KTK-Nutrition

Who knew that simply snacking on baby carrots can have such a health benefit?   Baby carrots are not only a convenient snack, but they also pack a nutritional punch. These little orange wonders are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, essential for good vision, immune function, and skin health. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy weight and digestive system. How would simply snacking on baby carrots lead to improved health? Researchers at Samford University found that adding baby carrots to your day at least 3 times a week resulted in more carotenoids in your skin.   Why is this a good thing?   According to nutritionist , Mary Harper Simmons, “…people who consume and have high levels of carotenoids have higher levels of antioxidant activity going on in the body, which means that there are lower levels of inflammation and lower risk of chronic illnesses such as hea...

Food trends come and go.   Trends from long ago like the bogus vinegar diet keeps coming back again.   What are the food trends of the Gen Z?   My daughter, not a Gen Z, sent me an interesting article, Tracking the Latest Gen Z Food Trends in 2024 .   How do their food trends differ from previous generations? What age group is Gen Z? As of 2024, Gen Z are those born from 1997-2012.   Thus, they range in age from 12 and 27 years of age.   So, some have reached adulthood.      What are their main concerns re food? Gen Zers are interested in foods that are: “healthy, sustainable, and affordable, and readily available on demand”.    Doesn’t sound like they would be growing gardens as they want food right away.   How do Gen Zers differ from millennials? Not a huge difference but Gen Z are more interested in vegan and vegetarian foods but on and off.   So more like the Flexitarian diet.   (See:   Best Diet...

Who doesn’t love snacking?   On a recent trip to Europe, one thing we missed were snacks.   Americans love to snack.   Snacking doesn’t have to be unhealthy and actually can add some good nutrition to your day.   One of my favorite snacks is a banana.   A natural food, unprocessed, no plastic packaging and rich in potassium and fiber.   But too many Americans are eating snacks that are ultra-processed.   What is ultra-processed ?   Ultra-processed foods are those shiny, packaged products that often have little resemblance to their natural origins.   They are typically loaded with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.   What are some examples of ultra-processed snacks to avoid? Mass-Manufactured Chips/Snacks:   Think Cheetos or other colorful, flavored, and heavily processed snack foods.   Sweet Buns and Cookies:     Those soft, sweet buns and sugary cookies you find at the store?   Yes, most...

Snacks – should kids have snacks?   Do snacks ruin a kid’s appetite?   Are snacks healthy?   So often I hear that kids shouldn’t have snacks.   A friend recently stated her kids are always hungry after school, but they don’t know if they should get snacks or what snacks to give them.   All kids not only should have snacks but actually need snacks.  Kids, especially younger kids, have very small stomachs.  They can’t eat large amounts of food at meals so they get hungry between meals.  USDA sets a meal pattern for child care centers and this meal plan has a morning snack and an afternoon snack.  School-age kids should have an after-school or afternoon snack every day.  After-school snacks are a great opportunity to provide kids with nourishing options that keep their energy levels up.   But this snack shouldn’t be gorging on junk food.  What are some guidelines for healthy snacks and what are some snacks kids can make for th...