  I do enjoy my fish twice a week, so I'll get my omega-3s that way.  Plus, I really enjoy the the taste of the extra lean cuts of grain-fed beef, as long as they are cooked using methods that tenderize well (ie: slow cookers for example!)

QUESTION:  Do you buy grass-fed beef?

Thanks for reading!

The Candid Rd

NOTE: I love comments!  But, be sure to come back to read any replies to questions or comments, as they do not go directly to your e-mail.

The NEW Candid RD

The Candid RD is back!  After a brief blogging hiatus my mind is refreshed and my blogger "pallet" is clean.  I'm ready for a new start.  Are you ready to join me?!

I did something very important while I was gone.  I married the man of my dreams.

We were married on the beach in Bald Head Island, North Carolina

O-H-I-O
Yes, we are HUGE Ohio State Buckeye Fans!

With wedding planning no longer taking up all of my time, I'm ready to get back into the world of blogging, but I'm starting with a (somewhat) new format. 

My focus with this blog has always been to make nutrition simple, understandable, and unambiguous.  The article abstract below, which can only be read in full by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members, reiterates the fact that dietitians have an important responsibility to assist in clearing up the false food/nutrition/health information that is so easy to get a hold of in today's crazy world.

 Source: www.EatRight.org (The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

There is inaccurate information about nutrition, food, and health everywhere, and dietitians are constantly looking for ways to convince people that not everything they hear is true (even if their doctor, or Dr. Oz says it is).  I do not believe that I know everything about nutrition, but my goal still remains the same; I will strive each and every day to clear up the confusion that surrounds the topic of nutrition and health,  and to make a healthy diet and lifestyle more achievable for anyone who is interested (hopefully, you!).



The following is my plan for this blog; 

MONDAYS

Motivational Monday: Mondays are the start of the week, so why not start off on the right foot?! I'll provide motivational quotes, the latest research that may motivate you to start making a healthy change, and helpful tips on how to get into the "healthy eating groove" and/or how to get up and get moving!

Source: iStockPhoto

Or

Meatless Monday:  I'm a huge fan of meat, I'll admit it, but I also love knowing that there are so many great recipes out there with zero meat/poultry/fish, but which still contain plenty of filling protein.  Some of my favorite meatless meal components are tempeh, beans, and portobella mushrooms.  I'll share some of my favorite recipes with you, so you can see for yourself!

This is a Tempeh Salad Sandwich.  See my vegetarian recipes on the sidebar of this blog!

TUESDAYS

Confused Day Tuesday:  The public hears conflicting messages about food, nutrition, and health each and every day.  One day fructose is fine, the next it makes us fat. One day low-fat is the way to go, the next day it's low-carb.  One day margarine is better than butter, the next day we're told to throw out all of our margarine.  One day vitamin E supplements promote brain function, the next day it promotes heart attacks.  What should we believe?!  My Tuesday posts will be focused on clearing up those nutrition and food-related topics that cause so much confusion (and most of the time they will be topics about which even dietitians can be confused!).

So much information.....what should we believe?!

WEDNESDAYS

Whatever Wednesday:  On Wednesday I will post ... whatever I feel like posting! It may be a new favorite recipe (I like quick and easy recipes) or a blurb about a recent nutrition-related article.  Who knows!?

THURSDAYS

Thrifty Thursday: When it comes to educating people on how to eat healthier, and live healthier lifestyles, I like to focus on doing so in a realistic and frugal manor.  I'm not cheap, but I did grow up with an accountant father who taught me how to spend my money wisely, and a mother who taught me that no food should ever be wasted, and that I should look for deals wherever I can!  Thursdays will focus on how I eat healthy on a budget, and how you can too.

Money is certainly not everything, but if you can find ways to live healthy without spending all of your money on food, why not do it?!

FRIDAYS

FAQ Friday!:  I've been asked so many nutrition and food-related questions via Twitter (@CandidRD),  Facebook  (The Candid RD), e-mail,  MyFitnessPal , and Instagram (TheCandidRD) and obviously, in person. On Fridays I want to share the questions and my answers with YOU!


 Please feel free to e-mail me your questions and I can add them to my weekly postings.

Question: What can I do about my picky eater?!

Question: What do I eat if I have IBS? Do you have recipes for the Low Fodmap Diet?!

Question:  I used MyFitness Pal.  Should I really eat those extra calories I burn during my workout?

These posts will also include information about the Low FODMAPs diet (FODMAPs Friday!), which is a diet for those with IBS. I've been following a low FODMAPs diet for several years now, and it's changed my life (for the better).  My recipes are often not 100% FODMAPs-free (that's difficult, especially when you live in an Italian household!), but I do provide modifications for you to make them at least lower in FODMAPs, which is often all you need to feel better!

