Breaking
FoodNerdy Recipes Management System
Tag

five

Browsing
Food

Five Types of Eggs Defective

Okotest tested 20 different egg brands and the result is shocking: only four organic eggs passed the test, and five egg types were even rated as unsatisfactory.

Which egg is the right one?

Easter is just around the corner and the chicken egg market is booming. Barn farming, free-range farming, or organic eggs: in the supermarket, we often have a wide range of chicken eggs to choose from. But even if we choose the high-priced organic product, this does not automatically guarantee a high-quality product. Ökotest tested 20 chicken eggs from different manufacturers for harmful substances, quality, and chicken husbandry. The main focus of the test was chicken husbandry and its transparency.

In the course of the test, questionnaires were sent to the suppliers of the chicken eggs, and receipts such as delivery notes were requested. In addition, laboratories examined the eggs for salmonella, dioxins, and the insecticide fipronil, among other things.

The frightening result: five eggs in the test, including those from Aldi and Lidl, scored “poor”, eleven products ended up in the middle and only four organic eggs passed the test with “very good” and “good”:

  • Alnatura 6 organic eggs brother chick initiative, Bioland
  • Alnatura Origin 4 organic eggs, mobile chicken coops, Bioland
  • Chicken & Rooster 6 fresh eggs with rooster rearing, Bioland
  • Heinlein 6 German organic eggs

Male chicks are usually killed

The main points of criticism in the test were the lack of space in the laying farms and the killing of male chicks. Male chicks were killed immediately after hatching on 15 of the 20 farms tested. This happened with eggs from conventional farming, but also with some eggs from organic farming.

Because male chicks neither lay eggs nor provide an economically viable meat portion, they are often of no value to the egg industry. The animal rights organization Peta found that more than 50 million male chicks are killed every year – this practice also applies to many suppliers of organic eggs. Although there have been calls for a law against so-called “chick shredding” at the political level for some time, no concrete action has been taken to date.

Chicken husbandry is often insufficient

Anyone who thinks of organic and free-range eggs in spacious enclosures in the countryside will reconsider this image after the results of Ökotest. Although six organically reared chickens are legally entitled to one square meter of space (nine chickens per square meter with conventional rearing), this regulation does not apply to the rearing of pullets. The German Animal Welfare Association recommends keeping a maximum of 14 pullets per square meter, but according to the Ökotest, conventional suppliers such as the organic eggs from EZ Fürstenhof, Rewe, Edeka, and Real exceed these guideline values.

The production chains also leave questions unanswered: information on the parent stock farms from which the eggs of the laying hen chicks come is often missing. In some laying operations, the chickens are fed exclusively from flour and in the laying operations for products from Aldi Süd, Rewe and Lidl, there are no sand baths for preening.

As frightening as the Ökotest results are, you don’t have to go without eggs. It is best to buy locally at farms where you can see the rearing conditions or from suppliers who guarantee the rearing of the male chicks: You can find sales outlets for the Bruderhahn Initiative here.

Keep Reading
By
Food

Lose Weight Without Starving Yourself: These Five Foods Accelerate Fat Burning

It sounds too good to be true: losing weight without dieting can work. We show you which foods stimulate fat burning.

Lots of vitamins and minerals: grapefruit as a true super fruit

It is a real vitamin bomb: the grapefruit. The healthy fruit tastes bitter, but contains a particularly large amount of vitamin C, which promotes the development of connective tissue. The grapefruit owes its color to the dye lycopene, which also makes tomatoes red, for example.

The B vitamins contained in grapefruit, which are particularly important for the development of amino acids, i.e. protein building blocks, also boost the metabolism. The dietary fiber pectin leads to a feeling of satiety and also has a positive effect on blood sugar and cholesterol levels. However, most of the pectin is found in the skin and core of the fruit.

Furthermore, grapefruits also contain many minerals, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphate. Minerals are important for the body, but some of them have to be ingested through food.

