Question: Is it better to eat vegetables when they are raw or cooked?
Simple answer: It is usually better to eat vegetables raw. It depends on the vegetable and the nutrients you're trying to get out of them.
More elaborate answer: There are some vegetables that, when cooked, "lock" in their nutrients, so your body isn't able to digest them, even you are taking it all in. For instance, broccoli is well known for containing sulforaphane, a compound which is thought to have anticancer properties, because it stimulates a body's detoxifying enzymes. Cooking broccoli causes the sulforaphane to take on a
Sodium
by Louise January 17th, 2011 | Diet, Nutrition
Did you hear about the proposed salt ban in New York City? About a year ago, State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a Brooklyn Democrat, introduced a bill that would ban the use of salt in NYC restaurants. Violaters would face up to a $1,000 fine! Naturally, all of the chefs in the city opposed this idea. Who would come to the restaurants if their recipes didn't include salt? Americans love salt; we're addicted. This bill never passed, but could we be seeing more proposals like this in the future?
The benefits of salt: When we talk about salt with regard to nutrition, we should technically
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The benefits of salt: When we talk about salt with regard to nutrition, we should technically
Tweens, Teens, & Vegetarianism
by MPK January 7th, 2011 | Children's Health, Nutrition
Part of the process of growing up is discovering who you are. New friends, new hobbies, and new ideologies may be part of the discovering. Whether it means wearing only orange clothing, learning a foreign language, or exploring a new belief, this is a time to study new subjects and find things that are of interest. For some kids, vegetarianism may be intriguing.
If you have access to a close friend or family member that is vegetarian, then this change in eating will be simple. However, if you aren't vegetarian and don't know anyone who is the thought may be
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If you have access to a close friend or family member that is vegetarian, then this change in eating will be simple. However, if you aren't vegetarian and don't know anyone who is the thought may be
Athletes & Protein
by MPK November 26th, 2010 | Nutrition
While we are told to eat a balanced diet, one might ponder what makes a diet balanced. Especially in times when carbohydrates are declared bad and proteins are favored, one needs to know how much protein is needed. For athletes who are burning more calories, protein intake is especially crucial.
The general recommendation for protein is that 10-35 percent of one's caloric intake should consist of protein, according to the Mayo Clinic. Of course, with a range that broad it can be difficult to determine exactly how much each athlete needs.
Speaking with Shara Aaron, a registered dietitian and certified fitness
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The general recommendation for protein is that 10-35 percent of one's caloric intake should consist of protein, according to the Mayo Clinic. Of course, with a range that broad it can be difficult to determine exactly how much each athlete needs.
Speaking with Shara Aaron, a registered dietitian and certified fitness
Safe Food Preparation and Storage
by Louise November 15th, 2010 | Diet, Nutrition
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The grocery stores are stocked with an unusually high amount of turkeys, potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing mixes, and pumpkin pies, which will rapidly make their way into many American kitchens. Then, when the holiday passes, the leftovers of these Thanksgiving staples will find their way into most of our refrigerators, to be saved for a later meal. Wouldn't it be unfortunate if improper food preparation and storage caused food poisoning on this happy holiday? Ensure a healthy holiday by taking special care to heed these general food safety rules:
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- Use a food thermometer (inserted into