KTK-Nutrition

Summer is here and hydration becomes even more important in hot weather.   Each summer I blog on hydration and this topic is one of my most popular posts.   From the list below, can you guess what beverage or food is best for hydration?     Water?   Juice?  Cow’s milk?  Eating some watermelon? Did you answer “water”?   Most people will answer “water” as being the best for hydration.   And most people would say drinking the 8 glasses of water a day is all one needs to do to stay hydrated.   But is water really the best beverage for hydration?   Are there other ways to stay hydrated like eating a slice of watermelon?   What about those electrolyte drinks?   Are these needed to stay hydrated?   What about kids?   Some kids are not the best about drinking water throughout the day.   What else can parents do to help keep their kids hydrated in hot weather? What is the first sign that you need more flu...

Caffeine – who doesn’t enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning?   Whether a K-cup, Starbucks or Mr. Coffee, most people enjoy starting their day with a cup of coffee.   According to the FDA , about 80% of adults in the US have some caffeine every day.     How does all this caffeine affect our health? What beverages and foods have caffeine? Coffee and tea have caffeine as does chocolate.   Energy drinks such as Red Bull contain caffeine.   How much caffeine is safe to drink? FDA notes that for most people, caffeine can be part of a healthy diet.   “But too much caffeine may post a danger to your health.”   FDA says healthy adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day which equates to about 4-5 cups of coffee a day, or 10 cans of soda , or 2 “energy shot” drinks.   But this varies as some people are more sensitive to caffeine and some people metabolize it faster or slower.   Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult with t...

Growing up who didn’t’ enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?   So many kids are raised on PB&J.   And many adults love to enjoy peanut butter sandwiches.   A favorite sandwich of Elvis Presley was a peanut butter and banana sandwich.   Are there health benefits to including peanut butter in your day?   My sister sent me an interesting article, The Popular Sandwich Spread That Helps Prevent The Risk Of Stroke .   I have heard a lot of benefits of eating peanut butter but had not heard that PB may help prevent strokes. Peanuts, peanut butter, and health: As noted in the article , about every 40 seconds someone in the US suffers from a stroke.   Many factors affect stroke risk including obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, but diet also plays a role.   Some foods increase one’s risk of stroke including “diets high in sodium, processed meats, and sugar-sweetened drinks”.   Including peanut butter and peanuts in...