KTK-Nutrition

Who doesn’t like some fast food?   It is so easy to drop in any fast-food establishment and grab a bite to eat, either for a meal or for a quick snack.   But are you getting more than food at a fast-food restaurant?   Consumer Reports and others are reporting along with your food, you could be getting some dangerous chemicals found in the containers and wrappers.   What are these dangerous chemicals? Consumer Report testers found PFAS chemicals in many different types of fast-food packaging.   PFAS stands for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances “or PFAS.    These chemicals were actually invented in 1938 when Roy Plunkett found a chemical that lasts a very long time and a chemical “resistant to heat, water, oil, and corrosion”.   That is why PFAS chemicals are called “forever chemicals”, they last a long time and don’t break down.   There isn’t just one PFAS chemical, but over 9,000 different ones. Why do Fast Food places use these ch...

Who doesn’t enjoy a bow of cereal, whether for breakfast or for a good snack?   How can you choose cereals that taste good but are also good for you?   Some cereals are so loaded with sugar or with chemicals, one has to doubt if these cereals provide much nutritional benefit.    Consumer Reports put 32 cereals through their testing procedures.   What did they look for in cereals and what cereals do they recommend and why? As a nutritionist, I recommend eating cereals for adults and kids.   A bowl of a healthy cereal makes a great after school snack for kids.   My husband often has a bowl of cereal as an afternoon snack.   If you choose a whole grain cereal, then add some real cow’s milk and some fruit, you have a very healthy breakfast or snack.   Labels and packaging – don’t be fooled by labeling on cereals.   Just because a manufacturer added some trendy ingredient like flax or promotes “grain-free” doesn’t mean it is a healthy c...

Most people know that after exercising it is good to eat or drink something with protein and some carbs.   Protein for muscles and carbs to help restore the energy (glycogen) used when working out.   One student in my class said a group was working out at the gym with a renown weight lifter.   After the workout, the weight lifter went out to his truck and asked the group what he was going to drink post-workout?   The student in my class knew as we had discussed it in class.   The weight-lifter reached into a cooler and pulled out a quart of white cow’s milk.   But he also could have pulled out some chocolate milk. My daughter sent me an article by a registered dietitian, White vs. Chocolate milk:   Can both be part of your post-exercise game plan?   This dietitian notes that many athletes hear the phrase, refuel with chocolate milk .   Which is a better choice post-workout, white milk (real cow’s milk, not plant-based milks) or chocolate m...