KTK-Nutrition

Many people start their day full of energy.   But often by midafternoon, you experience the afternoon slump.   What foods can help you boost your energy and rev you up to finish off the day?   My younger sister sent me an article on energy boosting foods and almost the same day, my older sister sent me an article on foods to boost moods and brain energy .   So, what are some foods that can boost your overall energy and boost your mood? Avocados – yes, avocados do have fat, but it is a healthy fat.   Enjoy some avocado toast, or guacamole and whole grain corn chips.   The fat and fiber in avocados will help fill you up and will prevent a sudden spike in blood sugar.   The rise and fall of blood sugar levels is a reason many people feel even more tired after eating candy bars or other high sugar foods. Bananas – these are my go-to fruit for energy.   I eat a banana every day when I get up and before some morning exercise like a walk, yoga or som...

Many kids are going back to school in August and not just via Zoom.   Kids need snacks after school – but healthy snacks. Some parents won’t give their kids snacks thinking snacks are unhealthy, snacks spoil a kid’s appetite, or that kids just don’t need snacks.   But kids do need snacks. Pre-school kids need snacks twice a day -morning and afternoon.   School-age kids need an after-school snack.   One reason kids need snacks is because they have small stomachs and eat smaller amounts at meals and then get hungry between meals.   They also need snacks to meet their daily nutritional needs. If you give kids healthy snacks, the snacks contribute nutrients and good nutrition that kids need to grow.   Snacks should be small enough to help curb hunger pains but not too filling the child eats less at meal time. Deana Hildebrand, a nutrition specialist with the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Services notes :   “The trick is to provide snack...