Eating For Health

Who hasn’t heard the old proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?   As fall rolls in, it’s the perfect time to visit an orchard and grab a basket of fresh apples.   With so many varieties to choose from including tart Granny Smiths, sweet Fujis, and the ever-popular Honeycrisp – it’s easy to forget that apples aren’t just delicious they are also nutritional powerhouses.   Growing up I often heard that apples did not provide much nutrition.   But modern research paints a different picture. Apples are loaded with fiber, antioxidants like quercetin and polyphenols, vitamin C, and potassium. These nutrients work together to support heart health, digestion, and blood sugar regulation. 🍏 Are Apples Really That Nutritious? Absolutely. A medium apple contains about: Low in Calories about 104 calories 4 grams of fiber (mostly soluble, which helps lower cholesterol) Vitamin C (boosts immunity and skin health) Potassium (supports heart and musc...

Most people know too much salt increases your risk for high blood pressure and strokes.   Although everyone knows about salt in the salt shaker but many people aren’t aware of the hidden salt in the foods we eat and even drinks.   In fact, more than 70% of the salt (sodium) in our diet comes from packaged, prepared foods and restaurant foods.   🧠 What Sodium Does in the Body Sodium helps regulate fluid balance , nerve function , and muscle contractions . It’s essential—but only in small amounts. Most people consume far more than the recommended daily limit. The American Heart Association recommends 2300 milligrams of sodium a day.   Yet, the average American consumes about 3,300 mg a day or about 50% more than the recommended amount.     ⚠️ Health Risks of Too Much Sodium High Blood Pressure ( Hypertension ): The most direct and dangerous effect. Sodium causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volu...

So many companies are joining the MAHA movement.   Last week I wrote about the major changes Walmart is making to 1,000 Great Value foods .   Pepsi is joining the movement as PepsiCo is revamping its iconic Lay’s potato chips , one of America’s top selling brands of potato chips.   Everything from ingredients to packaging is changing.   🥔 Ingredient Overhaul:   Lay’s is stripping away artificial flavors and colors across its core chip lineup. That means no more synthetic dyes or mystery additives. Instead, you’ll find: No artificial flavors or colors : Lay’s is removing all synthetic additives from its U.S. chip portfolio, including Lay’s Classic, Baked, and Kettle Cooked varieties.   No more artificial colorings on barbecue chips . Natural replacements : Chips will be flavored and colored using ingredients like spices, fruit and vegetable extracts, yeast, herbs, and plant-based colorings such as paprika and vege...

So many companies are revising their food products in response to Robert F. Kennedy’s MAHA movement.   Walmart has announced they will be removing synthetic foods dyes as well as 30 other ingredients from the Great Value store brand by January 2027.   This would affect about 1,000 food products.   🧪 Food Dyes Being Eliminated Walmart plans to phase out the following synthetic dyes from Great Value and other private-label brands:          Blue No. 1 and No. 2           Green No. 3           Red No. 3, No. 4, and No. 40           Yellow No. 5 and No. 6           Citrus Red No. 2           Orange B (hasn’t been used for decades )             Canthaxanthin Why?   Because artificial food dyes have been linked to a variety of health concerns such as behavioral health issues ...

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...