food and nutrition

It has become common knowledge that consuming too much sodium is unhealthy and leads to high blood pressure. But a new study published in the American Journal of Physiology -- Renal Physiology has found that consuming too little sodium is also damaging.

When craving a healthy and satisfying snack, nuts may be one of the best foods to turn to- and according to new research, some types are even healthier than others.

Though it’s commendable that many people are attempting to eat less
processed, more natural and wholesome foods, there are certain cases
when this isn’t the best option.

A new study suggests that pregnant women are twice as likely to be iron deficient than non-pregnant women, and the number of pregnant women with inadequate iron stores was higher than expected. 

It can be difficult to know which foods are the healthiest, especially when you are away from home.

Food poisoning occurs when you are exposed to harmful organisms through eating or swalloing contaminated  food or water. Contamination could have happened  with certain types of bacteria, parasites, viruses, or toxins.

When a woman is worried over a lack of adequate breast milk supply
during lactation, she can be sure that what’s not lacking is a wide
variety of herbal supplements marketed as galactogogues, or substances
that promote milk production.

New study shows chocolate has heart healthy effects in diabetic women.

Cesar's salad is not recommended during pregnancy because it could contain raw eggs which can carry salmonella and infect the pregnant woman.

Raw or undercooked eggs can carry harmful organisms such as E.Coli and Salmonella, which in turn can infect a pregnant women during pregnancy  leading to an intestinal infection.

Pate is not recommended during pregnancy because there is an increased risk of infection with listeria, listeriosis.

Yet another health benefit of vitamin D has been added to the long list
of this micronutrient’s essential functions which include promoting
calcium absorption and maintaining good bone health.

When it comes to diabetes prevention, fiber is a key ingredient in
keeping blood sugars within a healthy range. There are two types of
fiber, insoluble and soluble, which should both be included in healthy
diet to reach the daily intake goal.

Don’t be fooled by these health claims, which though true regarding some
of what they do contain, fail to mention the many nutrients they leave
out when compared to whole fruit and the additional calories they can
easily tack on to one’s diet.

There are several foods that should be avoided before and during pregnancy because pregnancy affects a woman's immune system.

The higher a woman's intake of trans fats (chemically produced fats that are not beneficial to health) during the second trimester of pregnancy, the larger her newborn.

Pregnancy is one of the most important times in your life to be
concerned about food safety. During pregnancy, the immune system is
weakened, putting pregnant women at higher risk of contracting foodborne
illnesses such as listeria, methylmercury, and toxoplasma.

New research is emerging from the growing field of nutricosmetics which
shows that one way you can stay looking your best while pregnant is by
eating!

Two essential omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are extremely
important during pregnancy, but can extra supplementation beyond diet
increase a child’s intelligence?

Two essential omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are extremely
important during pregnancy, but can extra supplementation beyond diet
increase a child’s intelligence?

For many years, adding fat in our diets has gotten a bad rap.  While it
is true that eating an overabundance of fatty foods is a major cause of
heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more, recent research sheds a new
light of the whole fat picture.

We’ve known for over twenty years that trans fats (man-made fats used to
preserve the shelf life of foods) negatively affect our health, but new
research is showing that it may also affect the health of our newborns.

During pregnancy, grains are an important source of energy and nutrients and should be included in most meals.

Up to 75% of women experience morning sickness during their
pregnancy, and many of them worry that they may not be getting enough
nutrition during times when keeping food down isn’t easy.

Many pregnant women who lead hectic lifestyles are not always in the
mood to spend hours preparing a well balanced meal- but this doesn’t
mean they can’t eat healthy.

Food synergy is the term that is used to explain this health-boosting
interaction that takes place in certain foods and beverages to enhance
another’s health benefits.

Consuming too much refined sugar during pregnancy can lead to weight
gain and diabetes, which exposes the developing baby to large amounts of
sugar in the womb.

It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take a folic acid
supplement or multivitamin with at least 400 mcg of folic acid because
this B vitamin is known to prevent neural tube defects such as spina
bifida and encephalopathy.

You’re eating a balanced diet full of fruits and veggies, whole grains,
low fat dairy, lean proteins, and healthy fats, but did you know that
you can give your pregnancy a nutritional boost by including certain
“super foods?”

There are many other healthy ways besides consuming caffeine to
gain energy. Read on to learn six caffeine-free energy-boosting
strategies that you can practice to ensure a healthy pregnancy.