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Wellness > Health

Lose the Freshman 15: The health answers behind tuna and coffee

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.

When you get your shopping list from the Jump Start Diet, you may notice a list of ingredients that are 15616af3considered only to be consumed in moderation or considered to be super foods.

Among those were two that confused me: tuna and coffee.

I always thought that tuna was so healthy, and yet here it was being said to have only occasionally.

However, coffee was considered a metabolism boosting food. Who knew?

With all these questions running through my mind, I had to consult registered dietician, Heather Jones, who helped develop the Jump Start Diet.

This is what she had to say:

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain some amount of mercury, which can harm fetuses and young children.

According to her Grocery Cart Makeover book, “The American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice a week. And it’s no wonder: not only is fish loaded with heart healthy omega­3 fats (EPA and DHA), it’s also a high quality protein source, low in saturated fat, and packed with an array of healthful vitamins and minerals. But warnings from government agencies and environmental groups about mercury and other harmful toxins found in fish have left shoppers confused and concerned when they step up to the fish counter.
 
The question is: Do the nutritional benefits of eating fish out­ weigh the risk of consuming contaminants? In a word, YES. For most, the benefits far outweigh the risk.  The latest Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory says that up to 12 ounces of a variety of fish each week is safe for most. The American Heart Association’s target of two 4­ounce servings of fish per week is far below the FDA’s limit.”  
 
Regarding coffee, this is from a SELF book she is am working on:95252d07
 
“The amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee temporarily revs your metabolism by 15 percent. Caffeine also helps block signals of muscle fatigue, making exercise feel easier so you can work out harder or longer without feeling the extra exertion.”
 
Her main recommendation? “One or two coffee drinks (skim latte, espresso, black coffee) a day should suffice.  Pick low-cal coffee drinks, not sugary, creamy, and calorie-filled drinks topped with whip cream. “
 
Now when I’m needing an extra boost, I don’t think twice about ordering a skinny, sugar free mocha occasionally. It’s nice to know that a nice treat can actually boost my energy and my metabolism.
 
Want more advice from Heather? Check out her blog, Diet P.I.,  which investigates nutritionists, fitness pros, food labels, and more, uncovering the expert secrets everyone needs to know to lose weight and stay healthy.

And of course, if you haven’t already, check out the Jump Start Diet. You won’t regret it!
Email me at NikkiRoberti@HerCampus.com or tweet me anytime @Nikki_Roberti.

Nikki is a senior at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC majoring in journalism. Obsessed with all things magazines, she hopes to one day be a health editor for a publication in New York. She interned at Parents magazine through ASME and also reported on the hill in D.C. through the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire semester in Washington program. Currently, she is the Health Editor for Jaye Magazine and runs the health-meets-wedding planning blog, The Bloated Bride.