-
Unhealthy Fats
Fats to Limit Saturated fats and trans fats should be limited in your diet. Aim for less than 10% saturated fats in your caloric intake for the day. What are saturated fats? Saturated fats are more likely to be solid at room temperature. Examples include lard, butter, ghee, full fat dairy, and marbled meats. Saturated…
-
Healthy Fats
Healthy Fats Your body needs some fat for energy, absorption of vitamins, and to protect your heart and brain health and to support immune function. Fats add flavor to foods and come in many forms. All fats are calorie dense. For example, a single tablespoon of oil has about 135 calories. Which foods contain fats?…
-
Dairy and Your Health
Dairy and Your Health Milk naturally contains all the three macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat. It’s also rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. How do dairy products affect my blood glucose? Milk and yogurt both contain carbohydrates, which has an effect on your blood glucose levels. Cheese is made from fat and protein…
-
Vegetables, Fruit, and Your Health
Vegetables and Fruits for Your Health Vegetables and fruit contain vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. These include vitamins A, C and E, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid. Vegetables and fruit also contain plant chemicals, called phytochemicals. These biologically active substances can help to protect you from: Type 2 diabetes Stroke…
-
Grains, Starchy Vegetables, and Your Health
Grains, Starchy vegetables and your health Grains and starchy vegetables are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet when chosen correctly and consumed in reasonable portions. Many of them are also excellent sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (health beneficial substances). What are starchy food items? Starches occur naturally in a large range…
-
How Carbohydrates Affect Your Health?
How do carbohydrates affect your health? Carbohydrates are the body’s most important energy source. They can be divided into three main types based on their chemical structure: sugar, starch, and fiber. Sugars and starches get broken down for energy usage and storage in our cells, tissues, and organs. Fiber passes through the body mostly undigested,…
-
How Does Protein Affect Your Health?
How does protein affect your health? Protein foods provide amino-acid building blocks. These are the materials the body uses to build and repair cells and tissues. Where are protein foods found? Meat, poultry, seafood, legumes, eggs, milk, cheese, processed soy products, nuts, and seeds are part of the protein food group. Legumes like beans, peas,…
-
A Balanced Plate
A Balanced Plate A helpful meal planning tool is called “Create Your Plate.” This is an easy way to control portion sizes and limit starchy foods. Follow these seven steps to create your plate: Using your dinner plate, put a line in the middle of the plate. Then on one side, cut it again so…
-
Portions Sizes and Measuring Food
Portion Sizes and Measuring Food It’s no secret that portion sizes have increased over the years. Have you ever found yourself thinking “I can’t believe I ate that whole thing”? Because of the large increase in portion sizes, our ideas of what is appropriate has changed, and larger portions are now viewed as the right…
-
Why GluCare Asks About Nutrition
Why GluCare Asks About Nutrition Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water are all nutrients. If you do not have the right balance of nutrients in your diet, your risk of developing health conditions increases. Even for people at a healthy weight, a…