Nutrition Articles

Eating Healthy

Spotlight on: Bananas

Did you know that the banana is the most popular fruit eaten in the United States? It's so popular that bananas are eaten in more quantities than apples and oranges COMBINED!

Fun facts about bananas include:

We consume about 25 pounds of bananas per person each year.

• There are more than 1,000 varieties of bananas.
• Bananas don't grow on trees : trees have bark and banana plants don't have bark.
• Bananas are low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium.
• A large portion of the calories in bananas come from sugars.

Recipe: Classic Banana Bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
• 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cooking spray

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Recipe: Banana Chia Pudding

• 1 ½ cups vanilla-flavored flax milk
• 1 large banana cut in chunks
• 7 tablespoons chia seeds
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Put milk, banana, chia seeds, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt in respective order in the blender; blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl and refrigerate until thickened, at least 2 hours. Spoon mixture into small bowls to serve.

Reading and Understanding Food Labels

Reading and understanding food labels can be really tricky. However it is important especially for homemakers to know how to read and understand such nutritional labels. Basically, food labels provide a detailed and comprehensive account of what is included in a particular food item. In a similar manner, food labels also provide the types of vitamins, minerals and nutrients one can get from a particular food item.

The problem however is that food labels are often filled with unnecessary jargon that may confuse the average homemaker. Hence below are some tips on how to read and understand food labels in a clearer manner.

Always be a doubter

When it comes to food, giving the benefit of the doubt is not that wise. A good rule of thumb is to always know exactly what type of food you consume or what ingredients are included in the food you consume. You need to be always sure.

If you are in doubt as to what a particular food label means, try asking your dietician or even your general physician. Additionally, it would be a lot wiser if you do not simply believe everything that's being presented to you. Try to find out the truth yourself, with the Internet, it's a lot easier.

Know what ingredients are included

You need to also pay close attention to the ingredients included in the food item you are considering to buy. Find out how was it made and from what was it made. Needless to say, a potato chip does not necessarily contain potatoes. That's a bitter pill to swallow but that is how some food manufactures do business.

Apart from the actual ingredients, the nutrients contained should also be looked at. In general, opt for a food item that has greater amounts of vitamins and minerals compared to food items with heaps of carbohydrates and calories.

Check the serving size per calculation

Another important thing that you should consider is the serving size per calculation. Find out whether the food label is based per serving or if it's for the whole package. You need to be really cautious here as most food manufacturers use such trick whenever they're food are deemed unhealthy due to high amounts of calories.

Scrutinize the types of fat included

There are various types of fat and it is important that you find out what exact types are included in the food item you are considering to buy. There are healthy types and unhealthy ones so you need to really master the trick here. Basically, saturated fats, hydrogenated fats and tropical oils should be avoided as much as possible.

Do not forget the calories per serving

The calories per serving is another vital factor in food labels. Actually, it's the first thing that you should look at as calories are energy and unused energy will eventually make you fat. Make sure that the calories per serving is sufficient enough but not too high.

Since 1994, the United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA has obliged food manufacturers and distributors to put a food label at the back of their food items in order to equip consumers with the right knowledge on what they are eating and how healthy they are.

Now it's up to you to reap the benefits of the transparency created by the FDA.

Dangers of Omega 3 Overload

The benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids are well documented. A diet that includes this essential nutrient can lower our risk for cardiovascular disease and decrease the levels of cholesterol. However, its benefits go beyond preventing diseases. It is also essential for normal body functioning.

But what happens when we take in more than the healthy amounts of Omega 3?

The recommended daily dose for Omega 3 is 800mg to 1,000 mg. This is equivalent to eating two fish dishes weekly. However, people who are planning to reduce their triglycerides by using Omega 3 fatty acids, higher dosages could be taken upon your doctor's advice. There are no set levels for children. It is only advised that they avoid eating fish that are contaminated with chemicals or mercury. This is also readily available in Omega 3 supplements.

 The Good Side of Omega 3

Omega 3 supplements have been flying off the shelves and for good reason. Medical studies have proven that these essential fatty acids are important for many processes in the body including brain development.

This essential nutrient counteracts the effects of bad cholesterol. It prevents plaque buildup, improving blood flow. It reduces the levels of triglycerides and lowers blood pressure. Omega 3 can also reduce the risk for abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmia. Overall, Omega 3 is a wonder nutrient that could not only reduce the risk for cardiovascular diseases but also help people suffering from it.

Pros and Cons

There are some risks associated with consuming large amounts of fish. However, this is more associated with eating contaminated fish. The amount of chemicals contained in fishes could be attributed to species and where this was harvested. Fish that have longer life spans for example have a higher risk of containing mercury in their system. If you feel that your fish may contain large amounts of mercury, information is available in your local health boards.

Sources of Omega 3

Fish is the most popular source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Of note, anchovies, mackerel, halibut, swordfish, salmon, fresh water bass, shrimp, calamari, oysters and herring are rich sources of Omega 3. This could also be sourced from plants that include soybean, canola, olive and flax oils.

Omega 3 is now also available in dietary supplements. This however, should not be considered as medications for treating cardiac problems. It is intended to be an alternative source for Omega 3 for people who can't take it from natural sources.

