There's a chance you've heard of the acronym MSG. Probably in passing when discussing fast food. Not a whole lot of stock has been put into its effects on the body until recently. First thing's first: What is MSG? It stands for monosodium glutamate. And if you're thinking, "whoa, a big science-y word!", you're not alone. I suggest you get comfortable and let Health Like Me break it down for you. (After all, isn't that why HLM is here?!) ![]() Photo by Isaiah Rustad on Unsplash MSG - SimplifiedMSG is essentially a flavor enhancer popular in Asian cooking and many processed food in the Western culture. In laymen's terms, it's just salt. But a salt that has had some negative press as of late. And a salt that can do some pretty hurtful things to our body if not taken seriously and in unhealthy quantities. Found naturally in foods like corn, tomatoes, and mushrooms (all of which are very healthy foods), and in abundance in foods that are high in protein, MSG comes from an amino acid (aka, our bodies building blocks) called glutamate, plus sodium. Which is why chemically, MSG looks like salt or sugar to us. Does this mean it's not as bad we were lead to believe? Well... Side Effects
These foods include, but are not limited to:
If you're known to divulge in MSG-laden products with caution from time to time, but still experience some pretty bad aftereffects, you might just be experiencing a mild allergic reaction. These symptoms include:
REad Your Labels
Just use your best judgement, and like I've stated before, in reduced quantities! Unlike Andy... Tell me your thoughts below! And as always, be sure to share with those close to you so they can join in our health journey.
0 Comments
We learned everything from how to stock pile our closets with paper towels, toilet paper, water, and hand sanitizer, to how to make bread, to how to tell clueless people to back up with merely a look. But mostly, we learned a thing or two about ourselves. For me, I learned six things.
Those who ask what the theme is always end up with a confused look on their face. Bohemian Minimalist. Yes, it is a thing. Pinterest has boards galore of this ever-clean looking aesthetic. During quarantine last year and into this year, this free-spirited wanderer got to truly express herself. And, feeling a sense of accomplishment as I took my time selecting the perfect decor while using my own money brought countless smiles to my face during a very uncertain time. I can't wait to finish it all up! 3. I neglected Health Like Me. But came back with a lot more ideas to write about! Health Like Me means so much to me. Not only because I love to write, and not only because doing this blog helps my own health journey, but because I get to see y'all benefit from and put into effect your own health choices based on some of Health Like Me's posts! I am always looking for a creative outlet. And when I pushed this blog to the side for about four months, it definitely manifested itself via my mental health. But it has returned with what I hope will be more fun content about easy ways to live a healthier life. The site's Pinterest page is ramping up, and hopefully an Instagram page will be coming soon! So keep your eyes open! Because now everyone HAD to do it. I embraced the loner part of me with no shame! And since being stuck at home was easy for me, I was able to stay healthy during the pandemic and keep those around me healthy, too. 5. My Chris Evans obsession reached an all-time high. It was pretty healthy before, but with countless nights within the safety of my apartment on Pinterest looking at amazing pictures of him, reading magazine features, re-watching interview videos of him, and amassing a pretty sizable collection of movies he's in. I mean, can you blame me? The man himself is humble, hilarious, smart, out-spoken, tatted, and loves dogs! He's also from Boston. My favorite city on this side of the Atlantic.
Comment below with one or two things you learned about yourself over the course of this pandemic and quarantine. We can't let such a difficult time hinder true introspection. Let's learn and grow!
Nothing beats consistently working out and seeing results! You're feeling confident and lighter. "This is easy!", you say. But then disaster strikes. You've hit the ever-dreadful plateau. It happens too often, and as a result, the workouts fizzle out and most likely stop all together. Unfortunately, plateaus are destined to happen the more you exercise. One solution? Challenge those same muscle groups that no longer seem to be gaining any gains with extra weight. The Value:These small and easy to find weights allow you to target and supercharge your lower body workouts. Walking, running, doing donkey kicks or jump squats, ankle weights seriously need to be a staple in your at-home workout equipment. And, they've come a long way since your mother's jazzercise classes or Jane Fonda VHS'.
