![]() by Laurel Sterling, MA, RD, CDN Our bodies are home to a mix of good and bad bacteria. Probiotics, also known as beneficial bacteria, line the digestive tract and support the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Under ideal conditions, the friendly bacteria outnumber the bad ones. But a poor diet, stress, and other factors can upset the balance. Restoring a healthy balance with supplemental probiotics helps support overall wellness. An estimated 60 to 80 percent of the immune system is located in the gut, so it makes sense that a healthy gut supports a healthy immune system. Probiotics also support colon and digestive health, and are beneficial for people of all ages. Although probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut, the number of good bacteria is typically too low to sufficiently replenish what our body needs. And foods typically contain very few different strains. Probiotics are available in a variety of convenient forms. Talk to your doctor or child's pediatrician to determine which form and dosage are best. With such wide-ranging benefits, a probiotic supplement is well worth adding to your family's daily regimen.
0 Comments
by Karen Roth, MSNC Super Bowl is right around the corner and it’s not only a celebration of the season’s best football teams but also a time to eat and drink for hours! I always have a large pot of chili on the stove at my Super Bowl parties, along with some of these tasty appetizers. Whether you are throwing your own party, or going to one, try one of these healthy appetizers that are sure to please everyone. ![]() SAUTEED MUSHROOMS Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. butter, divided 2 Tbsp. Olive Your Heart®, garlic flavor 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, sliced 8 oz. Shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves 1 tsp. rosemary leaves Directions:
![]() SMOKED SALMON TARTAR Ingredients: 2 cups smoked salmon, diced 1/4 cup red onions, diced 1/4 cup capers 1/4 cup Olive Your Heart®, natural flavor 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice 1 avocado, diced 1 lg. cucumber, sliced Fresh ground pepper Directions:
![]() ZUCCHINI SALAD CAPRESE STYLE Ingredients: 2 med. zucchini, diced 1 1/4 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 cup kalamata olives, sliced in half 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup balsamic glaze 1/4 c Olive Your Heart®, basil flavor 1 clove garlic, minced Salt and pepper to taste 15 small mozzarella balls, sliced in half 1 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced into ribbons Directions:
This fresh salad brings color to a table and compliments heavier dishes usually served on Super Bowl game day, like chicken wings. This recipe can be made a day in advance.
![]() by Laurel Sterling, MA, RD, CDN The average heart can pump 2,000 gallons of blood each day throughout the body. It beats 100,000 times a day, and during an average lifetime, it will beat more than three billion times. Even at rest, the heart works twice as hard as the leg muscles of a sprinter. Maintaining a healthy heart throughout our lifetime is critical. Here are some of the most beneficial nutritional supplements for supporting a healthy heart.
Take charge of your heart health by utilizing some of the many options available for natural support. Your health care practitioner can help you determine the best supplements to add to your daily regimen.
![]() by Laurel Sterling, MA, RD, CDN Whether you are a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, athletes of all types and abilities want to maximize workouts, enhance performance, and reduce recovery time following strenuous exercise. There are many nutritional supplements available to accentuate pre-workout, during activity, and post-workout. Some are depleted through exercise and need to be replenished. Others support healthy joints, muscles, mobility, energy production, and recovery. Core nutrients for every athlete, regardless of routine or skill level, consist of: a multivitamin, vitamin D3, and omega-3s.
There are other beneficial nutrients targeting extra joint and muscle support like tart cherry, boswellia, ginger, and curcumin. And ones for additional energy production during pre-workout like d-ribose. A glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM formula is also important to maintain healthy joint and connective tissues. Amino acids are also extremely important for athletes. Referred to as the building blocks of protein, amino acids are structural components of body tissues such as muscle, hair, collagen, enzymes, antibodies, etc. Certain amino acids are helpful for pre- and post-workouts, and some crossover to assist both.
So whether you're a weekend warrior or intense athlete, you need to make sure you get the basic nutrients you need to support optimal health and activity levels. Beyond that, there are many to choose from that can enhance athletic performance, improve mobility, support joints and muscles, and assist with exercise recovery.
![]() by Karen Roth, MSNC If you are planning your weight loss strategy for the beginning of the year or are just looking for a quick meal replacement or an easy breakfast, smoothies can help you fill that order. There are a ton of powders on the market, but choosing the right one can be daunting. Others may opt for convenience and buy pre-made smoothies in a bottle, but those can be pricey. What if you could make your own healthy smoothie with simple ingredients you have at home? Wouldn't that make your life easier? Use these five ingredients in your smoothie, and reap some awesome health benefits:
In order to meet the daily requirements of fruits and vegetables, adding one of each of these can help you achieve nutritional balance:
|
AuthorsThe Daily Dose blog features health and wellness articles from Senior Nutritionist & Educator Jolie Root, LPN,LNC; Nutritionist & Educator Laurel Sterling, MA, RDN, CDN; and Featured Guest Blogger Karen Roth, MSNC. Other guest bloggers will also join us. Archives
February 2019
Categories |
Customers |
© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
|