GROCERY STORE AS A PHARMACY!

Update: This is a repeat from 2019.d but I am reposting because I believe this to be excellent advice. If you have never thought about this before, please do as we enter a new year. Your food choices can make or break your health. Also, Dr Oz is now the Director of Medicare and Medicaid for the United States Government.

This is a quote from Dr. Mehmet Oz, Professor of surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, NYC and Medical Director of the Integrative Medicine Program at NY-Presbyterian Hospital but better known as TV's Doctor Oz:  "When you walk into a grocery store, you are walking into a pharmacy, and the power of those foods is as powerful as medications."

Based on my own experiences with multiple health situations, I believe that statement is 100% true!  The old saying, "You are what you eat," is so true!  Think about the doctor's statement every time you go grocery shopping in 2026.

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SOME HEALING FOODS FOR ANEMIA (LOW IRON)

It is a fact that healthy blood depends on a good supply of iron.  When your blood is low in iron, your body isn't getting the oxygen it needs causing you to feel tired and listless.  Anemia means your blood is iron deficient.  If you have a problem with low iron, here is a partial list of healing foods you should be eating.

• Clams
• Low-fat meats, especially beef
• Poultry, especially the dark turkey meat
• Duck
• Beans
• Cauliflower
• Cantaloupe
• Sesame Seeds
• Tofu

Vitamin C is helpful to the body in absorbing the iron from grains and veggies.  Consider some citrus, etc when eating vegetables and/or grains to improve the iron in your blood.

If you are wondering why liver isn't listed above, that was intended.  Doctors used to recommend eating liver to improve one's iron level.  However, over the years they have discovered that while liver is great for iron levels it is also loaded with cholesterol.  If you have a problem with cholesterol, get your iron from other sources!

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CINNAMON FOR YOUR HEART

 According to scientists, you are three times more likely to stay active and independent well into your 90s if you keep your heart and arteries healthy. The simple spice, cinnamon, can help you with that! According to scientists at the University of Tennessee, cinnamon can help balance blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides; nourishes heart tissues and prevent plaque buildup in arteries. Before you get too excited, this means you should add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to your daily diet and your heart could be beating more strongly in as little as two weeks. No mention was made to suggest cinnamon rolls would be helpful!

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HEALTHY SUBSTITUTE FOR MAYONNAISE OR SOUR CREAM

You can make your own healthy substitute for mayonnaise or sour cream by pureeing low-fat cottage cheese in a blender or food processor. Use in recipes for all or part of the mayo or sour cream called for when making dips, dressings, or spreads.

Note: Not a brand recommendation. Use your favorite brand.

STRAWBERRIES - DID YOU KNOW?

A girl from my old school posted this on her facebook page.

Not sure if baking changes the nutritional value but a medium strawberry has less than 1 carb.

POTASSIUM AND STROKES

Are you eating enough potassium-rich foods ie bananas, sweet potatoes, pork, spinach, and more? Foods rich in potassium may cut ones risk of stroke by up to 21%. They may also lower the risk of heart attack. These are tasty foods so be sure to include them in your diet. Below are many of the potassium rich choices.

KEEPING YOUR BRAIN FRESH

My late husband died from COPD and some dementia. So, I was always reading information about the brain and/or cognitive decline. A study at the University of Illinois, last year I believe, suggested that the nutrient lutein may help slow down cognitive decline. What a tasty way to help slow this problem! Lutein is found in green leafy vegetables, avocados and eggs. Why not add a few more of these tasty foods to your diet? It just might keep your mind sharp!

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PROTEIN FOR MUSCLES

Once we humans reach around 50 years of age we start to have weakened muscles.  This is a normal part of the aging process but it is important we do what we can to maintain our muscles. Weakened muscles can cause falls which can be very damaging to older people. Maintaining our muscles helps us to function better overall. Protein is an important muscle builder so we must be sure we get enough in our diets. The average 150 pound adult needs approximately 55 grams of protein per day. Older folks should probably have more. Learn to read nutritional labels on your foods and monitor your protein intake for a week. See if you are getting at least the recommended amounts, especially if you are an older person like me. Discuss with your doctor if you find yourself falling short of the recommended amount.

