Food
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Nutrition Spotlight: MCT Oil
The nutrition field is super exciting. I feel like every day there is a new health food trend on social media. I find it all fascinating and the first thing I do is go to the research to see if these health claims are true! (PS: I found a great resource called Cleveland Clinic’s Supplement Review that gives you evidence-based information on popular supplements!) Anyway, recently I’ve been seeing MCT (or Medium Chain Triglyceride) oil making an appearance on social media. I thought it was interesting because we learn about MCTs in metabolism. Now it is on my facebook feed! MCT oil is being sold in health food stores claiming miraculous health…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bars
Are you looking for a grab-and-go protein bar that is also super easy to make at home? Tonight I made these chocolate peanut butter protein bars and they are delicious and filling! The addition of oats makes these bars a good source of fiber and iron, a perfect pre-or post-workout snack. Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bars Ingredients 1 cup natural peanut butter 1/2 cup maple syrup 3 scoops of chocolate protein powder* (or equivalent of 3 oz) 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 2 cups of raw oats 1/2 tsp. baking soda Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 2. Grease a 9×9 baking pan 3.…
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Nutrition Spotlight: Farro, An Ancient Grain
Have you heard of farro? It is an ancient grain that is part of the wheat family. Farro, when cooked, is a dense and chewy grain with a nutty flavor. Farro can be added to salads, eaten on its own as a side, or baked into bread. It packs a nutritional punch. It is a great source of complex carbohydrate (great fuel for athletes!) meaning it takes the body longer to digest, keeps blood sugar levels stable and lowers cholesterol. Other health benefits of farro include: High in fiber Farro contains more fiber than other complex grains, like quinoa and brown rice. Fiber is important in maintaining bowel health and…
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Nutrition Spotlight: Tart Cherry Juice
One of my favorite drinks is Cheribundi Tart Cherry Juice. I’ve been drinking it for years and it’s a staple in my diet, especially during marathon training! Tart cherries are said to have anti-inflammatory properties, which make tart cherry juice a great drink for post-run (and post-hike!) recovery. Tart cherries contain beneficial nutrients such as: Anthocyanins These are plant colorants that are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors found in many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers. Studies show that anthocyanins protect against liver injuries; reduce blood pressure; improve eyesight; contain anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; and stop of spread of human cancer cells.1 Phenolic Acids These are a…
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Nutrition Spotlight: Shelled Hemp Seeds
Today I’m starting a new feature on my blog, a food and nutrition series. Every week I will post about an interesting nutrition topic that hopefully some of you may find useful! Today’s post is about a food that is fairly new to the market. You may have seen them popping up in grocery stores recently-raw shelled hemp seeds (or hemp hearts)! I found them at Trader Joe’s a few months ago and keep a bag in my fridge to add to my salads. They add a unique nutty flavor and also pack a nutritional punch. They can also be added to smoothies, yogurt, cereal or added to recipes. Hemp…