Eating For Health

Who doesn’t love foods cooked on the grill?   Steaks, hamburgers, vegetables, fruit, all taste better when grilled.   Years ago, I directed a research lab at a university.   Almost every day smells of grilled steak and hamburger came from the research lab next door.   I had to ask them what they were researching.   They said they were studying the effect of grilling on cancer risk.   What is this risk and how can you reduce this risk and still enjoy all those wonderful grilled foods? What is the risk of grilling and cancer? Apparently, grilling meat   at high temperatures can burn the fat in the meat and generate 2 cancer causing substances, called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).   Extended exposure to these substances can alter DNA and lead to an increase risk of cancer. How big of a problem is this? According to UCLA Health , isn’t a problem for occasional grilling but grilling every weekend for y...

Many people hear that meat, especially red meat is bad for you.   Others avoid dairy for many reasons.   But the latest research has found that meat and dairy may actually help your immune system fight cancer.   Who knew?   What have scientists found out about meat and dairy? What is it about the composition of meat and dairy that may have some good health benefits? What is this newly discovered nutrient in meat and dairy that helps fight cancer? Researchers at the University of Chicago studied a nutrient found in beef, lamb and dairy products that helps our immune system fight cancer.   What is this nutrient?   I had not heard of it and you probably haven’t either.   It is actually found in the fat in meat and dairy and is called trans-vaccenic acid or TVA.   Research on nutrients like TVA highlights the link between diet and human health demonstrating how compounds from food can influence our immune responses and overall well-being. ...

Feeling down, anxious, under stress?   Many people turn to food to boost their mood but then choose junk food, foods high in sugar and fat.   Junk foods won’t really help improve your mood.   What are some foods that not only are mood boosters but also good for your health? Good fats and your mood: The Harvard Health Blog notes the healthy omega-3 fats actually travel to our brains and interact “with mood-related molecules in the brain.   These healthy fats are also anti-inflammatory which helps “relieve depression”.   And omega-3 fats may help stabilize any mood swings.   (See:   What are omega 3 fats and why are they good for you? )   Some ways to add omega-3 fats to your day: Fish:   A good source of omega-3 fats are fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines.   Oils:   flaxseed oil and canola oil. Seeds:   Flaxseeds, chia seeds Nuts:   walnuts are high in omega-3 fats Green, leafy vegetables lik...

Everyone knows that healthy eating promotes good health.   But did you know there are foods you can eat to promote good eye health?   The New York State Department of Health has a great article, Look to Fruits and Vegetables for Good Eye Health .   They note that eating more fruits and vegetables will improve eye health and help prevent some eye diseases.   Choosing foods rich in antioxidants is the key to better eye health.   (Fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, see “ Why are berries and other fruit and veggies so good for your health ?”)   Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants but a number of other foods are also rich in antioxidants.    What antioxidants protect our eyes and what foods provide those antioxidants?   Lutein and Zeaxanthin – you may have seen commercials on TV that promote lutein.   If you look at the daily vitamin/mineral supplement you may be taking, you may find “lutein” listed.   T...

Have you ever had the energy blues?   Just no energy at all.   And many people want to lose some fat.   How can you up your energy levels and lose fat too?   I had a student in my class that worked full time and then went to class at night.   She noted she was often tired by the end of the day and often had little energy.   Then, she started applying what she learned in the nutrition class I teach like eating breakfast every day, eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day.   After a few weeks she explained that she had much more energy and was quite surprised at how much better she felt by just eating better. There is a group called Insider Nutrition Clinic and you can write to a dietitian and ask for advice.   A reader, a 29-year-old woman, wrote in and asked, “I want to lose fat and gain energy”.   The woman had 3 goals:   gain some energy, lose some fat and also build some muscle.   This reader has a desk job but does try t...