nutrition Archives - Page 6 of 9

Men’s Health Month

In the United States, June is designated as Men’s Health Month. The goal is to raise awareness about the ways men can improve and maintain their health. The five most important things that men can do for their health are to be tobacco free, stay physically active, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight for your height, and get recommended screening tests. In addition to the top five, there are other health behaviors that can increase your likelihood of living a long, healthy life. Below are details about important health behaviors for men: Be Tobacco Free - This includes smokeless tobacco products as well. See our articles about Smoking and Vaping , and reach out to a Be Well Solutions Health Coach to enroll in our Kick Nic smoking cessation program. Stay Physically Active - Aside from being tobacco [...]

Organic vs. Conventional Produce: What is the difference?

A frequent dilemma in the produce aisle: to choose organic or not to choose organic. Perhaps you pick up two apples: one organic and one conventionally grown. Both are round, firm, and red. Both are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. So which should you choose? Let’s get the facts straight before heading off to the grocery store. What does “organic” mean? According the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the term “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and handle their crops. They must follow strict guidelines to be labeled with the USDA organic seal. Organic farming practices, established by the USDA, are designed to enhance water and soil quality, reduce overall pollution, and promote sustainability among the farming industry. In organic farming there are practices that are not permitted and are overseen by the USDA. Materials and processes NOT [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, nutrition, organic, produce, USDA, wellness|

Exercise in the Great Outdoors Safely

Summer is just around the corner! The warmer weather can boost motivation for a consistent exercise routine. It’s the perfect time of year for a variety of outdoor activities. There are still some safety precautions to keep in mind. Use the tips below to keep your outdoor exercise safe and enjoyable. Safety First Safety is key when exercising outside. Choosing to exercise in daylight hours and paying attention to traffic will keep you alert on the road. If you’re in a rural or park setting, consider exercising with a buddy or letting someone know where you are ahead of time and when you plan to return. It’s a good practice to bring both your ID, a little cash, and your charged phone with you for any of those “just in case” scenarios. Also, don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses. Even on [...]

Tags: corporate wellness, exercise, health, hydration, nutrition, summer safety, wellness|

Air Fried Food: Healthy Fast Food?

Potato chips, fried chicken, and French fries overwhelmingly appeal to all the senses with their crispy crunch and flavor. Fried foods are a staple in the American diet because they are fast and convenient. However, these foods have health implications. Fried Food Health Concerns and Solutions: Fried foods are high in saturated fats and trans fats. We know these fats contribute to heart disease, obesity, and type II diabetes. It is important to limit these fats in the diet. Try to choose foods that have healthy fats like nuts, salmon, and skinless chicken. Cooking with oils that contain unsaturated fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil are better than butter and lard. Think of using fats that are liquid at room temperature and not solid. Decrease the amount of fat used while cooking and switch to an unsaturated [...]

Tags: air fry, corporate wellness, health, heart health, nutrition, recipes, saturated fat, wellness|

5 Components of Exercise Recovery

You just finished up a great workout…Congrats! But now what? Practicing recovery techniques after exercise is essential for getting the most out of your workout and lowering the risk of injury. Incorporate the components below into your routine for maximum recovery. Cool-Down The cool-down is a component of exercise that is frequently overlooked. Too often, we finish our workout and go right on with our day. However, wrapping up our workout with a cool-down is going to help our body recover quicker. Finish up your workout with 5-10 minutes of very low-intense activity. This will gradually lower your heart rate and bring your body back into a resting state. Finish up your cool-down with several minutes of full-body stretching. Stretching will allow your muscles to relax, which can ease soreness and cramping. Recover Complete an extra intense workout or [...]