Hot spices reduce cravings

Hot spices are also very healthy. The healing effect of the ginger root, for example, has been known in Asian medicine for centuries, according to NDR, and not only helps as a tea for colds. A study from New York proves that the root in water also helps with weight loss.
In food, hot spices such as ginger or chili lead to less cravings for salty, fatty and sweet foods.

The hot substance capsaicin in the chili pepper has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, as do the substances gingerol and shogaol contained in ginger. According to the Lucerne Health Center, the spiciness contained in chili increases

The vitamins and minerals contained in ginger in addition to the pungent substances, including vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron, are located directly under the peel.

Coffee: Germans’ favorite drink as a calorie burner

Coffee is the favorite drink of the Germans. Whether at work, at home or in a restaurant, on average everyone drinks 162 liters a year. The substances contained should even help with weight loss.

The caffeine in the beans stimulates the so-called thermogenes and, similar to the hot substances in ginger and chili, also boosts fat burning. According to the information platform, coffee should even relieve sore muscles after exercise. But be careful: Too much coffee can also have negative effects and harm the body.

Almonds as a power fruit

It has been known for a long time that nuts are said to help you lose weight. But in addition to walnuts, sweet almonds in particular are particularly good fat burners. Almonds are often counted among the nuts, but they are a plant species of the rose family. The core of the stone fruit is the almond, which botanists therefore count as a fruit.

The fruits contain many vitamins E and B, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc as well as valuable vegetable proteins and roughage. These ingredients and unsaturated fatty acids fill you up without the body absorbing many carbohydrates.

Buttermilk: Slimming through bacteria

The low-fat milk product, which is a by-product of butter production, gets its typically bitter taste from the addition of lactic acid bacteria. Buttermilk has less than 1% fat and is rich in minerals and vitamins.

With around 232 milligrams, just 500 milliliters cover more than 20 percent of the daily calcium requirement recommended by the German Society for Nutrition. This stimulates the breakdown of body fat and thus helps with weight loss. According to the Association for Independent Health Advice, calcium suppresses the production of the hormones calcitriol and parathormone in sufficient quantities, which means that the body stores less fat and fat loss increases.

Keep Reading
By
health

Skipping Breakfast as a Meltdown: An Expert Explains Why It’s so Important – Five Tips

More and more people are skipping breakfast. They either grab a quick bite to eat or just a small espresso. Nutrition expert and sports lecturer Ingo Froboese now explains that this is anything but healthy.

“Breakfast is essential for the organism,” says the expert

In addition, you would trigger the metabolic rhythm with a boisterous and nutritious breakfast. In addition, the expert advises to compensate for the loss of fluids. “We lose around 1.5 liters of fluids during the night. That’s why before you eat anything, you should drink a lukewarm glass of water to replenish fluids and cleanse the body.”

After the alarm clock rings, the happiness hormone “serotonin” and the drive-enhancing hormone “adrenaline” are ready to push you through the day. These effects can be further intensified with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, because the hormones can be supplied with the necessary nutrients. If you skip breakfast, for example to save calories, this can lead to a lack of energy and also to listlessness. “The body then shuts down on the back burner,” explains Froboese in his blog.

The need for energy is particularly high after getting up. The brain, muscles and organs would need “fuel” to function. “A healthy and balanced breakfast gets your metabolism out of the basement and lets you start the day with vigour. Your body is dependent on the energy it needs for breakfast, if you deny it this energy this can lead to ravenous hunger attacks or an increased desire for unhealthy ones Snacks before it’s time for lunch,” explains the expert.

His five best tips for a balanced breakfast:

1. Whole grains are better than white flour. Whole grain is an essential source of fiber that fills you up and also regulates intestinal activity. In addition, complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain products. That means you have a low “glycemic index”. This gives you more energy in the long run. In comparison, white flour products are rich in carbohydrates and therefore have a high “glycemic index”. Therefore, these products get into the blood much faster and only provide the body with energy for a short time. Once this first phase has subsided, ravenous hunger attacks can increase, because white flour does not have a filling effect in the long term.

