Eating For Health

Who doesn’t love cinnamon?   I love sprinkling some on my morning oatmeal.   My kids loved sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on buttered toast.   Did you know cinnamon has some amazing health benefits? Where does cinnamon come from? Did you know we get cinnamon from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree? Cinnamon producing regions include Sri Lanka which produces Ceylon cinnamon, Indonesia, Vietnam and India.   Another type of cinnamon is Cassia cinnamon that has a stronger, spicier flavor and is the variety you find on grocery store shelves.      🌿 What are Some Health Benefits of Cinnamon That are Backed by Research? 🧬 1. Rich in Antioxidants ·          Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress and protect cells from damage. 💪 2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties ·          Studies show cinnamon may reduce inflammation markers like C-reac...

Who doesn’t love eggs?   In an omelet or scrambled for breakfast or egg salad sandwiches for lunch or hard-boiled eggs for a snack.   For many years eggs were given a bad rap because of cholesterol.   At one time even the American Heart Association recommended limiting egg consumption.   With newer research we can enjoy eggs once again.   🥚 What about eggs and cholesterol?   New research has not found a link between egg consumption and heart disease, even among men at genetic risk for heart disease.   It seems high blood cholesterol levels are more linked to the saturated fat in meat and trans fats rather than the cholesterol in eggs.   In one Finnish study , over 1,000 men were followed for 21 years.   They found egg consumption and dietary cholesterol did not significantly increase risk of heart disease.   Harvard notes , “For most people, an egg a day does not increase your risk of a heart attack, a stroke, or any other type of c...

What if you and your family decided to forgo ultra-processed foods for a period of time?   Would you notice any changes?   The Wall Street Journal has an article about a family that did give up ultra-processed foods for a month and wrote about their experience.   What ultra-processed foods did the family give up? There are many definitions of ultra-processed foods, but this family decided to keep it simple.   They decided to exclude foods that contained ingredients like preservatives and emulsifiers that one wouldn’t find in their home kitchen.   “We decided that if a food had an ingredient that we don’t use or could barely pronounce (e.g., maltodextrin, soy lecithin, guar gum), then we wouldn’t buy it.”   🌟 What Happens When You Give Up Ultra-Processed Foods? One Family Tried It for a Month — Here’s What Changed 🧠 Better Mental Health Less anxiety, fewer mood swings, more energy . An NIH study found greater consumption of ultra-processed foo...

My daughter is on a trip and stopped at a restaurant she ate at when in college.   She said she had the best salad topped with some cooked salmon.   Good choice as salmon is basically a nutritional powerhouse.   Why is salmon so good for your heart, your brain and your muscles? 🧠 Brain & Mood Boost Rich in Omega-3s (EPA & DHA): These essential fats improve cognitive function and memory, reduce inflammation, and may help prevent depression and anxiety.   Can help protect against age-related macular degeneration and reduce the risk of dry eyes . High in Vitamin B12 & B6: Vital for brain health , nerve function, and mood regulation. ❤️ Heart Health Hero Lowers Triglycerides & Blood Pressure: Omega-3s help reduce “bad” cholesterol, lower triglycerides, decrease blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular function. Anti-inflammatory Effects: Omega 3’s are potent anti-inflammat...