The Facts About Health and Nutrition

January 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Contrary to what many people think, nutrition and health isn’t the same thing. Most healthy people are healthy because of good nutrition and vice versa. While heredity can be a factor in someone’s health, eating healthy can reduce the risk of problems down the road.

While they’re not the same, they do have an affect on one another. It’s pretty rare to see someone with poor nutrition be healthy. Just like you won’t see a lot of unhealthy people have great nutrition.

Nutrition is about the amount of food you eat. Nutrition is going to depend on your gender and age. When dieting it’s good to know that certain diet are going to be better than others. A nutritionist would always recommend eliminating sugar and start eating more fruits and vegetables.

There is a strong connection between health and nutrition that is not just physical but mental as well. Eating foods that you know will keep you healthy, such as grains, veggies and fruits will help you maintain a stronger body. The United States is full of people suffering from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity due to poor nutrition.

Having a healthy diet will involve eating foods that have a lot fiber, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. Other foods that are great for nutrition are your basic protein options like soy, tofu, white meat, nuts and veggie burgers.

When you’re thinking about changing your diet to a healthier one, it’s best to pick a diet that’s well rounded. There are many diets out there and if you want the diet to work, choosing a vegan or vegetarian diet usually works the best since those diets are all about good nutrition and health.

Even though nutrition and health are not the same thing, they do have a strong connection and in order to have great health, you need good nutrition.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: ,

Improving the Health of Your Skin Through Nutrition

January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Everyone knows what will happen when you eat healthy. People are also aware about the importance of nutrition. What many people don’t know, however, is how nutrition could actually help improve the health of your skin. Here are some tips about improving the health of your skin through nutrition.

Try and bring Vitamin A to your skin care products and diet. This will help repair your skin cells and improve its elasticity. You can find Vitamin A in many vegetables, such as carrots and spinach, as well as liver and milk. Vitamin A could also be found in products like Retin-A and Renova.

Try eating food that has Vitamin C in it, because it will repair your skin, not to mention it has a huge part in treatment for anti-aging. Vitamin C also promotes production in collagen. You can find this in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vegetables that are leafy, but it might be written as an ascorbic acid.

Vitamin D, also known as “sunshine vitamin, should also be in your diet. You can find this in egg yolks, fish oil milk and butter.

As always, drink lots and lots of water. This is something we hear all the time. But water is crucial for having healthier skin because it keeps your cells healthy and gets rid of the annoying toxins. If you’re not drinking enough water your skin could feel dry and flakey and your lips will be super dry as well. If you’re not sure about how your skin is, take your thumb and index finger and gently squeeze a tiny section of your skin, an inch would work. It’s better to do the “pinch test” on your forehead.  If you notice quite a bit of fine lines than you’re going to need more water.

It’s important to have a good, healthy lifestyle. Eating right isn’t just good for your body, but it’s also good for your skin.

Filed Under: Health Care Tagged With: ,

Careers In Public Health Nutrition

January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You could really make a difference in the health industry working as a nutritionist in public health. Each career in nutrition will involve improving people’s lives by helping them get back their lives and living a healthier lifestyle.

As a dietitian, nutritionist, or nutrition teacher, you will be working in a variety of health places. This could be at a hospital, nursing home or at public schools. Here is information about having a career in public health nutrition.

Dietetics is someone that works as a health sector for both health and nutrition. It’s good to pick what field you want to work in because your main focus will be your clients and how they can live a much healthier life.

You’ll need a four-year degree plus a professional license in order to practice as a dietician. As a dietician you will be working to create a plan that will help your client’s body use nutrients and other foods in order live a healthier life. You will help them prevent having health problems like heart disease and obesity. You’re teaching your clients how to eat healthy and take care of their body.

According to reports, the normal annual salary would be around $50,590 as of May 2008. During the past decade roughly 5,600 new jobs opened up for nutritionists and dietitians.

As a dietetic technician you would work under a dietitian to help plan healthy meals to clients in hopes of preventing heart problems and encourage a healthier lifestyle for them. You could also teach the importance of nutrition and providing people with counseling. You would also keep track of what people are eating and drinking during each meal.

The annual salary in May 2008 was $26,080.

Working in public health could be a rewarding career since you’re making a difference in someone’s life. Just make sure you’re in the type of position you’re interested in being in.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: ,

5 foods with no nutritional value

December 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever devoured your favorite snack while trying to ignore the feeling that there was probably nothing good for you in it? what if we examined what was eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner, how many processed foods with little to no nutritional value would we discover? Foods with no nutritional value are devoid of the nutrients our bodies need to function and only provide empty calories. Foods are processed to make them cheaper, look more appealing, or even to make them taste better but in the process vital nutrients are lost. Good nutrition is all about what we put in our bodies. All natural foods such as fruit, grains, nuts with no processing is what our bodies crave, foods with empty calories such as the ones listed below can contribute to ill health and a host of diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

Alcohol
Soda
Hard candy
White Sugar
White Flour

Alcohol and soda: These may quench our thirst but the truth is that they do absolutely nothing for our bodies. Hard candy may satisfy our need to nibble but it only gives us a quick boost from sugar while our bodies are still in need of real food. Raw sugar contains nutrients and minerals that are good for our body, too much is never good but at least there is some redeeming quality to it. White sugar however has had all the nutrients bleached out, the same can be said for white flour. When you see the word “enriched” it means that the manufacturers tried to add back in what was already removed. Sugary snacks and baked goods on the shelves in the grocery store are made with these two primary ingredients and a host of other preservatives. This is why foods are called processed, they have had a lot of “man-handling” if you truly want to be healthy try steering away from processed foods and head straight for the natural stuff. Your body will thank you.

