KTK-Nutrition

Ask people if they eat a healthy diet and most will say “yes.” But when you look closer, many diets fall short in key nutrients — not just calcium or vitamin   D, but something even more overlooked. Dietitians call it a  “power nutrient”  for longevity and disease prevention. And here’s the surprising part:  about   93%  of Americans don ’ t get enough of it. That nutrient?  👉   Fiber. 💪  Fiber — The Power Nutrient You’re Probably Missing According to the  American Society for Nutrition (2021) , only  5% of men and   9% of women  meet daily fiber recommendations. The average American  consumes  just  16 grams of fiber per day, men about 18 grams and women only 15 grams per day , far below the target. Fiber isn’t just about digestion — it’s a cornerstone of long‑term health. ❤️  Health Risks of Low Fiber Intake Getting too little fiber increases your  risk  of: Heart disease   💓 Type   2   diabetes ...

Who hasn’t heard the old proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?    As fall rolls in, it’s the perfect time to visit an orchard and grab a basket of fresh apples.    With so many varieties to choose from including tart Granny Smiths, sweet Fujis, and the ever-popular Honeycrisp – it’s easy to forget that apples aren’t just delicious they are also nutritional powerhouses.    Growing up I often heard that apples did not provide much nutrition.    But modern research paints a different picture. Apples are  loaded  with  fiber, antioxidants like quercetin and polyphenols, vitamin C, and potassium.  These nutrients work together to support heart health, digestion, and blood sugar regulation. 🍏  Are Apples Really That Nutritious? Absolutely. A medium  apple  contains about: Low in Calories  about 104 calories 4 grams of fiber  (mostly soluble, which helps lower cholesterol) Vitamin C  (boosts i...

Have you been diagnosed with prediabetes?   Cleveland Clinic notes this “is essentially a health warning stage”.   Your blood sugar level is higher than normal but not too high as to be classified as Type 2 diabetes.   There are a lot of Americans with prediabetes , about 38% of all adults in America, or 96 million adults have prediabetes.   Most are unaware they even have prediabetes. Can you reverse prediabetes? There is good news, that with lifestyle changes, prediabetes can be reversed.   These lifestyle changes include weight loss if overweight, a healthier diet, and regular physical activity.   (See:   Walk Your Way to Better Blood Sugar Control .)   CDC notes that “if you have prediabetes, losing weight by eating healthy and being more active can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half.”   What is prediabetes? Your blood carries glucose around your body to be used by your cells for energy.   Blood sugar is measu...

According to CDC , about 34-36 million Americans have type 2 diabetes.   Although type 2 diabetes develops more often in people over 45, more and more children, teens and young adults are developing type 2 diabetes.   In addition to type 2 diabetes, as of 2021 an estimated 97.6 million Americans aged 18 and older had prediabetes or about 1 in 3 adults.   Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with some lifestyle changes.   Are there foods you can eat that would lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes? Yes.   Foods high in a substance called flavonoids can help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.   What are flavonoids? Flavonoids are compounds found in certain foods and beverages including some fruits, vegetables, teas and some other plant-based foods.   These flavonoids help give “fruits and vegetables their deep, rich colors”.     Studies have found that consuming a diet rich in flavono...