If you're looking to build your endurance and stamina, ankle weights are the way to go. As your muscles grow stronger and work harder with the weights, your ability to workout longer and harder once the weights are off seems totally easier! Last, but certainly not least, they're pretty reasonably priced! The pair I got from Academy Sports + Outdoors cost me a measly $15. Now that Health Like Me has introduced you to your workout's new best friend, get ready to bring your A-game back to exercising from the safety of your living room!
Should You Ditch The Steamy Hot Shower for a Cold One? Let Health Like Me Help You Decide!5/10/2021
That's a lot for a seemingly simple body cleansing! While the pressure settings ordeal is a bit beyond most of our millennial reach, Health Like Me can shed some light on the hot vs. cold and morning vs. evening debates! Is there really a true winner? Here are some facts to help you decide once and for all. Hot vs. Cold:When you opt for a hot shower that fills up your bathroom with steam, many benefits happen your body will thank you for. All you have to ask yourself is: Does your skin need an overall refresh? Choose hot. Do you need to relieve some tension or anxiety? Hot. Have a migraine? Hot. Looking forward to a good, restful night's sleep? You guessed it. Take a hot shower. Are your muscles tight? Again, hot. Feeling congested? A hot shower is, once again, your answer. ![]() Photo by Carson Masterson on Unsplash Is a cold shower more your speed? Or, have you ever wanted to try it to gain its lesser known health effects on your body? Start by asking yourself these questions: Want to hydrate and tighten your skin? Go with a cold shower. Do you need to increase awareness or improve concentration? A cold one will do the trick. Looking to accelerate your metabolism? Cold. Does your blood circulation need a boost? Cold. Feeling depressed? Choose cold. Worried about your immune system? Yep, the answer is to regularly take a cold shower. Morning vs. Evening:
When you think about taking a shower at the end of a long day, you're most likely looking to relax your muscles and reduce some pent up tension from every day stressors. It's for that very reason your nozzle automatically steers to the hot side. Breathe in some calming eucalyptus, lavender, or chamomile to get you ready for a truly undisturbed 8-hour sleep. No matter your choice, it seems like we're all winners! So put on that playlist, embarrassingly belt out some tunes, and cleanse yourself, because a shower is a shower is a shower!
Why the Grapefruit?Many advantages are associated with a regimen that involves eating a tangy grapefruit daily.
Grapefruit is also high in potassium and fiber. The high potassium levels have some effects on lowering blood pressure. And while you normally don't associate a large amount of fiber with citrus fruits, take a chance and eat a grapefruit's pith like you would an orange. You'll be pleasantly surprised. And this is just to name a few... The Best Time to Eat Grapefruit.
Want to enjoy grapefruit's tangy goodness with a kick?
Try a Paloma or a grapefruit mimosa! Ida Claire in Addison, TX has an amazing option. Think another fruit can compete on the level of the grapefruit? Drop a comment below with one you think can go toe-to-toe. Homepage photo credit: Photo by Mercy on Unsplash It’s no shock to anyone that dieting can be brutal. So many rules! So many restrictions! Not to mention the hunger pains. It’s just not worth it. But one “tip” that so many people, along with myself, can attest to is intermittent fasting. This lifestyle is so easy, you don't even realize you're doing it! Backed by science, intermittent fasting (IF) is a proven weight loss strategy. It's a crazy easy way to burn fat fast! When you fast for an extended amount of time, your body is forced to use your fat for energy and nourishment, therefore helping you lose weight easily. Other than weight loss, IF also holds many other benefits to its name. Benefits -
Types of Intermittent Fasting Schedules -A number of predetermined fasting schedules already exist. And, you can pick the one that will best fit your lifestyle, or your experience level. If none of the ones already out there look like they would work for you, create your own! As long as you are fasting longer than 12 hours. When you've reached the 12th hour, you've reached the "fasted state" and you're entering the optimal fat-burning zone. Here are the different IF schedules:
Apps to Help manage Your Fasting Schedule - |