This file photo shows some samples of protein foods to consider. (I am preaching to myself here as I do not like any of the foods pictured below. Shame on me!)

BROCCOLI AND CANCER

We all know broccoli is good for us and we should eat more of it.  That said, here is some information about broccoli and cancer.  Broccoli has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and both are important to the person dealing with cancer.  Both are also important in helping to prevent cancer.

Sulforaphane, a well-studied phytochemical in broccoli, appears to slow the growth of leukemia and melanoma cells.  Another metabolite, glucosinolate, can inhibit the growth of breast cancer.  If you are battling any of those three mentioned cancers, be sure to make broccoli an important part of your diet.

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BEWARE OF HIDDEN SUGAR

You will be amazed at the sugar in foods you never thought of as sweet. Always read the nutritional label on foods to check their sugar content. This is especially important for diabetics! Be especially cautious about frozen breakfast treats, mayonnaise, salad dressings, canned soups, crackers, breads, stuffing mixes, tomato and/or pasta sauces. You may be surprised at the sugar you are consuming while unaware. I am not referring to the natural sugar in fruits and some vegetables. I'm talking about "added sugar." Read all your labels for one week; I imagine you will be surprised at the sugar you are eating!

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HEALTHY DIET TIP

Everyone wants to be healthier and most claim they want to eat a healthy diet. Sadly,that is easier said than done. But it doesn't have to be that hard. For instance, one of the most important ways to a healthier diet is not what you eat but what you drink! Leave off the sugary drinks. That is not just sodas! That means sweet tea, lemonade, fruit juices, those sugar-laden coffee drinks, etc. Sugary drinks are one of the biggest diet mistakes we make according to Barbara Borik, RD, LDN, CDE, of the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at the Northwest Hospital of Randallstown, Maryland. She states that sugary drinks are empty calories! Do you really want to consume empty calories? You really can learn to enjoy drinks without sugar. When I was pregnant with my last child, over 40 years ago, the doctor recommended I cut back on sugar. I started drinking my tea unsweetened. It quickly became my favorite beverage and now I simply cannot stand sweetened tea. It is a matter of training oneself. So try unsweetened tea, coffee, etc. Add a slice of citrus fruit or a few berries to a glass or pitcher of water to add some flavor and learn to leave those sweetened beverages.

Note: This is from 2012.

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HANDLING LOW BLOOD SUGAR

If you need a quick solution to low blood sugar, one of the favorite tricks of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a glass of milk. 

Milk contains lactose that's broken down into glucose (sugar). It also has fat and protein in it to slow down the rise in your blood sugar and keep it steady over time. For this reason, milk is a better solution than juice or glucose tablets. 

Fat-free and reduced-fat milk have the same amount of lactose. Other studies have found that a small amount of ice cream will work as well. 

If you don't like milk or don't buy it regularly to have on hand, you might also consider graham crackers, which are easily stored in the pantry or in your glove compartment. 

The ADA recommends that you avoid high-fat treatments, such as candy bars, because they aren't absorbed as quickly, may lead to very high blood sugar levels in the hours after you eat them and can contribute to weight gain. 

SOME FACTS ABOUT COCONUT SYRUP/SUGAR

 i am sometimes asked about various sweeteners that seem to be in some of the various diets making the rounds.  I figured the best way to answer questions about coconut syrup/sugar was to go to one of my best sources on such matters, GI NEWS.  The following is taken directly from a newletter I received from them:

Coconut syrup/sugar, a traditional sweetener from South-East Asia comes from the nectar of coconut palm flower buds (which means those buds won’t grow into coconuts). It is about 75% sucrose and the rest is glucose and fructose which could make it a useful substitute for cane sugar if you are looking for one and cost doesn’t count. These days it’s widely promoted as a ‘great tasting, mineral rich, low GI (35) cane sugar alternative’. Dr Oz recommends it as a replacement for table sugar saying that: ‘Switching from regular sugar to coconut palm sugar could prevent the blood sugar crashes that make you hungry and then cause you to gain weight.’