2. Muesli with fruit. This combination supplies the body and in particular the brain and muscles with energy and increases resistance to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With increased tension, the liver produces more sugar, which is supposed to mobilize the activity hormone adrenaline. The muesli with fruit would reduce this adrenaline release and thus prevent stress and hectic.

3. Good fats matter. Fats in general stimulate the most important metabolic activities in the body. Namely, this is the carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Nuts in particular or a little butter accelerate the processing of fat throughout the day. Hence Frobo’s recommendation: “Cover 30 percent of your daily fat requirement with breakfast!”

4. Protein is a must. Proteins are essential fuel suppliers for the brain and muscles. So we only remain efficient if we eat enough protein. However, the expert advises against powder. “You will find sufficient sources on a balanced diet.” Particularly good sources of protein are: eggs, cream cheese, quark, milk or soy milk, yoghurt and nuts. Getting enough protein not only benefits the brain, but also digestion, detoxification, and cell repair. About 15 percent of the daily requirement should already be covered with breakfast.

5. Drink water. The expert considers a glass of water, preferably right after getting up, to be useful. It is particularly important for “filling up the liquid storage”. He also has a tip for people who don’t like the water that much per se. “You can give the drink a flavorful touch by adding some ginger or lime. It will give the metabolism an extra boost.”

Keep Reading
By
Food

Strengthening The Immune System: Five Good Reasons to Eat More Berries

Strengthen the immune system, eat lean and then they are also good for the heart and the intestines: berries are real power fruits and absolutely essential for a healthy diet.

Blueberries and currants: That’s why they’re so healthy

The little fruits are real superfoods that you should not do without.
We introduce you to the five great benefits of berries.

1. Berries are good for the immune system

If you want to strengthen your immune system, you should definitely rely on berries*! Because the sweet fruits are rich in valuable antioxidants that protect against many viruses, bacteria and free radicals. In this way, they ensure that the immune system is strengthened. Blueberries are of particular note: according to a study by the American Society for Nutrition, 100 grams of blueberries provide five times more antioxidants than the same amount of raspberries – up to 490 micrograms.

Dark blueberries can also do a lot for beauty, because they contain large amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin C* is known, among other things, for driving collagen production, which is responsible for the skin being significantly plumped up becomes. It is most contained in blackcurrants – these contain a whopping 170 micrograms of vitamin C per 100 grams of berries. Vitamin E* is responsible, among other things, for scavenging free radicals. These free radicals are harmful and are caused by smoking, UV radiation or stress, among other things. Other substances in berries that strengthen the immune system are flavonoids, which also inhibit viruses and bacteria. They also support weight loss during a diet*.

2. Berries protect the intestines

Berries* not only strengthen the immune system due to the antioxidants they contain, they are also extremely beneficial for a healthy intestinal flora. A healthy intestinal flora* is always crucial for an intact immune system. If the intestinal flora is attacked, one falls ill more often with influenza infections, for example. Even those who suffer from diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome can cure themselves with the help of blueberries, as a study by the University of Lund revealed. The tannins and color pigments contained in the blueberries react with proteins in the mucous membranes and insoluble compounds are formed. This forms a kind of protective layer that has an anti-inflammatory and germ-killing effect.

As further studies show, the consumption of wild blueberry juice has a positive effect on bifidobacteria, which have a protective effect on the intestinal flora. These bifidobacteria keep harmful intestinal bacteria, as well as pathogens, away.

3. Berries lower blood sugar levels

Many diabetics ask themselves which fruit they are actually allowed to eat and what they should better avoid in order not to drive up the blood sugar level. In contrast to high-sugar fruits such as bananas, pineapples or grapes, berries* are very suitable. This is because berries have a comparatively very low glycemic index, meaning they have little effect on blood sugar levels.

Once again, the blueberry should be mentioned in the first place: the dark berry is even said to have an antidiabetic effect, i.e. it lowers blood sugar. It is responsible for lowering the general blood sugar level and for getting more sugar into the cells.