Filed Under: Health, Nutrition Tagged With: , , ,

How to choose a healthy cereal bar

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Concerned about your health and nutrition? Well you are not alone,more and more Americans are starting to become aware of what types of food they put in their bodies and what these foods contain. Taking a tour down the grocery store aisle in order to find healthy snacks can be overwhelming. Everything looks good and the packaging makes sure to display positive facts such as “less sodium” or “more fiber”. How can an average everyday shopper know which cereal bars are truly healthy?

The first step is to look for the ingredients that you want to avoid. If you are really going for the health aspect and not necessarily what your taste buds crave, avoid sugars and bars coated with chocolate. Cereal bars like most things these days are notorious for having long lists of ingredients. The less ingredients there are the better the bar and the more natural the ingredients. The second step is to look for the ingredients that you want. Real fruit, whole grains, fiber, nuts. These ingredients will do a lot more for a body health wise than those loaded with additives, sugars and fats. Certain cereal bars with these ingredients may taste good and trick the mind into believing the body is better off with a small snack but in actuality they are loaded with things we could all do without.

If all of this is still too confusing making tasty, nutritional snack bars at home is a very good option. There are tons of easy and interesting recipes to try on the internet. This way health conscious snackers can get the taste they crave and save a little money as well. If nutrition conscious shoppers are going to choose a cereal bar as a breakfast alternative why not be sure to choose something with whole grains, limited sugar and real fruit. It’s simple but simple things are where the battle is won. Happy snacking!

Filed Under: Child Health, Health, Nutrition Tagged With: , , ,

Is Organic Food Better?

November 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Official seal of the National Organic Program
Image via Wikipedia

As America begins to deal with its obesity issue, many families are looking for ways to improve nutritional quality. Some are considering buying organic food because they have heard it is better for you to eat. But is this myth or fact? Is there a difference between buying non-organic milk instead of organic milk? Or, is the word organic just a marketing ploy?

Well, thanks to the FDA, a food manufacturing company cannot label its product as organic unless it meets the criteria the FDA approved. This means that the word organic is not a marketing ploy but rather a stamp of approval. Compare this to natural, which doesn’t have such stringent guidelines. Splenda can market itself as natural, when its use of term would not match that of most nutrition experts. Organic is a sure bet, while natural is more of an unknown factor.

So what are the benefits of organic foods, and are they worth the elevated cost? One of the primary benefits to buying organic foods is that farmer’s cannot use chemical pesticides to help grow the product. With non-organic food, it’s almost guaranteed the products will contain traces of pesticides. But that’s not the case with organic food.

Next, take meat into consideration. In order to keep lifestock alive, non-organic ranchers medicate the cows. They often give them steroids to help them put more meat on their body. Organic ranchers don’t inject their cows with chemicals. In fact, many organic ranchers allow the cattle to roam free and grass feed, which can boost the omega-3 fatty acid content of the red meat, making it a healthier option.

Finally, many people who eat organic food enjoy the taste of it over non-organic foods. If you are considering switching to organic food, you should go ahead and take the first step. You can also do more research into the benefits of organic food.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health, Health Care Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Campbell Soup Gets On Board With Voluntary Program

November 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Campbell Soup Company
Image via Wikipedia

Recently, the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association have been working together to encourage food manufacturing companies to improve the nutritional labels featured on food packaging. The initiative calls for companies to volunteer to place nutrition labels on the front of the packaging to better help consumers locate the information they need to know about the food choices they are making.

Campbell Soup Company issued a statement in response to the program and has stepped up to become one of the first food manufacturers to get on board with the program. Campbell is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Standard & Poor’s 500. It manufacturers high-quality foods for a global market, and its products include baked snacks, soups, beverages, and sauces.

The company, which began in 1869, has some of today’s top name brands in its portfolio. These include Campbell’s, Arnott’s, V8, and Pepperidge Farm. As a company, Campbell strives to provide social responsibility at the corporate level, which is it doesn’t surprise experts in the industry that the company will take on the new program. Not only will the company be incorporating new labels, it will also work with staff, retailers, and distributors to educate them on the nutritional aspects of the foods they work with every day.

