The Nutrition Edge

Daily Nutrition Tip: We’ve long known that blueberries have a lot to offer in the nutrition department. At just 80 calories per serving, they contain only naturally occurring sugars, are low in fat and sodium, and contribute essential nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and dietary fiber. Even better: they do it all while tasting great. It’s always a good idea to grab a bluetiful bunch to share with your favorite bunch:)

Daily Nutrition Tip: When describing foods, try to avoid categorizing food as 'good or bad.' The term "guilty pleasure" and using the word carb to denote foods that are not healthful also make the list. Language associated with food and nutrition can lead to a reductionist, all-or-nothing way of thinking that prevents us from achieving true well-being:) Think about it!

Daily Nutrition Tip: If you feel the urge to start working on your summer body you’re not alone. The pursuit of weight loss or restrictive dieting doesn’t actually improve health...in fact many times it can really mess with some people. Instead of focusing on a 'diet' think about making choices to benefit your overall health such as: spending less time on social media, spending less time on the scale, & controlling what you can. For instance, what put in your body, moving more and de-stressing.

Daily Nutrition Tip: Butter itself is not a poor diet choice, even though it's a saturated fat. The problem people run into is they use too much. I suggest using butter where it can be tasted, such as on a muffin, and then choose a more healthful cooking oil, such as extra-virgin olive oil. Even though oilve oil is a healthy fat, it's still calorically dense, so don't use too much at once:)

Dailly Nutrition Tip: June is National Dairy Month & dairy sure has gotten a bad rap lately which is unfortunate because dairy foods are packed with nutrients kids need to grow. One in five kids in Missouri faces hunger, and the problem increases during the summer months when many kids lose access to school lunch programs. Dairy is still a simple source of many essential nutrients in a time when eating healthy only seems to get more complicated and expensive. Please consider donating to your local food bank to help nourish kids during the summer months

Daily Nutrition Tip: Many times people ask about protein powder...Soy protein isolate is protein powder derived from soybeans using an acid wash and an alkaline solution, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems for some people. Aside from being used to add protein to many foods, soy protein isolate does not have much additional nutritional value, and it may interfere with thyroid function. Pay attentioin to your choices!

Daily Nutrition Tip: The prevalence of diabetes is rapidly rising in every country around the world. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Another 84 million adults have prediabetes. And, at least 1/4 of people with diabetes and the vast majority with prediabetes don't even know they have it. If things don't change, about 2 in 5 Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Do yourself a favor & practice eating less of the highly processed foods, more plant based foods, & get more activity into your days! Oh, don't forget to reduce your portion sizes:)

Daily Nutrition Tip: It's National Strawberry Month! Did you know that research suggests adding these beauties to your daily diet could help stave off cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure markers? The cardio-protective nutrients in strawberries include vitamin C, folate, fiber, potassium and flavonoids. Research indicates that strawberry consumption not only increases blood levels of these nutrients but also may lower markers of cardiovascular disease, like homocysteine levels and blood pressure. Remember...at least 8 per day benefits you & your overall health!!!

Daily Nutrition Tip: Which is safe to eat, conventional or organic produce? Health experts & scientists say that all produce is safe. Despite this, research shows that only about 1/5th of the US adult population have daily fruit intakes that meet the recommended 2-cup equivalent amount of total fruit. We should be consuming more fruit (& veggies), not less, if we hope to reduce our risk of many chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity...

Daily Nutrition Tip: To get the biggest bang for your nutritional buck & to have full control over what goes intoand what you get out of each meal, try cooking your meals at home. By applying some smart substitutions & creative modifications, you can make almost every recipe more conducive to your nutrition goals. I recommend adding veggies to almost anything (sweet or savory) by shredding carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini or whatever you enjoy. For example, add veggies to o...vernight oats, meatballs or muffins. You can even add some pumpkin or squash puree to spaghetti sauce for some added nutrition and a hint of sweetness.To get the biggest health benefit,stick with in-season produce, as it tends to have a much higher nutrient content. Bonus: When you use more veggies, you can cut down on the amount of meat, fish or poultry, which will help to reduce the overall cost, fat and calorie content of the meal. See more

Daily Nutrition Tip: Studies show that eating just 8 strawberries daily can benefit the entire body. They pack a potent cell-defense squad of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals & are a terrific source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, which are linked to health benefits like strong bones and lower blood pressure. So, grab your daily minimum of 8 (or more) & enjoy that health boost....it sure beats taking pharmaceuticals!!

Daily Nutrition Tip: Be smart about setting goals. Setting goals might be the most impoortant part of your journey to optimal health. Put THOUGHT into what you want to achieve and word your goal correctly. Be specific with your goals & how you plan on moving from where you are now to where you want to be, and you will be more likely to succeed.

Daily Nutrition Tip: Pause, THINK and become very AWARE as you reach for that food or drink. Ask yourself 'how is this food (or drink) going to benefit my body?' Once you follow the above 'tip' you will be better positioned to make the healthful choice...hint: those fruits & veggies are just what your body wants, needs & deserves:)