Nutrition Blog
The AZ Dietitians Nutrition and Wellness Blog
Vitamin D – Are You Getting Enough?
Vitamin D helps build strong bones by increasing absorption of calcium and maintaining blood levels of calcium and phosphate to promote bone mineralization, growth, and repair. It also decreases inflammation and helps support a healthy immune system to fight off...
How Much Protein Do You Really Need?
Protein can be found throughout the human body. In fact, it is a part of every cell and plays a significant role in the body’s ability to carry out major physiological processes, such as transporting oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. Protein is made from...
Promoting a Healthy Gut Flora
Did you know that your gut is the home to a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and viruses? It is what scientists refer to as a microbiome, or community of microorganisms. Yes, I did just tell you that inside your body there are small living organisms...
Dates and Why You Should Eat Them
Dates are a dried fruit harvested from date palm trees found in regions of tropical climate. They date back to 4000BC (no pun intended). Cultivating dates can take many years, but due to their popularity, versatility, and multi-cultural significance harvesting dates...
Iron
Iron is a mineral that plays a major role in the body to support optimal health. A few of the major physiological functions of iron include: Production of blood Transportation of oxygen to organs and muscles Boosts immune health Supports cognitive function, Supports...
Food Allergies: How to Cope
A food allergy results when a food is consumed and mistaken by the body to be something harmful, which causes the immune system to respond and attack. This negative immune response causes unwanted signs and symptoms such as hives, GI issues, wheezing, difficulty...
The Mediterranean Diet and Heart Health
Evolved from the 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean sea, the mediterranean diet has gained rising popularity. The diet is well-recognized by medical professionals, the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. Mediterranean countries exhibit...
How to Boost Your Energy by Eating
The human body functions by utilizing energy. The body gets this energy from the food we consume which contain carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These macronutrients are converted to glucose and either stored or immediately used to create ATP. ATP is the body’s...
Food Waste: A Rising Problem
Food waste reduction would have a significant impact on the environment. Food waste generates a huge proportion of greenhouse gas emissions amounting to approximately 8% worldwide according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. How Can You Help Reduce Food...
How to be More Sustainable This New Year
The word sustainable has gained much attention in recent years and it has for good reason. But what does it mean to be sustainable? According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “sustainable agriculture enables us to produce healthful food without compromising...
How to Boost Your Immune Health During Cold & Flu Season
Cold and flu season arrives every year beginning as early as October extending through the month of May. Although it is impossible to dodge all possibilities of contracting a nasty cold or the flu this season, there are ways to boost your overall immune health, which...
Traveling Hacks to Keep You on Track
The holiday season for many individuals entails traveling near and far to visit friends and family. Traveling can be exciting, but also exhausting and overwhelming. Being away from home can disrupt your typical routine and steer you off course from all those health...