corporate wellness Archives - Page 4 of 21

Benefits of Yogurt

Yogurt contains many important nutrients including calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein. Both vitamin D and calcium are utilized in the body to build and maintain strong bones and teeth, which helps prevent osteoporosis. Potassium-rich foods may help regulate blood pressure to support heart health. What is the difference between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt? Both types of yogurts contain live bacteria (probiotics) that support gut health and the immune system. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt and their nutritional values differ. Greek yogurt is higher in protein than regular yogurt while regular yogurt is usually higher in calcium than Greek yogurt. Both are excellent choices to include in your meal plan. Choose plain or lower-added sugar yogurts since both types can be high in added sugar when flavored. Ways to use yogurt in your meals Replace sour cream [...]

Tags: corporate health, corporate wellness, gut health, probiotics, recipes, yogurt|

5 Plant Proteins to Eat Today

A healthy diet should include plenty of plants: Fruit, vegetables, legumes/beans, nuts/seeds, potatoes, and whole grains. Usually, we don’t think of plants as having protein. The great thing about plants is they are a natural low/no fat option. Low in fat and packed with fiber encourages heart health. Here are the 5 trending plant-based proteins that you can easily add to your meals. Soybean, soy milk, and tofu Soybeans are a type of legume/bean. The bean can be turned into milk or the soy liquids can be turned into tofu (much like the way cheese is made). Soy products offer high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, along with phytoestrogens that may have a positive effect on hormones. Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) Chickpeas have a nutty taste and grainy texture. The most common chickpea dishes are falafel and hummus. However, you can easily [...]

Tags: chickpea, corporate wellness, plant protein, quinoa, soy protein|

6 Ways to Exercise Sustainably

Did you know you can lend a hand in taking care of our environment by the way you exercise? Sustainability in our exercise starts with treating our resources responsibly. We’re taking a look at six ways we can exercise more sustainably. Drink from Reusable Water Bottles Proper hydration before, during, and after exercise is a necessity. However, plastic water bottles can pile up as waste in landfills. Less than one-third of plastic bottles actually get recycled (Beyond Plastics). Most reusable water bottles hold almost double the amount of water as a typical plastic bottle. This makes reusable water bottles not only a smart choice for the environment but a smart choice for your wallet too! Exercise Outdoors Use natural resources for your workout! Take a walk at a nearby park. Go hiking with friends or family members. Save money and [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise, fitness, recycle fitness, sustainability|

Hello Fall, Hello Soup Season!

A bowl of soup not only makes you feel better when you are under the weather, but it is a great way to make a quick meal that is loaded up with nutrient-dense foods to fuel your body on a cold day. Soup Super Star Ingredients Beans and lentils: Beans and lentils are both affordable and high in fiber and protein. Soluble fiber lowers LDL (lousy) cholesterol and is found naturally in many types of foods including beans and lentils. Use a variety of beans in your recipes (navy, pinto, kidney, black beans). Vegetables: Veggies are loaded with nutrients including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber has many benefits for the body including supporting gut health and aiding in weight loss. Unfortunately, most Americans are not consuming enough fiber. In fact, only 5% of people are eating enough fiber. Use [...]

Tags: autumn foods, comfort food, corporate wellness, soup|

Plant-based Milks

Which Dairy Alternative is Right for You? The dairy aisle can be overwhelming these days. Which one to pick? Almond milk? Ripple milk? Oat milk? Not all dairy alternatives are created equal. Some barely contain any protein while others are loaded with added sugar. Review the chart below to compare the nutrient content of various dairy alternatives. Type Serving Size Calories Total Fat Saturated Fat Protein Whole milk 1 cup 150 calories 8g 5g 8g Soy milk (unsweetened) 1 cup 80 calories 4g 0.5g 7g Ripple milk* (unsweetened) 1 cup 80 calories 4.5g 0.5g 8g Almond milk (unsweetened) 1 cup 30 calories 3g 0g 1g Cashew milk (unsweetened) 1 cup 25 calories 2g 0g <1g Oat milk (unsweetened) 1 cup 45 calories 3g 0g 1g *Ripple milk is made [...]

