Everyone needs some salt to help maintain the body’s balance of fluids. But too much salt may cause you to retain fluids and raise your blood pressure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. About 75 percent of the salt you consume is from processed foods, the FDA says. The agency offers these tips to… read on >
There are plenty of ways to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says. Here are the agency’s suggestions: Create smoothies with fat-free or low-fat yogurt with fruit pieces and crushed ice. Use fresh, frozen, canned or even overripe fruit, such as bananas, berries, peaches or pineapple. Let your… read on >
The number of people living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide could double in the next two decades, experts project. In a report warning of a possible Parkinson’s “pandemic,” researchers say the stage is set for cases to surge to 12 million or more by 2040. What’s to blame? In large part, trends that are generally positive:… read on >
Electrolytes are minerals in the body that have an electric charge. They are in your blood, urine, tissues and body fluids. Sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, phosphate and magnesium are types of electrolytes that are absorbed from foods you eat and fluids you drink. The U.S. Library of Medicine mentions these roles of electrolytes: Balance the… read on >
The term “sugar substitutes” is a catch-all that covers a wide range of alternatives, starting with those little pink, blue and yellow packets. But their value as a health or diet aid is still uncertain. A research review in the BMJ found that there’s limited evidence to say how much using them helps with weight… read on >
Is the dinner table a battleground at your house? Getting your kids to eat better doesn’t have to cause a fight if you follow these fast and easy strategies to enhance dishes that they already know and love. In some households, veggies and kids just don’t mix. But carrot fries have serious visual appeal plus… read on >
The American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat to no more than 6 percent of total daily calories for people who need to lower “bad” cholesterol. The AHA suggests how to limit saturated fat: Eat more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts. Limit red meat. high-fat dairy products, and sugary… read on >
Following the recipe for food safety is a must anytime you’re in the kitchen, and it starts with clean hands, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says. “Always wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food,” spokeswoman Isabel Maples advised in an academy news release. “Don’t forget… read on >
A typical workout doesn’t give you license to eat whatever you want. Even a full hour of vigorous skiing burns just 600 calories — less than the amount in a super-sized fast food sandwich. That’s why it’s important to think of exercise as just one part of a shape-up plan. Exercise works the cardiovascular system… read on >
Oils are one of the most widely used ingredients in cooking and are healthy alternatives to butter and margarine. All cooking oils, including olive, canola and peanut oil, contain 14 grams of total fat per tablespoon, and roughly 120 calories. So measure amounts carefully because even though some fat is essential for good health and… read on >
