KTK-Nutrition

Who knew that what you eat affects your sleep.   Yes, overeating can lead to upset stomachs and affect your sleep.   Once my husband and I went out to a French restaurant.   We ordered some food with heavy sauces.   Our mistake.   We felt so full afterwards that we both could not sleep.   Others avoid coffee in the evening as the caffeine keeps them awake.   But are there foods that help promote better sleep? Americans need their sleep as the CDC says about one-third of us are failing to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night.   The Cleveland Clinic notes, A good night’s sleep is critical to our health, giving our bodies time to rest, repair and rebuild. There are no magic foods that will immediately help you sleep.   But there are foods and beverages that can help.   In general, eating foods higher in fiber and lower in saturated fat can lead “to deeper, more restorative sleep”.   What pre-bedtime be...

  The next time you are out and about, look at the lines at the Fast-Food places.   Many people have their favorite sandwiches and Fast-Food meals they like to choose.   WebMD has a great slide show on the Worst Sandwiches – not only the worst but “Double-Fisted Diet Wreckers”.    One doesn’t have to be on a diet to be concerned about healthier choices at Fast-Food places.   I had many students in my class that actually needed more calories in their day as they were very active.   Some were athletes and as noted in a previous blog, a carpenter who easily took in 5,000 calories a day.   Playing basketball, my daughter burned up so many calories, it was a struggle getting in enough calories each day. Some Fast-Food sandwiches pack in the calories, fat, and the sodium.   Let’s look at some popular Fast-Food places and look at poor choices and then some healthier options. Burger King Poor choice: Triple Whopper with Cheese .   Yes, ...

Who doesn’t love to eat out and start off the meal with some appetizers?   Half the fun of eating out with friends and family is deciding which appetizers to order.   We often order more than one so we can share.   My husband and I like bruschetta from a local restaurant.   This bruschetta is loaded with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and is very tasty. But many people will be surprised that some appetizers are really gut bombs.   Not only loaded with calories but loaded with saturated fat and sodium.   Some people can afford some extra calories.   I had a student that was a carpenter.   He ate 5,000 calories a day and was not overweight.   However, even he should pay attention to how much saturated fat and sodium is in foods, including appetizers.   Some appetizers have more calories than the meal you will be eating.   A nutrition newsletter I receive provided a good overview of restaurant appetizers.   What to watch ...