Nutrition Archives • Cathe Friedrich

Walnuts Aren’t Just Good for Your Brain, They’re Healthy for These Organs Too

January 26, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Have you noticed how walnuts are shaped like a brain? It’s no coincidence! It should come as no surprise that this crunchy tree nut is beneficial for brain health. Of all the tree nuts, walnuts are richest in omega-3s, a type of fat linked with brain health. Although the omega-3s…

Can Artificial Sweeteners Cause Digestive Problems?

January 21, 2020January 26, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Artificial sweeteners sound like a sweet deal–the taste of sweet without the calories or sugar. Who wouldn’t want that? These days, you can find packets of artificial sweetener in colored packets of pink, for saccharin, blue, for aspartame, and yellow, for sucralose in many restaurants to sweeten your coffee and…

Should You Consume Protein Before and After a Workout?

January 19, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

What’s your favorite way to fuel up before a workout and refuel afterward? Hopefully, you include a source of protein. Most dietitians recommend eating a snack that includes protein and carbohydrates before and after a workout. You need carbohydrates as they are the main source of fuel that your muscles…

Dietary components and your gut microbiome

3 Dietary Components that Improve the Gut Microbiome and 2 That Are Harmful

January 12, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Your gut is host to trillions of tiny microorganisms that play a critical role in how your body processes nutrients from the food you eat and in gut health. Not only do these organisms influence what happens in your intestinal tract, they impact your immune system. Plus, these tiny, beneficial organisms…

Are Green Powders a Healthy Substitute for Vegetables?

January 5, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Green is the new black, at least in terms of health. Most of us can benefit from adding more green produce to our diet. We can also enjoy eating other colorful produce, including fruits and vegetables in shades of red, orange, yellow, red, and purple. In other words, eat the…

Does Fish Oil Improve Brain Health?

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Who couldn’t use a little memory boost? It becomes harder for our brains to retrieve information as we age. We might struggle to remember the full list of items we need at the grocery store or ponder a few seconds to remember the name of someone we haven’t seen…

Is Brown Rice Really Healthier Than White Rice?

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Dietitians, physicians, and non-health professionals alike encourage people to substitute brown rice for white rice in their diet. They based their advice on the common belief that brown rice is healthier than processed white rice. You might already know the difference between the two. Brown rice is the whole, unaltered…

Flaxseed vs. Flaxseed Oil: Is One Healthier Than the Other?

December 29, 2019 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are a popular source of plant-based omega-3s, a type of fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory activity. Why are foods with anti-inflammatory activity desirable? In response to a poor diet, stress, lack of exercise and aging, inflammation increases as the years go by. That’s a negative from…

What Happens if You Get Too Much Vitamin D?

December 29, 2019 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

With so much focus on vitamin D deficiency, it’s easy to forget that you can get too much of the “sunshine” vitamin. You won’t get too much from sun exposure since your body has mechanisms for regulating vitamin D you get from sunlight. UVB rays from the sun are the…

Are Cooked Vegetables a Good Source of Vitamin C?

December 22, 2019 by Cathe Friedrich

Cathe Friedrich

One reason health experts encourage us to eat more fruits and vegetables is to get more vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C. Unlike most animals, humans can’t make their own vitamin C and must get it through diet. Some primates, bats, and guinea pigs also must get vitamin C through…