Welcome to the Health and Fitness Sleuth

My name is Patricia Setzer. I'm a Nutrition Fact Label Coach. I work with those concerned with diabetes, heart disease, and weight control to interpret and apply the nutrition data on commercially produced foods.

Feel free to browse my growing collection of health and fitness information and resources. As you do, feel free to add your own feedback and comments.

Stay fit and healthy!

Health and Fitness Sleuth Blog

Is Juice a Health Drink?

We all know that fruit protects our health but do we get the same value from fruit juice? Medical Plants Expert, Navindra Seeram, from The University of Rhode Island says no.

Plants protect their seeds from the enviroment and predators by putting a lot of natural compounds into the outermost layer of their fruit. When the skins and seeds are removed during processing so are the protectors.Juices retain less than 50% of the bioactive compounds; Luke Howard, of The University of Arkansas, states that some studies have shown as little as 20%.

The bottom line is when ever possible pass on the juice and eat a piece of fruit (fresh or frozen). 

Center For Science in the Public Interest

FDA Warning

The FDA has issued a nationwide alert about more than 70 weight-loss products containing undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. To read the whole story click on this link http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/weightloss_pills122908.html