Can vegetarians consume healthy diets, even without meat? Let’s start out with the idea of meat being the most important part of a meal/diet. Do many people think this, particularly those who aren’t vegetarians? Yes. Is it the truth? No! Meat is not the most important of a diet, in fact meat is not recommended to be eaten more than twice a week due to the high fat content, in particular saturated fatty acids. So how else can vegetarians get their protein? And, what nutrients should vegetarians focus on? Continue Reading

While you may have some experience with the old food pyramid, many people realize and recommend a varied diet depending on a number of factors. From your age to your sex to whether you are overweight or have other health problems, your actual food pyramid may be different from your neighbor’s perfect food pyramid. This is one reason the US government (through the USDA) has set up the MyPyramid website.

Here are the main groups in the Food Pyramid of the 21st century.

• Grains - At least half of all the grains eaten should be whole grains.
• Vegetables - Vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups, based on their nutrient content.
• Fruits - Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
• Milk - Foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not considered part of this food group.
• Meat & Beans - The best meat and poultry choices will be lean or low-fat. Unlike older food pyramids, the modern ones tend to recommend smaller amounts of protein.
• Oils - Oils come from many different plants and from fish and some are better for the body than others.
• Discretionary Calories - The amount will vary from person to person, but in general this will be 300 to 400 calories worth of food used on sugars, high fat foods, and other types of food that are “treats” in a way.

By focusing on fruits and vegetables rather than lots of meat and grains, the modern food pyramid is different than those in the past, but a lot of thought and research has gone into the recommended daily allowances. The fact that there are different food pyramids for different types of people means that the whole idea of food pyramids and food groups has come quite a long way over the years.

If you have any questions about the food pyramid – the old one or the modern one – leave a question below and we will try to get it answered for you. Also, if you want to hear more facts about food pyramids, let us know and we’ll get to work providing you with the content you want.

A big part of being healthy revolves around eating correctly. Unfortunately, many people have difficulty buying food for themselves and their family. Whatever the reason – mental illness, a disability, lack of training – there are times when you may need to look into getting food stamps.  The good news is that the Internet can make it easier. Getting food stamps online is easier than you might think.

The very first place you should stop is the US Social Security Administration. The SSA has a page about food stamps. Here are some of the things the cover.

• Who can get food stamps?
• How can you apply for food stamps?
• How much food can you get?
• Contacting Social Security
• More about Food stamps

If you’re not sure where to start, you might check out this page, which has some of the more common tasks people are trying to find help with – like getting food stamps online.

Before you contact the SSA, you might consider checking out the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool. While it has a long name, this is a great place online to see if you might be eligible for food stamps. Depending on your income, your state of residence, and a number of other factors, you may or may not be eligible for food stamps.

This is from the SNAP website:

This Pre-Screening Tool can be used to determine if you may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits. This Pre-Screening Tool is not an application for SNAP. An application for SNAP benefits must be made at your local SNAP Office. Click here to find the office that serves your area.

As you can see, there is no clear cut way to get food stamps online, but you should be pointed in the correct direction now. If you have specific questions about getting food stamps online, leave a comment below. We will try to answer any and all questions we receive – with no guarantees. For the best answers, it is recommended to contact your local SSA office. The SNAP website can save you some time by telling you if you might be eligible for food stamps or not.

Being prepared for “grab n go”  is the key to healthy eating with a busy lifestyle. You want foods that provide both protein and a complex carbohydrate which will satisfy your hunger and sustain your energy. No assembly required, quick, healthy, and easy! Keeping your pantry or fridge stocked with these will give you food to grab on your way out the door. Continue Reading

Fad diets can trick your body into short term change, but eating right for longevity requires a different approach. As science uncovers more clues about extending life and preventing disease, certain foods rise to the top of the list, and these are some of the most important ones. Continue Reading

Getting kids to eat healthy can be quite a challenge these days. Fast food seems to have become the usual, while fruits and veggies are all but forgotten. So, how do you get your kids to eat healthy? Offering lots of different types of foods and letting them see you eat and enjoy a variety of fresh fruits There are the creative ways to get your kids to eat more vegetables, such as camouflaging them in with other foods, like chopping up and mixing vegetables in with pasta sauces, casseroles, or soup. Continue Reading

Let’s face it: willpower is great in theory but not very dependable in practice. A rough day at work, a night out with friends, or any number of situations can put you in tough spots that lead to overeating. Instead of relying on willpower in these situations, create conditions that automatically keep you from overdoing it. Continue Reading

When it comes to the health benefits of chocolate, there is some good news and some bad news. The good news is that research points to chocolate having disease fighting properties, while the bad news is that it must be eaten in moderation and not in overly sugary forms. Continue Reading