4. Berries are good for the heart

In addition to all these positive properties, berries* also increase heart health. In a diabetes study by the American Society for Nutrition, researchers found that blueberries reduced LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and adiponectin. At the same time, they increased HDL cholesterol, which is considered beneficial to health. In conclusion, daily consumption of blueberries is believed to be beneficial for heart health. You can thus prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol levels that are too high.

Another study shows that vascular functions can be improved by eating berries – in this case, primarily by eating raspberries and blueberries. This makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, which can help prevent heart attacks.

5. Berries are great for dieting

Berries* are also ideal as part of a diet*. For example, you can prepare the berries as a smoothie* or smoothie bowl or mix them in muesli*. The delicious little fruits create a feeling of satiety relatively quickly and they also accelerate the metabolism, which makes the pounds tumble.

Since obesity is often a trigger for various diseases – for example heart disease or diabetes – it is advisable to eat healthily. Berries are perfect for this. The anthocyanins contained in the berries are also very important as they inhibit free radicals. After all, anyone who trains a lot – meaning their body is temporarily under heavy strain – should take care to avoid oxidative stress in the body, which in turn can lead to illness.

Keep Reading
By
Cooking Tips

Summer Drinks: Five Refreshing Drinks in the Heat

Summer drinks should be light, fruity and refreshing. It is important to drink enough, especially on warm days. We’ll show you five recipes for delicious drinks that will quench your thirst when it’s hot.

Light summer drink: ginger mint drink
For a glass of this summer drink you need:

2 sprigs of mint
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
200ml ginger ale
1 tbsp orange or ginger syrup (optional)
ice cubes
That’s how it’s done:

Wash the mint and shake the leaves dry. Then tear them into smaller pieces and put them in a glass.
Grate the ginger and add it to the mint leaves.
Fill the glass with ginger ale, ice cubes and possibly syrup and stir the drink briefly.

Fresh strawberry lemonade

For 2 large glasses of strawberry lemonade you will need:

200 grams of sugar
1 lemon
10-12 strawberries
400-500 ml mineral water
ice cubes
How to prepare the summer drink:

First stir up a sugar syrup. To do this, put the sugar in a saucepan with 200 milliliters of water and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Let the mixture simmer for about five minutes without stirring. Take the pot off the stove and let the syrup cool down completely. It is also important not to stir the mixture!
Place the syrup in a sealable jar and store at room temperature until ready to use.
For the lemonade, first wash the strawberries and remove the stalk.
Squeeze the lemon juice. Add it to the strawberries and puree them until you get a smooth consistency.
Now add some sugar syrup to taste. It is best to start with one or two teaspoons and taste the mixture. Then add a little more if needed. Mix the strawberry puree and the simple syrup well.
Divide the soda base between two glasses and carefully fill them up with mineral water and ice cubes. The summer drink is ready.
Tip: Strawberry season is from May to July. During this time you can buy them regionally at weekly markets or pick them yourself in a strawberry field near you.

Banana Iced Coffee: A fancy summer drink

For four servings of banana iced coffee you need:

2 ripe bananas
4 cups of coffee
400 ml organic milk (alternatively: soy or oat milk)
4 teaspoons hazelnut syrup (optional)
ice cubes
How to mix the summer drink:

Peel the bananas and cut them into pieces. Then place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Brew the coffee and let it cool down completely. Then put it in the fridge for about ten minutes.
Place the frozen banana chunks, coffee, milk, and any syrup in a blender. Mix everything together until you have a creamy shake. Alternatively, you can also use a blender.
Divide the shake between four glasses and add a few ice cubes if you like.