Tags: cool down, corporate wellness, exercise, exercise recovery, foam roll, hydrate, nutrition, physical activity, recover, refuel, rest, sleep, stretch, water, wellness|

Personalize Your Plate

Personalize Your Plate Read Time: 2 minutes 45 seconds Happy National Nutrition Month®! Each year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics creates a campaign to engage the public in learning how to make more informed food choices. This year’s theme, “Personalize Your Plate,” emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. By personalizing your plate, you get to create the type of food adventure you want to have. Outside of adding more veggies or increasing healthy protein, try using new spices, a new fruit or vegetable, baking instead of frying, different whole grains, or even healthier fats – the options are endless! How to make it happen Start with a plan. Meal planning is a great way to organize you and your family's food preferences for the week. When we meal plan, we can ensure [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellnss, healthy habits, myplate, national nutrition month, nutrition|

Supporting a Healthy Immune System

Supporting a Healthy Immune System Read Time: 2 min 54 sec Ways to boost immunity has become a hot topic as of late, but unfortunately, there are many factors about our immune system that we do not yet understand. To begin with, the immune system is an incredibly complex system and not a single entity. It is composed of multiple mechanisms throughout our body that recognize and destroy potential invaders like bacteria and viruses. Networks of cells and tissues are programmed to work in concert to properly protect our bodies from illness. There is still much research to be done to understand the details of our unique immune response. This complexity is one possible reason why research has not yet proven that any single lifestyle behavior or habit can directly enhance immune function. However, that doesn’t mean that lifestyle and [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate welllness, diet, exercise, healthy diet, immunizations, nutrient-dense diet, nutrition, sleep, stres management, stress|

Try a New Food: Pumpkin Breakfast Bars

Pumpkin Breakfast Bars Read Time: 1 min 30 sec It’s the time of year again for pumpkin-flavored everything! From savory dishes to sweet desserts and lattes, there is no escaping the fall pumpkin craze. Unfortunately, many fall favorite treats not only have added pumpkin flavor, but they may also have a lot of added sugar. Research has shown that too much added sugar may increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease and makes it hard to maintain a healthy weight. But not to worry! You can still enjoy the taste of pumpkin all season long by making your own pumpkin treats at home. Pumpkins are a winter squash, naturally low in calories and packed with nutrients. One cup of cooked pumpkin provides 245% Daily Value (DV) of vitamin A, 19% DV of vitamin C, 564 mg potassium, and 2.7g [...]

Tags: corporate welllness, nutrition, PSL, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, recipe|

Identifying Credible Nutrition Information, September 2020

5 Tips for Identifying Credible Nutrition Information Read time: 3 min 9 sec Accessing nutrition information is now easier than ever with social media, television, and the internet. But with an onslaught of information comes the challenge of having to decide which sources you can trust. Our registered dietitians have provided their top 5 tips for identifying credible nutrition and health-related information. 1. Evaluate the Source Media and News Outlets: These sources often sensationalize articles to engage readers and TV viewers. As a result, nutrition research can be over-generalized or misrepresented. It is always best to check with a trusted, science-based source to compare what you see/hear in the news. Websites: In most cases, credible websites end in -.gov, -.edu, or -.org. This does not mean that websites ending in -.com or -.net should not be trusted, but they [...]

Tags: clean eating, corporate wellness, nutrition, research based, science based|

Fact or Fiction: Salt

I don’t put salt on my food, so I don’t have to worry about sodium. Fiction. Sodium is found in more than just the saltshaker. In fact, over 70% of sodium in the American diet comes from processed, packaged, and restaurant foods. Sodium is added to a variety of popular foods during processing and preparation. As a result, most Americans consume double the amount of recommended sodium each day. Excess sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. The good news is that making simple changes can help you stomp out excess sodium in your meals and snacks. What are the top food sources of sodium? Sodium is found in many processed foods including bread, pizza, sandwiches, soups, tacos, condiments (soy sauce, salad dressing, etc.), snack foods (pretzels, chips, [...]

Tags: blood pressure, clean eating, corporate wellness, dash diet, diet myths, food myths, high blood pressure, HTN, hypertension, nutrition, salt, salt shaker, sodium|