It seems that, lately, every time you turn on the TV you see commercials for probiotics. They’re in yogurts, supplements and now even fruit juice! This might get you wondering: WHAT are these probiotics we keep hearing so much about, and do we really need them?
If you’re eating for heart health – whether it’s on doctor’s orders or not – you may be worried that you’ll have to give up all your favorite foods. Not so!
Cold, thirst-quenching milk; tangy cheese; and creamy yogurt are all very much still on the menu. Some research even indicates that full-fat dairy may be particularly beneficial.
Here’s a quick clip of Dr. Carol Bradley, a registered dietitian nutritionist, explaining how dairy fits into a heart-healthy diet.
Chia seeds? What are those about?
I’ll admit it: I love chia seeds! That may be why I was asked to write about this little nutrition powerhouse that is oh so yummy and oh so GOOD for you!
Approximately 8,000 athletes descended on the Lawn at Reunion in Dallas for the annual Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon on March 19, 2017. It was an unseasonably warm day and marathon runners knew they had their work cut out for them.
They also knew that at the end of the course there would be a cold sample of Oak Farms TruMoo chocolate milk waiting for them to refuel their bodies.
Kids tend to be picky eaters, so it can be difficult to make sure they get all the nutrients they need – not only to keep them fueled throughout the day, but to build their growing bodies.
Dr. Kirsten Bennett, a dietitian with nearly three decades of pediatric nutrition experience, explains why milk is such a valuable player in this video:
As a mom and a registered dietitian, I’m often asked how to get kids to eat healthier. Now, that’s a trick question, because there’s no magic bullet to help kids eat better. People sort of want me to answer by saying, "Just eat this one perfect food and voila – you created your own perfect eater." But it isn’t that simple. Yes, even as a nutrition expert, I struggle to get my kids to eat all foods. My 6-year-old son loves meat, but is not interested in vegetables. My 2-year-old daughter rarely eats anything unless it is a chip, bread or fruit.
Got chocolate milk? A popular choice among both children and adults, the beverage is not only yummy but also good for you. All milk, flavored or not, has the same unique combination of essential nutrients. Plain and flavored milk include three out of the four nutrients of concern for kids: calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Check out more reasons why chocolate milk is a good choice:
Many children, especially those from families of lower income, depend on school meals for the majority of their nutrition. Fortunately, schools are meeting high nutrition standards. Plus, schools are getting really creative to get kids excited about healthy foods.
Patty Keane, a dietitian who specializes in improving child nutrition through research and advocating for public policy, talks about it here:
More than 46 million Americans – including 12 million children – rely on Feeding America food bank donations every year. If we each helped just a little bit, we could make a huge difference.
So what kinds of foods do they need most? Which of their shelves need stocking?
Take it from an expert: Katherine Lindholm, a dietitian who works at the North Texas Food Bank.
If you’re a parent, you know how hard it can be to get a healthy meal together for your kids. Imagine having to do that for 70,000 kids twice a day, every day.
That’s what I do as child nutrition services director at Aldine ISD. It’s tough to meet regulations, work with class schedules and do it all within budget. But it’s also rewarding to see the difference it makes. For instance, the difference breakfast makes to our students is huge.
Here’s a quick video on just how important breakfast is:
