Minerals are a micronutrient that our bodies need to remain healthy. Like vitamins, minerals do not provide any calories, but without them, our bodies cannot function properly. The body cannot make minerals on its own, so we must get them from the foods that we eat, and we have to eat a variety of foods because there is no one food source that contains all of the minerals that we need to consume on a daily basis. Continue reading “Minerals”
Vitamins are a micronutrient, and they are essential for growth and development. Some vitamins, like Vitamin D and Vitamin K, can be produced by the body, but others we have to get from the foods that we eat. There is no single food source that contains all 13 vitamins, so it is important to eat a variety of foods and colors to make sure that we get all, or almost all, of them daily. Continue reading “Vitamins”
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Happy Mardi Gras All! If you’ve never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you have to put it on your bucket list. Totally worth your time!
After Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, comes Ash Wednesday and this year, Valentines Day.
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love. Whether your valentine is your spouse, significant other, child, family member, or pet, you both deserve a delicious, warm meal. What better way to show your affection than getting in that kitchen and cooking for your heart? So, let’s talk about heart-healthy Valentine’s Day dinner suggestions. And, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am referring to your actual heart. Continue reading “A Meal for “Mon Coeur””
A topic that makes us often roll our eyes: fat. While a lot of us complain about having too much fat, others can rightfully grumble about not having enough. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just give our excess to those who want it? Besides making us gain weight, what is its purpose? Do we need to eat fat?
Believe it or not, we need fat. It keeps our skin from looking dull, ashy, and dry. It also helps our bodies absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Additionally, fats are important for hormone production, cell growth, protecting the organs, and keeping our bodies warm. Continue reading “Fat-Is it really necessary?”
Last week we focused on the macronutrient carbohydrate. This week we will be discussing proteins. Proteins are chains of amino acids, or building blocks, and there are 20 different amino acids. Proteins vary in length and composition, which means that not all proteins contain the same amount or types of amino acids. For example, you’ve seen a set of Legos®, correct? They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. If you were trying to build a structure, you probably wouldn’t use the same size or color Lego® piece to complete your masterpiece. To give your structure better dimensions or angles, you might use different pieces or possibly even every single Lego® that comes in the bucket!
Well, that’s exactly how proteins work! Each individual Lego® is an amino acid, and when different combinations are strung together they form different types of proteins. You can rearrange the order or swap amino acids and get a completely different protein. When we eat the proteins, they are broken down by the body and reduced back to individual amino acids, each of which play a specific role in the body. Continue reading “Protein”
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