Bread has often been called the “staff of life.” This term is a good description of the role carbohydrates have played in the human diet since the dawn of history. Almost every culture has relied on a particular native starch or grain as a major source of calories. For example: Rice in Asia Wheat in [...]
Every day, Americans are bombarded with health and nutrition advice, much of it conflicting. It is no wonder Americans have trouble figuring out how to plan and eat a healthy diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published jointly every 5 years since 1980 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department [...]
The rapidly escalating rates of obesity in the US have caused health experts, concerned consumers, and politicians to scrutinize the fast food industry’s typical offerings and conclude that fast food choices are contributing to the nation’s weight gain. Consequently, these groups have pressured the fast food industry to offer consumers healthier fare. Healthy Fast Food? [...]
Protein is the body’s primary building material. It is used to construct and maintain bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, blood cells, hair, and nails. Protein is also used to make many of the biochemicals (enzymes, hormones, transport molecules, neurotransmitters, and vitamins) the body uses to perform essential metabolic functions. Protein is one of three nutrients that [...]
Digestion is the process that converts the foods we eat into the individual nutrients our bodies require. It involves breaking down food and nutrients into successively smaller pieces until the nutrients are in a chemical form that the body can absorb. Water, minerals, and vitamins require minimal processing. Once they are released from foods and [...]
One of the common concerns expressed by individuals who are considering bariatric surgery or who have recently undergone such a procedure is whether or not they will need periodic vitamin B shots to maintain good health. There is no easy answer to this question. The answer depends mainly on the type of surgical procedure performed. [...]
Vitamins A, D, E and K are referred to as fat-soluble vitamins because they are found in animal fats and plant oils. They are absorbed into the body in the small intestine along with dietary fats. People consuming very low-fat diets (less than 10% of calories from fat), individuals taking certain medications including Xenical or [...]
Resistant starch, the latest weight loss food trend, adds a new twist to the old “low carb” versus “high carb” diet debate. Health experts say this is one carb trend they can approve of, especially if people get most of their resistant starch from natural food sources, not just as an additive in specially processed [...]
In the early 1990s, new food labeling laws were developed and implemented to help consumers make smarter food choices and manage their weight. Key features of the 1991 labeling laws were: That all foods, except for those made in tiny amounts by very small companies, must carry a Nutrition Facts panel, recently called “the block,” [...]