KTK-Nutrition

 Have you ever heard someone say that when they are stressed, they like to eat?   When you are stressed are their foods that might help calm you? Help fight that stress?   If you research foods and stress, you will come across any number of headlines:   9 Foods and Beverages That May Promote Calm , What are some foods that east anxiety? , 13 foods that fight stress .   So, what foods might you keep on hand or seek out when you want some calm in your life?   Fruit – satisfy your sweet tooth with some fruit, especially berries .   All those healthy antioxidants in berries can “help protect your cells from stress and may help ease feelings of depression.”     Oranges are another fruit good for fighting stress.   It is the vitamin C that helps fight anxiety.   Studies have shown that diets rich in C “may help calm you and put you in a better frame of mind“.      (See:   Are you getting your daily vitamin C? )  Raw fruits and vegetables – interesting that eating fruits and veggies raw,

Have you heard of the old wives’ tale, “an apple a day will keep the doctor away”?   Fall is apple season and a great time to visit an apple orchard for some fresh apples.   Growing up I often heard that apples did not provide much nutrition. But now researchers know that apples provide some good nutrition including adding some antioxidants and fiber to one’s diet.   Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Apples do have many nutritional benefits.   Apples are low in calories, have no fat, and do provide fiber which many American diets are low in.   Unlike many American snack foods, apples have no sodium but do provide potassium which helps prevent high blood pressure.   The American Heart Association notes, “Foods that are rich in potassium are important in managing high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) because potassium lessens the effects of sodium.”   Apples are a great grab and go snack and may help satisfy one’s sweet tooth.   “ Research on apples points to their bene

As the weather turns colder, we think of enjoying a hot cup of soup.   Last week, we enjoyed tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.   True comfort food.   How healthy is soup?   Have you tried making your own soup?   Some recipes are actually pretty easy to make and taste oh so good.   Livestrong asks “ Why is Soup Healthy ?” Vegetables – soup is a great way to add some vegetables to your day.   A relative hates tomatoes but enjoys a bowl of tomato soup.   Tomatoes are loaded with good nutrition – vitamins A and C and the healthy antioxidant, lycopene, which is so good for your eyes.   An interesting fact :   about 80% of our dietary lycopene comes from tomato products like tomato soup.   And, the lycopene from cooked products, like tomato soup, is even more bioavailable than lycopene in raw tomatoes.     Vegetable soup, pea soup, bean soup – so many choices that add some veggies to your day.   Kids often shun some vegetables but may eat those vegetables in soup. Soup fills yo

It is easy to shop at the grocery store and pick up some ready-made meals.   But how do you know if what you are buying is healthy or not so healthy?   What are you supposed to look for?   My daughter sent me an article, How to choose the best ready-made foods at the store, according to a dietitian from Ohio State University.   Other sites also provide some advice on what to watch for when choosing prepared meals.   It is easy to pick up a ready-made meal at the grocery store but you may also be picking up a meal loaded with salt, sugar, or fat.   What to look for when choosing a ready-made meal or sides. Calories – look at the calories per serving.   My husband bought some prepared cheesy broccoli recently.   We were surprised that the calories per serving were not that high.   Meals – if it is a complete meal, look for total calories of 350-500 calories.   Too low in calories, say less than 200 calories, and you will be hungry and you will not be getting the nutrients you nee