Nutritional planning involves balancing macronutrients, understanding calorie formulas, and identifying the functional properties of whole foods to manage weight and chronic conditions effectively.
You can prepare and use quinoa just like other grains, whether you cook it like rice or use ground quinoa flour for baking. It’s not a true grain, though -- quinoa is actually a seed. Still, it's easy to digest and contains several nutrients that support your digestive tract, including fiber and B vitamins.
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Maltodextrin comes from natural plant starches that are processed to produce either regular maltodextrin or resistant maltodextrin. Knowing the difference between the two types is important because each one has a different effect in your body.
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If you feel tired after eating bread, chances are you're responding to changes in blood sugar or brain chemistry caused by higher levels of insulin. Gluten intolerance is another possible culprit in bread-induced lethargy.
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Chewing most vitamins won’t cause any harm, but it may affect the absorption of nutrients. Some types of vitamins, such as enteric-coated brands, should never be chewed. The biggest downside is likely to be the unpleasant taste experience of chomping on a vitamin that wasn’t meant to be chewable.
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The primary safety concern with cutting a vitamin comes from the challenge of using a knife to chop an unwieldy pill. You can cut vitamins to make them easier to swallow, as long as the directions or your doctor don't specifically say to take them whole.
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For the most part, you don’t need to worry about vitamins making you dizzy, but there are a few exceptions. High doses of vitamin A, niacin and choline can cause dizziness, as can a folate deficiency.
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Artichokes have been used as a digestive aid since ancient Egyptian times. Today, we know they contain nutrients that deliver several health benefits. However, full safety testing of artichoke supplements has not been conducted, so consult your health care provider before using it to treat any health condition.
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Amaranth and quinoa share many similarities, beginning with a common history. These ancient crops are native to South America and serve as staples in many parts of the world.
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When you need a fiber supplement or a laxative, Metamucil and Benefiber are two good choices. They’re made from different ingredients, but both products consist of natural soluble fiber, which prevents or relieves constipation and may help lower cholesterol.
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More than 80 percent of all tea consumed in the United States is black tea. Black tea is packed with nutrients that are slightly different from those in green and white teas but -- like green tea -- black tea is linked to weight loss. You’ll get the same benefits from caffeine in both types of tea.
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Cellulose is one reason vegetables are good for your health. It’s a natural dietary fiber that keeps your digestive tract in good working condition and may help prevent some intestinal diseases.
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Gastritis, which occurs when the inside wall of the stomach is inflamed, interferes with the absorption of some vitamins and minerals. Taking a multivitamin is a good way to fill nutritional gaps caused by gastritis, but you may need to pay extra attention to a few individual vitamins and minerals.
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Eating a handful of peanuts daily may lower your risk of developing heart disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. However, the Harvard report also points out that gobbling peanuts in addition to consuming your usual snacks and meals could undo the health benefits.
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Only a few foods, such as omega-3 fatty acids, have a direct impact on your heart rate. Others influence it by keeping your heart and blood vessels in top condition. Following a balanced diet is essential, but regular exercise, maintaining an optimal weight and managing daily stress are equally important.
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Your bones need more than plain calcium. They’re actually made from calcium phosphate. When it comes to this combination of nutrients, your diet has a better chance of lacking the calcium, but you probably don't need to worry about phosphate.
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Putting oatmeal on the dinner menu has the potential to enhance weight loss. Oatmeal is filling, it is packed with ingredients that fight hunger, and it's lower in calories than other whole grains you might normally have for dinner, such as brown rice.
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Alpha-lipoic acid and conjugated linoleic acid share a few things in common, most notably the fact that they're both fatty acids. They both impact blood sugar control in people with diabetes, but only one of them -- conjugated linoleic acid -- may make it difficult to keep blood sugar balanced.
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If you encountered pure malic acid, the dry powder could seriously damage your eyes, irritate your skin and affect your breathing. But for most people, malic acid is safe. It's an organic acid naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Malic acid is also produced commercially and added to foods, beverages and candy.
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Every time you enjoy citrus fruits, you consume citric acid produced by nature. Your body makes its own supply because citric acid is essential for producing the energy that keeps you active and healthy.
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Beef, pork, poultry and fish all belong on a weight loss menu. As long as you choose lean cuts and don’t add a lot of fat during cooking, you can enjoy a serving for about 120 to 200 calories.
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