Jan 06

Throughout America, potatoes are the most popular vegetable, even being ahead of other well known vegetables such as lettuce and onions.  You can cook potatoes in a variety of ways, and they are  included in one out of three meals eaten by almost all Americans.  When they are prepared in a healthy way, a potato can be an excellent source of energy and also pack a nutritional punch.

Like oranges, potatoes are very high in vitamin C. The fact is, one medium potato contains 45% of the vitamin C that’s recommended for good health.   Potatoes are also high in fiber and carbohydrates and contain more potassium than a banana.

A potato is naturally low in calories and contains no fat, sodium, or cholesterol.  The skins of the potatoes provide a helpful dose of fiber, iron,  potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and several B vitamins.

You can prepare potatoes by boiling them, steaming them, or even roasting them.  If at all possible, you should avoid putting potatoes in the refrigerator or freezing them, as cold will turn the potato  starch to sugar and cause them to turn dark when they are cooked.

When you store potatoes, keep them in a cool, dark place. Too much light will cause them to turn green. You can store them in the basement if you have  one, as the basement is the best place to keep potatoes.

From mashed potatoes to baked potatoes, a potato is something we all know and love.  They serve many different tasty foods, and they provide our bodies with plenty of healthful benefits.  We all eat potatoes, some of us even grow our own.  Whether you grow your on or buy them, the potato is  the one vegetable that makes everything just a  little bit better.

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Jan 06

If you have problems serving healthy foods because of the prices, you’ll find these tips to be just what you need to eat healthy on a budget.

1.  Eliminate junk food
Doing your shopping on your own is the easiest way to shop, as children and sometimes spouses are  usually the ones requesting junk food.  Shopping alone will prevent this, and ensure that you only buy the foods you need.

2.  Water or milk instead of soft drinks
You can still enjoy your favorite drinks at a  sporting event or night out, although you should stick with the smallest size when shopping to save money and calories.  Children and even adults need milk or milk products on a daily basis.  Milk will also help you get strong and provides calcium for healthy bones and healthy teeth.

3.  Buy fruits in quantity
Whne they are in season, buy fruits in quantity and freeze any extras.  You can buy several pounds this way, and freeze extras to have them when the fruit goes out of season.  Wash the fruit well,  remove any spoiled pieces, dry thoroughly, then freeze in plastic zipper bags.

4.  Meats and beans
Meats and beans are the best sources for protein. Lean meat is more expensive than meats with a lot of fat.  Canned beans are a great deal as well, as they give you protein at a great price.

5.  Beans as a substitute
You should use beans a substitute for meat on a frequent occasion.  There are several varieties,  so you can prepare them in a crock pot, so when  you return home they are ready to consume.

The USDA recommends eating beans at least 4 times per week.
If you experience gas after eating  beans you should try washing them, covering them with water, bringing the water to a boil, then draining it off and refilling the pot.

6.  If you live in a coastal area or an area  where fish are around, make that an integral part of your diet.  You can catch them from the lakes or rivers, saving money in the process.

7.  Peanut butter is great for those on a budget as it’s popular with almost everyone.
You can  use it for sandwiches instead of eating hot  dogs.  It does need to be refrigerated, although bigger jars can last you for weeks.

8.  You should fill up with foods that have a high content of water.
Watermelon, salads, and even  sugar free gelatin are all great examples.

Eating healthy is always something you can’t go  wrong with.  You can eat healthy for just a few bucks, which makes it perfect for those on a  budget. Now, you don’t need a lot of money to have the lifestyle and health you’ve always wanted.

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Jan 06

The vegetarian way of eating can be a very healthy style of eating.  The rules still apply with healthy eating, although you should add variety, balance, and moderation.

A vegetarian is someone who avoids all types of meat,  whether it be hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, or even fish. Vegetarians are also sometimes classified by the type of food they are or aren’t willing to eat.  For example,  Lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid animal flesh yet they  will eat eggs and most dairy products.  A Vegan on the  other hand, will avoid all food that has any trace of  animal origin.

Because they don’t eat meet, vegetarians will often  wonder how they’ll get enough protein.  Although you may not realize it, the average American actually consumes  more protein than he actually needs.  For the lacto-ovo vegetarian, dairy products are an excellent source of  protein.  Vegans on the other hand, get their protein  from nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Along the lines of beans, there are several to choose  from, including green or red lentils, peanuts, split  peas, pinto, soy, kidney, and many more.  Some of them you are already familiar, such as kidney beans in  chili, refried beans in Mexican dishes, red beans and rice, and pinto beans.  Although some beans taste good as they are, others are available with different flavors to help enhance their taste.  Nuts are hihg in protein, although they deliver a lot more fat than beans, which means you should enjoy them in moderation.  By having  one cup of cooked beans, you’ll get the same amount of protein as eating two ounces of meat!

The nutrients of concern for vegans, who avoid all types of animal food, are vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. In the average North American diet, the primary source for B12 is animals.  To have an adequate intake of B12,   vegans should reguarly consume vitamin B12 supplements or foods, which contain vitamin B12, such as soy products or milk.

For calcium, vegans can rely on orange juice or soy  milk, as they are fortified with calcium.  Beans and  leafy green vegetables will also contain some calcium as well.

Although all types of vegetarians rely on simple food  groups, controlling your vitamins and calcium intake is something you should always do.  This is very important for eating healthy, as well as staying healthy.  If you control what you eat, you’ll have many years of healthy

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