The glycemic index can be a useful tool for estimating the effect a food will have on your blood sugar, but it shouldn’t be the only way you plan your meals and snacks. Foods that cause moderate to high increases in your blood sugar, such as popcorn, may also be rich in nutrients your body needs.
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Leafy greens and other vegetables that you may eat in your salads, tossed with a protein source, are naturally low in digestible carbohydrates. Although vegetables and fruits are rich in fiber, your body doesn’t digest this complex carb.
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During cancer treatment, you may need to boost your intake of protein and calories in order to prevent weight loss and muscle wasting. However, radiation or chemotherapy can cause nausea and diarrhea and make swallowing or chewing painful.
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Changes in the way your body processes water can affect your balance of fluids and electrolytes as you age. Taking diuretics, pain medication, antidepressants or other prescription drugs may also alter your fluid balance.
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Molybdenum is an essential trace element that contributes to the functions of your nervous system and kidneys. Molybdenum also plays a role in energy production on a cellular level.
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Every time you walk up a flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator, you burn extra calories and benefit your cardiovascular health. Making stair-climbing part of your daily routine can also build muscle strength and endurance.
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Iceberg lettuce can be a crisp, refreshing addition to salads or sandwiches, though its nutritional content pales next to its dark-green relatives. Darker lettuces like romaine and red leaf are richer in vitamin A, beta-carotene and other nutrients than iceberg.
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Although side effects from low doses of supplemental copper are uncommon, copper can cause serious health complications when it accumulates at high levels in your liver and other vital organs.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can turn eating hot or spicy foods into a potentially painful experiment. Ginger, a root herb that may be used as a seasoning or as an herbal remedy for nausea or indigestion, lends warmth and zest to foods and beverages.
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Agave nectar is a natural alternative to refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. This honey-like sap comes from the leaves of the blue agave, a succulent plant widely grown in Mexico. With its thin, light consistency, agave nectar can serve as a topping for fruit salads, pancakes or ice cream.
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Dried beans are a versatile, affordable source of protein, fiber, starches, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and other essential nutrients. When you prepare dried beans from scratch, you can avoid the sodium and other additives that canned beans contain.
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Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, bacteria are one of the most common causes of gastritis, an erosive inflammation of the stomach lining. H. pylori infection may lead to stomach ulcers, abdominal pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
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Although lycopene may offer numerous health benefits, a recommended intake for this plant pigment has not been established. According to MayoClinic.com, most clinical studies have focused on the amount of lycopene-containing foods that participants ate rather than on the specific quantities of lycopene they consumed.
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Rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, the sweet potato offers complex carbohydrates along with antioxidant nutrients. If you're watching the glycemic index of your foods you may be surprised by the sweet potato's rating.
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If you're looking for non-dairy sources of calcium due to lactose intolerance, dietary restrictions or personal preferences, you can find this essential mineral in many plant-based foods.
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As you age you begin to lose the structural fibers that strengthen skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. You may notice that your skin bruises easily and that cuts or scrapes take a long time to heal.
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Steaming softens vegetables while maintaining most of their nutrients, especially water-soluble compounds that are easily damaged by heat.
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Chickpeas, olive oil and sesame paste, or tahini, are the main ingredients in hummus, a nutritious Middle-Eastern dip. Seasoned with garlic, lemon juice, cumin and black pepper, a healthy recipe for hummus is low in sodium and high in protein.
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Substituting ground turkey for ground beef in burgers, tacos, spaghetti sauce, meatloaf and other recipes can reduce the saturated fat and cholesterol in your meals. Low in calories and high in protein, ground turkey contributes to your daily requirements for B-complex vitamins and selenium.
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Although dietary changes may not resolve the causes of chronic diarrhea, avoiding certain foods may relieve symptoms. With chronic diarrhea, you may have frequent, loose stools for one month or more.
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