KTK-Nutrition

What new food trends might we see in 2017?   Many food websites are making predictions for trends you will see in 2017.   Here are some of them. Eat This, Not That is predicting these 2017 Food Trends : Sour Dough bread – if you like it, great as you will be seeing more sour dough bread in 2017.   Eat This, Not That believes it is because sour dough bread is fine to eat for those who are sensitive to gluten.   (But still not fine for those who are gluten intolerant.)   And some experts say the bacteria in sour dough bread is great for your digestive system, so enjoy every bite. Spices – what’s so new about spices?   McCormick notes that in 2017 we will be enjoying even more spicy foods like more peppercorn will be spicing up restaurant menus.   Move over regular pasta and make way for alternative pasta – many of us have already enjoyed zucchini noodles, quinoa-based noodles but more varieties are forthcoming in 2017. Environmental Nutrit...

What is the DASH diet and why is the DASH diet so good for your health?    As noted last week, every year for the past 6 years, US News and World Reports ranks the best diets ( Best Diets 2016 ).   They gather a panel of diet and nutrition experts and rank 38 diets on a number of criteria.   What diet ranked the best for overall health?   The DASH diet.      What is the DASH diet? This diet was originally designed to help stop hypertension or high blood pressure.   They have now found it also helps prevent and control diabetes and supports a healthy heart.   Thus, it is a diet to follow for overall good health.   Diet doesn’t mean one is trying to lose weight.   Rather it is a healthier pattern of eating.   What nutrients are emphasized in this diet? This diet promotes potassium, calcium, protein and fiber.   Although most people know to limit sodium because sodium (salt) is linked to higher blood pressure, m...

Everyone says to “eat healthy” but many people aren’t quite sure what this means.   To some it means Pop Tarts and Sunny D as these foods are “fortified” with vitamins.   But they are not really healthy foods as they are full of sugar, white flour and few nutrients.   Eating healthy means including nutrient dense foods in your daily diet.   Not exclusively, as we all like our treats.    But our meals and many of our snacks should be focused on nutrient dense foods.    The January 2015 edition of Environmental Health had an excellent article, Make your Diet More Nutrient-Dense.   The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics refers to these foods as nutrient-rich foods. What are nutrient-rich or nutrient-dense foods?   These foods contain the most nutrients per calorie.   Usually they are the least processed foods and foods not diluted with a lot of added sugar or added fat. What foods are considered nutrient-rich? Whole gra...