Summer drink with rhubarb and ginger

For two liters of fresh lemonade you need:

2 kg of rhubarb
40 grams of ginger
100 grams of sugar
1 liter mineral water
2 limes
That’s how it’s done:

Remove the ends of the rhubarb and then cut the stalks into pieces.
Peel the ginger and cut it up as well.
Put the rhubarb, ginger, sugar and 500 milliliters of water in a saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes until the rhubarb has broken down.
Remove the pot from the stove and let the mixture rest for about 30 minutes.
Pass the mixture through a sieve, squeezing out the rhubarb well with a spoon.
Top up the resulting juice with mineral water.
Wash the limes in hot water and cut them into slices. Finally, add the slices to your summer drink.

A creamy summer drink: berry yoghurt smoothie

For two glasses of smoothie you need:

100 g (vegan) yoghurt
1-2 tbsp honey or syrup
150 grams of raspberries
150 grams of blueberries
400 ml milk (-alternative like oat milk)
This is how the summer drink works:

Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree them into a creamy smoothie.
If necessary, taste the mass again with honey or syrup and then divide your summer drink into two glasses.
Note: Milk often comes from factory farmed cows. So pay attention to organic products or choose a vegan alternative. Oat milk, for example, also has a lower carbon footprint than cow’s milk.

By the way, we also have ideas for light summer recipes that you can prepare on hot days: Summer recipes: Light dishes that are suitable for hot days.

Keep Reading
By
Culture

Five Good Reasons for a Coffee Break in the Office

For many employees, the coffee break is part of working hours and is enjoyed either with colleagues, during a chat or on a short walk with a coffee to go. A coffee break during working hours always makes sense, whether it’s a cappuccino, café latte or espresso, coffee has many good qualities. Whether you enjoy your coffee alone or with your co-workers in the office, a coffee break can work wonders. We tell you five good reasons for a coffee break and give you helpful tips on how to get your caffeine kick.

Coffee lowers blood pressure

Whether you love latte or are a fan of the “little black one”, you can’t go wrong with a coffee break. Even if it has a reputation for getting the blood racing, coffee has a positive effect on our blood pressure in the long term and is therefore particularly effective during a stressful day at work. So don’t be fooled and include a little coffee break.

In this way you ensure that you can go back to your tasks with more relaxation. Just one cup a day lowers blood pressure, but of course you should not overdo it with consumption.

Coffee increases the ability to concentrate

If you find your eyelids getting heavy and you don’t know what task you were about to complete, it might be time for a coffee break. The caffeine in coffee has a vasodilating effect, allowing more blood to flow to the brain and stimulating the central nervous system.

This better supply brings an energy boost and the well-known stimulant effect that makes coffee famous.

Drinking coffee brings you together

Of course, you can also enjoy your coffee in private – but it’s more sociable to drink it together with colleagues, so make an appointment with your colleagues for a coffee break. You can relax for a moment and recharge your batteries for your working day.

Taking a coffee break together has other benefits too, as it allows you to get to know your colleagues better, and drinking coffee in good company brings you together as a team and promotes a pleasant atmosphere in the team. Create a connection between enjoying coffee and office work, you can not only discuss private topics, but also discuss important tasks or even the last quarterly report over a delicious cup of coffee. As you can see, the coffee break can enrich your everyday office life and have a lot of positive effects, try it out!

Antioxidant Boost

Even if some people say that coffee has an unhealthy effect, it has been proven that our coffee contains antioxidants. Antioxidants have an important physiological meaning due to their effect as radical scavengers. These free radicals are considered to be partly responsible for the accelerated aging process and various cardiovascular diseases because they damage the body’s own molecules. So when we take a coffee break during work hours, we help our body protect itself from diseases.

Luckily with deceleration

If you spend all day staring at the flickering screen, answering emails every second and one call chasing the next, then it is definitely time for a coffee break during the stressful working hours in the office and in the home office. How about some coffee yoga, for example? While the water is bubbling through the coffee machine, just stretch and stretch a bit.

Or rocking back and forth on your toes with the hot cup in your hand and relaxing your neck between two sips: the coffee break can be used as a little slowing down of everyday work in the office or in the home office and helps us to return to our tasks refreshed .

Keep Reading
By