We asked SUGiRS Manager Fiona Atkinson about the GI35 for coconut sugar that Dr Oz quoted, as this figure is all over the internet but failed the peer review process to make it into the official international GI database. ‘That’s an old value from the Philippines and it was not tested according to the ISO method,’ she said. ‘We have recently tested coconut sugar for a company, but the results must remain confidential until they give us permission to publish them. I can say that although the GI was certainly not 35, it was low for what is essentially a sucrose-based sugar.’ Because of the high sucrose content, we are guessing it is more likely to be similar to CSR LoGiCane, the low GI sugar which has a GI of 50. Coconut syrup is ‘fab’ on pancakes or drizzled over coconut cake according to food writer Kate McGhie who also uses coconut sugar in Thai cooking and general baking such as muffins and has coconut vinegar in her pantry.  

Note: What is sucrose?  Here is a brief of the definition from Wikipedia: 
Sucrose is the organic compound commonly known as table sugar and sometimes called saccharose. Did you notice above that coconut syrup is about 75% sucrose?  Diabetics beware if you switch to this.

MOUTH HAVE A METALLIC TASTE?

If you are on medications or treatments that leave a metallic taste in your mouth causing food to taste lousy, add a little sweetener (such as maple syrup) to your food with a squeeze of lemon.  Or try adding some nut butter (such as almond or peanut butter) to help overcome the metallic taste.  When ill, it is important to eat even though food doesn't always taste good.  You must have the nutrition to help your body heal.

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COCONUT OIL TO BOOST BRAIN POWER

In the past, on this blog, I have discussed various reasons for using coconut oil and here is a good one. Cook with coconut oil to boost your brain power!  Coconut oil has a type of fat that is immediately shuttled to your blood for your brain to use as fuel, according to Dr. Oz.  As previously discussed here it is also believed that coconut oil slows down and/or helps to prevent Alzheimer's Disease.  Be good to your brain and give it some coconut oil often.

FreshRx.org

Yesterday I mentioned Dr. Marshall Stone so today I would like to tell you what he is doing in his community. Many of his patients couldn't afford fresh fruits and vegetables, so he teamed up with a nutritionist who had bought a farm to grow nutritious, organic vegetables for her own family. Together, and with a team of volunteers, they are providing bags of fresh vegetables to some of his patients. Blessings to Dr. Stone for working to make a big difference in his patients' lives and his community. Check out FreshRx.org if you would like to learn more about this program.

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I LOVE THIS QUOTE FROM A PEDIATRIC SURGEON

Marshall Stone, M.D., a pediatric surgeon in Florida believes that fresh food can be powerful medicine, and he is doing something about it. He is working in his community to see that families get fresh fruit and veggies. I love his quote, "I may be a surgeon, but I also love helping others learn that sometimes food can be the best medicine."

By the way, I agree with Dr. Stone. I suggest you eat as much fresh food and vegetables as possible.

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GINGER WITH A GINGER ALE RECIPE

This statement about Ginger from the Ayurvedic (traditional Eastern Indian medicine) says that ginger 'fires' the body's digestive hearth to make the stomach and colon more efficient in metabolizing food.  

Ginger also contains tumor inhibitors.

Try this recipe for Ginger Ale with Frozen Grapes since it is important to make your own when using ginger ale for medicinal purposes.  Most store-bought ginger ale only contains a minimum amount of ginger!

GINGER ALE WITH FROZEN GRAPES
4 cups water
2 cups sliced fresh, unpeeled ginger
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
frozen seedless grapes
sparkling water
mint springs for garnish, optional

In a saucepan bring the water and ginger to a boil; lower the heat, cover, and simmer 1 hour.  Uncover and simmer another 30 minutes.  Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and discard the ginger.  Stir in the lemon juice and honey.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

For Ginger Ale (per serving) add 1/4 cup of the mixture to a glass with the frozen grapes.  Fill the glass with sparkling water.  Add a mint sprig, if desired.

For a Hot Beverage stir 3 tablespoons of the mixture into 1 cup of hot water.  Add more honey and lemon to taste, if desired.

Store the syrup in refrigerator for up to a week.  Make drinks only as wanted rather than making up all the mixture at once.

A LITTLE BIT OF EGGNOG FACTS

It's that time of the year when the eggnog comes out. If you are dieting or you are a diabetic, you might want to watch your eggnog consumption or be sure to read the labels. Some traditional eggnog from the grocery stores contains as much as 30 g of fat and 40 g of carbs per 1/2 cup.