Tags: almond milk, alternative milk, corporate wellness, dairy, milk, plant milk, ripple milk, soy milk|

Facts on Antibiotics

What are Antibiotics? Antibiotics are a group of drugs used to treat bacterial infections. Bacteria are small organisms that live and multiply in many different hosts, including humans, animals and plants. All of us have millions of bacteria in our bodies — some are helpful and others can grow inside our bodies and make us sick by causing infections. Examples of bacterial infections include strep throat, whooping cough, and certain types of pneumonia. It is important to know that bacteria may be spread between people and other hosts in many different ways, including but not limited to, direct contact with other infected people or by eating or drinking contaminated foods. The introduction and correct use of antibiotics has saved countless lives and prevented significant suffering by helping people overcome or avoid bacterial infections. What is antibiotic resistance? Today antibiotics are [...]

Tags: antibiotic, antibiotic resistance, corporate wellness, immune system|

Building your Immune System with Healthy Habits

With the upcoming changing of the seasons, we will soon see a major change in the weather. With that change, colds and the flu will be running rampant. Even though it might be harder to tackle workouts in the colder months, exercise and incorporating nutrient-dense foods into meals are critical to support your immune system and overall wellness. Try using these simple tips and tricks to help you stay active and healthy throughout the fall and winter. Wash your water bottle - Do you leave your water bottle in your gym bag or leave your water bottle at work all week? It sounds so simple, yet many are not washing their water bottle daily. Salvia can be backwashed into bottles and become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow, which can potentially make you ill. The good news [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, healthy habits, hydration, immune system|

Sleep, Stress, and Your Immune System

Days can pile up with stress and lead to nights of little sleep. We’re all too familiar with how frustrating this can be. Did you know that it can also cause our immune system to take a hit? Our stress and sleep have direct correlations with how our immune system functions. Prioritizing sleep and stress management is an integral part of staying healthy. How Does Sleep Affect Your Immune System? Sleep is necessary for your body to ward off sickness and infection. It can also help to reduce recovery time whenever you’re fighting sickness. While sleeping, the body ramps up the production of cytokines. According to the American Cancer Society, “Cytokines are small proteins that are crucial in controlling the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells. When released, they signal the immune system to do [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, immunity, journaling, sleep, sleep hygiene, stress|

Back to Exercise Basics

So, you want to create an exercise habit, but this is a new area for you. Or maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve had a good, consistent routine. Class is officially in session, and we’re going to take a closer look at the basics of exercise. When you start with the building blocks that form a solid foundation, it is easier to begin and stick to your exercise goals long-term. What are the Recommendations? First, let’s review the Physical Activity Guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the U.S. Department of Health. Adults are encouraged to participate in at least 150 – 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity each week. A combination of varying intensities is beneficial as well. Additionally, adults are encouraged to incorporate muscle-strengthening exercises that [...]

Tags: aerobic, back to school, corporate wellness, exercise, strength training, weightlifting|

Building a Balanced Lunchbox

Steps to Build a Healthy Lunchbox When filling up your children’s lunch box, make sure to include a variety of different foods. Half of their lunch should consist of fruits and vegetables, a quarter should be protein, and a quarter should be whole grains. It is important for children to consume a variety of nutrients because they play an important role in growth and development. Follow these 5 easy steps to build your child a balanced lunch! Tips and tricks to get your kids to eat their packed lunch: Get them involved! Encourage your kids to get involved with the planning and preparing of their school lunches. Teach them the importance of nutrition while making it fun and interactive! Write a note! Slip a handwritten note into their lunchbox. These notes can be a picture, story, memory, silly joke, or [...]

Tags: bento box, clean eating, corporate wellness, eating clean, lunch, lunch time, lunchbox, lunchtime, nutrition, sack lunch|