SATURDAYS

Saturday Sabotage:  Have you noticed that even your local hardware store now sells candy bars?  Have you noticed that it's almost impossible to go out for dinner or go to a dinner party without consuming more than 1000 calories?  On Saturdays I'll provide examples of how our environment (and...ahem...weekends!!) can sabotage your health and wellness goals, and how to avoid the sabotage.

Saturday Swap:  On some Saturdays I will post recipes that you can swap for your favorite weekend treat.  An example might be a new healthier dip for your chips, or a healthier holiday dessert for your weekend holiday party.  This is just another way to help you dodge the sabotage!

NOTE:  I'm not planning on posting every Saturday, but when I have something to post, I will.

Our environment makes it very difficult to stick to our goals! (Photo source: iStockPhotos) 

I will not be posting every day, as I have a full time job, and....a husband :)  But, I am going to try to post at least 4 times a week and I look forward to being your source for accurate and understandable nutrition information.

Thanks for reading!

The Candid Rd

NOTE: I love comments!  But, be sure to come back to read any replies to questions or comments, as they do not go directly to your e-mail.

Breakfast Parfait To Keep My Fire Burning!

As a child I never went a day without breakfast, which is why as an adult the idea of skipping breakfast is just crazy to me. The reasons to eat breakfast are endless, but here are some of the main reasons to eat breakfast according to the latest issue of Today's Dietitian Magazine;

• It kicks starts your metabolism. Think of your metabolism as a fire. It can't keep burning unless you feed it fuel! If you don't feed it fuel for several hours, it starts to die and that's just not good.

• Breakfast eaters are more likely to have a BMI under 25 (According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)

• There is a lot of research that shows a positive relationship between between eating breakfast and having a healthier nutritional intake throughout the day.
  

• Some research shows that breakfast eaters are less prone to overeating at night.

• Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to add a good amount of fiber, and hopefully one or two servings of fruits/vegetables into your diet.

• Some studies show that eating breakfast may enhance memory and increase attention span.

• Research has shown that eating breakfast, especially one that contains carbohydrates, can improve your mood.

• Especially important for women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, breakfast can be a great way to get the recommended amount of calcium and folic acid (for pregnant women the recommendations are 1000 mg calcium/day and 600 mcg folic acid/day).
  

• If you are pregnant a prolonged fast can result in slow growth of the baby and maybe even preterm labor. Eat breakfast!
  

Many people think that breakfast has to be large. I had a client once tell me that she doesn't eat breakfast, but that she has a piece of toast with peanut butter every morning. Ummm....that's breakfast! It doesn't need to be a giant meal, it just needs to be something. I have other clients who say they "don't have time" for breakfast, and then a light goes on when I tell them they can have a banana, an apple, a yogurt, and/or a granola bar (on-the- go food!) and that would be perfectly sufficient.


The best breakfast is one that includes;

• A whole grain
• Some calcium
• One or two servings of fruits and vegetables

I go through breakfast fazes. This summer I loved using fresh strawberries in my breakfast.



Last year I was on an oatmeal + almond butter + sweet potato + yogurt kick.....all year.



Here is my favorite breakfast, as of now; A Fruit and Yogurt Parfait!

Two layers of pumpkin, blueberries, plain Greek yogurt, granola, and unsweetened cocoa.

Question: Do you go through breakfast phases? What's your favorite breakfast (currently)? Does your breakfast change during the weekend?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Current Food Obsession: Zucchini

This summer I've been hooked on the humble zucchini squash. All of the farmer's markets and grocery stores have an abundance of locally grown zucchini squash these days, and it's been calling out my name... "Gina, buy me! Cook me! Eat me! ". No seriously. I can here it.

Zucchini (both yellow and green varieties) provides a vast array of health benefits. Here are just a few examples from WHFoods.com;

• Loaded with carotenoids such as beta-carotene, alpha-carotene (good for prevention of aging!), lutein and zeaxanthin (good for the eyes)

• Good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and fiber

• May help with blood sugar regulation because of the magnesium, zinc, and B-vitamins

• Contains anti-inflammatory properties due to the carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The carotenoids are found in the skin, the omega-3 fatty acids are found in the seeds

While the most health-promoting way to prepare zucchini (and retain its many nutrients) is to steam it, a quick saute is another great way to retain the nutrients in this (non-starchy) vegetable.

I like to cut up all of my zucchini (after washing it) into equal size chunks. I then heat my saute pan on medium and add about 1-2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil (1-2 tsp for 1-2 zucchini). After evenly layering the zucchini in the pan I saute on medium heat for about 2 minutes on both sides. I like to add basil and pepper for flavor at the end.

Sauteed zucchini can be enjoyed the following ways;

• Alone!