Dangers of Omega 3 Overdose

The dangers associated with taking large amounts of Omega 3 is directly associated with its benefits. One example is its anti-inflammatory properties that could help people suffering from arthritis. When you reduce the chances of clotting it increases the possibility of bleeding. And the best way of avoiding this is to eat well rounded diet. Take your recommended dose of Omega 3 but don't forget meat for example. It helps in the normal balance of nutrients in the body, making sure that you are getting all the recommended amounts of nutrients.

Natural Detoxifying Techniques You Could Do Now

Having a healthy body is not all about having a slim or muscular figure. We don't only have to take care of our physical appearance but more importantly what is inside our body. Each day our body is exposed to various toxins. This could be found in the air we breathe and the food we eat. Detoxifying is a great way of getting rid of these pollutants to keep our body working in tip top shape. It compliments a healthy lifestyle improving the benefits of eating healthy and living an active lifestyle.

To help you get started in your detoxifying journey, below are some tips you could start at home.

• Load up on water  - Most of our body is made up of water. And loading up on water goes a long way in helping our body flush out toxins. All it takes is eight glasses of water and that's the minimum. However, getting a few extra glasses of water each day doesn't hurt either.
• Exorcise those toxins through exercise - Help the body get rid of toxins by spending a few minutes each day exercising. Sweating is a great way of coxing sweat out of the body. Get the benefit of having a slimmer figure while eliminating harmful toxin buildup.
• Get those veggies - Eating vegetables helps get rid of toxins. This is especially useful for cleaning the digestive tract. It makes it easier for the body to flush it through our solid waste. It provides bulk to our feces decreasing our risk for developing colon cancer.
• Fruit and Juices -  Whether eaten directly or in its liquid form, fruits are good detoxifying agents. Just like water, fruit juices course its way through our body flushing toxins along the way. Turn your favorite fruit into a juice or make it your favorite snack. A great alternative to processed food and snacks.
• Fasting for a day - Give your body the best opportunity to get rid of toxins by letting it focus on detoxification. Drink plenty of fluids such as water and juices. This could be done once every month. Living a healthy lifestyle is striking a balance. Never fast for more than a day. You shouldn't confuse fasting for detoxification with dieting.
• Body wraps - Body wraps promotes sweating. Increase the benefits of using body wraps by matching it with detoxifying oils. Body wrap treatments are not only a good way of helping your body detoxify but is also a simple way of releasing stress. This way you don't only get rid of physical toxins but also mental toxins as well.
• Stay clear of toxins - Don't just get rid of toxins but prevent it from coming back by living and eating healthy. Stay clear of dirty or polluted environments. Toxins could also enter the body through the air. Eat healthy food that promotes detoxification while avoiding processed foods.

There are many facets to a healthy body. Eating healthy foods and living an active lifestyle is just part of the process. Helping the body rid itself of toxins should not be ignored. Get the complete healthy lifestyle by incorporating each discipline.

Five Great Reasons to Eat a Banana

Considered as one of the world's miracle fruits, the musa acuminata better known as a banana has a number of known and proven health benefits. In fact, it may even have more health benefits than any other fruit in the market. What makes a banana even better than most healthy fruits like apples, grapes, mangoes or an orange is that fact that it is a lot cheaper and is widely available in most parts of the world.

There have been numerous clinical studies in the past that link banana to various health benefits, some of which are presented below.

Bananas are good for your heart and blood

Potassium is one of the most abundant nutrients packed in a single banana serving. Needless to say, potassium has a lot of known benefits. For starters, potassium helps the heart by promoting better circulation of blood. A single banana serving also has vitamin B6 : an essential vitamin that aids in the production of helpful antibodies.

Likewise, vitamin B6 also helps in the production of hemoglobin, another important nutrient the human body needs.

Banana as a natural mood enhancer

It is also said that banana is a natural mood enhancer. This miracle fruit has tryphotan which can help smoothen and enhance the mood of people. Tryphotan is an amino acid which can help the human body produce serotonin. Serotonin, on the other hand, can produce a calming effect on the human body and is bound to stabilize the mood of the person taking it.

A banana a day is good for your kidney and bones

The old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away may just be it : old. Bananas have already proven its worth many times over. One of its many benefits includes helping your kidneys and bones to become stronger and less vulnerable to complications.

This is due to the high potassium content of a banana fruit. Potassium suppresses calcium excretion in the urine and is therefore minimizing the risk against kidney stones. For that matter, I guess it would be wise to say that a banana a day keeps the doctor away.

Regular intake of bananas is said to make a person smarter

According to a study conducted on 200 students at a Middlesex school, a normal intake of banana after every meal makes pupils more alert and open to learning.

Bananas can promote better bowel movement

Another well known benefit of banana is that this miracle fruit is high in fiber and can restore and promote better bowel movement. That is the reason why people suffering from constipation are almost always given a serving of banana. In addition to that, better bowel movement brought about by a serving of banana is good for one's overall health.

Apart from the health benefits pointed above, bananas can also help people wanting to quit smoking and serve as a stress reliever for many. Heartburn, anemia and ulcers can also be improved by a daily intake of banana while morning sickness and hangover can be remedied with a single banana serving.

It is important to know and remember that a banana is a great natural remedy for many illnesses. Hence it would be wise to include a serving of banana in your daily diet.