KTK-Nutrition

As the weather turns colder, who doesn’t like a hot bowl of soup?   Is soup healthy?   What nutritional value does soup have?   Actually, soup can be a healthy addition to your diet.   What are some health benefits of enjoying that bowl of soup on a cold day? Vegetables – many soups are either loaded with vegetables or the base of the soup is made from vegetables.   Many Americans are low on veggies and soup is an easy way to add some veggies to your day.   If you have a toddler who is fussy about eating vegetables, that toddler may eat the smaller pieces of the soft vegetables in vegetable soup. Even kids who won’t eat tomatoes might enjoy a bowl of tomato soup.   And as I have noted before, cooking some vegetables actually makes them healthier.   The lycopene in tomato soup is better absorbed than the lycopene in a raw tomato.   Enjoy some split pea soup and you added veggies and beta carotene (vitamin A) to your day.   As noted in last week’s blog ( Foods for Healthy Skin ), fo

Many of my students and blog followers ask, “What foods can I eat for healthier skin”?   There are many topical beauty products one can buy for healthier skin but eating healthy foods should be a first step.   Eat This, Not That ! has a great article, 25 Healthy Foods That Give You Glowing Skin .   Besides eating healthy, keeping the sun off your face by wearing a hat and using sunscreen are also wise ideas.   The article makes the point that having healthy, “hydrated skin starts from within” by eating healthy foods.   Healthy foods can help build up collagen in your skin, and help strengthen your skin. Collagen is important as one New York dermatologist says, “It’s the glue that holds the body together.   “Collagen makes up about 75% of the dry weight of your skin, providing volume that keeps skin looking plump and keeps lines at bay.”   What are some foods that promote healthy skin and what is in these foods that works that magic? Tomatoes – plants have chemicals in them that

Many people opt for a quick meal and choose a ready to eat frozen meal.   The good news is many of these frozen meals are a healthier choice than they used to be.   Consumer Reports has a great review of frozen meals .   They reviewed 30 different frozen meals and rated them for price, packaging, nutrition, and flavor.   In their article, they noted the sales of frozen meals have soared, up a whopping 48% compared to last year.   Choices – so many healthier options are now available.   Frozen meals used to be focused on meat and potatoes or low-calorie dinners for the dieting crowd.   Now there are many options to choose from. Processed Foods – frozen meals are processed but the good news is, manufacturers are now offering options less processed ingredients which usually means a healthier choice.   And, manufacturers haven’t given up on taste in their less-processed frozen meal offerings. What are some healthy ingredients to look for? Whole grains – look for brown rice, quinoa