Nutrition Blog
The AZ Dietitians Nutrition and Wellness Blog
The Dirty Dozen
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is vital for promoting optimal health. Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients, minerals, and fiber that are essential for the body to function at its best. According to the USDA, the recommended serving for fruit is 2 cups per day...
Seitan: A Healthy Meat Alternative
Seitan is a versatile meat alternative made from gluten, the protein found in wheat. It can be made using a variety of broths and herbs making it full of flavor. This alternative has a good texture, making it a great vegan substitution. Why should I choose Seitan?...
Saturated Fats – What’s the Right Amount?
The Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping intake of saturated fats to less than 10% of total daily calories. Studies have shown that saturated fats can raise bad cholesterol and increase the risk of developing heart disease. Replacing foods high in saturated fat with...
Potassium – A Staple For Your Health
Potassium is one of the three main electrolytes and third most abundant mineral in the body. It’s function is to assist in maintaining fluid balance. It also plays a role in heart and muscle contractions and supporting the nervous system. Do YOU get enough of this...
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 them can take many years, but due to their popularity, versatility, and multi-cultural significance harvesting them...
Iron Deficiency – What It Is and How to Prevent It
Iron is a mineral that plays a major role in the body to support optimal health. A few of the major physiological benefits of iron include: Production of blood Transportation of oxygen to organs and muscles Boosts immune health Supports cognitive function, Supports...