Nutrition Articles

Summer 101: Great Summertime Fruits

Summer is a great season to partake in the numerous delicious seasonal fruits.  Not only do these summertime fruits taste great, but they also give you many nutritional benefits. Some fruits to enjoy before the season ends include:

Great Summer Fruits

Berries: the phytochemicals in blueberries, strawberries and blackberries all boost immunity, and protect against heart diseases and circulatory problems.

Peaches and plums: full of vitamin C and beta carotene, peaches and plums help to eliminate free radicals from the body.

Pineapples: being packed with the most vitamins and minerals, pineapples are also a great digestive aid.

Papayas and mangoes: both are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene and fiber.

Eating Healthy: Spotlight on Watermelon

• Watermelons are made up of 90% water.
• Watermelons are chock full of a considerable amount of vitamins A and C.
• They contain thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate and niacin in small amounts.
• They are a great source of potassium, and also contain magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and iron in trace amounts.
• Watermelons are also very low in calories, free of fats and cholesterol and are rich in carotenoids.

Watermelon Health Benefits

Recipe: Cajun Chicken with Watermelon Mint Salsa

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 tablespoons mild chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken cutlets

Mix together the spices.  Coat the chicken cutlets with the spice mixture.  Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat and place chicken in pan.  Blacken on both sides and sauté just until cooked through.  Top with Watermelon Mint Salsa and serve immediately.

Watermelon Mint Salsa

• 2 cups chopped seedless watermelon
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 cup diced seeded tomato
• Minced seeded jalapeno to taste
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
• ½ cup chopped fresh scallion

Toss ingredients together, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe: Grilled Scallop and Watermelon Kebabs

• 12 sea scallops
• 4 cups boiling vegetable or chicken broth
• 24- 1”x1” watermelon cubes
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

Cut the scallops into halves across the diameter to create half-moon shapes.  Place them in a heatproof casserole dish in a single layer.  Pour the boiling clear broth over the scallops and let them poach for 5 minutes.  Drain and cool the scallops.  On each skewer alternate one half-moon scallop, then two watermelon cubes, then one half-moon scallop.  Mix together the remaining ingredients and brush the kebabs as they are grilled over a medium-hot grill for 90 seconds per side, turning only once.  Serve warm.

Food for Thought: Spring Clean Your Diet

Now that the long, cold, endless winter is over it's time to give up those comfort foods and trade them in for a spring cleaning of your diet!

The good news is it is possible to rid your body of harmful toxins that you may have indulged in during the winter months, just by eating better and right this spring.

Spring Clean Your Diet

These foods will help hydrate, refresh and detoxify your way into a healthier season and give you the energy you need to gear up for summer, too!

• Berry green smoothie : Get started with a healthy smoothie blending together a cup of greens like spinach, kale and celery with a handful of fresh berries.  The greens contain chlorophyll that eliminates toxins that can contribute to liver damage and other illnesses.  The berries are packed with antioxidants and enzymes that fight free-radical damage, plus their sweetness combat the bitterness in the greens.
• Curry powder : Popular in Indian foods, curry gets its yellow color from a compound called curcumin.  According to holistic medicine, curcumin is used to help aid with liver issues and digestive disorders.  And because curry powder is also an anti-inflammatory it also contributes to the production of glutathione, a liver-protecting antioxidant.  You can add curry powder as an accent to almost any food including eggs, chicken, and vegetables.
• Cabbage : Made up of nearly 92 percent water, cabbage is a natural diuretic that will help your body get rid of excess fluids. It is also jam packed with glucosinolates, organic compounds that contain nitrogen and sulfur, that help to flush out unwanted toxins in the body.  Cabbage also is loaded with many essential vitamins like C, K, E and A, plus minerals, dietary fiber and folic acid.
• Water : Always start your day with a big glass of water and stay hydrated all day long by carrying around with you a reusable water bottle.  Drinking water before a meal can help curb hunger and overeating, and you should definitely drink plenty of water before, during and after any workout.  The Mayo Clinic suggests shooting for at least 9 glasses of water each day to help flush out any toxins in your liver and kidneys.

Food for Thought: Healthy Grab and Go Breakfasts

Sure, we would all love to sit down to a plate of eggs, bacon, hash browns, pancakes, sausages and waffles for breakfast, but that would absolutely kill our waistlines and besides, who has time to sit down to breakfast? Because breakfast is the most important meal of the day and also because we live in a fast-paced world, we all need to learn some of the best go-to, easy and healthy breakfasts.  Here are seven grab and go breakfasts.

Healthy Breakfast

1. Smoothies : Everyone needs their fruits and veggies, so why not drink them?  At the base of every smoothie is of course fresh or frozen fruits (and vegetables) but it doesn't have to stop there. Try adding greek yogurt for a creamier taste, peanut butter for extra protein or soy or almond milk for some non-dairy smoothness.
2. Muffins and quick breads : Now don't get confused here, store bought muffins are not the healthy options we are talking about. Homemade muffins and quick breads are much better for you because you can determine what ingredients are in your muffins and quick breads.
3. Frittatas and Quiches - Another great choice for breakfast when you need a quick go-to option is always quiches and frittatas.  These can also be made ahead of time and eaten throughout the week.  You can also make mini frittatas by using a muffin pan.
4. Yogurt Parfaits : They look nice behind the glass at those fancy coffee shops, and they are super easy to make. All you need to do is combine Greek yogurt, granola and whatever fruit is in season or your favorite.  Layer these ingredients as many times as you would like and dig in.
5. Breakfast Sandwiches : Take some time over the weekend and prepare some quick, tasty breakfast sandwiches for the week. You can use eggs, vegetables, tofu, or virtually anything that will pack that protein for your first meal of the day.  Reheat them as you are ready for them and eat them during your commute or at your desk.

Eating 101: Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is constantly on the rise, so as parents we need to be sure that we are always monitoring our children's fat intake.  In order to help your child, maintain a healthy lifestyle, be sure to establish good eating habits like the following:

Childhood obesity

• Children with a family history of cholesterol and heart disease should drink 2 percent milk.
• After their 2^nd birthday, all kids should drink 1 percent milk.
• Serve your child lean meats and fish.
• Limit your child's cheese intake.
• Limit fruit juice intake to 4 to 6 ounces per day.
• Offer low-fat snacks like yogurt, pretzels or fresh fruit.
• Prepare foods using low-fat methods like broiling, steaming or roasting.