I have a recipe on my diabetic enjoying food blog that has only 3 g fat (1 1/2g saturated) and only 11 g carbs.

If you add alcohol, that increases the number so keep that in mind.

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SPINACH IS A MULTIVITAMIN!

Yes, that's right, consider eating your spinach as taking a multivitamin!  Spinach is loaded with vitamins A,C, and K.  You also get folate in spinach.  Folate boosts the production of brain chemicals that affect mood so if you or someone you know tends to suffer from depression, add spinach to the diet.  Low levels of folic acid are associated with depression.  If you think you don't like spinach, try a little in salads, toss some fresh spinach in soups, etc.  Learn to add this multivitamin to your diet!  It really is good for you, just like your mother said.

How To Speed Up Your Metabolism

Does your metabolism need a boost?  The fix could be really simple.  Are you drinking enough water? When the body doesn't have enough water, the metabolism slows down.

Another easy fix is to add some chili peppers to your diet.  The compound that makes peppers hot, Capsaicin, can boost metabolism by more than 20%.

Here is another good tip - eat some lean protein at every meal. The body uses 7 times as much energy to digest protein as it does to digest fats and carbohydrates.

ALLSPICE BERRIES

Allspice berries aid in digestion. Works great to relieve indigestion and soothe discomfort especially in the upper intestines.  Helps to relieve bloating and a gassy feeling. 

Its volatile oil component also works as a weak antimicrobial agent.

If you have these health problems or are on medications or treatments that cause such problems, you would be wise to include this spice in your diet!

KEEP MEALS EVEN

Now that we are December with all its parties, one thing a diabetic should never do is eat small meals or skip meals during the day so they can eat a big dinner/supper! Nutritionists warn that diabetics need to keep their carbs leveled out over the day. Skipping meals or eating light so one can eat a big meal later will cause a definite roller coaster of blood sugar levels.

While this information is directed to diabetics, it should apply to everyone.

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COMPLEX CARBS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Feeling down or depressed? Eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Yes, these are carbohydrate foods but they are the complex (or good) carbs. These carbs boost your serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood-elevating chemical in the brain.

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BROCCOLI IS A NUTRIENT POWERHOUSE

Eat your broccoli! Broccoli is full of nutrients and only has 40 calories per cup (raw). Broccoli is chock full of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium and iron. That's a lot of benefits for only 40 calories.

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CAREFUL WITH THOSE FALL AND HOLIDAY DRINKS

Now that we are into the holidays let's talk about those specialty coffeeshop drinks. If you are a diabetic or you are trying to watch your weight beware of all those tasty toasty coffee shop beverages. A 100 calories drink can quickly balloon to 400 or 500 calories! When you add syrups, whipped cream, caramel, etc the calories keep piling on. So, what is a person to do? We don't want to give up those wonderful beverages, but we can keep the calories count down.

Laura Jeffers, nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic says the more flavors and names you add to your beverage, the more calories you are piling on. After all, adding 200 calories to your diet a day can add up to a weight gain of 40 pounds a year. Yuck!

Ms. Jeffers suggests replacing whole milk or cream with skim milk and asking your barista to substitute sugar-free syrups in your drinks. Yes, they do have them, and you will hardly, notice the difference. So, enjoy your favorite Fall and holiday beverages but make a few changes when you place your order or make them at home.

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HEALTH BENEFITS OF BLACK RASPBERRIES

If black raspberries aren't currently part of your diet, consider adding them. Black raspberries contain a great amount of anthocyanins which are immunity-boosting antioxidants. They also contain ellagic acid which is both antiviral and antibacterial. Ellagic acid also works to detoxify the body. These berries are thought to be cancer fighters. Eat these tasty berries several times a week to reap the benefits.

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ALCOHOL AND ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Note: This information is from 2015.

The International Journal of Cancer has reported that having two or more alcoholic drinks a day raises estrogen levels and doubles endometrial cancer risk.

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MELONS AND OTHER FRUITS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or want to protect your bones from it, consider adding more fruit to your diet.  Fruits contain potassium which is important in protecting bones.  To keep your bones healthy be sure your diet includes honeydew and cantaloupe melons, bananas, plums, prunes, raisins, and other fruits.  What a tasty healthy tip!

PARSLEY IS FOR MORE THAN DECORATION

Yes, parsley sprinkled on foods make them look pretty but according to researchers at the University of Missouri it does a lot more than that. Parsley is a very good source of apigenin, an antioxidant the researchers suggest can stop breast cancer cells from growing. Eating a few ounces of parsley daily is a good way to keep the apigenin in your blood stream. Other apigenin-rich foods include mint and celery. Another benefit of eating parsley is that it helps to control bad breath.

BOOST YOUR RESISTANCE TO STOMACH FLU (NOROVIRUSES)

Do you ever wonder why some people are always getting a "stomach bug" while others never seem to? There is a simple explanation why many people who are exposed to a norovirus never get sick. Ready? Here it is...they have an abundance of "good" bacteria in their digestive tract. The "good" bacteria crowds out the "bad" bacteria before it has a chance to make them sick. To up your norovirus resistance do something as simple as eating a cup a day of yogurt that contains live bacteria, according to Jeanne Drisko, M.D., integrative medicine researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Protect your little ones, especially now that they are in school, by giving them a "child-size" yogurt daily. Be sure the yogurt you choose says, "live cultures" or "live bacteria".

Note: This is not an endorsement of the brand. This is only to show the Live Cultures on the carton.

 

WHAT TO EAT WHILE RECOVERING FROM STOMACH FLU

Continuing with yesterday's post regarding stomach flu - should you be unlucky enough to get stomach flu (norovirus) you will no doubt try to avoid food at first. Here are some tips on what to eat to settle a queasy stomach:

• Take small but frequent sips of water. No gulping, just sips.
• Start back on food with easy-to-digest foods such as saltines or other bland crackers, rice, chicken (not greasy fried!), and bananas, cinnamon and/or jello.
• Avoid the following for a day or so until your stomach feels settled: caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and dairy.
• Pain or fever? Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as it is easier on the stomach that similar meds.

 

GREENS HELP PROTECT FROM STOMACH FLU

The stomach flu or what doctors sometimes call acute gastroenteritis is a nasty thing dreaded by one and all. With school starting and our kids exposed to this dreaded vomiting and diahhrea malady here is some info on helping to prevent an outbreak at your house. The 'stomach flu' is easy to catch because it is caused by a highly contagious group of 'bugs' called noroviruses. One of the best preventatives is frequent hand washing. But how about some green veggies to also help?

The digestive tract produces its own immune cells that are highly capable of quashing noroviruses if you have enough of them. According to British researchers you can triple your body's ability to produce these infection fighters in your digestive tract by eating cruciferous vegetables daily.  Cruciferous veggies include kale, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc. The researchers suggested 1 cup a day (for adults) for optimum results.

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RED PEPPERS VS GREEN PEPPERS

Did you know that red peppers have 9 times more vitamin A and 2 times more vitamin C than green peppers?

FOODS TO HELP PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS

Disclaimer: I have osteoporosis and over the last few years, I decided to take my rheumatologists advice and take an oral medicine one day a week. This was after a broken hip that I realized it was time to try medications. The trauma surgeon did say my bones actually looked pretty good for my age (late 70s) so I will continue this treatment. At my last test a couple of months ago, my numbers were slightly better so I will continue this regimen. This post is about eating to prevent or slow down osteoporosis. Knowing what to eat (or not eat) is important in fighting any health problem. Here are some tips for eating to prevent or slow down osteoporosis:

• You need calcium. That is probably the number one thing everyone knows about osteoporosis. It is best to get said calcium from the foods you eat and here are some good examples - fat-free plain Greek yogurt, fat-free milk and cheese, white beans, kale, collard greens, broccoli, almonds, and soybeans. Include some of these in your diet every day.
• Get plenty of lean protein. Examples are lean meats such as turkey, chicken, pork tenderloin, lean beef, legumes, peanut butter, beans, low-fat milk and cheeses. Avoid too many protein bars and shakes. That is not the best way to get healthy protein.
• Vitamin D is important, too. Actually, calcium needs vitamin D to help it travel to the bones and where it is needed. Sunshine helps the body to produce vitamin D but that requires too much time in the sun so supplement with the following foods: Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. Soy milk, yogurt, and egg yolks also contain vitamin D. Since the list of foods rich in vitamin D is slim you may need to discuss a vitamin D supplement with your doctor (I do take a daily vitamin D supplement as recommended by both my primary care doctor and my rheumatologist).
• Magnesium is also beneficial in preventing and fighting osteoporosis. Magnesium helps the body absorb calcium to help maintain a strong bone structure. Magnesium is found in seeds such as pumpkin, sesame, and flax, brown rice, Swiss chard, spinach, sweet potatoes, beans, wheat germ, etc.

