The stage in human development that lies between childhood and adulthood is known as teenage. Teenage is in fact the age of growth and development of mind as well as body and usually during teen years the function of a number of body’s system is found at its peak. A healthy diet is important for the people of all age groups but during teens the importance of healthy diet increases manifold as a growing body and developing mind require sufficient food.

If the diet of teenagers is not proper and healthy, they may have to face problems like coronary diseases, obesity, anemia and hypertension. Tiredness and shortness of breath are signs of anemia in teens and this disease can be prevented by taking iron rich foods. Teenagers are suggested to lower down the use of fatty foods as they cause obesity that leads towards hypertension and coronary heart disease. Such food as rich with fiber must be an important part of teenagers’ diet as less intake of fiber can cause intestinal cancer in later life. Milk, eggs and meat must be 20% part of teenagers‘s diet while fruits grain and vegetables must comprise the rest of it.

continue reading Importance of healthy diet for teens

Discovering different flavors and textures would be a good idea and this would certainly open a new window to nutrition. It is like adding new colors to the health. To improve the health and to protect the bodies from chronic disease bright colored fruits and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients. Eight to ten servings of fruits and vegetables a day is the recommendation of newly revised ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans’. This type of diet is discouraging but it becomes practicable when it is divided according to some meal guidelines. Example is given below:

• Serve the breakfast with one fruit or 4-6 ounce of juice or ½ cup of frozen fruit or ¼ cups of dried fruit.
• Serve the lunch with 2 cups of salad.
• Serve the snacks with one fruit or vegetable.
• Serve the dinner with 2 cups of cooked vegetable or 1 cup salad and 1 cup cooked vegetable.
• Serve the snacks with 1 fruit or vegetable.

Have Pleasure with Taste Buds

One of the greatest pleasures in life is food. In standard diets favorite foods are banned. The defeat of diet is due to the deficiency that leads to intense desire and cheating. To stay healthy and have a balanced diet it is sensible to take in a sensible amount of the favorite food. Food should be eaten tastily and enjoyably. Blindly following a diet pattern designed without studying an individual’s health status could be even more harmful. So better be sensible in selection and take good advice from an expert.

continue reading Importance of Nutrition

Wild Blueberries and other antioxidants-rich foods, if taken at every meal, help prevent ‘oxidative stresses. Oxidative stress has a direct linkage with the chronic diseases and aging. A recent study concluded by USDA scientists and published in the latest issue of the ‘Journal of the American College of Nutrition’ established the research findings.

The research study focused on antioxidants moved beyond the measurement of antioxidants in foods and actually examined the performance of specifically selected fruits for their impact on oxidative stress.

“It’s not just what you eat but when you eat it that matters. Phyto-chemicals in foods have varying degrees of bioavailability and generally are cleared from the blood 2-4 hours after they’re eaten. Ensuring that your body has a steady supply of antioxidant-rich foods can help combat oxidative stress throughout the day“, says Dr.Roland L.Prior, the lead scientist from USDA Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Centre.

continue reading Blueberries Help Fighting Oxidative Stress