Nutrition

Nutrition articles and health tips from Down to Earth Organic and Natural.

Trans Fats: Ban Them From Your Diet

With New York recently banning them in restaurants, and Los Angeles looking to do the same, trans fats are quickly becoming infamous. And this time, the FDA is actually ahead of the game. As of January 2006, the FDA has required the trans fats content to be labeled in the Nutrition Fact panel of all food packaging. But what are trans fats, and why aren’t they good for us?

Super Greens

Photo: Green Fields

Wheat grass and micro algae consumption throughout the world, especially in western countries, has sky rocketed in the recent years. However, the dietary use of these substances is nothing new. It has been discovered that in both South America and Africa cereal grasses such as wheat grass and micro algae have been used internally for nutrition and externally as an antiseptic healing salve. Today, we generally use these substances as a supplement to improve our health and vitality. Individuals that use them regularly enthusiastically testify to their amazing healing properties.

Is Sucralose a Dangerous Sugar Substitute?

Sugar, the ingredient that is on everyone’s mind. In the United States more than one-third of adults are obese and dietary guidelines are cracking down on added sugar. Sugar substitutes have become an increasingly popular option for people who want sweets without the additional calories.  In 2015 the sugar substitute business was valued at over 13 billion dollars and continues to grow.1  Sucralose is a widely used sugar substitute that is considered safe by the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) but recent research is challenging the safety of sucralose.

How many bowls of Anything does it take to get the nutrition of Spirulina?

Commercials for the cereal Total always impressed me as they showed how many bowls of the competition's cereal it took to get the same vitamins and minerals as one bowl of Total. Well, Nature has a thing or two to teach Total. Nature's “Total” can be found in blue-green algae or Spirulina.

Nuts About Nuts

Nuts are a great alternative to meat for millions of vegetarians all over the world. They are a good source of protein and fiber, naturally free of cholesterol, and are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Nuts are very versatile and can used in recipes, as a snack, as nut butters, and in a variety of desserts.

Minerals: The Overlooked Necessity

Nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, enzymes and amino acids, are required for our bodies to function properly. These nutrients are dependent upon minerals. Minerals are predominantly obtained from the food we eat, and the mineral content of that food is dependent upon the mineral content of the soil it grows in. Therefore, depleted soils create mineral deficient food.

"Meat-Free" Goes Mainstream

Today, science has a better understanding of why fruits and vegetables should be part of a healthy eating plan. You probably enjoy them for their wonderful flavors and bright colors. But, fruits and vegetables are good for you too. An eating pattern low in fat and rich in fiber and other important nutrients can help prevent a number of chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Eating the recommended 2-3 servings of fruits and 3-5 servings of vegetables each day is a good place to start.

The Meat-Cancer Connection

Science continues to support the conclusion that a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables is ideal for overall health and well-being. In contrast, new evidence is supporting the idea that high-meat diets can lead to cancer.

A Lesson From McDonalds

The primary motivation for choosing a vegetarian lifestyle is the desire to increase one’s health and wellness. It is no secret that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables decreases a person’s risk of cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. In contrast, a diet high in red and processed meats has been shown to increase these risks. Evidence of the dangers of a meat-based diet can be found in the recent fate of McDonalds' CEOs, Jim Cantalupo and Charlie Bell.

The Lack Of Proper Nutritional Education

Who do you turn to for advice on food, proper nutrition, and diet? Most people ask their family doctor for advice on diet and nutrition, but a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that 60 percent of medical schools in the United States are not meeting minimum recommendations for their students' nutrition education.1 This means that doctors are not necessarily nutrition experts, in fact, most of them are not.