Sodium is essential for life, but getting too much may be bad for your health. Depending on your specific health needs, dietary sodium recommendations range from 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams a day. Most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams daily, according to the American Heart Association.
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Water is a good diet aid, but it can't magically flush fat from your body. It helps with weight control by maintaining fluid balance, helping you feel full and controlling calorie intake.
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If you've switched from white rice to brown rice to up the nutrition in your diet, you made a good choice. But if you're looking to improve the nutritional quality of your diet even more, consider adding black rice to your whole-grain rotation.
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Although most Americans get enough protein in their diet, some groups, such as elite athletes, have higher protein needs and may feel the need to supplement with protein powders.
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Its distinctly sour taste makes sourdough a tasty bread. But if eating it makes you sick, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients. Only a doctor can diagnose a food allergy. If you suspect sourdough bread is making you feel sick, consult your doctor.
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Pulled pork and pulled chicken are slow-cooked, tender, barbecue-style meats. Although nutrition information can vary depending on the recipe, ingredients and chef, pulled chicken is lower in calories and fat than pulled pork, making it a healthier choice.
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Most people are not aware of the importance of the pancreas until something goes wrong with it, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The pancreas is a vital organ that plays a role in the digestion of food and the regulation of blood sugar.
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Whether it's nausea or diarrhea that's causing your upset stomach, eating a bowl of oatmeal may help. It's not that oatmeal contains some special nutrient that helps you feel better, but it's a bland, low-fat food that's fairly easy-to-digest, which means it makes a good choice when you're having tummy trouble.
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Although Americans are eating more chicken, they still love their beef, and average more than 50 pounds of beef per person each year, according to NPR. It's OK to eat meat, but you're better off if you keep your choices lean, and that means having a 3-ounce serving that has less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.
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If you're trying to prevent or fight off a cold, vitamin B-12 may not offer much help. A cold is caused by a virus and is usually treated with rest and fluids, along with medication to manage symptoms.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's dietary guidelines recommend Americans eat 8 ounces of seafood a week. People who include more seafood in their diets have lower rates of heart disease. Salmon makes a healthy and delicious choice, and pan frying is an easy way to prepare it.
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Pork crackling is pork belly, which is basically uncured bacon, that has been cooked until crisp. Like bacon, pork crackling is high in total fat, saturated fat and calories.
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The calimyrna fig originated in California and is a special breed of fig derived from the smyrna fig of Turkey. Known for its golden skin and nut-like flavor, the calimyrna fig is most commonly found dried but is also eaten fresh out of hand.
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If you like baking your own loaves of bread using a bread maker, there's no need to put the machine on a shelf now that you're on a low-carb diet. Use recipes featuring low-carb flours, such as coconut, almond or soy, to create a variety of breads that fit your diet plan. You'll still count "net"
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Salad greens are a low-calorie, nutrient-rich and tasty way to meet your daily vegetable needs. But you may wonder if one type of lettuce makes a better choice over another.
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If you're feeling gassy and bloated, drinking club soda won't help. In fact, it might make things worse. The carbon dioxide added to plain water to make club soda can actually cause gas and bloating. Consult your doctor if your abdominal pain and distention lasts for several days.
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Nothing warms a cold winter morning better than a hot bowl of oatmeal. Unless, of course, you have to wait for it to cook.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends you vary your sources of protein to include more fish because eating more fish lowers your risk of heart disease. While fried fish is not the healthiest way for you to increase your fish intake, it is a source of both protein and carbohydrates.
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Pickles are a condiment or snack that combines the cucumber with salt, vinegar and spices. People have been eating pickles since ancient Egyptian times. Pickles themselves make a low-calorie addition to your diet, although they are high in sodium, but frying them significantly increases their calorie and fat content.
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Some people avoid drinking cold water with meals because they think it might impair digestion, while others drink only cold water because they think it helps them burn more calories. Unfortunately, there's not much evidence to support either reasoning.
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