During the announcement, the executive vice president and COO of the company, Denise Morrison, expressed her company’s belief on the issue. Campbell thinks that people should be able to make healthy choices while shopping, and they should be able to understand the choices they make when they are shopping. The food manufacturing company plans to have the new labels in place beginning in 2011.

The new labels will work off a fact-based system and will provide information similar to what consumers can find on current nutrition labels. With the new design, the organizations behind the initiative hope consumers will better be able to understand the food choices they make.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health Care, Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

New Food Labels on the Way

November 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The "Nutrition Facts" table indicate...
Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever stood in the aisle at a supermarket juggling your groceries and trying to check the nutrition labels on products to help you make smart choices on your food selection? If you’re one of the many moms trying to shop while juggling a kid or two, you know how much this can complicate the matter. After all, it’s not exactly easy to read nutrition labels in the first place, let alone when a child is tugging on one arm.

As America begins to make strides toward reducing the obesity rate in the country, nutrition labels are back in the news. So, what’s the problem with food labels? For starters, food companies generally follow a set formula for what to include, but they don’t always include the information the same way.

If you pick up two cans of peas from different manufacturers, you’re liable to see similar ingredients. But, one might include several trace ingredients in one category, while another lists all the ingredients out. That’s only one difference. Then you have to look and see how many servings the chart uses, as well as the number of calories the company uses to base its food nutrition on. These can all vary from person to person.

Many people want to take charge of their health and eating habits but find it too much of a hassle to wade through food labels. Because of this, watchdog organizations that focus on nutrition have been working to get food companies to make changes.

Finally, their efforts are bearing fruit. Two leading food companies, the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association, have agreed to make changes to food labels beginning in 2011. The revisions to food labels will fall under an initiative for straightforward nutrition information.

Shoppers can only hope the changes will help make it easier to decipher the statistics on the back of food packaging.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Cenergy Launches New Health Products

November 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Some Reload -energy drink bottles.
Image via Wikipedia

Under the umbrella of Laufer Bridge Enterprises, Inc., Creative Edge Nutrition Inc. plans to release over $110 billion in nutritional supplements. The company, which goes by Cenergy, uses physiology and health to enhance the quality of life. Each of the products utilize scientific formulations to provide the maximum benefit to well being.

Cenergy organizes its core formulations into categories, which include protein products and energy drinks. Its line of nutracueticals includes powders, capsules, and tablets. Most of its scientific formulations fit into one of three categories: nutrition challenges, energy and fitness, or weight management.

To meet its goal of helping consumers, the company plans to offer value pricing, which is one way to gain attention in what many feel is a saturated market. The target audience for this new supplement and nutrition line targets a variety of consumers ranging from professional athletes to people wanting to improve health. Cenergy will implement different marketing strategies to capture consumers in each group.

One thing is clear about the new company; it understands marketing and attracting brand recognition. Cenergy is negotiating contracts with several professional sport leagues and players, including NFL and NBA favorites. Many professional athletes reviewed the product line from development through production, further improving the chances of the company appealing to its target audience. The company plans to attack the market through an aggressive marketing plan and price competition.

If the company plan is success, analysts expect to see featured in Sports Nutrition, which could boost its credibility. Cenergy plans to do more than enter the market with enough flare to gather attention—it plans to continue to introduce new products while expanding its territory.

With its current plan of attack, Cenergy may have what it takes to take on the industry giants in the health, nutrition, and sports nutrition fields.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health, Health Care Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Nutrition Challenge Encourages Arizona Schools

November 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Logo of Health Resources and Services Administ...
Image via Wikipedia

Many people believe kids are picky eaters and that trying to get them to eat fresh fruits and vegetables is akin to waging a war. But as more schools adopt healthier menus, parents are learning this old adage may not be true.

Just ask students at elementary schools throughout Arizona, and they’ll tell you what their favorite fruit is. Lunchroom choices include oranges, kiwis, watermelon, and strawberries. Students can find these fruits on the salad bar.

As a gymnast, sixth-grade student Sarai Meza likes the option of fresh fruit. She feels it makes her smarter and provides her with the energy she needs to get through three hours of practice each night.

While part of the new options stem from schools wanting to provide students with good nutrition, another aspect is motivation from the US Department of Agriculture, which hosts the HealthierUS School Challenge. To date, only 875 schools across the nation have met the standards set forth in the challenge, and two of those schools are in Arizona.

According to statistics from the US Department of Health and Human Services, over 30 percent of children between the ages of 10 and 17 in Arizona fall are overweight. Improving nutrition in schools may be a key contributor to reduce this number.

As part of the challenge, schools receive cash incentive prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000. Schools can earn recognition at four levels ranging from bronze to gold with distinction. Lake Valley Elementary School won silver recognition, while Washington Elementary won gold.

The change in the nutrition program at schools has an added benefit. It takes the focus off individuals. Instead of trying to change one person’s habits, it aims to create a healthier environment for all students.

As more students and parents become aware of the benefits of a healthy environment, especially when it comes to nutrition, Arizona may see the obesity rate begin to drop and the overall health of its kids increase.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Health Care, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts