nutrition

Health Tip of the Day ~ Should You Be Eating Chocolate Every Day?

by

There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against heart disease.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It’s still loaded with calories and easy to overeat. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to savor them. If you want the benefits of cocoa without the calories in chocolate, consider making a hot cocoa without any cream or sugar.

Also, note that a lot of the chocolate on the market is not nutritious. Choose quality stuff: dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content. You might want to check out this guide on how to find the best dark chocolate. Dark chocolates typically contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain. Chocolate is a remarkable food that tastes awesome while providing significant health benefits.

Note: I have a piece of 100% cocoa (Ghiradelli chocolate). It tastes great with my dish of blueberries. It’s not sweet (sorry) but it packs a healthy punch). 

Health Tip of the Day ~ What Veggies Are More Nutritious When Cooked?

by

5 Veggies that Give You More Nutrition Once Cooked

  1. Tomatoes: Cooking tomatoes can actually increase the amount of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.
  2. Spinach: Cooking spinach can increase the amount of iron that your body absorbs from it.
  3. Carrots: Cooking carrots can make the beta-carotene more available to your body, which can then be converted into vitamin A.
  4. Asparagus: Cooking asparagus can break down the tough cell walls, making it easier for your body to absorb its nutrients, including folate and vitamins A, C, and K.
  5. Mushrooms: Cooking mushrooms can increase the amount of ergothioneine, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

It’s important to note that overcooking vegetables can destroy some of their nutrients, so it’s best to cook them lightly and avoid boiling them for long periods of time.

Health Tip of the Day ~ Which is a More Nutritious Choice: White or Sweet Potatoes?

by

The Winner in Close Decision: Sweet Potatoes

Both white potatoes and sweet potatoes are nutritious and provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, sweet potatoes are generally considered to be the more nutritious choice due to their higher content of vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants.

A medium-sized sweet potato contains about four times the daily recommended intake of vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy vision and immune function. It also contains a good amount of vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production and iron absorption.

On the other hand, a medium-sized white potato contains more potassium than a sweet potato, which is important for regulating blood pressure and heart health. It also contains some vitamin C and vitamin B6.

Ultimately, both white potatoes and sweet potatoes can be part of a healthy and balanced diet, so choosing one over the other depends on personal preference and nutritional needs.

Source: ChatGPT

Health Tip of the Day ~ What are the Health Benefits of Bok Choy?

by
Bok choy is full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that make it a beneficial addition to your diet. Bok Choy along with being crunchy and delicious, bLike other dark, leafy greens, it’s full of antioxidants and other compounds that help to promote better health.

Health benefits of bok choy include:

                1. Aids in the prevention of cancer.
                2. Fights inflammation.
                3. Lowers the risk of heart disease.
                4. Promotes bone health.
                5. Protects eye health.
                6. Boosts immune health.
                7. Keeps skin healthy.
                8. Helps insure a healthy pregnancy.

Source

Health Tip of the Day ~ DYK Bay Leaves Have Great Health Benefits?

by

Bay Leaf Benefits

Bay leaves add minimal calories to your food while boosting the amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Bay leaf is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, and manganese.

Some notable health benefits of bay leaf include:

Immune system health. Bay leaf is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. These vitamins are all known to support a healthy immune system

Digestive aid. Bay leaf tea can help ease bouts of upset stomach. The tea is also very aromatic, which can help relieve sinus pressure or stuffy nose.

Reduces type 2 diabetes risk factors. A pair of small studies suggested that taking ground bay leaf capsules or drinking tea brewed from Turkish bay leaf may lower your blood sugar levels. However, one of the studies was small and the other tested bay leaves on healthy volunteers, not people with diabetes. 

Source

NOTE: I use bay leaves in my pasta fagioli. It adds great flavor. I take a bay leaf and break it into small pieces and toss into the slow cooker with the rest of my ingredients. I follow the traditional recipe handed down by my grandmother (nonna) and mom. We called it pasta fazool.

Health Tip of the Day ~ Invite Mulberries into Your Life

by

Mulberries are a Nutritional Powerhouse

Mulberries are a wild berry with a wonderfully sweet flavor and are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

Easy to prepare and eat, mulberries can be used in place of or alongside most other berries. They are also wonderful as a snack and sweet enough to replace treats that are typically loaded with added sugars. 

The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in mulberries provide a variety of powerful health benefits. For example, the flavonoids in mulberries fight free radicals to limit oxidative stress. This is important, because oxidative stress can have a negative impact on several facets of physical, cognitive, and even emotional health.Mulberries are also rich in phenolic acids, which can play a role in everything from cancer prevention to diabetes management.  In addition to promoting a higher intake of polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, mulberries offer a variety of other benefits. These include the following: heart health, cognitive health, and eye health. 

Source

Today’s Health Tip ~ Quick Tips to Boost Fertility

by

Fertility issues affect up to 15 percent (Trusted Source) of couples. The road to parenthood can sometimes be a huge challenge, but know you’re not alone in those challenges. Luckily, there are a few natural ways to increase your fertility. In fact, food choices and lifestyle changes can help boost fertility. Here are 1tips to boost fertility and get pregnant faster.

  1. Quick tips for increasing fertility naturally

    • Taking an antioxidant supplement or eating antioxidant-rich foods can improve fertility rates, especially among men with infertility.
    • Some studies suggest that eating more calories at breakfast and fewer at your evening meal can improve fertility.
    • To boost fertility levels, avoid foods high in trans fats. Eat foods rich in healthy fats instead, such as extra virgin olive oil.
    • Eating a diet high in refined carbs may raise insulin levels, which may increase the risk of infertility and make it harder to get pregnant.
    • Eating more protein from vegetable sources, instead of animal sources, may improve fertility levels in women.
    • Replacing low fat dairy products with high fat versions may help improve fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
    • Taking a multivitamin may help boost fertility if you’re not getting all the nutrients you need from your diet.
    • A sedentary lifestyle is linked to infertility, and exercise can improve fertility. However, exercising too much can have the opposite effect.
    • High stress and anxiety levels can reduce your chances of conception. Managing your stress level can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
    • Being either underweight or overweight can reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.

    Source

Today’s Health Tip ~ 3 Tips to Stay Healthy

by

3 Tips to Stay Healthy

Maintaining good health doesn’t happen by accident. It requires work, smart lifestyle choices, and the occasional checkup and test.

  1. A healthy diet is rich in fiber, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, “good” or unsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids. These dietary components turn down inflammation, which can damage tissue, joints, artery walls, and organs. Going easy on processed foods is another element of healthy eating. Sweets, foods made with highly refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages can cause spikes in blood sugar that can lead to early hunger. High blood sugar is linked to the development of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and even dementia.
  2. Physical activity is also necessary for good health. It can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, depression, and falls. Physical activity improves sleep, endurance, and even sex.
  3. Eestablish a good relationship with a primary care physician. If something happens to your health, a physician you know —and who knows you — is in the best position to help. He or she will also recommend tests to check for hidden cancer or other conditions.

Source

Today’s Health Tip ~ Proper Nutrition Can Add Years to Your Life

by

Changing what you eat could add up to 13 years to your life.

A study . . . created a model of what might happen to a man or woman’s longevity if they replaced a “typical Western diet” focused on red meat and processed foods with an “optimized diet” focused on eating less red and processed meat and more fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts. If a woman began eating optimally at age 20, she could increase her lifespan by just over 10 years, according to the study published Tuesday in the journal PLOS Medicine. A man eating the healthier diet from age 20 could add 13 years to his life. Focusing on a healthier diet could also lengthen the lives of older adults, the study said. By starting at age 60, a woman could still increase her lifespan by eight years. Men starting a healthier diet at age 60 might add nearly nine years to their lives. A plant-based eating style could even benefit 80-year-olds, the study said: Men and women could gain about 3.5 years of extra life from dietary changes.

“The notion that improving diet quality would reduce the risk of chronic disease and premature death is long established, and it only stands to reason that less chronic disease and premature death means more life expectancy,” said Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine and nutrition, who was not involved in the study.

Today’s Health Tip ~ What Are Smart Foods for Quick Nutrition?

by

Smart Foods for Quick Nutrition

Some foods can give your brain or health a boost. Weave them into your day, beginning with a good breakfast of oatmeal with blueberries. Try ending it with a dinner of salmon and vegetables.

Healthy Nutritious Snacks

Healthy grab-and-go snacks include:

    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Granola bars

Healthy Food Substitutions

Try to substitute unhealthy food with healthier food. You won’t go without, but you will be eating something to help boost your brain.

Instead of This Try This
Refined grains (white bread, white rice) Whole grains (whole grain bread, brown rice)
Fried food (french fries, fried chicken) Grilled or baked foods (baked potato, grilled chicken)
Baked goods, sweets, specialty desserts Fruit
Whole milk Low-fat or skim milk, soy milk
Sugar-sweetened drinks Water or seltzer

Source

Verified by MonsterInsights