Diane Lofshult
Diane Lofshult
Article Archive
People who follow a conventional Mediterranean diet have reason to cheer: they are less likely to develop clinical depression, according to a report in
the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, which is published by the American Medical Association. The lifetime prevalence of mental disorders
is lower in the Mediterranean region compared with Northern Europe, presumably due at least in part to the diet now considered to be protective against
depression.
According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
organic food sales in America have
quadrupled since 1997, growing like weeds from $3.6 billion to $24.6 billion in annual sales. The agency projects that the organic sector will continue to grow at a steady yearly rate of 19% until 2013.
Soup can be a great comfort when the wind is howling outside your door. But
commercially made soups are often high in salt and highly processed. Here is a soup
that is healthy and can be made at home.
1 tablespoon (tbs) extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2–3 tbs fresh ginger, chopped
1/2 teaspoon (tsp) black pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and sweethearts everywhere will be flocking to their favorite restaurants for a night of romance and risotto. You may
be crazy in love, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your good sense
and your resolve when it comes time to order off the menu. Here are some strategies to employ that will keep you dedicated to your diet:
Cauliflower is often overshadowed by its more flashy and colorful cousin broccoli. Although broccoli is slightly higher in nutrient content, the lowly cauliflower does supply nearly the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, while also providing folate and fiber. To amp up the nutrients, choose the orange-hued variety of cauliflower, which is now available in most areas of the country: it has about 25 times more vitamin A than the standard white version.ask the RDquestion:
Answer: The quick answer is to “starve a fever, feed a cold.” But don’t take this old adage too much to heart, because starving yourself isn’t going to help when you are sick.
A better approach when ill is to eat enough nutritious food to satisfy your appetite. More important,
it is essential to stay hydrated when you have either the flu or a common cold.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently issued a list of the top 10 riskiest foods regulated by the FDA, based on the number of related outbreaks of food-borne illness
reported since 1990. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the list of offenders included a fair share of “healthy” foods, such as spinach, berries and tomatoes.
Use these helpful hints to stretch your food budget
in this down economy:
Take to the Internet Highway. Click on websites
such as www.tipnut.com for low-cost recipes or even www.amazon.com for inexpensive bulk items that are nonperishable.
Abandon Brand Names. Switch to private-label brands, which are usually a good deal cheaper than name brands.
Although exotic fruits have long been seen in specialty supermarkets and health food stores, a growing number of mainstream markets are now offering an array of unfamiliar produce. Here is a look at three “new” and unusual fruits that are now becoming more widely available.
According to a recent study published online by the journal Pediatrics, at least 1 in 5 kids in America under the age of 11 doesn’t get enough daily vitamin D, which can have a negative effect on proper bone growth.
The problem is particularly widespread in minority groups: almost 90% of African American children and 80% of Hispanic kids may be deficient in vitamin D, the researchers estimated.
We all know that parents and other role models, such as teachers, can influence a child’s lifestyle and food choices. Until recently little was known about the dietary habits of elementary-school employees, a key target group for improving school nutrition.
A recent study conducted in the Canadian provinces found that adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa may suffer from lifelong brain damage and loss of cognitive function—even if they ultimately return to a normal weight later in life. Until now, little was known as to the long-term effects of this disease in female subjects with adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa.
In late October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a strong warning that the agency was considering taking regulatory action against food manufacturers that make inaccurate and misleading health claims on product
labels.
Men who want to lower their risk of developing hypertension may want to up their daily intake of whole-grain products, according to a study in the September 2009 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers who followed more than 51,000 men (aged 40–75 in 1986) enrolled
in the ongoing prospective Health Professionals Follow-Up Study found that those with a higher whole-grain intake,
especially total bran, had a lower risk
of becoming hypertensive.
Where you live may actually contribute to your risk of someday developing type 2 diabetes, says a study published in the October 12, 2009,
issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers conducted
the first multisite prospective study
to examine if residential environments that support more physical activity and healthier diets may contribute to
a lower incidence of the disease.
Baby, it’s cold outside. This hearty but healthy chili will warm your heart
and your senses. Plus, it’s fast and easy to prepare, even after a hard day at work.
2 teaspoons (tsp) olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 tsp minced garlic
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons (tbs) tomato paste
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
It’s January, and clients everywhere are coming out of the woodwork looking for that magic bullet to get in shape. Armed with New Year’s resolutions and good intentions, what they really need are some simple, easy ways to improve their health in 2010. Here are 10 tips to pass along that really work:
Clients always want to know how many
calories they are burning while exercising. Now they can use their smart phone or PDA to count calories instantly while jogging along a path or changing ends between tennis games.
Veterinarians across the country are reporting an increase
in the number of dogs poisoned by a common ingredient used
in sugar-free products. The chemical xylitol is used in gum and other sugar-free foods and products, such as candy, baked goods, energy bars, muffins, brownies, Jell-O® pudding, ice cream and even toothpaste.
These days, everyone is trying to find ways to cut corners in the household budget. One place to do that is in the kitchen. Here are some cheap tricks to try that will lower costs yet not sacrifice the quality of the meals you serve your family:
