UPDATED: 2/28/2012 3:56 PM
Color is a sign of nutrition
Colorful vegetables are rich in vitamins and micro-nutrients that are good for your body. Vary the color on your plate when choosing sides for your meals.
Beware of heating plastics
Plastic is not always safe to use in a microwave, and some containers should only be used once since they leak trace amounts of chemicals overtime. Never use a plastic container that is not labeled with a microwave-safe icon. Ceramic and glass are better options for heating meals.
A bit about Kiwis
Also known as the Chinese gooseberry, the Kiwi fruit is high in fiber and is therefore natural laxative. Kiwi have cardiovascular benefits and are a natural blood thinner which can help prevent blood clots. Kiwis are also high in potassium, vitamin A and vitamin E. The skin of a kiwi is safe to eat and contains antioxidants.
MyFitnessPal: Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker
Track your diet, calories and exercise with this easy to use app. The app has a food database which can help find exact calorie values immediately. It has a bar code scanner to help find listings while grocery shopping. This app is available for iOS, Blackberry and Android phones.
Omega-3 and Omega-6
Omega-3 and omega-6 are essential fatty acids. Our bodies do not produce them, so we obtain them from our diet. In a typical diet, there are fewer sources of omega-3 than of omega-6. Refined vegetable oils, such as soy or canola, contain omega-6 and are used in most cookies, crackers and sweets as well as in fast food. The imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 is believed to be a leading cause of increased inflammation in the body. If you’re a fan of junk food, try to fit more omega-3 foods in your diet.
A bit about Strawberries
Strawberries are a great source of daily fiber, high in vitamin C and have very few calories. They also are a source of potassium and calcium. It is suggested to consume strawberries within two days of storage for maximum nutritional value. Also, store the berries in airtight containers to increase humidity and decrease air flow to keep them fresh and nutritious.
Don’t skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast in the morning typically leads to snacking throughout the day, or eating an over-sized lunch. Eating breakfast helps kick start your metabolism for the day. If you are hoping to lose a few pounds, make sure to not skip breakfast. Keep oatmeal, berries and diced fruit, yogurt or find a breakfast food that fits into your schedule.
Daily tips are published on the comics page of the Aiken Standard. Submit your quick tips online at www.aikenstandard.com/submit-news/.
More here: Health tips: Color in food, strawberries, fitness app, omega-3s …
