Coconut water: A current health trend, but is it worth it?

Coconut water:  A current health trend, but is it worth it?

 

 

The clear liquid from the center of a coconut has been ascribed as a healthier alternative to sports drinks because of its ability to hydrate.  So is this current heath trend worth the cost?  You decide.

	Coconut Water	Water
Fat	0	0
Cholesterol	0	0
Calories	60 (11-oz.)	0
Potassium	569 mg. per serving	0
Cost	$2-$3 per bottle (about 25 cents per oz.)	$0-$3 per bottle

 

Clearly, water is a better choice of beverage in terms of calories, though coconut water has less sugar than many sports drinks and fruit juices and it has much less sugar than sodas.

We can’t ignore the real health benefit of coconut water, it’s high potassium content of 569 mg per serving.  Most Americans do not consume enough potassium which is necessary for heart health.  However, one large banana contains almost as much potassium at 422 mg; and the consumption of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day will help you meet or exceed your daily potassium needs. 

Plain coconut water could be a good choice for adults and kids who struggle to get their daily servings of potassium from fruits and vegetables or for people who are looking for alternate ways to stay hydrated. But since it is not a calorie-free beverage, don’t overdo it. One a day is more than enough.

So, if you are tempted to purchase some coconut water, consider a banana and a glass of water instead; they’re a fraction of the cost with comparable benefits. 

 

If you are going to buy some coconut water, here are a few brands that I recommend:

-Taste Nirvana (my favorite), http://www.tastenirvana.com/

-365 Everyday Value Coconut Water, http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

-Harmless Harvest, http://www.harmlessharvest.com/

 

 

Eggless Eggsalad

Hello my friends! Well, for 40 days I am going Vegan and removing all added sugar from my diet. This is definitely going to be a challenge but I am curious to see how this plant based vegan diet will effect my blood pressure and make me feel overall.

 

*This recipe rocks. I bet even my meat-loving friends will love this recipe.

Eggless Egg salad

Vegenaise Mayo Recipe:

§  1/2 cup full-fat soy milk (unsweetened and non-flavored)

§  1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

§  1/4 teaspoon honey {or light organic agave or maple syrup if you are vegan}

§  1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

§  1/8 teaspoon Dijon mustard

§  1/2 cup grapeseed oil

§  1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

§  Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all the ingredients except the oil in a blender and blitz on high-speed until creamy and combined. With your blender on a low speed, slowly stream in the oil to emulsify the mixture. Scrape down the sides of your blender, mix again, and season to taste, adding more salt, pepper, lemon, or mustard as needed. If your mix comes out too thick, add a splash of water or almond milk. If it comes out too thin, add a bit more olive oil or grapeseed oil. It will thicken significantly as it chills in your fridge. Give the jar a good shake before you enjoy it.

Note: The soy milk seems to work best here, providing a thicker result than any other non-dairy milk.

 

To make the egg salad:

Get extra firm tofu. Drain water out. Crumble with hand or mash with fork.

Add Vegenaise in with crumbled tofu and fold into mixture.

I added fresh herbs and garlic powder and fresh ground pepper and a smidge more Dijon mustard.

Refrigerate and enjoy J

Katnutrition.com

 

Chocolove

 

 

What can I say, I love chocolate and am happy to say I enjoy a little piece of chocolate every day. 

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Whether it was a box of truffles from Godiva or some chocolate-covered strawberries, there is a very good chance you were filled with the sweet goodness this past month.

 

And I have good news— chocolate is made from a functional food!

You may wonder, what is a functional food? Well, a functional food has a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.  It’s like using food as medicine.  Chocolate’s health benefits are largely attributed to polyphenol compounds called flavonoids—the same family of substances that are in tea, red wine, grape juice and other plant foods—which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-clotting properties.

Eating 1 to 2 ounces of dark chocolate daily may result in health benefits such as lower blood pressure, according to some research. However, any benefits from flavonoids must be considered against the calories, fat, and sugar you’ll get from chocolate.  Every second, 100 pounds of chocolate is eaten in America! Sure, the benefits of chocolate  are real but please keep in mind, if you are sitting around indulging in chocolate every day (and it is not dark chocolate), it may take a toll on your health in the long run.

Bottom line on regular chocolate consumption: Keep it simple, keep it dark, and keep it small. And enjoy the benefits!