• With black beans

• In a vegetable or chicken wrap

• On top of pasta

• With spaghetti sauce and freshly grated parmesan cheese
  

The ideas are endless!

Some Recent Zucchini Recipes From Bloggers

Zucchini Pancakes (From Grace of Food Fitness FreshAir)


Strawberry Zucchini Marmalade (From Kim of Mo'Betta)

Grilled Zucchini & Goat Cheese Rollatini with Raisins and Pistachios (From Nicole of Prevention RD)


Zucchini Boats (From Katie of Healthy Heddleston)




QUESTION: How do you like to eat zucchini?

Yes You CAN Eat More Fruits and Veggies!

Before I get to today's post I want to thank you for all of your wonderful comments on my last post after my first biathlon! I'm still sore, actually, but I really can't wait to to it again. It won't be anytime soon, but I'm more motivated to stay in shape and push myself even harder when I do my workouts, everyday. I seriously needed that motivation because I was getting extremely bored and tired of my workouts. Now I have a goal in mind and that is to eventually do a triathlon..... :)

Today I'm going to talk about how to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet. A while ago a friend ask me for some tips on this very subject. Starting today you will no longer be able to make excuses for not getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. Here are my tips for consuming 5-9 servings of vegetables and fruits each day.

• Don't believe that canned and frozen fruits and veggies are less healthy. Sure, canned fruits have more sugar and canned vegetables have more sodium, but that's why we have strainers and water to rinse them off (you can omit about 40% of the sugar and sodium by straining and rinsing). And frozen? They are often loaded with even more nutrients than their fresh counterparts.

• Don't force yourself to like certain fruits and vegetables because of something lame you've heard on TV or in a magazine. All fruits and vegetables are good for you, period. Keep the ones you do like around all the time. Brussel sprouts may be incredibly healthy, but if you don't like them, don't force yourself to eat them! Broccoli, cabbage, kale and cauliflower are just as good for you.

• Create your favorite dishes, but just make them a bit healthier by adding extra vegetables and/or fruits (afterall, many nutrients aren't absorbed without the help of some fat!)

Example 1: Loaded sweet potato fries with black beans, red pepper, avocado, and cheese. That's about three whole servings of vegetable!

Example 2; Turkey meatballs, with spinach

Example 3; pizza with lots of extra veggies (the right side was Nick's. Ahem....he doesn't always take my advice)

• Fruits and vegetables are perfect foods to eat when you are full but you still want something to munch on. Find something you like, and eat it!

Examples; carrots and celery with hummus, cucumbers with salsa, oranges, apples and dessert hummus (beans, my friends!), dried fruits, or these delicious vegetable chips below (HINT: if you want the benefits of vegetables in a chip, look for veggie chips that are actually made from veggies, not veggie powders)

• Remember, the ChooseMyPlate logo is just a guideline. Be creative in making half your plate fruits and vegetables. Mix your foods together for a combination of protein, grains, dairy (or dairy alternatives) and veggies/fruits!

Source: ChooseMyPlate.gov

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• Pack raw veggies and fruits for snacks at work, or look for the fruit-based snack bars (HINT: Larabars are a great example, but there are many others out there too. Look for real fruit, not just fruit juice concentrate, in the ingredient list)

• SMOOTHIES are a perfect way to get at least three servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet.

Example: This smoothie has almost three full servings of fruits/veggies; banana, blueberry, sweet potato, orange pulp and spinach/dark greens. And did you notice that this smoothie includes all the different colors of produce?!

• Be creative! Who says you can't have pumpkin or sweet potato with your oats?

And who says you can't add spinach, kale, sweet potato or pumpkin to your smoothie, like the above photo?


Who says you can't eat the pulp leftover from making orange juice?

Who says you can't put broccoli in a quesadilla?

Who says you can't add spinach to polenta, even if the recipe doesn't call for it?

• Last, but not least, enjoy the fresh produce that is bountiful this summer. It's almost a sin to ignore it.
  

QUESTION: What are some of your tips for including more fruits and veggies in your diet?

This Week's Nutrition and Health News

Here are some of my favorite nutrition and health articles from this week;

Still Counting Calories? Your Weight-Loss Plan May Be Outdated
(Dietitians and other healthcare professionals always say, "calories in vs. calories out"....but is it really that simple? Not necessarily)



Really? The Claim: Allergies Reduce the Risk of Cancer
(Should I be excited about my itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and runny nose?!?!)

Source: iStock Photo

First Lady Teams Up With Grocers Nationwide
(Ok, so let's say Obama is not longer president after 2012, I'm praying that Michelle Obama will continue her quest to help combat obesity! She's doing some amazing things for this country.)



Resist Temptation With All Your (Muscle) Might
(Clench your fists before you make a decision between let's say...fruit and a piece of cake. You might make a better choice. Sounds strange, but science is science!)