This is a short list of foods that will help you prevent or slow down osteoporosis. There are more but if you make a point of including several of the above foods in your daily diet you will be well on your way to preventing this bone disease.

SUGAR IN FRUIT VS TABLE SUGAR

People often ask what the difference is in eating the sugar in fruit vs 'regular' sugar. Yes, sugar is sugar no matter the source but the body does process it differently. The following remarks from nutritionist Joy Dubost, R.D. explains it better than I can:

Whether it's in a piece of fruit, your soda or a pastry, sugar is made up of the same two components: fructose and glucose. The molecular structure and composition of sugar molecules is the same no matter where they come from.

The ratios of fructose and glucose are pretty much the same in both fruit and table sugar. Most fruits are 40 to 55 percent fructose (there's some variation: 65 percent in apples and pears; 20 percent in cranberries), and table sugar (aka sucrose) is 50/50. Neither type of sugar is better or worse for you, but your body processes them differently. Fructose breaks down in your liver and doesn’t provoke an insulin response. Glucose starts to break down in the stomach and requires the release of insulin into the bloodstream to be metabolized completely.

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USE MUSTARD ON YOUR SANDWICH

Mustard is actually a good-for-you condiment. No matter whether you choose, brown, yellow, Dijon - they are all made the seeds of various mustard plants. Mustard is rich in selenium - which plays a key role in thyroid function - and in magnesium, which is crucial to bone health as well as enery. Also, most yellow mustards get their color from added turmeric. Turmeric is a spice known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. An added benefit studies show

Here's another little trick for you - substitute mustard for half the mayonnaise in salads such as tuna and potato.

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DIABETICS AND DIET

The best weapon in your arsenal to fight your blood sugar and maintain weight control is a healthy diet. I talk to people all the time who say, "But I eat healthy." That may be true, but do they eat 'diabetic healthy'? There is a difference. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes it is as important to know how to combine the foods you eat as it is to eat something 'healthy'. No matter what you eat, be sure your protein to carb ratio is good. Over the course of a meal, you should be getting a ratio of at least 1/3 as many proteins as carbs (even healthy carbs).  And be sure to include fiber!

Here is an example:
I have people say, "I had a healthy meal of spaghetti and a salad. I even left off the garlic bread." Okay, let's look at that and assume we are talking about a traditional spaghetti meal. Was that a whole-grain pasta? If not, your blood sugar will go up. Did you use a sugar-free sauce? The amount of sugar in pasta sauces varies greatly. A small amount of lean ground beef or meatballs in the sauce is also helpful for added protein. What kind of salad did you have? It should consist of mixed greens, a sprinkling of kidney or garbanzo beans, and some nuts or seeds. You should go easy on the dressing, and it should be sugar free. If you eat this same meal with regular pasta, your sauce has sugar, you have things you shouldn't on the salad and the dressing has sugar, you have not eaten a diabetic healthy meal.  You can also see from this example why it is important to be careful when eating out. You can almost be guaranteed that if you eat that meal in a restaurant it will not be made with whole-grain pasta or sugar-free sauce. 

The next time you sit down to enjoy a meal really look at what you are eating. Look at each item and ask yourself if you are meeting 'diabetic healthy' guidelines.

WHY IS BREAKFAST IMPORTANT?

For many people the temptation is to hurry out the door in the morning and to skip breakfast in the process. This is one of the worst ways to start your day. You don't have to eat an elaborate breakfast but you do need to eat a healthy one. If you want to lose weight, keep your blood sugar under control, or just feel better throughout the day you need to eat breakfast.  Here is one of the main reasons why eating a healthy breakfast is important to your day and to your health. You need a good breakfast to get your metabolism going after a night's sleep. As Denice Furko-Adams, MPH, R.D., LDN, coordinator of the MacDonald Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at Villanova University in Villanova, PA so simply stated, "Skipping breakfast is like a car running on empty. You need a high-quality breakfast to fuel up."

