findings to help you feel flat-out fantastic
ws lash
Is MSG to blame for my post-takeout headaches?
A: It’s unlikely. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an ingredient found most often in Asian-inspired cuisine,
is actually quite safe, and there’s no substantial evidence to show that it’s to blame for your throbbing
pain. A more plausible culprit is the high sodium content of the meal. Salt overload can trigger blood
vessel changes and dehydration, both of which can induce headaches and lethargy. Sauces used in
Eastern-style dishes often contain sodium and MSG, hence the widespread confusion. To prevent headaches without
depriving yourself of the foods you like, drink plenty of water and try cutting back on salt by requesting
reduced-sodium soy sauce in restaurants and when you order in. Better yet, whip up your favorite Asian dishes in
the comfort of your kitchen using GH Seal star Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce (no added MSG and little salt).YES, VIDEO
GAMES CAN BE
GOOD FOR YOU
We love mindfulness apps,
but the next time you’re feeling
frazzled, try opening a smart-
phone game instead. According
to a small study in the journal
JMIR Mental Health, people who
played a digital puzzle game
reported feeling more energized
and better able to wind down
after work than those who used
a mindfulness app like Headspace.
While the findings may seem
surprising, researchers say digital
games are great tools for decom-
pressing because they check
many of the boxes for what you
need to recover from a long day
at work: They’re relaxing, immer-
sive and distracting, and they
allow you to master a skill and feel
in control. See if video games
do it for you by downloading
a puzzle game like Candy
Crush, Tetris, Block Hexa Puzzle
or Sudoku (which may also be
good for memory), then swipe and
tap your way to a more relaxed
state of mind. —Alyssa Jungstress
busterask
jackieYou’ve probably spotted skyr in the dairy section
and wondered what exactly it is. Think of skyr as
the equally healthy Icelandic cousin of the perenni-
ally popular Greek yogurt. “The only difference is
the type of bacterial culture used for the process
that ferments milk sugars to yield yogurt,” says
GH Nutrition Director Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D.
The end product? A deliciously creamy and natu-
rally sweet treat that’s packed with protein ( 15 g
to 17 g per 5. 3 -oz cup). We’re wild for our latest
GH Nutritionist Approved Emblem star, Icelandic
Provisions Skyr. Its ingredients are carefullysourced (including an heirloom bacterial culture),
and the unsweetened version contains just 3 g of
sugar and 120 calories, which should help you stay
full without big fluctuations in your blood glucose
level. That makes it a super-satisfying base for
parfaits, smoothies, desk-side snacks and even
as a swap for sour cream. Plus, the sweetened
versions come in unique flavors
like Key Lime, Strawberry Ling-
onberry and Peach Cloudberry,
maxing out at 10 g total sugar per
serving. Enjoy!Skyr vs. Yogurt
Ge
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Im
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NOVEMBER 2019 GH (^39)