Blog for Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Good evening, everyone, and happy hump day! We're almost to the end of March, as 2016 is clipping right along! Spring has sprung, Easter has come and gone, and this weekend marks the end of the College Basketball season! The Final Four is something many of us enjoy, and I hope this year's is an exciting one. So, on to the health news of the day! First off, this article has eating advice for people in their 20's-50's. As we age, our metabolism slows, but this doesn't mean we have to gain weight. There are tips there for dealing with some of the most common dietary slip-ups people have during these different age groups. For instance, alcohol consumption is the most common diet trap for 20-somethings. There are several tips for how to curb your caloric consumption, while still enjoying a night out with friends. Looking for low-carb beverage options is recommended, as many alcoholic drinks are very high in carbs. The needs of 30-somethings are a bit different, as many people are starting their families by this point in their lives. New responsibilities, combined with a slowing metabolism require a reanalysis of the 30-ish year old's diet. Limiting your calories from caffeinated drinks and not eating for 2 during pregnancy(caloric intake is only supposed to increase 450 calories daily at the end of pregnancy) are amongst the recommendations. There are plenty of tips for people in their 40s and 50s, too, so check them out! Next up, did you know that you might be storing and prepping your fruits and vegetables "incorrectly"? According to this article, for many of us, that may be the case. The first example is that storing watermelon at room temperature, rather than in the refrigerator, boosts the potency of its antioxidants. Similarly, cooking carrots BEFORE you cut or chop them helps seal in their nutrients and boosts the carrots' beta-carotene levels. And if you like broccoli, steaming it helps to maximize its nutritional content compared to other cooking methods. And our last article of the day, which offers up 10 facts about the pistachio. The pistachio, like many nuts, has plenty of good nutritional qualities. Amongst them, they're nutrient-dense, containing more than 30 vitamins, nutrients, and phytonutrients. A single serving of pistachios also contains about the same amount of protein as an egg. Pistachios also contain fiber, so between the protein and fiber, you'll feel fuller, longer. Another ancillary benefit of pistachios is their shells, which may cause you to eat less, since there's a small amount of work to open them. They're good for your heart, they're grown here in the U.S., and lastly, they "smile". In China, pistachios are called the "happy nut" because their shape resembles the shape of a smile, and they are a symbol of health, happiness, and good fortune! So I hope you have a pistachio kind of day tomorrow, and remember to be healthy, my friends.