Eating For Health

Years ago, a deficiency of iodine was common in many parts of the US.   Then Iodized salt became available and that solved the problem.  Now, however, pregnant women, and others may have low levels of iodine, and some doctors are reporting kids with iodine deficiency.  What is iodine and why do we need it? Iodine is a mineral our body needs for many functions and one our bodies can’t make but we can get it from foods we eat.      Our thyroids need iodine for our metabolism helping our bodies turn the food we eat into the energy we need every day.   Iodine also helps our thyroid regulate our:           Body temperature           Brain development and mental activity           Breathing           Heart Health           Digestion During pregnancy and after the baby is born, iodine helps the babies bone and bra...

Most kitchens are well stocked with Teflon pans or other nonstick pots and pans.   Most cooks love these pans as cooking with less oil and cleaning up is so much easier.   But now some states are banning Teflon and other nonstick pots and pans.   Why?   What is Teflon, a nonstick coating, used on pots and pans?   The kitchn states, “Teflon is a brand name for the chemical coating PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) that is used to make cookware nonstick.”     Teflon has been around for a long time .   Dr. Roy J. Plunkett, working for Dupont’s Jackson Laboratory, discovered Teflon by accident on April 6, 1938.     The first nonstick cooking pans were invented years later in 1954 in France.   The U.S. had the first nonstick cookware in 1961.   The “first commercially available Teflon coated frying pan” was the Happy Pan in 1957.   Why are some states banning Teflon and other nonstick pans? Consumer Reports recently w...

How frustrating to be on a diet and the scale doesn’t move.   On X a man was lamenting how he had been on a very restrictive diet for a week and the scale hadn't changed.   Many people give up at this point and go off the diet.   But are positive things happening to your body even though the scale hasn’t budged? Beyond the Scale lists 6 ways you can know your diet is working even if the scale hasn’t moved.   Your diet and new exercise habits are working even if the scale doesn’t show it.   Better Health Markers Even though the scale hasn’t changed, your blood pressure may be lower, your lipid levels like cholesterol may be lower, and blood sugar levels may be lower.  More Energy Better eating and more exercise can lead to increased energy levels.  And exercising burns up calories and leads to higher energy levels. Improved Digestion Eating better, including eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains adds fiber to one’s day leads to a more diverse...

Have you ever heard of brain food?   Foods you can eat for a healthier brain.     Researchers have found that the food we eat greatly affects our brain health.   Besides the food we eat, staying hydrated also affects our cognitive function.   Why is hydration important for brain health?   I always told my students that before an exam they should drink some water.   Why?   Because even being slightly dehydrated affects cognitive function.   A 1% dehydration level can lead to “a 5% decrease in cognitive function”.     A 2% level of dehydration “can result in short term memory loss”, what some people call “brain fog”.   Besides drinking plain water, many beverages are good for hydration including 100% juice and cow’s milk.   (See:   What beverage is most effective for staying hydrated? ) What researchers have found about diet and brain health. Researchers at the University of Warwick studied diet and brain heal...

So many people talk about “eating healthier” and then go on a fad diet thinking it is good for their health.   A TV personality said he avoids bread and cereal to eat healthier.   But is avoiding any food group a healthy choice?   What does “eating healthy” mean?   In the classes I taught, students always recommended we should “eat healthy”.   But when I asked them what this means they often struggle to come up with specifics.   Are there healthy diets to follow?   A diet not for weight loss or weight gain, but just a healthy eating pattern? Not a “diet” you go on for a week or two but a lifelong way of eating for a healthier you.         I was watching TV recently and saw the commercial for taking pills to get your fruit and veggies each day.   Rather than take pills, eat your fruit and veggies to eat healthier in 2025.   A popular quote from Hulk Hogan is “Train.   Say your prayers.   Eat your vitamins....