Newly Discovered Health Benefits From Omega 3's

An evolving body of research is revealing new benefits of omega - 3 fatty acids in the diet. An Iowa State U. study has discovered that inadequate amounts of Omega 3's in the diet of pregnant women may be a precursor to increased incidence of childhood allergies. It is also published in a recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics that early introduction of fish to an infants diet (before 9 months of age) has a protective effect against hereditary eczema and a lower incidence of upper respiratory infections and asthma.
Large epidemiological studies have suggested that adequate intake of omega - 3's may prevent or delay cognitive decline in older adults. Animal studies have shown a reduction in Alzheimer-like brain alterations.
Your best sources for Omega-3 fatty acids are dark, cold water fish such as Tuna, wild Salmon, and Halibut. If you chose to take a supplement, research the products for purity - price isn't always a factor. Two to three servings of fish per week is a safe amount. Plenty of fresh vegetables will also help to "detox" heavy metals from the body, so don't be afraid of the ocean's bounty.

Earth Friendly Food Tips

For over 40 years, Earth Day on April 22 has reminded us to do our best to ensure a cleaner, more healthful environment for current and future generations. The three "R's" of a sustainable lifestyle are reduce, reuse, and recycle, which can be put into practice in dozens of ways, including food. Not only the way food is produced, but also the ways in which food is packaged, shipped, prepared and served are just as important to eco-friendly principals. Try putting these Earth friendly practices into your life:
Eat organic. Organically produced foods reduce pollution in the air, soil, and water by ensuring reduced use of pesticides.
Eat locally. It's the next best thing to growing your own. Buying at local farm markets helps farmers and your local economy, AND helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to shipping.
Eat fewer processed foods. Processed food create unnecessary packaging, and the processing and transportation is much more energy and resource intensive than buying fresh ingredients and cooking from scratch. Home canning and freezing utilizes reusable packaging.
Eat lower on the food chain. That means working toward a plant-based diet. If all Americans eliminated just one day of meat consumption per week, the reduction in global warming would be equivalent to taking 4 to 6 million cars off the road.
Small changes can make a large impact that help to sustain the Earth and it's resources. For more ideas, the 2011 Earth Day campaign A Billion Acts of Green can be found at www.earthday.org

March is National Nutrition Month

Originated in 1973, National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association to promote nutrition awareness and education. This year's theme is "Eat Right With Color." Splash some color on your plate with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy every day. Making small improvements in your eating habits will over time, add up to significant health benefits.

Marvelous Mushrooms

The mushroom may pale in comparison to the other brightly colored vegetables in the display case, but nutritionally it is no lightweight. Mushrooms contain surprising amounts of fiber, B vitamins, selenium, potassium, and copper. They are also the only plant source of vitamin D. When exposed to sunlight, their vit. D content soars.
Emerging data suggests that mushrooms may have the ability to enhance our immune system, fight infections, and offer protection against diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Mushrooms contain enzymes and microbial compounds to fight off potential invaders and to keep from rotting. Scientists believe these survival skills of fungi may be a clue to the health benefits, considering the fact the antibiotic penicillin was derived from a fungus.
Mushrooms can also help in low calorie meal planning, since they are 90% water and virtually fat-free. When used as a substitute for meat, they can reduce calorie intake by 400 calories a day.
Complex flavors and appealing textures make mushrooms a versatile ingredient in cooking. Add crunch with raw enokis to salads or soups. Stir-fry almost any fresh mushroom or saute with garlic and toss with pasta. Top steaks, chicken, and omelets. Creminis may be oven roasted with a drizzle of olive oil and eaten hot, or cooled and added to salads. Portabellas (a large cremini) are perfect for brushing with toasted sesame oil and soy sauce and grilling. Dried porcini and shiitake add flavor to soups and sauces, and risotto.
Fresh mushrooms can be refrigerated for up to a week when stored in a paper bag. Quickly rinse mushrooms to remove obvious dirt, but don't soak them as they will absorb water and become soggy. Trim off the end of the stem before using. If you go foraging for wild mushrooms, bring an expert who knows the difference between the edible and the stomach-pumpers!

Eat Your Way to a Better Mood

Got the winter blues? Your diet could be the reason. Certain foods are key components in the production of powerful brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine may jog your memory, improve performance, improve sleep and boost your mood. Try these good mood food strategies and notice a better outlook.

• Limit refined carbohydrates. Refined starches and sugars such as white bread, crackers, bagels and rice, soda, candy, fruit juice, are digested quickly, leading to a dip in energy and rebound hunger a few hours later. They can also create radical spikes (and drops) in your blood sugar, which leave you feeling cranky and tired. High-quality carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruit, legumes, brown or wild rice and oatmeal trigger the release of serotonin which enhances calmness, improves outlook, and may lessen feelings of depression. Foods rich in soluble fiber such as flax seeds, oats, barley, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, peas and beans help slow down the absorption of sugar in your blood, potentially lessening mood swings.

• Get your B-vitamins. Folate and vitamin B12 may influence mood by playing a role in serotonin production. Studies have shown that low blood levels of these vitamins are sometimes related to depression. Instead of supplements, get naturally balanced B-complex in foods such as fortified whole grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black eyed peas, soybeans, oatmeal, mustard greens, beets, broccoli, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and oranges. Mood boosting foods rich in vitamin B12: shellfish, wild salmon (fresh or canned), fortified whole grain breakfast cereal, lean beef, low-fat dairy, and eggs.

• Those amazing Omega-3's! Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish (salmon, Atlantic mackerel and sardines), ground flax seeds, walnuts, canola oil, soy nuts and omega-3 fortified eggs are always the best way to get your nutrients. But an occasional supplement helps, especially if you are trying to reduce calories. For omega-3's, look for supplements that contain 650mg of EPA and DHA combined.

• Don't forget vitamin D. Although a link between vitamin D and seasonal affective disorder (winter blues) is still speculative, don't discount this sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D may increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Good sources of vitamin D: fish with bones, low-fat milk, fortified soy milk and egg yolks. Because vitamin D rich foods are limited, it may be beneficial to take a daily multivitamin to reach the recently updated goal of 600 International Units. Check with your doctor before starting a dietary supplement.

Be sure to maintain a regular eating pattern. By eating every 4 to 5 hours throughout the day, your brain and body gets a constant source of fuel. This can dramatically prevent dips and spikes in your blood sugar. Limit caffeine since it will also deliver a quick energy surge followed by a crash. Many commercial energy drinks are loaded with added sugar and can be quite calorie-laden. Be sure to drink plenty of water or other unsweetened beverages at regular intervals too, as dehydration and fatigue go hand-in-hand. Improvements in your mood may take a few weeks....but you are guaranteed to feel better!

~ Sari Greaves, RD CDN