This is a repost from approximately 10 years ago.

HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TO SLEEP?

Are you one of those people who have trouble getting to sleep after getting to bed? A good night's sleep is important to your health so you need to start working on getting to sleep well before bedtime. That's right, start working on getting to sleep at about two o'clock in the afternoon. Ann Romaker, M.D., director of the Sleep Disorders Center at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, says the effects of caffeine can linger up to 8 hours. Therefore, for a 10 pm bedtime, you should switch to caffeine-free drinks by two in the afternoon.

Another tip is from Chin Moi Chow, Ph.D., a senior sleep lecturer at The University of Sydney in Australia. Eat bold flavors for lunch and milder flavors for your evening meal. Acidic and heavily spiced dishes eaten late in the day may cause sleep-disturbing acid reflux in the night.

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GINGER FOR MOTION SICKNESS

Did you know that taking powdered-ginger capsules right before traveling can help with motion sickness? Studies have shown that taking the capsules right before travel can both delay the onset of nausea and help you to recover more quickly. One study showed that people who were spun in a motorized chair but took up to 2,000 mg of ginger 20 minutes before went twice as long before getting sick than did those who took drugs. If you have a problem with motion sickness, give ginger capsules a try.

Note: This picture is not an endorsement of this particular brand.

CHOOSE SNACKS THAT INCLUDE PROTEIN + FIBER

Dr. Melina Jampolis, an internist specializing in nutrition for weight loss and disease prevention suggests our snacks should include protein plus fiber. She has stated that protein and fat trigger the release of hormones in the gut that keep us feeling satisfied for hours. Protein also puts the brakes on the body's insulin pump and we know that high levels of insulin can lead to tummy fat. Fiber slows digestion, another key to feeling full. Dr. Jampolis says that many high-fiber carbs such as oatmeal, fresh fruits and veggies are water-rich which means we get to eat a bigger serving for fewer calories!  Below are some of her snack combo suggestions:

• hummus and nuts + carrots or whole-grain crackers
• a hard boiled egg + 1/2 cup grapes
• a packet of instant unsweetened oatmeal with cinnamon and chopped nuts
• a cup of low-fat Greek yogurt + a cup of your favorite berries
• 1/2 cup high-fiber cereal with skim milk
• a 100-calorie pack of almonds + a kiwi

Remember snacks should be no more than 200 calories!

This 2014 post is still good advice.

EASY WAYS TO GET MORE SPINACH INTO YOUR DIET

We all know spinach is good for us but many of us don't like to eat it.  Personally, I love spinach and could eat it every day.  I know that is not the norm.  Whether you like spinach or not, it is important to include it in your diet.  The American Heart Association recommends spinach (and other green leafy vegetables) as part of a heart-healthy diet as they provide good sources of vitamins A and C.  Spinach also a good source of iron, as was noted in a previous post on healthy foods for anemics.  Spinach also contains flavonoids and beta-carotene both of which are important to maintaining good health and preventing disease!  If you don't want to eat a spinach salad or a whole serving of cooked spinach, here are some easy ways to work spinach into your diet.  Whatever method you choose to use, just be sure to include spinach into your diet on a regular basis.  Try to include it at least once a week, starting out slowly if necessary.  Try these little tips:

• Use supermarket bagged spinach to save time if you don't like the rinsing, drying, stemming, etc required in bunches of fresh spinach.
• Coarse chop and toss into scrambled eggs and/or omelets.
• Sauté with garlic until just wilted and toss into tarts, casseroles, etc.
• Add chopped spinach leaves to rice and/or pasta dishes.
• Toss a handful of fresh spinach leaves into soups right at the end of the cooking time.  Chop up if you don't want to get a whole leaf in your spoonful of soup!
• Coarsely chop, toss in a little olive oil and put on pizza.
• Use fresh baby spinach leaves in smoothies.
• Chop and toss with onion and garlic.  Add to browned sausage and or ground beef or turkey and use as a filling in little handheld personal pies.  You could even use refrigerated pie crust or pizza dough without having to make your own.

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