Water, Water Everywhere…
Hydration is essential for health, especially with outdoor temperatures high. Since water is necessary to deliver nutrients and oxygen to cells, aid digestion, control blood pressure, and regulate body temperature, getting enough fluids every day is essential to helping the body function properly. Hydrate! While all kinds of beverages and many foods provide us with […]
Flavored Waters
To make flavored waters at home, use your imagination, or try the ideas below. Experiment with ingredients and proportions to suit your taste. Potential Ingredients: Juicy fruits (like citrus, ripe pineapple, watermelon, and berries)— fresh or frozen, or cucumber Herbs like mint, basil, sage, and rosemary Steps: Place fruit […]
Q. I never know what to eat for breakfast. What is the healthiest choice?
A. Jessica Seltz and Kelly Siverhus, dietetic interns at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center, answer: “Typical American breakfast foods (like sugar-sweetened cereal, pancakes, waffles, pastries, sausage, and bacon) are high in refined carbohydrates and processed meats—both of which are associated with adverse health effects. These traditional choices can also be a missed opportunity to give […]
African Peanut Soup
STEPS Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, ginger, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 4-5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Stir in the broth, water, potatoes, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and […]
Mediterranean-Style Diet Keeps Blood Vessels Flexible
A systematic review and meta-analysis published recently in The Journal of Nutrition concluded that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet may help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in part by improving the function of the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. The review pooled results from 14 randomized controlled trials, including data for 1,930 participants. The ability […]
What, Exactly, is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body weight adjusted for height. It is considered a better indicator of excess weight than body weight alone and is used to categorize individuals as “underweight,” “normal weight,” “overweight,” or “obese.” What does it really tell us, and how accurate is it? Measuring Body Fat: Being overweight […]
Health Benefits of Nuts and Seeds
Once thought of as high calorie treats to be avoided, nuts and seeds are emerging as an important component of a healthy dietary pattern. All Seeds: Nuts and seeds are a rich source of plant protein, have plenty of dietary fiber, and are high in heart-healthy mono-and polyunsaturated fats (including plant omega-3 fatty acids) and […]
Honey: Potential Benefits and Risks
Humans have been using honey as a sweetener for over 5,000 years. Throughout history, many cultures have also used it as a natural remedy—to treat wounds, ease coughs, and more. While there are many studies looking into a variety of medicinal uses for honey, few offer any sign of efficacy in humans, and honey is […]
Sugary Drinks Associated with Heart Disease Risk Factors
A study by Tufts’ researchers recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may contribute to the development of dyslipidemia—an important risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke. The observational study, which examined medical data of nearly 6,000 people who were followed for an average […]
Fish: Farm Raised versus Wild Caught
Fish is a nutritious and health-promoting choice. It is high in protein, a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, rich in vitamin D and minerals (including iron, iodine, magnesium, and potassium), and low in saturated fat. Research shows that eating fish at least twice a week is associated with lower risk of several chronic […]
