KTK-Nutrition

Do you ever even think about the health of your joints or strength of your bones?   Younger people may not but   recent articles in Runner’s World and Bicycling.com brings these important topics to younger and older readers.   Why would younger people be interested in these topics?   My daughter recently was pleased to tell us she and her husband will be running a 10K this year.   This is quite the goal for her as she broke her ankle a few years ago.   I advised her to beef up her bone strength and sent her an article on boosting bone strength.   Older people are concerned about bone strength and joint health because of fear of broken bones and aching joints.    What are some foods and nutrients that promote bone strength and healthy joints? Calcium – Almost all the students I have taught know that calcium is needed for good bones.   But when they analyzed their diets, they were often low and sometimes really low in calcium.   Calcium is a must for strong bones and many America

Who doesn’t love to snack?   Some people think snacking is bad for you, but not so.   Healthy snacks can add some important nutrients to your day.   And kids need some snacks as they have small stomachs and need some snacks between meals.   Americans love their snacks as 73% of us eat at least one snack a day (up from 57% in 2019).   Who is snacking?   According to Food Insight , 78% of Millennials and 79% of parents with kids under 18 enjoy snacking at least once a day.     Why do people snack?   Food Insight’s survey shows: Hungry or thirsty:     34% Snacks are a treat:     25% Need energy:   22% Snacking is a habit:   21% As noted, many people say they snack because they are hungry or thirsty.   And that may be true, especially for growing children and teenagers.   Others are craving sweets and some people crave a salty snack.   Some people think snacking is bad for your health.   But is it?   Yes, some snacks like Cheetos are not a healthy choice.   But many snacks can be g

Every winter people get sick with colds, flu and now COVID is added to the mix.   Yet, we all know some people who seem super healthy.   While everyone in the office, the school or our friends have come down with something, there are those people who seem to have the latest illness bypass them.     Why aren’t they getting sick like everyone else?   Instead of being jealous at how healthy these people are, why not copy some habits that will build your immune system and lead to a healthier you?   My sister sent me a great article about 10 habits of healthy people .   What are some of those habits can you adopt for a healthier you? Drink water – lots of water .   What does drinking water have to do with a healthy immune system?   The University of California, Irvine notes :   Hydration is a key element to maintaining a healthy immune system .   Why?   To have a healthy immune system your body needs nutrients.   We need enough water to transport those nutrients to our cells and organs.

February is the American Heart Month, so this week we will look at heart health and what you can eat for a healthier heart.   There are many small changes you can make in your diet and lifestyle that can lead to healthier changes for your heart.   Why be concerned about heart health?   CDC states, “heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States”.   Another great source of information is The American Heart Association, the go to place for questions about heart health and how to adopt a heart healthy lifestyle.   What are some of heart healthy recommendations in terms of healthier eating and exercise?    Eating for a healthy heart:   Small steps to take Eat at home at least 3 times a week .    By skipping the fast food and restaurant meals you can prepare meals that are lower in fat, especially meals lower in saturated fat, and lower in sodium. Use more herbs and spices when cooking – keep the flavor while cutting back on the amount of salt in a recipe. Focus meal