Source: iStock Photo


Milk Campaign Ended Amid Social Media Firestorm
(Some people are just so sensitive. I do believe milk is great for PMS prevention, actually. Or any milk alternative with 20-30% vitamin D and calcium. It really does work. For even more help, add a magnesium supplement.)

QUESTION: What was your favorite health and nutrition article from this week?

A Week's Worth of Nutrition and Health News

Good morning! Our party was last night and let's just say I had a bit too much fun. But we had a BLAST! I will post some pictures on Tuesday (there aren't many, but I still like posting party pics).

Starting today, I am going to do a weekly post of my favorite nutrition, food and health-related articles from the week. Here is a look at this week's most interesting nutrition, food and health articles.

Nationwide Food Campaign Rolls Out!
(Just in time for summer, the FDA, CDC and USDA have teamed up to create some pretty entertaining and effective ads to remind you to be food safe!)



Is Saturated Fat Really the Dietary Bogeyman?
(I'm a huge fan of fat, as you all know, so this peaked my interest. Many people tell me they eat a low saturated diet, but they have no problem eating loads of white breads and pastas....not good!)

Source: iStockPhoto


Diet Sodas Don't Help With Dieting
(The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may actually be linked to weight gain. I'll still drink one every once in a while, but for caffeine, I'm still sticking to coffee (at least is has some health benefits)!)



U.S Is Becoming a Nation of Snackers!
(You hear it all the time, "you should have three meals and two snacks each day!", but I'm starting to think people think they should snack even when they aren't hungry. This, coupled with a poor snack choice, could be contributing to our nation's expanding waistlines)

Source: iStockPhoto



Does Working Out On An Empty Stomach Really Allow You To Burn More Fat?
(Sounds nice, but not so much...)



Have a great Fourth of July everyone!

Salad in a Pill?

The other day I met someone who was eager to share his diet with me. He quickly whipped out a sheet from his pocket, which listed all of the fruits and vegetables he consumed on that particular day. I was so excited! The list included several cups of cantaloupe, a couple handfuls of spinach, some tomato and broccoli. Considering some of the diets I've seen during my time as an RD, I was immensely impressed. Soon afterwards I realized he was actually showing me what was "in his multivitamin". He was taking something that claimed to provide the equivalent amount of nutrients as all of those fruits and veggies in one pill. Yikes.

Source: iStock Photo

I didn't really know what to say....but a lot went through my mind:

1) Wouldn't you rather eat those foods?! They are so delicious! Ok, so maybe I'm biased because I'm an RD and I happen to love all fruits and vegetables, but come on, the thought of taking all of that good food in the form of a pill is like taking a dose of caffeine instead of drinking a delicious cup of coffee....it just doesn't make sense!

2) There is a reason why RDs and other health professionals recommend that you space your meals out and not consume too many calories in one sitting. Our bodies just can't absorb all of those nutrients at once. While it probably won't harm him, he's likely wasting his money (although he could be spacing out his multivitamin dose, I didn't ask).

3) Most supplements or other foods, which claim to provide an amount of nutrients that are equivalent to fruits and vegetables, are forgetting something very important; FIBER! Now I can't speak for all supplements, because I haven't researched all of them, but thus far I have yet to find a similar supplement that claims to contain "XYZ fruits and veggies" and which actually has the equivalent amount of fiber (unless it's something like maltodextrin or polydextrose, which in my opinion just isn't the same).

Source: iStock Photo

4) Did you know that there are thousands of health-promoting plant compounds that are lurking in our produce, which have yet to be discovered? Do you really think that scientists have found each and every nutrient that plays a role in protecting our body from disease? Do you really think that the makers of such supplements have included every tiny nutrient that is in broccoli, melon, spinach, etc. into their product? My point is that there is a synergy that exists among the thousands of nutrients (many still unknown) found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other foods. They work together in a way that increases their effectiveness and makes them do their job even better! Does that synergy exist in products like these? Likely not.

5) In a recent article from Nutrition Action Healthletter, the concept of taking a lycopene pill to prevent prostate cancer was discussed. It was concluded that while the lycopene pill won't necessarily hurt you, it will not benefit you to take these pills instead of eating tomatoes. Once again, there are unknown compounds in tomatoes that are likely working with the lycopene to provide their protective benefits.

Bottom Line: Use supplements as they are intended to be used; to supplement the diet, and fill in the gaps. Do not use them to make up for an unhealthy diet, because it just won't work. Are products, such as the one this guy was taking, harmful? No, but they could indirectly be harmful if you are neglecting fruits and vegetables because of them.

Source: iStock Photo

QUESTION: Have you enjoyed any farmer's markets yet this season? What about any locally-grown produce in your supermarket?